The Opportunity
Lodging Partners, LLC is pleased to present for sale the fee simple interest in the 142-room Clarion Inn West Columbia (the “Hotel”), strategically located in West Columbia, South Carolina, immediately off Interstate 26. This property offers direct access to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), downtown Columbia, and the University of South Carolina (USC)—placing it in the heart of a dynamic corporate, government, and leisure-driven lodging market.
The property benefits from nearby demand drivers such as Riverbanks Zoo, Colonial Life Arena, Lexington Medical Center, and Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army’s premier basic training site.
Located in an Opportunity Zone, the Hotel offers substantial tax advantages, including deferred capital gains and long-term tax exclusions for qualified investors.
This offering is a rare chance to acquire a cash-flowing asset with immediate upside through repositioning, rebranding, or redevelopment within a high-demand market.
Property Highlights
Prime I-26 visibility just minutes to downtown Columbia, CAE Airport, and USC.
142 guestrooms including double/double rooms, king rooms, suites, and a 5-unit on-site manager’s apartment.
Convenient location near I-26 & I-40, and across the street from the Asheville Outlets
7.1-acre site offers potential for workforce housing, multifamily redevelopment, or additional rooms.
Investment Highlights
Strong Location just minutes from government offices, major hospitals, and USC.
Flexible rebranding options (Clarion Pointe, SureStay, Days Inn, Baymont), or redevelopment, for significant upside potential.
Opportunity Zone Benefits including tax incentives enhancing after-tax returns.
Strong revenue growth potential by improving below market RevPAR in addition to operational upside.
Stable demand base including corporate, government, healthcare, and leisure travelers.
Offered free of management, giving investors full operational flexibility.
Ownership & Terms
The Hotel is being offered free of management and debt. The property is offered in an “as is, where is” condition on fee-simple land.
Upside Potential
This property offers the ability to enhance revenue by optimizing operational efficiencies and exploring alternative branding opportunities within the Choice Hotels family. New owner has the option add 7 additional guest rooms by separating the 2-room suites and converting additional rooms currently used for other purposes. Additionally, the Hotel’s expansive site provides potential for further development or amenity enhancements to elevate the guest experience and drive ADR growth.
Market Overview
West Columbia blends Southern charm, riverfront views, and modern development, minutes from downtown Columbia. Key demand generators include:
- University of South Carolina: 35,000+ students and 6,000 employees.
- Government Offices: Major driver for corporate travel.
- Healthcare Hub: Prisma Health & Lexington Medical Center.
- Tourism & Events: Riverbanks Zoo, Colonial Life Arena, The Vista dining district, and SEC sports events.
- Infrastructure Growth: Expanding mixed-use development and revitalization.
Location
Property Overview
Guest Room Configuration
The Clarion Inn West Columbia is an exterior-corridor building with a total of 149 room bays The Hotel has 142 guest rooms, featuring modern amenities such as flat-panel TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, cable television, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards. The Hotel also offers an outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, guest laundry facilities, and ample meeting space.
Nearby Restaurants
A number of national and local restaurants are located close to the Hotel and include Applebee’s Grill & Bar, Grecian Gardens, Calloway’s Sports Bar & Grill, Ruby Tuesday, Casa Oaxaca Mexican Restaurant, Shoney’s, Lizard’s Ticket Restaurant to name a few.
Market Overview
Located minutes from downtown Columbia, West Columbia blends historic charm with modern convenience along the Congaree River. It offers scenic riverfront views, outdoor recreation, and proximity to the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), and state government offices.
West Columbia’s historic districts, arts scene, and locally-owned restaurants attract leisure and business travelers. The Congaree Riverwalk connects to The Vista, Columbia’s top dining and entertainment district. Key attractions include South Carolina State Museum, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, and Colonial Life Arena.
Demand is driven by corporate travelers, construction crews, government visitors, and university-related tourism. USC athletics generates thousands of room nights yearly. Easy access to I-26, I-77, and I-20 further supports hotel demand.
Ongoing development, infrastructure improvements, and proximity to key economic hubs make West Columbia a year-round lodging destination.
