Though the twelve-story Thompson Hotel is part of the Hyatt chain, we felt this international brand has captured the local ethos and arty vibe of Nashville. It is certainly one of the more popular hotels in Music City, particularly for diverse travellers of every stripe.
Located in the Gulch, an authentic and edgy neighbourhood, it is just around the corner from unique venues that have been around for a long while, such as The Station Inn, an edgy bar famous for bluegrass.
The Thompson mixes Southern and Western decor in keeping with the spirit of the neighbourhood. The New York City-based design firm brought together a select team of craftsmen and artists to keep the aesthetic forward-looking yet real. Using native-American motifs and patterns throughout provided a quietly historic backdrop with the addition of a great deal of locally-sourced art for punch. A wooden compass rose, created by Patrick Hayes, dominates the lobby. It is comprised of locally salvaged materials and includes brass detailing of the hotel’s global coordinates.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | BNA | GMT -6 |
| While you’re Out There |
| While there are plenty of places to eat and drink in Nashville, don’t miss the indoor-outdoor rooftop bar and restaurant, L.A. Jackson on the 15th floor, which has great views of the city skyline. Plus there are Southern brews, and unique or classically-focused cocktails. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here (served every day) and there’s also a late-night menu if you’re stumbling in from a musically-fuelled night out. It’s a popular spot filled with a great atmosphere. |
Our suite was spacious, comfortable and had floor to ceiling windows to let lots of natural light in. There are symmetrical designs and patterns throughout from furnishings to flooring in strong yet not overpowering colours. The exception is the bathroom, which is lean, clean and mean – bright white with a splash of black and brass fittings. And the numbers are impressive: 224 guestrooms are broken down into 146 king guest rooms, 60 double guest rooms, 16 suites and one penthouse.
The Thompson Nashville offers a couple of options for food (all under the helm of Executive Chef Nathan Duensing) that are all extremely good. The Marsh House is a seafood Southern-fusion Louisiana inspired restaurant on the ground floor, which serves three meals a day and a bottomless champagne brunch on weekends. We particularly liked their egg and grits dish for breakfast. It has great coffee, too. Killerbrew, for those on the run, serves up a rotating selection of delicious pastries and savoury snacks which pair nicely with Alabama’s Revelator Coffee.
Photography courtesy of Thompson Hotels
