The Principal Hotel is a great choice for a stay in Columbia. Guests can visit the fitness centre for a workout or grab a bite to eat at Graphite Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner.
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL) - 38 min drive
St. Louis, MO (SUS-Spirit of St. Louis) - 38 min drive
St. Louis Gateway Station - 22 min drive
Kirkwood Station - 23 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 3 min drive
Taco Bell - 3 min drive
Top Shooters Sports Bar - 6 min drive
Dairy Queen - 11 min walk
Jimmy John's - 3 min drive
About this property
The Principal Hotel
The Principal Hotel is a great choice for a stay in Columbia. Guests can visit the fitness centre for a workout or grab a bite to eat at Graphite Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner.
At a glance
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Hotel size
40 rooms
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age – 21
Check-out time is 10:00 AM
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Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
This property enforces quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM
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Required at check-in
Credit card required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 21
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Pets
Pets not allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
Free uncovered on-site self-parking
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Other information
Designated smoking area (fines apply)
Property amenities
Food and drink
Restaurant
Coffee shop
Coffee/tea in a common area
Water dispenser
Working away
Meeting rooms
Services
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Facilities
ATM/banking
Television in common areas
Fitness centre
Accessibility
Hardwood flooring in room
Room amenities
Be entertained
40-inch flat-screen TV
Digital TV channels
Netflix
Hulu
Streaming services
Home comfort
Air conditioning and heating
Coffee/tea maker
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Blackout curtains
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shower only
Soap and shampoo
Hairdryer
Towels
Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Phone
Food and drink
Microwave
More
Housekeeping (on request)
In-room safe
Special features
Dining
Graphite Restaurant – This fine-dining restaurant serves breakfast, brunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Cafe on the Abbey – This café serves breakfast and lunch. Open selected days.
Here's the breakdown, no surprises
Refundable deposits
Deposit: USD 100.00 per accommodation, per stay
Children & extra beds
Rollaway beds are available for USD 20.0 per day
Policies
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
This property reserves the right to pre-authorise the guest's credit card prior to arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Does The Principal Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Principal Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Principal Hotel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at The Principal Hotel?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Principal Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Is there an on-site casino at The Principal Hotel?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but River City Casino (18-min drive) is nearby.
What is there to do at The Principal Hotel and nearby?
Maintain your daily exercise routine at the gym.
Are there restaurants at or near The Principal Hotel?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant, Graphite Restaurant.
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The Principal Hotel Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
10/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Staff & service
9.6/10
Amenities
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
9.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
30 Jul 2025
Amazing stay. This hotel is incredible.
Joseph
Joseph, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
14 Aug 2025
Nice s
Room was great , hardwood floors that U love , very nice bathroom , excellent, highly recommended
Roy
Roy, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
8 Jun 2025
Amazing hotel with friendly staff and very clean rooms. Great place to stay while in town for a cardinals game.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
1 Jun 2025
It was the roomiest hotel I have ever stayed at.
Kristin
Kristin, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
21 Jul 2025
Wonderful Hotel
One of the best hotel stays we've ever had! I loved all the unique schoolhouse themed items. From the moment we walked in it smelled very clean, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the bed was the most comfortable we've ever stayed in! The area around the hotel was nice and safe, I enjoyed walking on the walking/biking trail nearby. Highly recommend and will definitely stay again if in the area!
Helen
Helen, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
3 May 2025
They did a great job of converting a school into a hotel.
Jana
Jana, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
6 Jun 2025
It was amazing
Kendall
Kendall, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
11 May 2025
They perfectly executed the school theme and it is a beautiful building.
Keith
Keith, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
25 Jun 2025
Right at home
Our room was very clean , plenty outlets, walk in shower is great and the bed and pillows were great. I would of loved to stay at , “The Principal “,at the beginning of the week
Patricia
Patricia, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
29 Jun 2025
Just passing through
Checkin was effortless. Staff were always helpful. Parking was convenient. Room was extremely clean and bed was super comfortable. Hotel is an old Catholic School and it was beautifully re-architected into a hotel.
Nice upscale restaurant (Graphite) connected to hotel.
Henry
Henry, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
3 May 2025
Cutest boutique hotel!
The staff is always incredible! The location is convenient. You have a cute coffee shop next door and now a great restaurant! I always stay here when I'm in Columbia.
Jenny
Jenny, 5-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
18 Feb 2025
Beautiful little spot. The restaurant was excellent and beds were comfortable
Brandi
Brandi, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 Jun 2025
10 out of 10 would recommend.
The atmosphere of it being a renovated school was a lot of fun, and extremely well done. the room was plenty spacious, and extremely clean. All the staff we met were very friendly. This hotel is a must stay if you are passing through. Even if you are visiting St. Louis, it is worth the 15-20 minute drive to stay out of the city in the quaint little town.
Tyler
Tyler, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
1 Aug 2025
When I come back it won't be for work!
Man man man. I was so glad to find this little hotel in this little town of Columbia Illinois. I was working in St Louis and I didn't want to stay anywhere close to where I was working. This was about a 30-minute drive and worth every mile. Told my wife I'll be bringing her back to this little quaint town and hotel. Good restaurants nearby too. I stay in hotels about 2 weeks a month in different cities throughout the world and this was one of the trendiest, cleanest, most comfortable places I stayed in recent memory.
Clyde
Clyde, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
18 May 2025
This a beautiful boutique hotel that was once a school. They have implemented the school theme perfectly throughout the facility. The staff was very courteous. The restaurant that is on-site has delicious food and great service. We enjoyed our stay here and will stay here again when in the area.
Dimika
Dimika, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
27 May 2025
We loved our short stay. Attended a beautiful wedding of a granddaughter. Rehearsal dinner at Graphite, Wedding and dinner/dance in Venue. Stayed overnight in The Principal. Loved everthing!!
BOB
BOB, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
29 May 2025
My room was great. Beautiful shower, clean room, very comfortable bed. There was also a mini fridge, microwave, iron, keurig, and blow dryer in the room.
Sabrina
Sabrina, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
31 Mar 2025
This was just a unique place. A school turned hotel with the decor absolutely fitting. We were looking for something different not far from home and this nailed it!
Tiffiney
Tiffiney, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
4 May 2025
This property was outstanding! It was very clean and the staff were very friendly. You could tell they put a lot of effort into providing an incredible stay. From nice thick towels to offering free drink tickets the property was. Class act. We would highly recommend this hotel.
Mary
Mary, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
22 Nov 2024
Would definitely stay at the Principal again!
Tyler
Tyler, 2-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
19 Feb 2025
The school theme is fun, and the fact that it was a school and has that history is really interesting. I will stay here again.
Shawn
Shawn, 3-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
19 May 2025
Loved it. The school theme is very unique.
Penny
Penny, 4-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
28 Feb 2025
An amazing atmosphere
Adam
Adam, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
26 Apr 2025
Refreshing!
The atmosphere was uplifting; the decor exuded uniqueness and joy; the grounds were impeccably clean and secure; the town embodied a refreshingly authentic American charm!
Stephen
Stephen, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
4 Jan 2025
Lovely stay with family
My wife was thrilled about this stay and thought it was her favorite which is saying something given that we have stayed at many 5 star properties over the years.