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Olentangy Motor Inn

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Olentangy Motor Inn

Exterior
Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets
Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets
Exterior
Coffee service

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
1445 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212
  • Place, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Place, Ohio Stadium
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Ohio State University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Columbus, OH (CMH-John Glenn Columbus Intl.)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

7.4 out of 10
Good
(12 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(64 reviews)
  • 20 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(23 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible | Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Room, 2 Double Beds, Accessible

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(16 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

Premium bedding, individually furnished, free WiFi, bed sheets

Standard Room, 2 Double Beds

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(92 reviews)
  • 26 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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About this property

Olentangy Motor Inn

Suburban hotel with free breakfast and 24-hour front desk
A coffee shop/cafe, a 24-hour front desk and camper van/bus/lorry parking are available at this smoke-free hotel. On-the-go breakfast is free. Housekeeping is available on request.
Olentangy Motor Inn offers 55 air-conditioned accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors, and features coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include a shower.

Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Business-friendly amenities include telephones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided on request.

The free breakfast at Olentangy Motor Inn gets good marks from our customers. During your stay, you'll be within walking distance of Ohio State University. Enjoy features like free self-parking and a coffee shop/cafe.
  • Free on-the-go breakfast served daily
  • Free Wi-Fi (speed: 25+ Mbps)
  • Free self-parking
  • Enjoy a bite to eat at the coffee shop
  • Services include a virtual front desk
  • Guests have great things to say about the location and the clean guestrooms
  • Just a 3-minute drive from Ohio State University and a few minutes from Greater Columbus Convention Center
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
There's a coffee shop/cafe on site. Free breakfast is available daily. Free self parking is available. A complete renovation of Olentangy Motor Inn was completed in September 2023.

This Columbus hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served a free on-the-go breakfast daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Crimson Cup – On-site coffee shop.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Food and drink

  • Free on-the-go breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Restaurants on site

  • Crimson Cup

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping on request

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 4 accessible parking spaces
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Smooth flooring in room
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1986
  • Renovated entire property - September 2023
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 55-inch TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • Individual furnishings
  • Mobile key entry
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive an email within 7 days before arrival with check-in instructions; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
Prior to arrival, you must complete online registration via a secure link
You will be asked to provide the property with a copy of your government-issued photo ID after booking
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests
This property enforces quiet hours from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 30 lb per pet)
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 12 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD100 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 72 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Prior to arrival, guests must complete online registration with the property via a secure link. Guests will be asked to provide the property with a copy of their government-issued photo ID before arrival. Guests will receive an email 7 days before arrival with check-in information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests. At the property, quiet hours are enforced between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Children aged 12 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

Property is also known as

Varsity Inn South Hotel
Varsity Inn South Hotel Columbus
Varsity South Columbus
Varsity Inn Columbus
Varsity Inn
Varsity Columbus
The Varsity Inn
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel
Olentangy Motor Inn Columbus
Olentangy Motor Inn Hotel Columbus

Olentangy Motor Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 891 out of 1351 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 305 out of 1351 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 95 out of 1351 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 27 out of 1351 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 33 out of 1351 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Alex

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
We had a great stay overall! This is a charming, budget-friendly spot with everything you need if you’re not planning to spend a ton of time in your room. The space has been updated, the location is super convenient for getting into downtown Columbus, and the breakfast is a pleasant surprise — especially the coffee, which was genuinely excellent. We also appreciated the complimentary sandwich and coffee voucher. However, cleanliness was a concern. The floors were extremely dirty — after walking across the room once, the bottoms of our feet were black, and the shower mat picked up a lot of dirt as well. The linens were also on the thin, scratchy side. I’d recommend bringing a pair of flip-flops or slippers for the room and maybe an extra blanket for comfort. With just a little more attention to cleaning and comfort, this would be a fantastic stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shannon

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Gabriel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Trisha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

jay

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Niceeeeeeee place
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy check in with helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Julie

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Clean room and convenient. Right near railroad tracks don’t did get a bit loud. Breakfast was a free small coffee and breakfast sandwich that they didn’t offer up when I checked out. They also didn’t provide the wifi password until I searched down a staff member to hide it to me. I thought the information would have been in the room. Room was fine for what I needed but felt the description was a bit exaggerated.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

James

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Room was ok. Huge TV was great. Staff was very friendly, especially Seth.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen, Lecanto

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Yes safe with easy parking.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Benjamin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice hotel for a good price
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miranda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lori

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy parking, very quiet and friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Zach

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Overall a good stay, convenient location and nice enough rooms. It definitely smelled like whoever was there before us had smoked in the room. The floors were not as clean as they could have been, but everything else seemed to be clean enough.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carole Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was really quiet and nice until large trucks and truckers arrived around midnight and made a lot of rumbling noise
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Karen

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Lot was small & it was a little difficult to get around. No Wifi access Staff was very nice Bathroom floor needed to be cleaned Room was ok
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Stephanie

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

kayleigh

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dena

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was close to James Cancer hospital. Everything was excellent about the place to stay. The lady working the desk asked if we wanted the king size bed room that was on the second or 2 queens on the first floor. We took the queen beds. The only we didnt like was the matteress it was hard as rock. We will stay there again when we are in Columbus
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect no frills stay. Very clean, comfortable and quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jim

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a quiet, safe experience. Will stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shane

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sydney

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025