The hotel is extremely charming but nothing works - stayed in 2 different rooms. Conditions same in both. Internet is intermittent (mostly not), hot tub is and will stay broken, loft rooms are hot upstairs and freezing downstairs, bathroom tubs do not drain (water around your ankles), stiff towels/sheets, many burnt out light bulbs. Walls have considerable water damage and wallpaper peeling. Not all rooms have fridges and/or microwaves. Turn down service only IF you ASK for it. Staff argues with you if you ask for any kind of repair. Manager tries but hands are tied by corporate owner. Too many maintenance issues.

The rooms at Claussen's have a lot of natural light and are attractively furnished and spacious. Most of the staff seemed to be college students, but I found them to be friendly and professional. The location is good, near a reasonable number of stores and restaurants. The hallways didn't really fit in with the niceness of the rooms - they really needed a fresh coat of paint. Also, it was very difficult to open the door to my room with the key -maybe the key was a copy that wasn't quite right? Overall, though, I really liked the place. The idea of a bread factory converted to a hotel was cute and well executed.

I stayed at the Clausen's Inn a few years ago while I was in town on a business function. The rooms are gorgeous.. they have a bed and breakfast appeal though the hotel is not. The service/staff was great (there were no college kids working staff as I see other reviewers complain about now). It IS right in the middle of your average big college hotspots though. Lots of bars and clubs within walking distance.

The only objection that I really had with the place is the fact that I couldn't sleep at all. It sounded like someone was walking down the hall and rattling the doorknobs of each of the rooms as I was about to fall asleep. I called the front desk and the night auditor assured me that no one was in the hallway and that it was probably just the ghost of the hotel. I thought he was kidding at first but he continued to tell me a story of the history of the hotel and how it was once an old bread factory and after it had been condemned, the local children used it as a hideaway. One night the building caught on fire (due to the children playing around inside) and a local resident ran inside to help save some of the children from the burning building. Evidently a few were rescued, but the man died in the fire. Supposedly, now, he sometimes walks the halls off the building, often times "checking the locks" of the doors to the rooms, to ensure that the guests are safe and protected.

Needless to say I didn't sleep a WINK that night and almost even contemplated sleeping in the lobby, as I was terrified. I heard weird noises all throughout the evening and have never been so relieved to see the sun rise. The next day I checked into the local Hampton Inn on my own, even though my company was paying for my stay at the Clausen.

Our November 2005 stay was in room was 110, a first floor non-smoking double with patio access. The room and bathroom were very clean -- decor / wallpaper was Laura Ashley-esque. There was a small table and two chairs in the room and the TV was in a pine cabinet. There was also a large storage closet in the room with plenty of hanging space. There was a whirlpool at one end of the patio, but it was not open during our stay.

Breakfast (included) was a highlight, as it was delivered to the room with bagels and muffins fresh from the oven.

Showers were, in fact, very sensitive!

Mr. Friendly's New Southern Cafe connected to the hotel and is one of the best restaurants in Columbia. Also attached is a sports bar which is open "after hours." Within walking distance, we also enjoyed Groucho's Deli and Gourmet Shop restaurants in the Five Points neighborhood.

Finding parking was an issue late at night, but the front desk allowed us to park in the 15 minute parking in front of the hotel overnight.