Columbia, Missouri, is probably best known as the home of the University of Missouri. But CoMo, as Columbia is affectionately nicknamed, offers a variety of activities, cultural institutions, and dining options, making it an ideal destination for a long weekend getaway or as part of a larger trip through the Show-Me State. It’s also conveniently located midway between Missouri’s two largest cities, Kansas City to the west and St. Louis to the east. If you go, one of the best places to stay is The Broadway, a one-of-a-kind DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. I recently spent three nights at The Broadway while exploring the city’s cultural and outdoor offerings.
A Great Place to Stay
While CoMo attracts large crowds of visitors throughout the year, from families dropping off students at Mizzou to sports fans attending games, the majority of accommodations are located on the outskirts of the city. There are only two hotels in downtown Columbia, offering visitors easy walking access to shopping, entertainment, and the university.
First is the landmark Tiger Hotel. It is situated on the south side of Broadway Boulevard, the main thoroughfare through downtown. Built in 1928, the hotel features a giant red rooftop marquee that’s become an iconic symbol of the city. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
The Broadway is located about five blocks away on the north side of its namesake street in an area known as “The District.” Built in 2015, the eight-story hotel towers over downtown, with its contemporary red and orange brick facade, complete with glass-enclosed balconies.
In spring 2025, the hotel opened a second tower, which features eight floors of guest rooms and multiple conference rooms. The second tower has its own entrance and lobby on Walnut Street, which runs parallel to Broadway to the north, but currently the desk is not staffed. All guests must still check in at the main lobby. A multilevel garage for guest parking connects both the original and new structures.
Accommodations
The Broadway has 194 rooms — 114 in the original building and 80 in the second tower. Sizes range from a 288-square-foot standard Two Queen or King to the 576-square-foot King Suite.
Mobility and hearing accessibility models of each room style are also available. Mobility accessible rooms include spacious floor plans that allow for easy wheelchair access as well as roll-in showers and accessible tubs. Hearing accessible rooms have visual alarms and notification devices for the door and telephone. Braille elevator and room signage is also seen throughout the property.
All rooms include the DoubleTree Sweet Dreams mattress with jumbo hypo-allergenic down pillows, a 40-inch wall-mounted TV, a mini-fridge and coffee maker, a safe, and free newspaper service during weekdays.
I stayed in a King Sofa room, which is a slightly larger standard room with a sofa bed, in the new tower.
Getting to the room is an adventure. The front desk agent who checked me in told me how to access the new tower, which requires taking the lobby elevator to the fourth floor, crossing a walkway, and then taking another elevator to your floor. My traveling companion was not so lucky and didn’t receive any instructions. She returned to the front desk multiple times before an agent escorted her to her room.
The room itself is tranquil yet modern in design. Shades of brown, beige, and olive are balanced by clean lines and natural wood tones. The bed is exceptionally comfortable, with plush linens and pillows that stay fluffy throughout the night.
The bathroom, in shades of beige, has a spa-like feel. The spacious vanity offers room to spread out your toiletries. And the large, illuminated mirror makes getting ready in the morning a breeze. Toiletries are by Crabtree & Evelyn.
The Broadway Experience
The Broadway is a LEED Green Certified hotel. This means that the property was constructed using green building principles. For example, during construction, the hotel purchased 14 percent of the required materials from local sources. It also uses low chemical-emitting materials, which help eliminate irritating or allergic chemicals from the indoors. Additional LEED qualities include air and heating system efficiencies, reduced water usage, and an ambitious recycling program. The hotel was the first federally certified LEED hotel in mid-Missouri.
Earth tones and organic materials define the hotel’s aesthetic. The lobby showcases furnishings made from leather, natural wood, and metal. A long, horizontal fireplace adds a warm, cozy feel to the space. And gentle bird calls are piped into the guest room hallways. I asked a front desk agent about that, as I thought there was a bird in one of the rooms. He said that the owner likes birds and decided to add the calls to create a soothing ambience.
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Guests are welcomed with the DoubleTree’s signature chocolate chip cookie on check-in. And while I didn’t dine at either of the hotel’s restaurant options, both are popular with visitors and locals alike. The main restaurant is 11Eleven. Located off the lobby on the ground floor, it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu offers a selection of small plates, sandwiches, and classic dishes such as baked penne pasta, strip steak, and chicken marsala.
In the evening, head up to the eighth floor and The Roof. This lively bar features a large open-air patio that overlooks the city. Sip a local brew or handcrafted cocktail while snacking on light bites and taking in some live entertainment. I, and a few other guests, tried to check out The Roof on my last night at the hotel, but unfortunately, it was closed for a wedding.
Stay at The Broadway
Rooms at The Broadway start at around $150 per night and go up depending on room size and time of year. The hotel is an official sponsor of Mizzou athletics, so demand increases during home football games and other large sporting events.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
All rooms are smoke-free, and pets are not allowed, although service animals are welcome.
For more places to stay during your journey through Missouri, check out some of our previous reviews of properties ranging from contemporary chain hotels to historic boutiques.
