This Nashville Hotel Is Steps From the Action and a Retreat From the Noise

Nashville had been high on my list of places to visit for a while. After spending a few days exploring the city, using the Hyatt Centric as my home base, it was clear that the city was much more than a checkbox on my travel to-do list.

Photo: Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville

One of the hallmarks of the Hyatt Centric brand is centrally located properties in the heart of popular destinations. Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville follows this standard to a tee. The drive from Nashville International Airport to the hotel was short, barely allowing enough time to catch my breath or text travel updates to my wife. After a quick zip down the highway, my driver exited onto 2nd Avenue, which quickly led us directly to the hotel’s parking lot and front entrance.

In addition to being close to the airport, Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville is within walking distance to many of the city’s landmarks, attractions, and culinary hotspots. My flight from Cleveland arrived early in the morning, which gave me a jump on exploring the area. After a quick five-minute walk, I found myself on Lower Broadway, affectionately known as Nashville’s Honky Tonk Highway. The ambiance by daylight contrasts starkly with the scene after dusk, when the neon lights transform the atmosphere into a vibrant, glowing spectacle. After completing the customary hunt for family souvenirs, I headed back to explore more of the hotel.

Photo: Kevin Payne

From my first step inside, I knew I was going to love this hotel. The open-air lobby was inviting, with multiple seating areas surrounded by a carefully curated collection of artwork from local artists. To the right was Ella’s, the hotel’s primary dining option.

I made my way up to the 15th floor to check out my digs for the next few days. The room featured a simple yet contemporary design, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the neighborhood and the hotel’s pool. I have relatively simple travel needs but do enjoy spacious accommodations and thoughtful amenities. At 320 square feet, the room offered plenty of space for work and relaxation. It featured a plush king-size bed, a cozy seating area and table, a suitable writing desk, and a stylish wardrobe. My favorite room fixture was the sleek cabinet, which housed a mini-fridge, an in-room safe, and a coffee maker. The cabinet’s interior panels nodded to Nashville legends like Elvis, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and Tim McGraw.

Photo: Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville

The bathroom featured a large glass shower with a high-pressure shower head, the same one I recently installed in my master bathroom at home. The long marble-top vanity had one sink and ample counter space. Bathrooms at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville come equipped with Bee Kind bath amenities, a countertop vanity mirror, and a Drybar Buttercup hair dryer. Other room amenities included plush bathrobes and slippers.

The Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville has a wide selection of rooms — 252 guest rooms and 11 suites — including single and double beds and accessible rooms and suites to accommodate every traveler’s needs.

Photo: Kevin Payne

The Presidential Suite is a homerun for families or large groups. It offers luxury amenities like full-size hidden kitchen appliances, a large island and bar seating, a sectional sofa bed, and a handcrafted wooden ping-pong table. Oh, and there’s a stand-up arcade game for extra measure. Plus, the Presidential Suite has a separate bedroom with a king bed and a spacious bathroom with a large walk-in shower and a separate chic bathtub.

Photo: Kevin Payne

My early arrival gave me the opportunity to grab breakfast at the hotel before venturing out into downtown Nashville. Ella’s by Christian Petroni is a bright, inviting dining space serving thoughtful brunch favorites in the morning and coastal Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Formerly known as Ella’s on 2nd, the restaurant now features a revamped menu thanks to a recent partnership with Food Network star Christian Petroni and Red Pebbles Hospitality. The space features an open kitchen, giving diners a bird’s-eye view of the culinary staff in action. Ella’s also features a spacious, inviting cocktail bar and seating area, perfect for pre-dinner beverages or networking.

The ricotta pancakes with maple butter were light yet packed with flavor. They were good enough to become a staple each morning I spent at Ella’s. In addition to a list of entrees, Ella’s brunch menu includes appropriate cocktails and a selection of bakery items, including cornetti (Italian croissant-like pastries), scones, and Nutella pizza bread.

Photo: Kevin Payne

For my lone dinner at Ella’s, I enjoyed an assortment of starters from the menu, including the best housemade mozzarella sticks I’ve ever had. The fried meatballs, shrimp scampi, and fire-roasted carrots were equally delicious, as was the Margherita pizza, which I watched being tossed and prepared. It’s hard to go wrong with a steak, so I opted for the New York Strip as my entree, which was perfectly prepared. Although I didn’t dine at Ella’s for lunch, the restaurant serves some dinner entrees plus a few sandwiches.

The hotel’s other culinary offering is Lala’s, a rooftop pool bar and restaurant on the ninth floor. Unfortunately, due to rainy skies, Lala’s was not open during my stay. The popular gathering spot features limited hours and a small, curated menu. Beverage selections include wines, ciders and seltzers, draft and canned beers, craft cocktails, and frozen drinks.

In-room dining is also available from morning until late night seven days a week for hotel guests.

Next door to the Hyatt Centric is Nashville staple The Pancake Pantry, which has been serving up breakfast classics since 1961. Its expansive menu includes nearly 20 types of pancakes and other delicious bites to start your day. I’ve been on a not-always-strict health kick lately, so I opted for gluten-free buttermilk pancakes. Outside of placing my order, I forgot they were gluten-free, a testament to the restaurant’s expertise in perfecting the art of pancakes. If you’re thinking of visiting The Pancake Pantry, be sure to arrive early to avoid the long line that frequently extends around the block.

