Salley K.
Yelp
I travel a LOT and stay in countless hotels, home stays, airbnbs, you name it, so it takes an extraordinary situation for me to notice, much less review, a hotel. I was in Columbia for the first time as a performer at the Columbia Museum of Art as part of their Music on Main series, and upon arriving at the airport, simply followed the email from the concert presenter telling me to check in at the Hotel Trundle. I was exhausted when I arrived, but the front desk staff was exceptionally and genuinely warm, and took the time to answer my many questions about their favorite food in the area. I also noted that desk staff and cleaning staff shared a collegiality and congeniality that was both surprising and heartening. The pleasant surprises only continued when I saw my room- the space was well appointed, thoughtfully designed, stylish, spacious, and the bed was unbelievably comfortable. I'm very picky about my personal toiletries, so usually do not avail myself of hotel offerings, but the selection at the hotel were from an Italian Slow Food designated source.
Later in the day, I asked a different front desk worker if I could have the "welcome drink" that was mentioned when I checked in, and I was instantly poured a very tall glass of tasty rose. The man had just started working at Hotel Trundle, but could not contain his enthusiasm as he shared what a fantastic place it was. When I mentioned how comfortable the bed was, he told me that the owners sourced as much as they could from local artists - the beds and mattresses were hand made by local artisans, all the art and furniture in the lobby were created by local makers, the photos adoring the hallways were the work of local photographers, large scale crochet art installed directly onto the staircase, local artists' names enmeshed into a word jumble painted onto a wall, on and on, down to the "Do not Disturb" hangtags on the doors, which were also created and illustrated by local artists. As I continued to talk and learn about the hotel, the front desk worker explained that the hotel was originally three separate buildings, one of which was an automotive shop. He then offered me peeks of some of the unoccupied rooms, and I was again surprised to find that the rooms were different - some had kitchenettes, some had retained the industrial walls of the automotive shop, one had a beautifully florid tin ceiling, and more - it was clear there was nothing cookie cutter about the rooms.
I was unfortunately so busy rehearsing that I was not able to partake in the happy hour hosted at the hotel, the "Sip and Nibble," where pimento cheese, salsa, chips, and drinks are apparently served, but yet another front desk worker was very accommodating when my colleagues and I arrived way after the Sip and Nibble had ended and offered us drinks anyways.
I didn't have a car and didn't have time (or desire) to exercise, so can't speak to the parking or the fitness amenities, but the hotel really caught my attention. Fortunately for me, the hotel was downtown and in easy walking distance of everything I needed. If I ever have the opportunity to stay in Columbia again, I would definitely stay here.