The Best Places to Book Near Centennial Park, Nashville

A stay at Bobby’s means sunset, live music and cocktails on the rooftop lounge, followed up with whiskey macs in the graffitied on-site dive bar, with new best friends whose names you’ve already forgotten. Then it’s sunglasses on for bloody marys at drag brunch the next day – no skimping on the tabasco – before heading down to the spa for a 90-minute revitalising ESPA massage. Whoever Bobby is, we’ve got two thumbs up for their idea of a good time.

Just three blocks from Centennial Park, this West End beaut is somewhat unusual: a luxury hotel geared towards group travel. If you’re coming to Nashville en masse – for a special birthday, bachelorette party or reunion – you can select a single room, a penthouse suite with dining for 10 people, a floor with five bedrooms, living area and kitchen, or the whole four-story building. Whatever you choose, it’ll feature immaculate monochrome modern design, California king beds and luxurious touches – think rain-head showers, free bottled water and automated sun shades.

Combining the privacy of a vacation rental with the perks of a hotel room, this Sonder one-bed in Midtown comes with free parking, shower amenities and towels. You’ve got the freedom to come and go as you please, try out some Southern-style cooking in the full kitchen and challenge your friends on the bocce court. It’s 10 blocks to Centennial Park to the southwest, another 10 blocks to the Arts District to the northeast, and even closer to the legendary bars of Music Row and Broadway for guaranteed good times.

Right across from the university campus in the West End, this is a popular choice for parents of students and business travelers, as well as tourists. It’s smarter than many of the Downtown options and much quieter – a great choice for those who value their sleep. Other pluses include the hotel shuttle – basically a free SUV taxi to anywhere within three miles – in-room fitness equipment on request and 24-hour room service for post-party cravings.

The concept behind the high-end accommodation start-up Mint House brand is hotel-level hospitality with home comforts. This plays out nicely at the Reserve, an old bank building in Downtown. Its studio, one- and two-bed apartments come with high ceilings, full kitchens, plenty of space, free use of the fitness center and courtyard with an outdoor fireplace. Groups who need more space can invest in the Vault, a large meeting and dining space with facilities for up to 25. In town for a big gig? This place is a stone’s throw from both Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena.

Described by one reviewer as “like a Tsar’s palace,” this opulent pad is the little-disputed star of Music City’s hotel scene. Opened in 1910 as Nashville’s first million-dollar hotel, its ornate beaux arts building has been hosting presidents and celebrities ever since. There’s a full spa, of course, and the ranch-to-table grill restaurant is notable. But the real stand-out feature is its legendary Southern service. The ever-helpful concierge will arrange on-demand caviar or massages at all hours, and even walk your dog.

There’s a lovely, polished feel to this Downtown boutique hotel – and it’s not just the hickory hardwood floors, leather armchairs and rose gold accessories. A hotel since 1930, Noelle’s art nouveau shell was renovated in the 2010s, with up-to-date additions including a new gym with Peloton bikes and Rare Bird rooftop bar for cocktails with a view. Service is also tip-top, including coffee deliveries to your room in the morning – the best idea in a city that goes to bed at dawn.

Roll up your wagons to this Vanderbilt area stay, from college-town boutique brand Graduate, and you’ll find a tongue-in-cheek take on the city where kitsch and fun are turned up to 11. Rooms feature chintz, gingham and framed portraits of Dolly, the rooftop pool is flanked by floral loungers and the hotel’s own white stretch limo is on hand to take you to Broadway, for a fee. There’s even a karaoke bar, where an animatronic back-up band – The Cross-Eyed Critters – will support you as you howl out Jolene.

This upscale Midtown accommodation claims to be a boutique hotel, but with 250 rooms we feel this is pushing the definition somewhat. However, that’s practically the only thing we can fault this place on. Rooms come with comfy beds and rainfall showers. Its restaurant, Urban Farmer, opened in 2021 and is as big on sustainability as it is on flavor. Plus there are two Writers’ Studios on site, complete with recording equipment and instruments, so if you suddenly feel inspired during your stay you can pop down and record your own album – note booking is required.

This branch of Marriott’s youthful Moxy brand is a great match for younger visitors to Music City. There are few fussy touches, recognizing that guests will want to be out and about: just a great bar with table games, free breakfast and drink on arrival, in-house gym and good in-room tech – big TVs, USB chargers and strong wifi. Its location near Vanderbilt and Belmont universities gives visitors the chance to meet plenty of young locals, and hopefully see a bit of the real Nashville.