Market Highlights:
- USC: 35,000 students, 6,000 employees
- State Capitol & Government Offices
- Growing healthcare sector (Prisma Health & Lexington Medical Center)
- Top attractions: Riverbanks Zoo, State Museum, Colonial Life Arena, Congaree National Park
- Strong events calendar: USC sports, concerts, conventions
- Riverfront development: Riverwalk, Brookland, The Vista
Economic Overview
West Columbia’s economy thrives on government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Columbia’s status as the state capital ensures stable demand from government employees and contractors.
Education fuels demand from USC, Columbia College, and Midlands Technical College. Healthcare demand comes from Prisma Health and Lexington Medical Center, attracting professionals and patient families.
Manufacturing, logistics, and construction add steady lodging demand, supported by Columbia’s location at the intersection of I-26, I-20, and I-77. Industrial expansions also bring in construction crews.
A packed events calendar — including conventions, festivals, and USC athletics — ensures consistent hotel demand, supported by diverse visitor segments.
Major Employers
University of South Carolina (USC)
USC employs 15,000 and generates year-round lodging demand from conferences, athletics, and family visits. The university adds over $5.5 billion to the state’s economy.
Prisma Health – Midlands
Prisma Health employs 14,000 across area hospitals, driving strong hospitality demand from patients, medical professionals, and vendors.
BlueCross BlueShield of SC
With 7,500 employees near the hotel, BlueCross BlueShield draws corporate visitors, consultants, and training teams.
Fort Jackson
The Army’s largest basic training site, Fort Jackson employs 3,500 and trains 50,000 soldiers annually, bringing consistent lodging demand from families and contractors.
Lexington Medical Center
Employing 7,500, Lexington Medical Center generates demand from corporate healthcare travel and patient family stays.
Leisure
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Drawing over 1 million visitors a year, Riverbanks Zoo is a top family-friendly attraction and a major weekend demand driver.
The Vista District
Columbia’s entertainment hub offers dining, bars, galleries, and live music — attracting visitors and locals alike.
Colonial Life Arena
Hosting USC basketball and major concerts, this 18,000-seat venue regularly drives hotel demand for sold-out events.
Nearby Attractions:
- South Carolina State Museum
- Congaree National Park
- EdVenture Children’s Museum
- State House
- Williams-Brice Stadium (USC football)
- Lake Murray (boating & recreation)
- Harbison State Forest
- Township Auditorium (concerts)
Higher Education
University of South Carolina (USC)
With 35,000+ students, USC creates consistent demand from academics, athletics, and family events year-round.
Midlands Technical College
Enrolling 8,500 students, Midlands Tech brings visitors for faculty events, training programs, and educational conferences.
Benedict College
As a leading HBCU with 2,000+ students, Benedict generates strong seasonal demand for homecoming, commencement, and alumni events.
Healthcare
Prisma Health Richland Hospital
A 649-bed regional referral and trauma center, Prisma Health Richland generates extended-stay demand from families, specialists, and clinical trial participants.
Lexington Medical Center
This 557-bed facility supports lodging demand from healthcare professionals, vendors, and families needing long-term stays.
Dorn VA Medical Center
Serving 83,000 veterans, the VA Medical Center drives lodging from veterans seeking specialized care and family visitors.
Transportation
Highways
West Columbia enjoys excellent access via I-26 (linking Charleston and Greenville) and I-77 (connecting Columbia to Charlotte), supporting both corporate and leisure travel.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Less than 4 miles away, CAE handles over 1.3 million passengers annually, supporting corporate, military, and sports-related travel.
Lodging Market Overview – Columbia, SC
Columbia, South Carolina, serves as a vital hub for business, government, healthcare, and education, driven by the University of South Carolina, Fort Jackson (the U.S. Army’s largest basic training center), and the South Carolina State Government. Its central location along I-26 and I-77 supports strong demand from corporate travelers, logistics companies, and government contractors.
Tourism has also rebounded, with Columbia welcoming approximately 6.2 million visitors in 2023, generating over $1.5 billion in direct visitor spending. Lodging alone accounted for roughly $410 million, driven by sports tourism, university events, military graduations, and regional conferences.
The broader hotel market reported 65.4% occupancy in 2023, with ADR rising to $109.82, leading to a 4.5% annual RevPAR gain, according to STR.
Photo Tour
ADVISORS
Brokerage team
