A guest room with two double beds
Each summer, during our family road trips to Montana, I attempt to land a hotel voucher deal for a free one night. Best Western had a deal last summer that required three separate night stays. I found three Best Westerns–better than decent, exactly where we needed them to be in: Kearney, Nebraska; Hannibal, Missouri; and Elizabethtown, Kentucky. By August, the voucher appeared in my inbox.
With the voucher expiring on January 31, and a winter storm possibly on its way, we headed to the Best Western PLUS Port Columbus near the airport for our free night. An indoor swimming pool was the selling point. The pool was a selling point for others as well. Everyone I talked with was from Columbus, Ohio and everyone said the pool was one reason for their overnight stay.
The reception staff confirmed my findings. Although this Best Western does cater to airline crews and people in transit, a large portion of the guests are local. I can see why.
Along with being clean and comfortable-the hotel is not far from downtown and is a quick drive from several of Columbus’s suburbs. I noticed several restaurant take-out menus in one of the hotel’s information areas. Because the lobby/breakfast area doubles as a lounge with ample seating and a gas fireplace, take-out Chinese could jazz up a hotel stay. We walked across the parking lot to Wendy’s, however. My son opted for microwave Ramen noodles from the hotel’s kiosk.
Our room was a pleasant home away from home.
Our room, a lovely lemon yellow that served as a cheery respite from the grey of winter, had a refrigerator, a one-cup coffee maker, a microwave and a flat screen TV. Even though our room was close to the elevator, our room was quiet.
The breakfast was above the normal Best Western fare. Sausage, biscuits, gravy, fruit salad, eggs, and an assortment of breads and pastries were kept replenished by the staff.
As we ate, wishing we actually did have a plane to catch rather than just a short car ride home, we watched one couple head out in the hotel’s airport shuttle. Shuttle service is free, as is the WiFi. There is also a small workout room that my son enjoyed.
A staff member asked me what could be improved. I couldn’t think of anything.
There was a fire in the fireplace with seating to enjoy it.
About the voucher: don’t wait before booking a room. We originally wanted to stay at a place in Cincinnati but the voucher rooms were already booked. There are only so many rooms allotted for a voucher reservation per hotel. Voucher rooms are booked through a central booking number that is printed on the voucher.
Best Western PLUS Port Columbus Hotel
1450 Airpointe Drive.
Columbus, Ohio 43219
Phone: (614) 337-8400
Rates start at $79.20. Make your reservations directly with Best Western or check rates on Hotels.com, Priceline or Expedia.
