

Known for its rich musical heritage and Southern charm, Nashville is one of my favorite cities in America. Whether you’re a country music fan or a foodie looking for mouth-watering barbecue, this city has something for everyone.
As a popular weekend destination (and single/virgin hotspot), there are plenty of hotels to choose from. I have visited this city a few times over the years and stayed in some really cool and unique hotels. I’ve also stayed in some hotels that weren’t worth your time (or money).
Here is a list of my favorite hotels in Nashville. Plan your trip, have fun, and enjoy your time in Music City.
1. Russell


This boutique hotel is housed in an entirely brick church built in the early 20th century. I love that they retained many of the original features, such as the stained glass windows, brick walls, and the original seating (repurposed as a headboard in the guest room). In keeping with the building’s history of supporting the East Nashville community, a portion of the hotel’s proceeds are donated to non-profit organizations helping the homeless. For example, if you stay at The Russell for a weekend, you can provide 16 days of shelter to someone in need.
The Russell is a colorful hotel with a bright lobby with high ceilings, varied furniture and complimentary tea and coffee. Each of the 23 guest rooms features eclectic décor (including local artwork) curated by one of Nashville’s most renowned designers. All rooms feature typical hotel amenities like flat-screen TVs, free toiletries, mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, and desks, as well as unique perks like silencers and complimentary local snack baskets. The bathroom is colorfully tiled and has a mirror shaped like a church window (a nice design touch).
This is a unique place to stay in East Nashville, a cool part of the city filled with low-key (and great) restaurants, cutting-edge art galleries, and craft cocktail bars. If you’re traveling by car, there’s also free parking across the street.
2. Placemaker Sobro


If you’re planning on staying in town for a while or just want access to your own kitchen, this hotel offers fully-equipped studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. All rooms feature an industrial-chic design with exposed pipes, high ceilings and colorful artwork on the walls. Large windows let in lots of light and offer great views of the city. If you want to enjoy a better view, there is a rooftop pool and lounge area. I love that it’s right next to many of the city’s major attractions (like the Johnny Cash Museum and Ryman Auditorium).
All units include a dedicated workspace (ideal if you need to work on the go), a washer/dryer, and a fully equipped kitchen with a 55-inch Apple TV with streaming, dishwasher, stovetop, sink, microwave, full-sized refrigerator, coffee maker, and stovetop kettle. Some rooms also have a private balcony. There is no breakfast on site, but the 24/7 Sun Diner is a few blocks away. It’s retro, kitschy and fun. While paying homage to the legendary artists of Sun Records (Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, etc.), I always eat here every time I visit.
3. 1 Hotel Nashville


This is the hotel of choice when you want to enjoy a luxurious stay. This five-star hotel has over 56,000 plants covering its exterior, and we like their overall focus on sustainability. The hotel’s restaurant serves sustainably sourced farm-to-table cuisine from breakfast to dinner, and there’s even an electric Audi hotel car that can be booked for day trips. As an avid gym goer, I also really appreciate the 24/7 fitness center (they also offer free group fitness classes to hotel guests). For a more relaxing experience, try the full-service wellness spa.
The spacious rooms feature wood-paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of light. Pillow-top beds with sustainably sourced bedding are extremely comfortable, and in-room amenities include a 55-inch flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, Nespresso machine, and yoga mat. I love that all the taps have filters so you can skip using single-use plastic bottles and fill your own bottles or use the upcycled wine-water bottles provided. The bathroom is a bit small, but I like the rainfall shower and comfortable bathrobes and slippers. Free eco-friendly toiletries are also provided. If you have a bigger budget, this is a really comfortable place to stay.
4. Board


This aparthotel offers comfortable suites and apartments just blocks from the Honky Tonk Highway and all of the city’s museums. I think it’s the best value in the area. It’s a modern hotel with no on-site staff (check in online and get a keycode), but I like that it has a cocktail bar and retro café (which serves breakfast sandwiches and smoothies) so it’s still buzzing. There’s also a huge outdoor area with loungers, a fire pit, and a corn hole. As a solo traveler, I always appreciate when hotels create these kinds of common spaces for travelers to connect.
The rooms have a warm, contemporary style and very comfortable beds. All rooms come with basic amenities including a flat-screen TV and tea/coffee making facilities. The apartments feature a kitchenette with a dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave. Some larger apartments also have fun features like foosball tables. Perfect for budget travelers who want a central location.
5. Graduate


If you like Dolly Parton you should stay here. This 4-star boutique hotel has an overall Dolly theme, with plenty of bright colors, retro themes, and vibrant Dolly-inspired art and memorabilia throughout the hotel. I love how kitschy it is. There are 3 restaurants on site. There’s also a lobby café serving grab-and-go breakfast, an Instagrammable rooftop cocktail bar with panoramic views of the city, and a karaoke room with an animatronic back-up band on weekends. There is also a rooftop pool, but it costs extra (plus it’s small and requires reservations, so I’ll skip it).
Rooms are spacious and feature a country-glam design, including striped walls, brightly patterned carpets, and portraits of country music stars on the headboards. All rooms feature a velvet lounge chair, a large work desk, an electric kettle, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV. The black-and-white tiled bathroom provides a dark, atmospheric contrast and features a pedestal sink and complimentary toiletries. The carnival-like atmosphere may not be for everyone (especially on the weekends when there are a lot of influencers taking pictures with bachelorette parties), but if you want something super unique, this is the place!
6. Waymore Guesthouse & Casual Club


In contrast to the noisy Dolly Hotel, this stylish three-star hotel is a good choice for travelers looking for quieter, more affordable accommodation. I like that there is a cafe in the lobby that serves food all day. We serve diner-inspired breakfast in the morning and drinks and bar bites in the evening. It’s nice to be able to eat delicious food after coming back from exploring. There is also a really cool cocktail bar on the rooftop where you can enjoy DJ nights.
We offer a wide variety of rooms, including standard hotel rooms, rooms with bunk beds, and suites with kitchenettes for groups. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, work desks and local art on the walls. I like that the minibar is stocked with local snacks. The tiled bathroom is quite spacious and features a walk-in shower and high-quality bath amenities. This is a great choice for travelers looking for something simple yet stylish and affordable in East Nashville.
From honky-tonk bars to legendary venues, Nashville is full of infectious energy. It’s a fun and vibrant city that can easily be explored over several days. And in recent years, there’s been a boom in unique hotels here, giving you plenty to choose from. Pick one of my favorites above and get ready for an unforgettable stay in Music City!
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Check out this post for a list of my favorite neighborhoods in Nashville.
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