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MICHAEL KLEINBERG PHOTOGRAPHY
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MICHAEL KLEINBERG PHOTOGRAPHY
Driving through the Gulch, it’s impossible not to notice the mirrored tower soaring 14 stories high.
But what’s inside W Nashville, the city’s newest luxury hotel, is even more than meets the eye. With luxe furnishings, amenities aplenty, decadent dining and drink options, and strategic design elements that give a tasteful nod to the city it calls home, W Nashville is a destination within a destination for locals and visitors alike.
W Hotels, part of Marriott International Inc., has been redefining traditional luxury across the globe for more than two decades. And with the opening of the brand’s first Nashville locale, that mission reaches new heights.
“The W experience has always been centered on a local, social scene but W Nashville takes it to the next level,” says Tom Jarrold, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Today’s global traveler is not content staying at a hotel with superficial neighborhood references, and locals are not embracing hotels that ignore the social fabric of the community. W Nashville is different as it weaves itself into the Gulch seamlessly and authentically through the brand’s distinct lens.”
Detail-driven design is apparent immediately upon arrival. Step inside and the first sight you’ll see is a stunning 96-inch Jim Dine double heart canvas ‘Atlantic Love Letter’ behind the welcome desk. Glance up and you’ll notice acoustic ceiling tiles—a nod to Music City that’s as playful as it is tasteful. Even the subtle (yet impactful) use of historical, local materials such as iron, steel, wood, and leather throughout the hotel embody the best of Southern design while maintaining an elevated feel.
Expert design remains on full display throughout W Nashville’s 286 rooms, 60 suites, and two presidential suites aptly titled Extreme WOW Suites. Each room’s design blends industrial polish with warm, soothing tones complemented by a mix of raw materials. Paying homage to Nashville, furniture is inspired by vintage stereo equipment with stud detailing mimicking a roadie case. Illuminated in a gorgeous gold-mirrored cage, W’s signature Mix Bar stands out as a focal point in any room and doubles as the perfect feature for in-room entertaining. Every guest room also features an original, commissioned artwork by Brooklyn- based studio FAILE: a Pop Art-inspired piece celebrating the musical soul of Nashville.
But with so much to discover, the rooms are just the beginning of an unforgettable stay. Designed from the outside in, the hotel features six street access venues including a coffee shop, two destination restaurants, and a soon-to-come high end retail and live entertainment venue.
“[We want] that full integration with the community. Acceptance with the neighborhood where people say, ‘Yes this is our place where we can celebrate special events or even just a happy hour twice a week.’ You don’t have those barriers like, ‘Oh it’s only for out-of-towners or hotel guests,’” says W Nashville’s General Manager David Cronin. “Whether it’s in our bars, menu pricing, accessibility, or availability, we always look through the lens of Nashville and Nashvillians first. A sense of place is really important to us.”
Intended to be a day-to-night hub, W Nashville’s carefully curated food and beverage program offers something for everyone. Start the morning with a coffee from local favorite Barista Parlor to sip inside or outside in the hotel’s serene Secret Garden. Behind Barista Parlor’s copper wire draped curtain is a moody main lobby featuring a two-way mirror box chandelier along with an impressive bar beneath a chandelier of shimmering tassels. And hidden behind a speaker wall adjacent to the bar is the Sound Room, a private indoor/outdoor event space with a speakeasy feel.
Rounding out the street level offerings are two restaurants by Chef Andrew Carmellini: The Dutch, an all-day dining venue offering laid- back American comfort food and a bar terrace, and Carne Mare, an evening-only, fine dining contemporary Italian chop house.
Head to the 14th floor where W Nashville’s rooftop bar, Proof, offers stunning 360-degree skyline views paired best with a cocktail. Four sliding garage doors line the outdoor terraces and open to provide access to outdoor seating and a hidden sunset catwalk. Inside, exposed duct vents, a steel-corner fireplace, and polished concrete floors create the perfect backdrop for a happy hour with friends or a date night out.
And with over 26,000 square feet of outdoor space, the W Nashville experience extends beyond its striking interior. Wrapping around the hotel are 42 flights of concrete stairs (known as the Spanish Steps) interlaced with seating vignettes and a live music stage below. Perched amid skyline views is the hotel’s sprawling WET Deck featuring a 2,000 square feet L-shaped pool (the largest hotel pool in the city) along with a bar and private cabanas.
A short walk from the pool is a manicured yoga lawn leading to FIT, W Nashville’s spacious fitness center. The hotel also offers over 24,000 square feet of meeting and event space connecting to the WET Deck, Spanish Steps, and private outdoor terraces to encourage a balance of work and play.
At W Nashville, it’s about more than checking in and out for a one-night stay. With the brand’s whatever/whenever service model, guests can expect the best of Southern hospitality while enjoying the perks of a luxury stay. And the welcoming atmosphere is sure to encourage both locals and visitors to extend their stay.
“We like to look at it as we give you the luxury to be yourself. We’re not a traditional luxury hotel,” Cronin says. “It’s easy to have a basic hotel experience where you come in, get a room for the night, and you leave. I think when you leave here you’ve had a sense of community.”
(300 12th Ave. S., 615-379-9000; marriott.com)