The Inn at USC is a modern, upscale AAA rated Three Diamond hotel with 117 rooms from a former apartment complex integrated into and around a red-brick, four-story house built in 1912.

Opened in 2005 after an intense political battle, the Inn had to agree not to competitively advertise with existing Columbia hotels. They accused the Inn of unfair marketing advantages because it is on the University of South Carolina campus and across the street from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center.

Their fear is justified because the house is an historic delight with walls of Honduran mahogany, parquet floors, hand-crafted fireplace mantels,  Gothic and Italianate and French and Northern European architectural influences. There are 31 two-room suites (three luxury), 17 different room designs, modern amenities galore and room rates ranging from $129 to $299 for a suite. Now you know what the other Columbia hotels didn’t want you to know.