Memphis

Memphis: the home of the blues, the birthplace of the king of Rock n Roll, assassination place of Martin Luther King, fried food galore and sweet southern hospitality. Elvis's Heart Break Hotel During our week stay, we resided in the famous Heartbreak hotel, where Elvis movies are played 24 hours a day, Elvis gift shops are abundant and the pool was heart shaped! The hotel is directly opposite Elvis's home, Gracelands and is owned by the Elvis estate. We stayed in a room that was adjoined to another and it was huge! There was a living room, with desk, television, sofas, telephone, a ... more

With the 25th anniversary of the death of Elvis having passed, I thought back on how I enjoyed my visit to Graceland. I was again reminded of it, when we went to a Elvis night in Orlando, last week. The guy was on the fat side (I know Elvis was at the end) but with my eyes closed he sounded the nearest to Elvis that I have heard. At this concert were people, who had been to Graceland for that 25th anniversary. We talked about both of our visits, and I just knew that would be my next review. Graceland. Is a beautiful house, with white columns at the front, set in gorgeous grounds. However, you ... more

Most people go to Memphis for one thing, and one thing only - Gracelands. Most people leave having had their dream fulfilled, but with one big question - why did the King choose to live there? If you wanted an answer to that question I suppose it's all about security and ties, but the fact remains that Memphis has remained in some sort of 70's timewarp ever since he died. For non-Elvis fans such as myself, a trip to Gracelands may not mean that much beyond bewilderment at the great man's taste (or lack of it), but is an undeniably fascinating insight into his mind. To be fair to him, I'm sure ... more

Having been born and raised to Elvis' music, visiting Memphis has always been a dream of mine. My husband and I visited in October 2007. Finding a budget hotel is quite easy if you are happy to catch a bus, taxi or walk in to the entertainment hub of Mempis' Beale St. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn on Camilla St and Union Ave. Do not be fooled by the address. Although Union Ave does join the main streets in Memphis, the Red Roof is about 1.5 miles up Union Avenue, a good walk from Beale St. A taxi will cost approx $5 though, so don't be dis-heartened. The hotel itself had more of a motel feel ... more

The Peabody Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Memphis is the home of the famous Peabody Ducks. This grand hotel, built in 1869 in the Italian Renaissance Revival tradition, boasts of "southern hospitality and delta style". The famous Peabody Ducks, one mallard and four hens, are housed in the "Duck Palace", a penthouse pond on the roof of the hotel. Each day at eleven in the morning, a red carpet is unrolled as the ducks process from their penthouse, down the elevator, to the Grand Lobby, all to the music of John Philip Sousa! There in the lobby they spend the day amusing onlookers as ... more