Hilton Nashville Downtown, Nashville

This hotel is situated in the Downtown area of Nashville which is an important consideration if going to Nashville; if you are going for the country music experience this is the place to stay. However, this is not a shopping area - only a few souvenir shops in the area and little else. You are opposite the Country Music Hall of Fame, though, and around the corner is the Ryman auditorium - former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Also round the corner is ...
...bars such as "Robert's Western World" and "The Black Orchid".

My first impression was a good one; the vast reception area is cool and spacious dominated by two glass elevators which glide silently to the upper floors. There is a walkway on each floor with views down into the foyer. Striking tropical plants filled the spaces between the comfortable armchairs.

Check-in was smooth and hassle-free; our ... more

This hotel is situated in the Downtown area of Nashville which is an important consideration if going to Nashville; if you are going for the country music experience this is the place to stay. However, this is not a shopping area - only a few souvenir shops in the area and little else. You are opposite the Country Music Hall of Fame, though, and around the corner is the Ryman auditorium - former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Also round the corner is the famous strip where you'll find all the Honky Tonk bars such as "Robert's Western World" and "The Black Orchid".

My first impression was a good one; the vast reception area is cool and spacious dominated by two glass elevators which glide silently to the upper floors. There is a walkway on each floor with views down into the foyer. Striking tropical plants filled the spaces between the comfortable armchairs.

Check-in was smooth and hassle-free; our party was expected so all the room keys and forms were ready. I was delighted when the young man who checked us in told me that Fiona was "a real purty name"!

The rooms are suites - each has a comfortable sitting area with TV, fridge and tea/coffee maker. The bedrooms have two double beds, huge wardrobes and a TV. The imense bathroom was spotless as was the rest of the suite and the entire hotel. We never actually saw anyone cleaning, it must have been done so expertly and covertly that we didn't notice, even in the public areas.

To be honest we didn't make use of the sitting area, we were too busy out and about while we were in Nashville, coming back to the room only to change or to collapse into the squashy bed. I would have preferred more room around the beds themselves but since I didn't choose the hotel I guess I can't complain.

The breakfast buffet was the best I've ever had - help yourself to an endless choice of fresh fruit, cereals, cooked breakfast - including the all important grits - my absolute favourite. You can have table service or help yourself to the buffet - I recommend ordering a jalapeno omelette, wonderful! The only problem we found waas that the staff can be a little too helpful; no sooner had you finished something than they wanted you to have more.

There is a sports bar, "Eddie's Sports Grille", in the hotel which can get busy at weekends when the city's American football team has a game. Food is available - huge platters of combos and chilli, pizza or burgers. There is a smaller quieter part to the bar but the clientele are mainly young. You could also opt to have a drink in the reception area which has lots of comfortable seating.

There is the Palm Restaurant - basically a steakhouse. the Market Street restaurant and the Parkview Cafe - this is where breakfast is served.

The hotel has a small gift shop where you also buy candy, cigarettes and newspapers as well as a small selection of paperbacks.

Although we didn't have time to use them the hotel bosts an indoor pool and the latest gym equipment; use of both is free for hotel guests.

There is ample parking and lots of helpful young parking attendants on hand to park your vehicle.

Overall we had a fantastic stay; I had only one complaint. I am allergic to feather pillows and both the beds had enormous down-filled pillows. I checked the closets (I am SO American!) but there were no others so I rang down to reception and asked for replacements only to be told they didn't have any. I was really surprised about this since feather allergies are not uncommon. Given the standard of the service elsewhere in the hotel and the facilities available, let alone the price of the accommodation I would not have expected this to be a problem. I spent the weekend with a stiff neck, sleeping on a rolled up towel.

The hotel always has special offers available - such as the "Romance Package" where you'll get champagne and strawberries and chocolates - but 170 Dollars is about usual for a one bedroom suite with two double beds. Check out the website for up to date prices.

If you really need to be near the Ryman Auditorium, the football stadium or the Hall of Fame, this hotel is ideally situated. It also represents pretty good value for a mid-range accommodation. Obviously, his being America, you can get cheaper accommodation at one of the numerous hotels off the highway which would still be a good location to see the whole city, not just Downtown.

However, you are limited in terms of shopping, eating out and more family-friendly attractions. This hotel is one for people attending conventions or sporting events or real country music buffs who want to be close to the strip each evening. Recommended but with reservations.

www.hilton.com 

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