Where to Stay in Nashville (Updated 2023)

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

Nashville is more than just a weekend getaway. While lots of people come to party on honky tonk-lined Broadway Street, Nashville has much more than bachlor/bachlorette spots. The Tennessee capital has decadent eateries, treasured museums, stunning parks, and chill neighborhoods with cozy cafes.

I've always loved visiting (it's one of my favorite cities in the US).

Because Nashville does not have a great public transportation system, when you visit it is important to plan ahead and research which neighborhood you want to live in. Otherwise, you will end up using 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 of Broadway) is right in the middle of things but not exactly in the bar-flanked section of Broadway. It's also home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, one of its most popular (and must-see) sights. The problem is that there aren't many affordable accommodation options here. You pay a premium for location, so keep that in mind when booking. If you want a nice and central place to stay in but away from the craziness of famous Broadway, this is it!

The best place to stay in SoBro

• BUDGET: address — This is perfect for budget travelers who want a central location. Thus the hotel has very comfortable rooms and a retro cafe where you can relax with a coffee. The staff are friendly. This is the best value in this area.
• MIDRANGE: SoBro place maker — This beautiful hotel is right beside many of the city's top attractions, including the Johnny Cash Museum and the Ryman Auditorium. The parquet floors and chic furnishings are great, the beds are comfortable, and the staff is very friendly.
• LUXURY: 1 Nashville Hotels — If you want a hotel with atmosphere, this luxury, sustainably-minded property has 56,000 plants spread around the hotel, with spacious rooms adorned with wood-paneled walls. I am a big fan of this brand because the rooms are really nice, the bed is very comfortable and the rain shower is great. If you have a bigger budget, definitely stay here.

Where to Stay in Nashville for Families: Midtown

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

The best place to stay in Midtown

• BUDGET: Hampton Inn & Suites — This hotel is perfect for families on a budget. Located near Vanderbilt University, pet friendly, has a large pool, and breakfast is included.
• MIDRANGE: Hyatt House Nashville in Vanderbilt — A clean and comfortable three-star hotel right next to the university, the rooms here are spacious and feature black-out curtains to ensure you get a good night's sleep. I love the perfect seasonal outdoor pool and free breakfast. It's a standard, value-for-money Hyatt property.
• LUXURY: Graduate of — This boutique hotel features lots of bright colors, a musical vibe, and a retro theme. They have a really cool Dolly Parton themed rooftop bar. I love how their rooms are a mix of modern art vibes and old Southern B&B charm. A very unique place to stay.

Where to Stay in Nashville for a Local Feel: The Five Points

Five Points, located across the river in East Nashville, is jam-packed with trendy bars, low-key (and good) restaurants, cutting-edge art galleries, indie boutiques and record stores, vintage clothing stores, craft cocktail bars, and a third wave of coffee spots. There really isn't any “scenery” here. It's more of a vibration that attracts people. This neighborhood makes a great base from which to explore the rest of the city during the day and then return “home” at night to soak up the nightlife.

The best place to stay in Five Points

• BUDGET: Waymore Guest House & Relax Club — A modern and fresh retro-looking hotel, this is a great choice for travelers looking for a quieter place to stay. The room is a standard hotel room and nothing fancy about it but very affordable!
• MIDRANGE: Gallatin — This artsy boutique hotel has Insta-worthy, colorful walls decorated with local art and free snacks. I love the decor here, the comfortable beds, and the friendly staff.
• LUXURY: Russell — This boutique property is housed in a brick church from the early 20th century. Each room has a different décor, the beds are great and it's a colorful place. I love the attention to detail as well as the site bar. They donate a portion of their proceeds to homeless shelters as well.

Where to Stay in Nashville to Party: Downtown

In the middle of Nashville, Downtown, SoBro, and Midtown intersect or overlap. For the sake of this article, I'm using “Downtown” as the town square on Lower Broadway: the section that leads directly to the river and includes all the country and western bars. If you want to stay in the heart of all the action and close to the Nashville nightlife this is the place to be.

The best place to stay downtown

• BUDGET: Mark — If you're looking to party on a budget, this property is the most affordable option in City Center. Studios and one bedroom apartments are available and each unit has a kitchen and a washing machine.
• MIDRANGE: 21c — This stylish and artsy hotel is housed in a building from 1900 and offers excellent value. Rooms feature hardwood floors and high ceilings, in-room coffee makers, Malin + Goetz bath products and original art on the walls. The in-house restaurant serves contemporary Southern dishes with a worldly flair. This is a very comfortable place to stay.
• LUXURY: Downtown Moxy — This trendy hotel features spacious rooms with plus-size TVs, ample USB ports, high-end bath products and a rooftop bar offering stunning views. A Marriott property (so everything here is pretty standard), this is the best hotel downtown.

Nashville is a bit spread out, so if you're basing yourself where you want to play and explore, you won't need a car. All of these neighborhoods are walkable and all a short Uber ride away (East Nashville). Midtown and SoBro are my favorite areas for quiet, value and convenience.