11 Best Luxury Hotels in Nashville

Over the last few decades, Tennessee’s capital, Nashville, has quickly transformed into a traveler’s dream. There’s so much to see and do here, including exploring museums, learning about civil rights history, eating at award-winning restaurants, and listening and dancing to live music. Rightly called “Music City,” Nashville is also home to a plethora of iconic music venues, Broadway hony tonks, and bars. For all the many varied reasons that people come here, we found a hotel for every vibe. It’s no longer about sleeping the night off at a honky-tonk; rather, Nashville has an alluring luxurious hotel scene. The best luxury hotels in Nashville were an extension of its vibrancy and spotlighted classic Southern hospitality, innovative culinary gems, and indulgent amenities. What’s more, many even boasted music-themed packages, original artwork, and interesting music-themed decor.

Clearly, the “Athens of the South” is going through an exciting time in its hospitality industry. Why not plan your next trip here and see for yourself? Here’s a detailed guide to the luxurious staying scene in Nashville.

Thompson Nashville

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Did you know where former First Lady Michelle Obama stayed during her famous “Becoming” book tour? Where did Jonas’ brother Joe Jonas stay during his music tour? At the Thompson Nashville, of course! Visiting celebrities love this stunning design hotel as they’re afforded every possible luxury, as well as discretion and excellent service. We wanted to experience the same and let us tell you, we weren’t disappointed. Firstly, the rooms and suites were large, even the entry-level ones, and especially by Nashville standards. The floor-to-ceiling windows, mid-century modern furniture, and the deep soaking tubs in the swanky bathrooms set the tone for our visit. That, coupled with superb room service, ensured that we didn’t leave the hotel for nearly half a day before stepping outside.

The rest of the hotel was no less impressive. We were floored by the rooftop’s 21-and-up L.A. Jackson bar, where we listened to some excellent DJ sets while sipping on craft cocktails and soaking in picturesque Downtown views. Of course, with the Marsh House restaurant downstairs, we didn’t have to leave the hotel to try what is the best sustainable seafood in the city.

Hermitage Hotel

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We wanted to stay in the luxury hotel that had hosted everybody from songwriters to presidents — the Hermitage Hotel. Did you know that anti-ratification forces and suffragettes congregated here, right across from the Tennessee State Capitol, in the weeks leading up to the state casting the final ratification vote? No wonder it’s one of the most historic hotels in Nashville, Tennessee. The celebration of its history extended to the tea service, where the staff sported uniforms featuring the suffragette’s yellow rose.

The darling of Nashville’s hospitality for more than 100 years, this hotel still retained period details painted-glass ceilings, and plaster cornices in the Beaux Arts lobby. The upgrade? Lighter decor hues and unfussy, sleek furnishings. We loved the spacious rooms, among Nashville’s largest, which boasted concealed minibars, multi-functional tables, marble-clad bathrooms with TVs, soaking tubs, and Molton Brown bath products. But that’s not all. There were also other thoughtful touches like Frette linens, pillow menus, and even personalized stationery and daily newspaper deliveries.

Besides the elaborate Southern High Tea, the hotel is also home to Chef Vongerichten’s Drusie & Darr as well as the all-day Pink Hermit, which are two of Nashville’s most coveted reservations. However, what impressed us was the “Your Song, Your Story” experience, which offers aspiring musicians the choice between a two-hour in-studio lesson with a renowned musician or a two-hour songwriting session. It’s no wonder that it’s also the first million-dollar hotel in Nashville!

Hutton Hotel

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With easy access to Music Row, the Hutton Hotel is a place that brings creative energy to the fore. This premier working vacation hotel was ideal for, well, our luxurious working vacation, with a central location and uber-plush headboards that seemed tailor-made for late-night work on our laptops. Housed in a 50-year-old structure, once Midtown’s tallest, the hotel now has a vibrant range of attractions, eateries, bars, and nightlife all around it.

