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Matt Kisiday
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Luke Beard
HOTEL CHALET in Chattanooga, TN
More than 50 years ago, the last passenger train departed Chattanooga’s Terminal Station, leaving the historic Beaux Arts building’s future uncertain. Enter: a group of local businessmen who not only saved it from destruction but infused it with a $4 million investment, converting it into a complex of hotel rooms, shops, and restaurants to cater to the millions of automobile passengers passing through the South. It got a new name — The Chattanooga Choo-Choo (inspired by the Glenn Miller song) — and in 1974, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
For decades, families visited the “Choo Choo,” feeling lucky to land accommodations in the one of the converted Pullman train cars that were often booked months in advance. The hotel went through a second renovation in 2014. And in 2023, Historic Hotels of America unveiled a multi-year renovation that launched the 24-acre campus luxuriously into the 21st century. They rebranded it as The Hotel Chalet.
Yes, you can still stay in those converted train cars, but they won’t look like the train cars of the past. Think rich velvets, warm woods, deco lighting, and intricately patterned wall coverings. Bathrooms are outfitted with variations of tile, marble, and glammy gold accents. Everything is kissed in opulence but doesn’t feel fussy in the least. The hotel’s anchor restaurant pays homage to Donn Barber, the architect who designed Terminal Station, and his wife, Elsie. The inspirational couple named their daughter Elsie, who later named her daughter Elsie, as well.
So, Elsie’s Daughter felt fitting as the restaurant’s name. Classic cocktails and French-Belgian cuisine with an Appalachian influence are served in a meticulously restored 1908 building that marries the mood and romance of the ’20’s with 1970’s minimalist design. Creative combinations can be found throughout the menu: Collard green salad gets finished cured egg yolk, bone marrow tartine with tomato jam, and sirloin tataki with ponzu vinaigrette and sesame. The same can be found on the beverage side.
The hotel’s enviable location makes it easy to explore everything the walkable city has to offer, and, in the spirit of exploration, there are multiple experiences available on-site. You’ll find the classics like wine tastings, yoga, and live music (in this case, in the courtyard, around a cozy fire). For the adventurous, the hotel will coordinate a hang-gliding experience for a bird’s eye view of scenic Appalachian foothills and the ever-evolving city below. (92 Choo Choo Ave., Chattanooga, TN; thehotelchalet.com)
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HOTEL BARDO in Savannah, Georgia
One of Savannah’s most iconic properties, the Mansion on Forsyth Park, added an exciting new chapter to its history with the opening of Hotel Bardo. The imposing Southern Gothic structure, overlooking Spanish moss- laden Forsyth Park, was originally built in 1888 as a single-family residence for the Lewis Kayton family and converted to a boutique hotel in 2005. Earlier this year, New York City-based real estate and hospitality firm, Left Lane, revealed a completely reimagined property that’s more than just a hotel—it’s a timeless urban retreat and member’s club that inspires community connection throughout its lavish grounds.
The 149-key Hotel Bardo, in the heart of the Victorian District, seamlessly marries Romanesque architecture with a modern palette. There are serene hues of peach and green coupled with natural wood tones, but vibrant pops of yellow and orange make whimsical appearances, too. Flora stencil work by Savannah muralist, Vanessa Platacis; contemporary bird sculptures by Belgian sculptor, William Sweetlove; an installation by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) professor, Kelly Boehmer (depicting the “Patron Saint of Hangovers”); and SCAD graduate Libby Barret’s large-scale, panoramic painting are some of the artistic flourishes that mirror the creative spirit of the city.
The 82-foot pool and surrounding courtyard are straight out of a Mediterranean dream, beckoning guests to lounge beneath the shade of an umbrella or tuck into a poolside cabana to enjoy fresh bites from Bar Bibi throughout the afternoon. The casual, coastal Italian menu includes fresh salads, crudo, and pizzettas, along with inventive cocktails, and the not- to-be-missed Bibi’s Spritz Service—a prosecco bottle service with Italian aperitivos and seasonal mixers.
Calm carries into the afternoon with a trip to Saltgrass, the hotel’s holistic gym and wellness spa. From massages to facials to restorative body treatments, the goal is to depart in a more peaceful state of mind. Studio classes are also available for those seeking a more physically invigorating reset.
The hotel’s warm and welcoming Green Room was designed with sultry Savannah evenings in mind. The dramatic oval-shaped bar is a sophisticated stop for creative cocktails like the Spy vs. Spy (tequila, elderflower, and celery) and the Least of Your Worries (rum, kumquat and makrut). Salt cod and fried capers crostini or black truffle arancini are the perfect bites to nibble on the side.
Dining options abound in Savannah, but there’s no need to leave your plush enclave for dinner. Hotel guests and locals alike fill the Saint Bibiana dining room for Executive Chef and Culinary Director Derek Simcik’s coastal Italian fare. “St. B” keeps things simple, transforming high-integrity ingredients into creative dishes: Sicilian arancini with saffron risotto, tomato stewed pork, and Dover Sole piccata with lemon, capers, and Italian parsley to name a few. Close out the night with a stroll through the verdant gardens before tucking into the quietly luxurious guest room for a tranquil slumber steeped in rich history.(700 Drayton St., Savannah, GA; staybardo.com)