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Olentangy Motor Inn

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Olentangy Motor Inn

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

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
$130
includes taxes & fees
Nov 4 - Nov 5

Explore the area

View in a map
1445 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212
  • Place, Ohio Stadium
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Ohio State University
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Greater Columbus Convention Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Columbus, OH (CMH-John Glenn Columbus Intl.)
    ‪14 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)
  • 285 sq ft
  • 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
(60 reviews)
  • 214 sq ft
  • 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)
  • 285 sq ft
  • 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
(13 reviews)
  • 285 sq ft
  • 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
(90 reviews)
  • 285 sq ft
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

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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.

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. 847 out of 1279 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 283 out of 1279 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 91 out of 1279 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 26 out of 1279 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 32 out of 1279 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

8/10 Good

Scott

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, good staff
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaimie

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great stay! Room was comfortable and clean. Also included breakfast sandwich and small coffee at attached coffee shop - nice surprise. Would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Brittany

Business traveler, Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very basic, a little dusty and wouldn’t exactly say cozy. But for the money and the experience of a “motel”, it was worth it.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

John

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Michelle

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice and friendly staff
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia, Pembroke Pines

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was very clean and updated. Was concerned initially as the outside does not look like a conventional hotel, but was very pleasantly surprised. The staff were really nice and the breakfast sandwich was amazing. Will stay again!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Business traveler
Liked: Amenities
Super clean but the body wash dispenser was empty. Wonderful friendly staff. Plant based breakfast sandwich yes!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shayna

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

Great experience

I may be the pickiest person when it comes to picking a hotel. After reading reviews (and burn out from hours of looking at reviews) I picked this hotel for our overnight in Columbus. And I’m so glad I did. Front desk staff was amazing. The room was renovated and clean. Breakfast was delicious. We would definitely stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Debra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a 2 night stay. The second night, a Monday, there were people talking loudly after midnight and woke me up. After a call to the front desk nothing was done.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Over all great stay no complaints besides messed up and booked the room twice for the one same day and didn’t mean tooo, But they helped me get it figured out with no issues
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Trisha

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A very clean, friendly place to stay and a good price!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

sandy

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Meredith

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kellsey

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

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Our room was clean and cozy. It was very hot out and the air worked very well. We were there an hour early and checked to see if the room was ready, and they let us check in. The only thing we saw was that the ceiling in the bathroom needed redone; it must have leaked at some point. A suggestion is that we would have liked a chair somewhere. We don't like only having the bed to sit on. The breakfast sandwich and coffee were good for breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janette, Savannah

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Check in desk is in the coffee shop - not clearly marked and you wait until the coffee business is caught up to check in.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn

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

6/10 Okay

JP

Business traveler
Disliked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Derrick

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bed was comfortable. AC worked really well. A floor mat was needed for the bathroom.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristie

Business traveler, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super close to campus. A great clean, affordable, no-frills option for parents visiting their students. The daily breakfast sandwich and coffee is a nice touch & tasty! The only thing we didn't realize was that there's no maid service if your stay is less than 3 nights, though not a deal-breaker. We'll definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joseph

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

Nice motel.

Close to OSU. Not far from downtown.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Savas

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Clean and good. Staff are a bit unfriendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Michaela

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I like there was a refrigerator and microwave. Staff was friendly. Breakfast sandwich was good.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

Neil

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