Nice hotels/suites on NW side (Columbia, Irmo: luxury, business, offer)

[ranger17]

We are planning on coming down for a week in Sept to check the area out, and would like to ask for some suggestions on a nice (clean) hotel/suite to use as a base camp for the week. We're thinking of staying on the NW side of town, so we're close to the lake, zoo, mall/restaurants, as well as the interstate so it's easy enough to get on and take some day trips to the coast. It would be nice to find one that possibly had a breakfast buffet included, no sense eating out 3 meals a day.
We've already done some searching, and (unfortunately ) found some reports on a chain that we've stayed at in other cities that this one was not up to par ( bugs, dirty, etc ); so thought maybe asking the local experts would be a good idea before booking anything. I appreciate any info sent--thanks as always.

[waccamatt]

There is a Hilton Garden Inn and a Hyatt Place in the Harbison/Irmo area just off I-26.

[Skyliner]

Embassy Suites is near the zoo, right off of the freeway into downtown.

[ranger17]

the Hyatt looks like a real good value for what they offer. We checked the Embassy, and that is one that seems to have rec'd more poor ratings then good ( somewhat surprising compared to others we've stayed at ). Every one can get a bad review now and then, but when they pop up more often then that it raises a bit of concern. thx

[southerngentleman]

Wingate has been nice when we have stayed there in the past. Columbia South Carolina Hotel, Wingate by Wyndham - A luxury business hotel near downtown.

[waccamatt]

I've been in the Embassy Suites a number of times and it seemed fine, but I've never spent the night there.

[ranger17]

THX gang. Looks like the Hyatt is "in the lead" for now; if we can find a nice place and save a few bucks--that will allow more fun money while running around SC checking it out for a future location. And after a sunny day here that pushed to only hit maybe low 60's & lake temp only low-mid 50's (today was called 'pleasant' around here); a week down in SC can't come soon enough!

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by ranger17

THX gang. Looks like the Hyatt is "in the lead" for now; if we can find a nice place and save a few bucks--that will allow more fun money while running around SC checking it out for a future location. And after a sunny day here that pushed to only hit maybe low 60's & lake temp only low-mid 50's (today was called 'pleasant' around here); a week down in SC can't come soon enough!

The weather was gorgeous in Columbia today, also, sunny with a high in the mid-80's.

[ranger17]

we watch the weather down there every day, no need to rub it in about the beautiful temps; after the record winter we've had you would think 60's would be nice. But 80's would have been much nicer up here, considering it was opening weekend for fishing. Hopefully we like what we see down there, and can get some plans set in action

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by ranger17

we watch the weather down there every day, no need to rub it in about the beautiful temps; after the record winter we've had you would think 60's would be nice. But 80's would have been much nicer up here, considering it was opening weekend for fishing. Hopefully we like what we see down there, and can get some plans set in action

In a month or so when it is in the upper 80's and 90's every day you can rub it in to us.