We were thoroughly impressed by the rooms here, which were divided into Deluxe and Premier spaces, of which the latter began from the 12th floor onward. Our Premier east-facing room boasted spectacular views of downtown, but they all had excellent touches. Think musical notes wallpapers, huge floor-to-ceiling windows, plush beds, coffeemakers, minibars, and luxurious bathrooms with bespoke bath products.

However, it was the rest of the hotel that impressed us. We’d get our to-go caffeine fix every day in the lobby at the Coffee Shop, complete with homemade donuts. The in-house music venue Analog, with its dim lights, house cocktails, and vintage couches was the place to enjoy music. Even the ground-floor Evelyn’s was the perfect place for a working brunch. We even had a Tesla house car to ferry us around, but we grabbed cycles from Bikeshare company B-cycle to explore the neighborhood. Luxurious fun, indeed.

Southall Farm & Inn

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Most luxurious countryside resort. We wanted to experience true Southern luxury away from the city, which is why we chose the Southall Farm & Inn. Lying half an hour south of the city center, this luxurious Middle Tennessee eco-chic farm retreat sits on hundreds of acres of rolling hills, boasting unspoiled and unobstructed views of Appalachia. Sigh.

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A modern spin on Southern hospitality, this farm-focused resort keeps sustainability and conservation at the forefront. For instance, there’s an apiary, multiple gardens, greenhouses, and even a 2,000-tree orchard, from where ingredients were used at the onsite restaurants. We got hands-on with the farm’s activities, including forest bathing, gardening classes, apple picking, honey tastings, cooking demonstrations, and garden tours, among others. The centerpiece is the seven-acre lake, which was perfect for paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking. After all this activity, we’d retreat to the 15,000-sq-ft Spa at Southall, unwinding with amazing treatments using ingredients from the resort’s gardens itself.

All rooms, suites, and cottages featured a rustic-chic aesthetic with natural light, picture windows, nature-inspired artwork, exposed wood beams, and neutral hues with accents and pops inspired by the Tennessee countryside — think deep emerald greens, burnt oranges, and grays. Since we wanted privacy, we chose one of the 16 hillside cottages. It not only had a wraparound deck but also a cozy swing bed from where we could soak in the stunning views.

Noelle Hotel

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We can’t talk about luxury hotels in Nashville, TN without talking about the city’s first luxury hotel, the art-focused Noelle Hotel. This Downtown Nashville gem sits in an Art Deco landmark dating back to the 1930s and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places today.

“Staying at the Noelle was like a Music City dream come true.”

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On the inside, there are Art Deco flourishes but with a healthy dose of urban style too. Think a buzzy, high-ceilinged lobby that doubles as an art gallery, a co-working space, and a bar. What’s more, it also showcases original artwork by local artists. We loved sipping coffee and people-watching from our perch on the mezzanine level, looking out to the lobby. When it came to drinking and dining, we had two options, the rooftop bar, the super-cute coffee shop, and the signature on-site restaurant, Makeready Libations & Liberation. Did you know that the cafe featured an impressive vinyl collection that played on a custom system? Yes!

The rooms and suites, albeit petite, were stylish and had blackout shades, plush beds, handcrafted accents and showpieces, hickory hardwood floors, and modern bathrooms for a comfortable stay.

JW Marriott Nashville

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The JW Marriott Nashville is a luxurious Music City classic that sits in a unique, oval-shaped, 33-storeyed glass tower, just two blocks from Broadway. We loved the classic and sleek aesthetic with bronze and gold metalwork in the furnishings, decor, and walls, intentionally mimicking the flow of the Cumberland River.

We could go on and on about the amenities at this JW Marriott outpost. The hotel’s foyer, aptly called the “Firefly Box,” boasted some of the most stunning light fixtures we’d ever seen, and that too akin to fireflies indigenous to the state. As bookworms, the library, with an entire Reese Witherspoon’s book club catalog collection, was our favorite. What’s more, there were regular weekend tours for anyone who wanted to learn more about the hotel’s artwork collection. The 12,000-sq-ft deck, which is open throughout the year, was a real treat. This, especially more so, since we rented a private cabana and ordered snacks and drinks poolside. We loved gorging on gelato here, which is said to be the best in the city! Even the dining experiences were great, especially since the rooftop restaurant and bar is Nashville’s highest!

