Strike the right chord in America’s country music capital with these finely-tuned places to stay in Nashville, Tennessee.
LessWhatever you wish for, the staff at the Hermitage Hotel will take care of it. For more than a century, this icon of Nashville hospitality has dealt only in top-of-the-line amenities. Nowadays, that includes 24-hour room service, pet walking, valet-only parking and on-demand spa services – all yours with a call to the front desk. One stroll through the opulent lobby – with all that original art, the roaring fireplace and the ornate ceiling – and you’ll feel like royalty.
This 27-floor hotel towers over SoBro – the south of Broadway neighborhood – and the architect-designed Music City Center building, with panoramic views over the rooftops. Inside, the decor is heavy on the Nashville brand of bling: we’re talking guitar picks set into the countertops and belt buckles in the headboards. L27, the rooftop pool and bar, is a popular party spot. If you look up from the street, you can see its blue waters beckoning.
Thanks to a deep-pocketed renovation in 2016, the lobby of this former 1900s train station has been restored to all its gothic grandeur. Wander awhile to take in the painted walls and ceilings, dramatic arches and giant chandeliers. There are a few nods to the place’s past, such as signage for arrivals and departures, but nothing overly themed. The guest rooms vary in size and shape, due to the retrofit of the building, but all are updated and modern.
Connected to both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Music City Center, the Omni is luxurious and filled with personality. Subtle musical themes run throughout decorative elements, strung together in a non-corny way. Inside tip: try some of the biscuits in the Kitchen Notes restaurant. They’re considered some of the city’s best, which is high praise in the South.
From the moment the 33-story glass JW Marriott high-rise opened, it has been the name to beat when it comes to luxury hotels in Music City. Thanks to its oval design and widescreen windows, each room has noteworthy views. Even elements you’d overlook in other hotels – the notepad on the desk, say – are high-end here (think thick card stock). The staff attend to your every need, so ask them to nab you a table at the rooftop bar or restaurant during your stay.
When Michelle Obama came to town for the last leg of her book tour, it was the Thompson she stayed at, eating here with her mother and daughter before heading out to the Ryman. You, too, will be treated like this echelon of celebrity when you stay, even if you don’t arrive with Secret Service in tow. Guest rooms are outfitted with hardwood floors, mid-century-style furnishings, honesty bars stocked with local spirits, Bluetooth speakers and rain showers.
If you like your hotels to be somewhere to see and be seen rather than somewhere to sleep, Bobby is the place to book. Its one-of-a-kind decor includes a chandelier made out of hubcaps and a bar created out of a 1956 bus. Guest rooms feature cabinetry with art depicting its usage – for example, a diamond ring on the drawer where you store your jewelry. Maps for your next great adventure are wallpapered on the walls.
This art deco beauty has a boutique-hotel feel, while delivering all the benefits of a Hyatt hotel. Welcome details – particularly for business travelers – include a generous number of electrical outlets in the lobby so your laptop won’t risk losing juice. When you need a nap, there’s a velvet couch in your room to stretch out on – or head up to the rooftop pool, home to fixed chaises in the shallows, where you can recline with a margarita from the bar.