The holidays are behind us and summer looms just a little too far in the future.
But you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a luxurious getaway right here in Tennessee. Each of these hotels provide a unique lodging experience, less than three hours from home. So go ahead and pack your car and treat yourself to a night or a weekend stay at one of these distinctive properties.
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The Harpeth (Franklin)
For: Authentic Southern hospitality on a quaint, small-town square.
Historic Franklin was just begging for somewhere cozy for visitors to rest their heads without having to drive out into the parking lot-clad burbs, and The Harpeth answered the call with its premium location—just off the main roundabout in Franklin’s charming Downtown—and Southern-inspired décor that blends seamlessly with its quaint surrounds. Reclaimed barnwood floors, a library stocked with books from Franklin’s own independent bookstore, Landmark Books, coupled with rich upholstery, feather-plumped pillow, and a roaring fire make you feel like you’ve been ushered into someone’s country home rather than a hotel lobby. There’s no shortage of places to eat and drink on Franklin’s square, but The Harpeth’s two restaurants: McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions (breakfast and lunch) and 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails (dinner), and adjoining lounge, will surely tempt you to stay put. The 1799 menu features premium cuts of beef and game, Creole favorites, and twists on Southern staples, think crab cakes, grilled quail, shrimp and grits, double cut bone-in elk chop. The dining room was inspired by whiskey barrels, with lots of curves and light woods center stage, plus clubby leather booths booth set off with dark velvet curtains along the sides. It’s no wonder it’s become a favorite stop for locals and visitors alike. (The Harpeth Franklin Downtown, 130 2nd Ave. N., Franklin, 615- 206-7510; hilton.com)
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1 Hotel Nashville (Nashville)
For: A nature-inspired hideaway in the heart of Downtown.
It’s hard to keep track of all the new luxury hotels cropping across our bustling city, but there’s nothing else quite like 1 Hotel. From the lush, green exterior, comprised of more than 56,000 individual plants, to the nature-inspired rooms and suites, living “green” has never felt more luxurious. The hotel’s enviable location places guests near Broadway, Music City Center, Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, and many other top destinations, so whether you choose to get out and about, or simply immerse yourself in the peace and tranquility of the plant-covered spaces, you’re sure to appreciate this urban oasis in the heart of Nashville. No matter where you dine at 1 hotel—grabbing fruit at Lobby Farmstead, sipping a cold-pressed juice or a cappuccino at Neighbors, savoring small bites and craft cocktails at Harriet’s Rooftop bar, or indulging in a multi-course dinner at 1 Kitchen that might start with a beet salad and end with Tennessee Mountain Honeycomb Ice Cream—menus are filled with simple dishes that are nutrient-dense and ingredient-driven, with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients that celebrate the bounty of Tennessee. To maximize all the 1 Hotel healthy-living energy, join a yoga, meditation, or fitness class at the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center, Anatomy, followed by an afternoon at Bamford Wellness for a custom spa treatment, using all natural and organic products, before leaving for the real world. (1 Hotel Nashville, 710 Demonbreun St., 615-510-0400; 1hotels.com/nashville)
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The Read House (Chattanooga)
For: An historic hotel that transports you to the glamour of the roaring ’20s.
Set against the backdrop of a city known for its breathtaking beauty, outdoor adventure, and vibrant downtown, The Read House has held court over the ever-evolving city of Chattanooga since 1926. In 2019, the hotel underwent a $25 million plus renovation, giving its strong Georgian bones a stunning update. From the soaring lobby ceilings to the dramatic Waterford chandelier to black and white checkered floors and the polished wood-clad walls, the hotel transports guests the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age. The grandeur spills over into the speakeasy-style bar, Bar & Billiards Room, where flapper-clad servers pass Sazeracs and crab cakes to guests between rounds of billiards. Bridgeman’s Chophouse, the hotel’s signature restaurant, channels the same opulent energy with dark walls punctuated by gold accents, white tablecloths, and tufted banquette seating. The menu is filled with decadent offerings with everything from raw seafood towers and shrimp martinis to wet aged beef and a bone-in tomahawk ribeye for two. For a special treat, grab a gin fizz, and dip your toes in the indoor pool before tucking into your plush suite for the night. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, request a tour of room 311. Many believe it’s haunted by the ghost of Annalisa Netherly, who was allegedly beheaded in the bathtub by a jealous lover in 1927, while staying in the hotel. The room was restored to its original 1920s state during the hotel’s latest renovation with original elements from Annalisa Netherly’s time, including a vintage clawfoot tub, a classic AM radio, and a manual lock on the door. (Read House, 107 W. MLK Blvd., Chattanooga, 423-266-4121; thereadhousehotel.com)