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Olentangy Motor Inn

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Olentangy Motor Inn

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

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
1445 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212
  • Ohio Stadium
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Ohio State University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Greater Columbus Convention Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Columbus, OH (CMH-John Glenn Columbus Intl.)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

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
(80 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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)
  • 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
(19 reviews)
  • 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

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(10 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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
(51 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

Olentangy Motor Inn

Hotel in Grandview Heights
A coffee shop/cafe, a 24-hour front desk, and RV/bus/truck 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 feature coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Each accommodation is individually furnished. Beds feature premium bedding. Televisions come with premium cable channels. Bathrooms include showers.

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

The hotel offers a coffee shop/cafe. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Onsite self parking is complimentary. A total renovation of this property was completed in September 2023.

Olentangy Motor Inn is a smoke-free property.

A complimentary on-the-go breakfast is served each morning between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Crimson Cup - Onsite coffee shop.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/truck parking on site
  • 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
  • Smoking not allowed
  • 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 available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

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

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

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total (up to 30 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 12 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 10 per pet, per night (maximum USD 100 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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
Onsite 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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

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. 736 out of 1092 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 232 out of 1092 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 75 out of 1092 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 22 out of 1092 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 27 out of 1092 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
I stayed for 2.5 days. The overall staff service was good. Loved the idea of complimentary coffee and breakfat sandwich from the Crimson Cup but would offer the suggestion of having the sandwish made to order .... not everyone likes cheese on their sandwiches. The room was ok. Your basically staying at a Red Roof Inn but with a name change and upgrades. Cleanliness: Hair in the shower and other surfaces .... yuck!! I suggest being a bit more thorough.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Chelsea

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Newly remodeled room

Check in was a little confusing and I met a fellow traveler also trying to figure out where to check in (yes it's the coffee shop). Room was newly remodeled, nice amenities in the room and check out was a breeze. Pillow had blood on it when we arrived, the bed is super firm and the parking is limited.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Douglas

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Extremely friendly staff. Location conveniently located near the OSU James Cancer Center.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The beds were too tall for senior adults,hard to get onto them without feet sliding out from under us. Need 2 chairs for sitting on. Very clean and beds were comfortable. workers were very nice.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Definitely a win

It was a cool independent place. Close to OSU, clean, good coffee and nice staff. Will stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Christy

Traveled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Although the staff were very helpful and the rooms were clean, the rooms smelled badly of cigarette smell. The hotel is supposed to be smoke free.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Kelly

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Pillows sucked bed too soft. Light kept flickering through window shade.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Lee

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

8/10 Good

Fei

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
clean and modern interior. easy parking. nice location. more than a motel experience.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great stay, cleaner and nicer than most places that are double the price!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brianna

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Lourdes

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was right next to the railroad tracks. Otherwise, everything was great
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort

I would not stay here again

I wouldnt stay here again. The beds were very uncomfortable - among the most uncomfortabke of any place I have ever stayed. The TV stations avaiabkd were odd and different.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patty

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, close to restaurant and close to OSU Medical center.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

paul

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great budget hotel. I see why it was highly rated. Attached local coffee shop was a nice bonus
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect affordable hotel

Very convenient location and a great price yet everything in good condition up to date.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alberta

Traveled with group
Escorted to room by staff as it was late at night Staff assisted with luggage transport Nice breakfast sandwich
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

William

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This motel had the nicest staff I have ever encountered, and I travel quite a bit. Every single person I spoke to was friendly, helpful, and professional. The room was clean, and very well stocked. The coffee shop attached was 5 stars, also. Great coffee and breakfast. I would choose this motel again solely based on the people working there- they made this stay a five star experience. Thank you Sherece!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Doug

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good for a weekend girls trip

Rooms are cute cozy exactly what we needed for our girls trip. There was some glitter on the floor in bathroom behind the door but hey, glitter is hard to get all of. We enjoyed the free sandwich and the coffee from the shop was good. Quiet neighborhood
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Elissa

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

6/10 Okay

Shiwei

Traveled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Next to railroad, 2-3 trains every night. No laundry. Room floor and bathroom can be cleaned better.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth, Lakewood

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025