All rooms and suites were high-end and comfortable, with sensor lights, marble bathrooms, smooth Frette linens and sheets, and floor-to-ceiling windows with striking views. The winning touch, however, was that “The Soundtrack by JW” sent a custom vinyl record collection to our room, based on our music preferences. Oof!

1 Hotel Nashville

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Most eco-friendly luxury. Nashville’s top eco-friendly escape is the luxurious 1 Hotel Nashville. The eco-friendly yet upscale experience felt equal parts relaxing and chic. What we loved was that sustainability wasn’t simply a buzzword here; the hotel acted upon it. For instance, it replaced single-use plastics in rooms with a filtered tap for water and glass water bottles. Plus, it’s swapped out wire hangers for recycled paper alternatives and has even installed its glass recycling system, among other things.

On the inside, we found nods to nature everywhere, from the native greenery in every room to the lobby walls to the natural and reclaimed materials. We loved the quietly cozy rooms which evolved a farmhouse-chic aesthetic with custom white oak poster beds, wire-brushed oak floors, and bedside lamps that looked like rustic lanterns. Mod-cons in the form of swanky bathrooms, fridges, and coffeemakers added to the comfort of our stay.

While the rooms are hard to leave, we did leave them to get some pampering done at the Bamford Spa. We found all the action, in true Nashville style, at Harriet’s Rooftop, a bustling space with mouth-watering fare, cocktails, live entertainment, and incredible views of Downtown.

The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel

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Best boutique hotel. One of the most luxurious boutique hotels around is the Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel. We were treated like royalty right from the moment we walked into the lobby — valets greeted us by name and the staff was more than happy to converse about anything and everything.

The hotel is named for the owners, the Pizzuti family, and their patriarch. That’s why their art collection, featuring more than 1,100 pieces of original artwork, adorned the walls here. We were mesmerized by the immersive artwork experience that began right from check-in, especially with the interactive sculpture and digital art wall in the courtyard porte-cochère. What’s more, we had the choice of not one, not two, but five restaurants to eat from! While the rooftop bar is perfect for cocktails, the saltwater rooftop pool was perfect for cooling off when it was hot out. The ground-floor Italian restaurant, Yolan, was our favorite. Interestingly, the Pizzuti family is also responsible for bringing award-winning chef Tony Mantuano and his wife Cathy from Chicago to Nashville to helm Yolan!

Choose from nearly 300 rooms and suites, all with luxury elements, excellent views, minibridges, and luxe bathrooms. What’s interesting is that every floor has different, custom-made wallpaper in the hallways by Tennessee artists.

Graduate Nashville

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Are you ready to celebrate the good vibes and beautiful memories in Nashville? Graduate Nashville is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the authentic Southern experience. It’s the star among all the best luxury hotels in Nashville. Its dedication to high-quality service and satisfaction is unmatched.

Surround yourself with history and legend at this swanky hotel. Graduate Nashville sits strategically, giving you access to famous attractions and the best restaurants. This hotel features playful décor that embodies Nashville’s charm. Prepare to be inspired when you stay at Graduate Nashville.

Each room at Graduate Nashville comes with little elements of surprise. This is a place where you can discover something unique on every corner. With Malin + Goetz amenities, surely it’s going to be a comfortable stay here. Besides, the rooms also come with top-notch luxuries to enhance your stay. In the morning, fuel up at the hotel’s lobby café to kick start your day.

Four Seasons Nashville

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Prime Music City addresses don’t get any better than at Four Seasons Nashville, a luxurious stay with top-tier amenities. We were a stone’s throw steps from some of the best sights to see in the city, and that too right on the Cumberland riverfront.

