Candlewood Suites Columbus Fort Benning

I booked ahead for a 2 night stay at the Candlewood Suites in Columbus, GA. When we arrived, the front desk worker informed us she was new and having trouble. She had paper printouts for guest check ins and couldnt find our information. It seemed odd to have paper prints in 2026, especially when we had booked online. After waiting for a long time, she gave us our room keys. When I scanned the key, someone screamed inside so I quickly shut the door. A woman opened it up in a panic and I informed her the front desk gave us keys to that room. We went back downstairs and the front desk worker was very confused and overwhelmed. She couldn't understand how the other people had been given our room. She also couldn't find another suite for us and proceeded to complain and rummage through the papers for awhile. Another guest tried to buy some drinks and toiletries and the front desk couldn't seem to ring them up properly. I called a different hotel and they were able to book me immediately for a room to accommodate my family. We told the front desk we were leaving and would contact corporate for the refund as she did not know how to process transactions at all, especially not a cancellation and refund (I had already been charged for the stay). Later that night, I contacted customer service for IHG Hotels and Resorts through their automated system. It took an hour before the representative could provide me a case number and let me know that management would call me the next day to resolve my issue. I never received a call and the charges for the room have not been refunded. Avoid this poorly managed hotel at all costs! They are at best, incredibly incompetent and at worst, predatory!

We were charged $400 for damages after being told we wouldn’t be. During our stay, one of the curtains started falling from the ceiling—seemingly due to poor installation, as it was held by only a couple of screws. I reported it to the staff, who informed me that maintenance wouldn’t be available for the next few days. Separately, one of my children accidentally damaged a shelf under the bathroom sink while trying to use it as a stool to brush his teeth. At checkout, I informed the front desk about both issues and asked what I needed to do to address them. I was told not to worry about it and was even encouraged to leave a good review. The following day, we were charged an additional $400. When my wife called to ask why, we were told it was for damages. We explained we had disclosed the issues before leaving and were told it wouldn’t be a problem. Since then, we’ve attempted to contact the manager for four days with no luck—calls and messages have gone unanswered. The lack of communication and follow-through from staff and management has been frustrating. It’s unacceptable to reassure a guest in person, then do the opposite once they leave. While the room was clean at check-in, the poor customer service and surprise charges overshadowed our stay.

I am retired Army and we enjoy staying at military bases for the experience. I went through basic ROTC at Fort Benning in 1969 in the Harmony Church area and the entire post has changed considerably since that time. We stayed in room 3302 which was satisfactory. Other IHG hotels on military bases (Redstone Arsenal) are a notch above and some (Fort Novosel) are a notch below. We had a complimentary Taco dinner on Wednesday and breakfast both mornings. There are several ice machines on each floor of this enormous hotel complex. Be prepared to see many soldiers from foreign countries including Peru, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, and South Korea. It seems like there are as many foreign soldiers as there are U.S. A PX and Burger King are within walking distance. We walked on both mornings (1.3 miles) each way) to the Airborne training area to watch training. Lucy’s Roadhouse is in the Airborne area for thirsty and hungry folks. A bit pricey, but it’s Ok.