Photo: Kevin Payne

It’s not necessarily a requirement when visiting Nashville, but I couldn’t leave the city without sampling some hot chicken. Prince’s Hot Chicken is considered to be the birthplace of the spicy delight, with dozens of local restaurants staking their claim for the best birds in town. The closest location on Broadway is less than a half-mile from the hotel, where you’ll also find a Hattie B’s. With a history only dating back to 2012, Hattie B’s is a relative newcomer in the hot chicken game compared to other hot spots. But what it lacks in history, it makes up for in flavor.

The menu features a collection of chicken dishes and ridiculously good sides. My favorite was the Dirty Bird Fries, a basket of piping hot crinkle-cut fries, pimento mac and cheese, chicken tender bites, and comeback sauce. Hattie B’s chicken comes in six heat levels ranging from Souther (no heat) to Shut The Cluck Up. I’m no spice king, so I opted for a medium chicken sandwich, which turned out to be the perfect level for me.

Of course, curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the manager if I could sample the hottest chicken. He obliged, delivering a small sampling of spicy tenders with a nearly indescribable reddish-brown exterior that both delighted and frightened me. It was the hottest thing I’ve ever tasted, with a sting that lingered long after I left. For spice fans, though, it may not be as bad.

A short walk from Hyatt Centric stands the River House, a stylish upscale restaurant with a business casual dress code. The restaurant’s menu features a collection of seafood, sushi, steaks, and chops. I enjoyed The Hemingway, a center-cut filet mignon covered in cognac cream. The River House’s interior is as elegant as its food, a sharp contrast to the Honky Tonk bars located blocks away.

Photo: Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville

The hotel is a bright, beautiful space with as much charm as the city itself. A stop on the ninth floor leads to one of Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville’s central hubs of activity. On one half of the floor, you’ll find a collection of rooms and spaces for meetings, conferences, and other events. On the other half sits the hotel’s pool and rooftop bar and a 24-hour fitness center.

The rooftop pool looked so inviting looking down from my hotel room window despite the rain. Pristine white lounge chairs line both sides of the pool, with umbrellas on one side for those who enjoy the shade. There are also three in-pool chaise lounge chairs at one end of the pool so you can catch some rays while taking a dip in the crystal-clear water.

The blue-and-white-striped hallway leading past the pool features playful swimming-themed artwork, restrooms for guests, and a water bottle refilling station.

Photo: Kevin Payne

Behind the large glass doors at the end of the hall sits one of the largest hotel fitness centers I’ve experienced. As you enter, you’ll find towels for guests to use during workouts and a mini-fridge filled with complimentary ice-cold bottled water. On the counter lie cards with a map of the surrounding area and directions for suggested running routes from the hotel. They featured a scannable QR code to access the map from your mobile device.

As I walked past the counter, I was captivated by what was undoubtedly the building’s most striking piece of art — a colossal mural of Dolly Parton riding a Peloton.

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day and features an array of exercise equipment for guests to use, including free weights, kettlebells, medicine balls, exercise balls, bands, mats, and foam rollers. The opposite end of the space showcases floor-to-ceiling windows yielding neighborhood views, lined with ellipticals, treadmills, and Peloton bikes. There’s also plenty of open space to use for yoga, stretching, and recovery.

Photo: Kevin Payne

During my stay, I had several opportunities to explore downtown Nashville. The city has become an instant favorite of mine, and I’ll return to it soon with my family. The hotel’s prime location places you within easy reach of Nashville’s cherished attractions, including the honky-tonk-lined Broadway Street, diverse shopping, dining, and a wealth of entertainment options.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is well worth a visit, even if you aren’t a huge fan of the genre. The museum features a perfect blend of tributes to country music pioneers and legends while tipping its hat to modern artists.

Photo: Kevin Payne

I spent considerable time at Fifth and Broadway. Located across from Bridgestone Arena, the complex features a collection of retailers, restaurants, and Nashville’s largest food hall. Besides my spice-filled adventure at Hattie B’s, I also indulged in an assortment of tacos at Velvet Taco, located in the Assembly Food Hall. As a donut enthusiast, I couldn’t resist visiting Tennessee’s Five Daughters Bakery to sample its famed Hundred Layer Donuts. The bakery’s Chocolate Sea Salt Hundred Layer Donut is exceptional, truly in a league of its own. Also located in the complex National Museum of African American Music, where I could’ve spent hours immersed in the museum’s interactive exhibits.

Across the street from Fifth and Broadway stands the famed Ryman Auditorium, a musical landmark with a history spanning over 130 years. I loved touring the iconic venue, including looking out over the hallowed auditorium for a complimentary on-stage photo opportunity.

Photo: Kevin Payne

On my last night, I took one last venture down Broadway to soak in as much live music as possible. The first stop was the world-famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, which offers three floors of bars, dining, and live music. My night ended with a quick stop at Morgan Wallen’s This Bar, one of the newest bars and restaurants on Lower Broadway. Just off the main drag, it’s one of the many bars and honky tonks owned by country music stars and other famous musicians, including Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, and Jon Bon Jovi.

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