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Many aspects make this Four Seasons outpost the ultimate luxurious escape in Music City. Not only did it have a 24-hour fitness center and a range of five-star dining options, but it also had the Four Seasons spa, where we enjoyed a side-by-side couples’ massage. That’s what makes this also one of Nashville’s best spa hotels. spa and 24-hour fitness center. Imagine enjoying an indoor-outdoor tropical resort experience on the rooftop; that’s the Four Seasons’ rooftop for you. The seventh-floor haven boasted a hot tub and an infinity-edge pool, where we ordered poolside handcrafted cocktails from the rooftop bar, Rivière.

All 200+ rooms and suites boasted floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular Cumberland River, terrace, and skyline views. We loved the classic Four Seasons decor, which was elegant and refined with neutral hues, local black walnut furnishings, marble and brushed metal touches, and tons of natural light.

Grand Hyatt Nashville

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Best overall. Sitting at the top is the Music City’s luxurious high note, the Grand Hyatt Nashville. The swanky hotel rises above Nashville’s luxury stay fray in multiple ways. Firstly, the 25-story structure dwarfs many other buildings in Downtown. Secondly, it has quite a tall roster of amenities, ranging from seven F&B options and a world-class spa to what is the city’s highest outdoor lounge. All in all, this nearly 600-room stunner of a hotel went to great heights to ensure that we had an unforgettable stay.

Even with these bunch of lofty extras, the property stood firm when it came to its Nashville roots. When we entered, we heard live music out of the Aurum lounge. The recessed fireplaces and hardwoods subtly indicated the address’ former lumberyard and transportation hub life. Jack Daniels cocktails flowed at the 25th-floor rooftop bar lou/na, which boasted some of the best views of the city. When it comes to food, we found everything from coffee and light bites to larger meals and even classic local dishes, like Nashville hot chicken, right at the restaurants. Our favorite place, though, was the spa, fitness center, and pool, all of which are on the same level. After a relaxing treatment at the world-class spa, we headed to the infinity-edged vision overlooking the city. That’s why it’s one of Nashville, Tennessee’s best hotels with a rooftop pool.

We had the choice of many rooms and suites, all of which boast floor-to-ceiling windows with Downtown and Gulch views, Balmain bath products in the luxurious bathrooms, and industrial-inspired light fixtures.

Our Verdict!

While all luxurious Nashville stays are excellent, the ones below are our favorites for specific reasons and features.

• Most luxurious countryside resort: Southall Farm & Inn 
• Best eco-friendly luxury: 1 Hotel Nashville
• Best boutique hotel: The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel
• Best overall: Grand Hyatt Nashville

Where To Stay in Nashville?

Nashville might seem like a small city, but it’s not so. There are many, and we mean, many neighborhoods you can choose to stay at. We were met with the same dilemma, so we decided to outline our experience of staying in Music City. Our topmost recommendation would be Downtown and the Gulch, which is the beating heart of the city and the hub of all activities. Not only is it home to some of the best entertainment, dining, and shopping venues in the city, but it’s also home to South of Broadway, a.k.a. SoBro. This is where you’ll find Nashville’s best parks, musical venues, and more.

Next, we fell in love with the eclectic and boho East Nashville. It had everything, right from vintage and offbeat boutiques and stores to chef-owned restaurants that served delicious Southern fare. The bustling Midtown interested us next. Lying west of the city center, it’s home to the lush Vanderbilt University and, thus, boasts a fun and exciting nightlife as well. Germantown and North Nashville are all about spas and relaxation, but our favorite was undoubtedly Music Row. The neighborhood was all about luxury boutique hotels, and since we’re fans of country music, we wanted to check out where most of the famous music studios were.

Where do celebrities stay in Nashville?

That would be the Thompson Nashville, where everyone from the Kardashians and Joe Jones to the former first lady Michele Obama has stayed.

What is the best part of Nashville to stay in?

Midtown, especially near Vanderbilt University, is a great neighborhood to stay for entertainment, dining, and excellent hotels.

When’s the best time to go to Nashville?

Fall and spring are excellent times to visit Nashville if you don’t want to head here in the summer.