Where to Stay in Nashville (Updated 2023)

published: 7/15/23 | July 15, 2023

Nashville is more than just a weekend getaway. While many people come to party on honky-tonk-lined Broadway, Nashville has more than just a bachelorette/bachelorette spot. The capital of Tennessee boasts great dining scenes, worthwhile museums, picturesque parks, and quiet neighborhoods with cozy coffee shops.

Always love to visit (it’s one of my favorite cities in the US).

Since Nashville does not have a great public transportation system, when you visit it is important to plan ahead and research the neighborhood where you want to stay. Otherwise, you will be taking a lot of expensive Ubers.

To help you narrow it down, here’s my breakdown of the best neighborhoods (plus accommodation options for each) so you know exactly where to stay in Nashville.

Where to Stay in Nashville for Sightseeing: SoBro

SoBro (South Broadway) Smack in the middle of things but not exactly on the bustling bar-lined part of Broadway. It’s also home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and is one of its most famous (and must-see) attractions. The only difficulty is that there are not a lot of affordable accommodation options here. You are paying a premium for the location, so keep that in mind when booking. If you want a nice central area stay but away from the famous Broadway madness, this is it!

Best places to stay in SoBro

• budget: Bode – This is perfect for budget travelers who want a central location. Thus the hotel has really comfortable rooms and an old indoor cafe where you can relax with a coffee. The staff is friendly. It is the best value in the area.
• middle of the road: Placemakr SoBro – This lovely hotel is located next to many of the city’s main attractions, including the Johnny Cash Museum and the Ryman Auditorium. The wooden floors and elegant furniture are great, the beds are comfortable and the staff is very friendly.
• Welfare:1 Hotel Nashville – If you want a hotel with a ambience, this sustainable-minded luxury estate has 56,000 plants scattered throughout the property, with spacious rooms decked out with wood-paneled walls. I’m a huge fan of this brand because their rooms are really nice, the beds are super comfortable, and the rain shower is great. If you have a bigger budget, definitely stay here.

Where to stay for families in Nashville: Midtown

Midtown also has many of the city’s major attractions, such as the First Art Museum, the Tennessee Center for the Performing Arts, and the Belmont Palace. Plus, you’ll find the city’s best green space: Centennial Park, where you can find a large-scale model of the Parthenon in Athens. This is a great area for families because it’s quiet, has lots of walkable streets, and is still very central.

Best places to stay downtown

• budget: Hampton Inn & Suites – This hotel is perfect for families on a budget. It’s near Vanderbilt University, it’s pet friendly, there’s a large pool, and breakfast is included.
• middle of the road: Hyatt House Nashville at Vanderbilt – A clean and comfortable three-star hotel next to the university, the rooms here are spacious and have black-out drapes to ensure you get a good sleep. I love the seasonal outdoor pool. Perfect and free breakfast. It is an ordinary living property and good value.
• Welfare: The Graduate – This boutique hotel has lots of bright colors, a musical atmosphere, and vintage themes. They have a Dolly Parton themed rooftop bar which is pretty cool. I love how their rooms are a mix of an Art Nouveau vibe and old Southern B&B charm. It really is a unique place to stay.

Where to stay in Nashville for local vibes: Five points

Located across the river in East Nashville, Five Points is packed with dive bars, unassuming (and great) restaurants, cutting-edge art galleries, independent boutiques and record stores, vintage clothing stores, craft cocktail bars, and third wave coffee spots. There are no “sights” here. It’s the atmosphere that attracts people. The neighborhood makes a pleasant base for exploring the rest of the city during the day and then coming home at night to soak up the evening atmosphere.

Best places to stay in Five Points

• budget: Waymore’s Guest House & Casual Club – Stylish and modern looking hotel, this is a good choice for travelers who want a quieter place to stay. The rooms are normal hotel rooms and there is nothing fancy about this place but it is very affordable!
• middle of the road: The Gallatin – This artsy boutique hotel has colorful walls to see, decorated with local art, and complimentary snacks. I love the decor here, the comfy beds, and the friendly staff.
• Welfare: Russell – This boutique property is housed in an all-brick early 20th century church. Each room has a different decor, the beds are lovely, and it’s such a colorful place. I love the attention to detail as well as the location bar. They donate a portion of their proceeds to homeless shelters, too.

Where to party in Nashville: Downtown

In Central Nashville, Midtown, SoBro, and Midtown intersect or overlap. For the sake of this article, I’m using “downtown” as the Lower Broadway area of ​​the city: the part that goes right down to the river and includes all the country and western pubs. If you want to be in the heart of all the action and be close to the Nashville nightlife, this is where you want to be.

Best places to stay downtown

• budgetResult: If you want to party on a budget, this property is the most affordable option in the city centre. There are studios and one-bedroom apartments available and each unit has a kitchen and laundry machines.
• middle of the road:21c – Housed in a 1900’s building, this stylish and artsy hotel offers excellent value. Rooms feature wood floors, high ceilings, in-room coffee makers, Malin + Goetz bath products, and original artwork on the walls. Its in-house restaurant serves modern Southern cuisine with an earthy flair. It is a very comfortable place to stay.
• Welfare: The Moxy Downtown – This modern hotel features spacious rooms with oversized TVs, USB ports galore, luxury bath products, and a rooftop bar with stunning views. A Marriott property (so everything here is pretty standard), this is the nicest hotel in the heart of downtown.

Nashville is a bit spread out, so if you’re staying where you want to play and explore, you don’t need a car. All of these neighborhoods are walkable and everything is just an uber ride away (east of Nashville). Midtown and SoBro are my favorite areas for quiet, value, and convenience.