Nashville was founded in 1779.
While Nashville has been a can’t-miss music tourism destination for decades, this bustling Tennessee city has experienced a visitor boom in recent years, drawing in bluegrass aficionados, whiskey lovers, and raucous bachelorette parties alike—and this growing influx of tourists has allowed the city’s hospitality scene to flourish unlike ever before, with no shortage of both new and longstanding luxury hotels found within walking distance of Broadway.
Whether you’re planning to discover your new favorite Tennessee whiskey, catch a show at the Ryman Auditorium, or just belt out your favorite Shania Twain song at late-night karaoke, these high-end hotels serve as the perfect base for an unforgettable stay in Music City, an iconic Southern getaway that just gets better with age.
For Gastronomes: Four Seasons Hotel Nashville
The Goo Goo Cluster—a type of chocolate candy—was invented in Nashville in 1912.
A relatively recent addition to the Music City hospitality scene, the Four Seasons Nashville opened its doors in November 2022, serving as one of the city’s hottest new destinations for luxury travel. Perched a few steps away from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, this towering property is the perfect base for exploring Nashville’s iconic Broadway thoroughfare—though of course, there’s a lot more to the hotel than just its ideal location. Since opening, the Four Seasons has become a particularly popular drinking and dining destination for downtown visitors, equipped with three on-property venues for guests to enjoy.
On the lobby level, Mimo brings some top-notch Mediterranean flair to Music City, offering a wealth of Southern Italian-inspired dishes crafted at the behest of Chef Nello Turco. Caviar linguine, bacon-cured lobster, and charred branzino are just a few of the savory menu items up for grabs around here, while neighboring Mimo Bar has mastered the art of crafting complex cocktails, slinging up whiskey-loaded concoctions just past the lobby. And of course, no stay at the Four Seasons Nashville is complete without taking full advantage of Rivière Rooftop, an open-air space that offers refined French fare right next to the property’s outdoor pool.
For Musicians: Hutton Hotel
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1967.
With renowned musicians like Faith Hill, Kesha, and Dolly Parton all calling the city home over the years, Nashville has cemented itself as one of North America’s most iconic cities for the auditory arts—a fact that Hutton Hotel has fully embraced since 2009. In addition to spacious suites, a massive vinyl library, and a brand-new restaurant concept debuting in 2023, this polished venue has introduced a couple of incredible on-property amenities curated specifically for seasoned musicians and casual music lovers alike.
Given its high concentration of incredible resident musicians, you might find yourself feeling inspired after a night out on the town—and to keep the creativity flowing, there’s no better destination than Hutton Hotel’s Writers Studios. Both equipped with their own distinct interior design, the West Studio and East Studio are stocked with top-quality instruments for guests to use, providing the perfect space for crafting lyrics and developing harmonies. And to keep the party going after a lengthy songwriting session, guests are welcome to make their way to Analog, a vibrant space that offers regular live performances accompanied by craft cocktails and local beer.
For History Buffs: The Hermitage Hotel
Tennessee officially became a state on June 1st, 1796.
As Nashville enters a new era of tourism, some of the city’s most storied hotels have been adapting to weather the change, offering a wealth of modern amenities while working tirelessly to preserve their historic charm—and few venues showcase this balance as well as The Hermitage Hotel. Established in 1910, the property is home to some of Nashville’s most grandiose architecture, imbued with artistic Beaux Arts flourishes like stained glass windows and a towering central staircase, while on-property restaurant Drusie & Darr showcases the culinary expertise of the famed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten through a Tennessee-focused lens. Yet perhaps the most interesting quality about the Hermitage Hotel is its deep ties to Tennessee politics, with one of the nation’s most groundbreaking 20th-century amendments argued right on property grounds.
Women’s suffrage officially became law in the United States with the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment—and the fate of this hotly-contested piece of legislature was ultimately decided by the state of Tennessee. In the weeks leading up to the final vote, The Hermitage became a hotbed for debate, with suffragists and their opponents descending upon Nashville’s most lavish accommodations in hopes to sway the vote. In the end, the decision was decided by one single vote cast by state senator Harry T. Burn, who made a last-minute decision to embrace women’s suffrage thanks to a letter from his mother—and without The Hermitage Hotel serving as a political battleground, there’s no telling how this historic decision may have ended up.
