The Thompson Hotel
February registers as a slow travel month during the best of times. Throw in a pandemic and the prospect of leaving the house feels downright daunting.
Lucky for Nashvillians, hotels have sprung up in various neighborhoods across the city, making the prospect of a safe, relaxing getaway much more appealing—all within minutes of the comforts of home. So, go ahead, mask up and change up your scenery for a staycation at one of these Nashville gems.
The Thompson Hotel
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The Thompson Hotel
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The Thompson Hotel
Everything about the Thompson whispers serenity now. From its neutral palette with soft, brushed brass accents, to the natural wooden floors, to the midcentury modern furnishings throughout, the hotel’s design inspires a sense of warmth and calm from the lobby to the rooftop. With three unique food and drink concepts on-site, and a central location in the heart of the Gulch, you can park your car and access everything you need for the weekend within easy walking distance.
Killebrew Coffee, located just off the lobby, is the place for expertly pulled espresso drinks and warm from the oven pastries, or a casual lunch break with light salads and sandwiches. Marsh House is not to be missed during your stay. Whether it’s for dinner or the decadent weekend brunch, fresh seafood reigns supreme with spectacular seafood towers and a full raw bar—but the fried chicken, hanger steak, and gumbo certainly won’t disappoint if warm comfort food is what you crave. Evenings are best spent at the L.A. Jackson rooftop bar, where the views are even better than from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms. With the colder months upon us, indoor and outdoor socially distanced table service is available, with outdoor heaters scattered about to make sure guests stay toasty warm while enjoying drinks and bites with the ever-changing Nashville skyline in the distance.
401 11th Ave. S., 615-262-6000; thompsonhotels.com
Bode Nashville
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Bode occupies a new category of lodging that bridges the gap between owner-managed vacation rental homes and traditional hotels, with a blend of residence-style spaces and indoor/outdoor gathering spots that cater to group lifestyle travelers, single travelers, and families alike.
Designed by local, award-winning Dryden Architecture and Design (DAAD), the clean-lined spaces highlight the work of local artisans and include lighting by Southern Lights Electric, custom leather pulls by Emil Erwin, and custom furniture from Kings Interiors, among others. Each unit offers an at-home layout with comfortable living areas, private bedrooms, and chef-inspired kitchens stocked with all the necessary tools to cook a multi-course meal.
Outside, the fenced-in courtyard presents a serene place to unwind any time of day. Guests have full access to fire pits, outdoor games, and “Otis,” a custom 1948 Ford F5 truck, the flatbed of which is outfitted with a tailor-made dining table and studded with twinkling lights—the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and a photo op. The enviable Second Avenue location means there’s no shortage of eating and drinking options within walking distance, but the on-site Porch Market + Cafe, Bode’s café-meets bar-meets locally sourced gourmet market, is sure to satisfy all your needs if you just don’t feel like stepping out from the comforts of Bode.
401 2nd Ave. S., 844-431-2633; bode.co
The Hermitage
Dating back to the early 1900s, this Beaux-Arts beauty has weathered the test of time, offering 5-star accommodations steeped in rich history. The painted skylight that adorns the grand lobby, and the Circassian walnut cabinetwork and ornate chandeliers that grace the dining room have survived multiple ownership changes and transformations over the decades, transporting guests back to the days of ballrooms, silver service, and the opulence of an era long ago.
Large guest rooms, plush robes, custom-made luxury mattresses, Bose docking stations, and nightly turn-down service are just a few of the modern-day amenities that make staying at the hotel an interlude of old-meets-new that feels right at home in Nashville. Enjoy a taste of true Southern cuisine at the Hotel’s stately Capitol Grille, where fresh ingredients grown at the restaurant’s own period garden at Glen Leven Farm are incorporated into traditional, seasonal fare morning, noon, and night. The dining room’s size makes it a natural for social distancing, and the adjacent Oak Bar offers a timeless space to tuck in for a perfectly poured nightcap. (Grab a glimpse of the men’s restroom, shared between the two; it’s a place of legend that has been preserved in its 1930s Art Deco style, including a vintage phone and a shoeshine station.) Pups are welcome and the downtown location makes it an ideal place to get stroll and immerse yourself in the quiet winter wonder of the city.
231 6th Ave. N., 615-244-3121; thehermitagehotel.com
Gaylord Opryland Hotel
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When a resort encompasses 2.1 million square feet, it’s a pretty safe bet all your staycation needs will be met. With nine acres of indoor gardens punctuated by cascading waterfalls, 17 dining concepts to satisfy everyone’s whims, atrium-view rooms, and SoundWaves, an indoor waterpark that maintains a steady temp of 85 degrees throughout the year, you’ve got the makings of a magical winter getaway.
Through March 21, Thursday to Sunday, Winterfest adds even more exciting activities, from ice skating, tubing, and ice bumper cars to private carriage rides and guided riverboat rides through the 4.5-acre Delta atrium. The resort will also keep its magnificent Magnolia Lawn holiday lights on display through the third week of March to add a bit of sparkle and enchantment to your winter evening strolls. Gaylord Opryland’s Winterfest program has been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and with enhanced protocols and social distancing measures to help keep your family safe during activities throughout your stay.
2800 Opryland Dr., 615-889-1000; marriott.com
The Graduate
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Steve Freihon
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Steve Freihon
The Graduate’s lobby sets the tone for the entire stay at this funky, glam-meets-kitsch property, conveniently located in Midtown just a few blocks from the Vanderbilt University campus. Crystal chandeliers twinkle high above terrazzo marble floors, intricate rugs, florals, stripes, plaids, and pinks in every hue. It’s a dynamic mix where everything goes, and somehow goes together brilliantly in this Music City-inspired hotel.
The whimsical décor carries over to the rooms, where pink and white striped wallpaper provides the backdrop for portraits of female country music legends that hang on the walls above the beds, draped by childhood-fantasy-worthy, floral canopies on either side. On the 12th floor, White Limozeen amps up the feel-good vibe to a whole new level. Grab a seat at the bar for a music-themed cocktail or settle in at a table with a round of French fries and Island Creek Oysters to kick off your meal. (Be sure to peek outside at the hot pink umbrella-dotted pool area with the larger-than-life Dolly and make a mental note to come back during summer.) Not ready to dine out? Head down to Poindexter, the hotel’s all-day lobby café, and grab a bottle of wine or kombucha, and a roasted pork sandwich, or a kale salad and enjoy it in your room. You’ll want to pop back down in the morning for a cup of coffee (first one is on the house for Graduate guests) and one of their freshly baked buttermilk biscuits before leaving the fairytale behind.
101 20th Ave. N., 615-551-2700; graduatehotels.com/Nashville