I found myself in Colubmia, South Carolina this week and while there I decided to try out a hotel property that I used to pass all the time when in college here but never had a reason in grace with my presence – the Clarion Hotel on Gervais Street downtown. Since SC is a huge early presidential primary state, I’ve seen various events advertised as being held at the Clarion during circus season, so I’ve always assumed it was a nice place, at least for a Republican political function.
Also, for some reason I was under the impression that it was a part of one of the larger hotel groups. After staying here, I was a little dismayed to find out that it’s actually linked up with the Choice Hotels network (Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn, Cambria Suites, Econolodge, etc.), so I seriously doubt I’ll have much of a reason to build up points in an account with that hotel network unless I become a trucker or something. But corporate companions aside, the Clarion on Gervais in Columbia was actually quite charming and lived up to my expectation of a somewhat sophisticated local establishment.
The decor on the hotel’s main floor is characteristically reminiscent of Southern aristocracy, which is quite charming. Some properties try to do this and either modernize it too much or go cheap and it just doesn’t work, but this Clarion seems to have struck a balance between staying affordable and comfortable while presenting quite well.
The restaurant just off the lobby seems to have a fancy and delish buffet spread and an upscale atmosphere of the type you’d take your Southern-society-lady mother to after church on Sunday or maybe on Mother’s Day, although the small size of the place would seem to necessitate reservations for Southern-society-lady holidays. I was tempted to try out the food, but my figure is more important than you knowing how the “sliced beef jaradiniere” [sp?] and “lynnaise potatoes” taste, so I’ll opt for my mid-day protein shake instead and anyone who’s especially upset about that can bite me. I’m sure the food is great because it smells amazing from across the lobby. You temptress, you.
The rooms were pretty blah but sufficient, but the big downside to the property is the out-of-character Motel 6-style annex they have out back. Lord help you if you came here expecting to stay in the main tower and get stuck back there in trucker hell. With such a nice main building, a central location, and a good reputation about town, one would think they’d renovate those motel-looking buildings back there and make it look a little less Econolodgesque.
The fitness center, which was crap, was back in that part too, so of course I had to go rock my bod a little up in there this morning. After my workout, I was shocked to spot a surprisingly nice little sauna/steam room thing off of the main fitness center room. Work it out squalor and sweat it off in style, I guess.
One interesting note about the property is the fact that it was evidently the site of General Sherman’s headquarters during the beginning of the federal occupation of SC following the Civil War. The plaque on the wall outside of the main entrance seems to indicate that it served as HQ for only a few days, yet other plaques around the city and the state continuously remind us that the occupation lasted for years. Still bitter, are we? I guess Sherman decided to upgrade to the Hilton after those first few days here.
Overall, I was pretty pleased with my stay here, based on what I expected for the CAE and the price range for the rooms. One of these days when I’m not dieting and already have a ripped bod, I’ve got to go back and try that restaurant, and maybe the random comedy club that’s strangely attached to the hotel too… if someone good comes, that is. Y’all got Mo’Nique’s digits?







