This Hotel Gives You Inside Access to Nashville’s Trendiest Neighborhood

Thompson Nashville is in the heart of The Gulch, one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. Eateries, bars, music venues, and boutiques line the sidewalks. The energy here is undoubtedly upscale without veering into pretentiousness or formality. This is the place for people who appreciate the finer things but still know how to relax and have a good time.

The Gulch is less than a mile from the honky tonks on Broadway — close enough to walk but quiet enough to sleep at night. That’s the beauty of Thompson Nashville: access to Music City’s legendary entertainment, on-property hotspots, and a restful stay all in one.

Photo: Tamara Gane

Thompson Nashville opened in 2016 with 224 rooms and suites. Each has floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, striking wood headboards, and timeless, mid-century modern decor. Prices start at $429 for a standard room, $459 for a double, $899 for the Thompson suite, and $2,500 a night for the penthouse suite. Select rooms are pet-friendly without an additional fee (advance notice is required).

I was traveling with a friend. It’d been a while since I’d shared a room, so I was initially worried about whether or not we’d have enough space. Those concerns were pushed aside the moment we entered our accommodation. At 355 square feet, our double room was slightly oversized, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provided the illusion of extra space. Even with two beds, there was enough room for a sleek writing desk, a chic corner chair, an honor bar, and a cabinet with a Nespresso coffee machine. Every room includes subtle nods to Music City including a Marshall bluetooth speaker that doubles as a guitar amp (although the volume is limited for the sake of your fellow guests). Rooms are also stocked with vinyl records that can be purchased via the hotel’s partnership with Jack White’s Nashville-based Third Man Records.

I’m a sucker for a nice hotel bathroom and this one was beautiful, with three different types of coordinating black-and-white, floor-to-ceiling tile. Like the room, the rainfall shower was oversized and had one of my favorite features: a faucet opposite the shower head so you can turn on the water without getting soaked before it reaches the right temperature. I was equally delighted with the luxurious D.S. & Durga bath amenities.

Slippers and plush robes hang in the closet. The beds are comfy with premium Sferra linens that make you want to hit the snooze button. We found small, thoughtful touches like outlets and USB ports on either side of the nightstand, black-out curtains to block out the sun, and a tall reading lamp waiting above the chair. On each floor, a water station with complimentary sparkling and still dispensers provides an eco-friendly way to keep hydrated.

Photo: Tamara Gane

You won’t find a pool or spa at Thompson Nashville, so if these amenities are high on your list, it might not be your top pick. We didn’t have time to use the gym, but I peeked inside and spotted shiny, state-of-the-art exercise equipment. Complimentary yoga classes and power fitness sessions are available to guests (advance registration is required).

Thompson Nashville’s website offers a variety of uniquely Nashville experiences to enhance your stay, including a guided walking tour of The Gulch. We booked the Vinyl and Whiskey experience in the elegant penthouse suite. It’s an hour-long class with a fee of $50 per person. Host A.J. Soldo, an audiophile and whiskey connoisseur with years of experience in the whiskey and music industries, walked us through tastings of four premium Tennessee whiskeys, highlighting the history of each maker. Each sample was paired with a song from an artist with ties to the Nashville community. Soldo managed to teach us a great deal without making us feel like we were in class. We left feeling like we just happened to be drinking whiskey with a friend in a fancy penthouse.

Perhaps the best amenity is the staff. From the moment the valet magically appeared to pull my luggage from the trunk, everyone we met was friendly and helpful. Even during peak check-in times, the front desk works efficiently, so guests don’t have to wait in line. Housekeeping service is provided daily.

Photo: Tamara Gane

There are three distinct food and beverage concepts at Thompson Nashville. The first, Killebrew Coffee, has an avid neighborhood fan base, and we observed a constant flow of customers leaving with pastries and steaming cups of coffee every morning.

We were excited to learn that there’s a rooftop bar atop the hotel and made plans to pop in one night before dinner. L.A. Jackson is clearly a place to see and be seen (and an excellent setting for a Nashville bachelorette party). Dress here is elevated casual. We didn’t see anyone wearing formalwear, but we also didn’t see anyone in athleticwear or jeans. There was an excited hum in the air as patrons milled about and took turns making memories in the photo booth. The bar is a late-night hotspot, but Thompson Nashville guests can skip the line by presenting their room key.

L.A. Jackson offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The outside deck has a tree in the center and a variety of sofas and seating arrangements. We loved it, but it was a hot day. We chose a seat inside near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. It was busy, but the servers handled it easily, flitting from table to table like hummingbirds. The lounge offers a limited menu with appetizers, burgers, salads, etc., and a brunch menu on weekends. We had dinner plans later so we stuck to cocktails. We had two rounds. Our favorites were the Peppa Steppa (a tequila-based drink with hot honey pepper shrub, lime, and thai chili) and the Melondramatic with gin, watermelon, fennel, and lime. Both were delicious and colorful.

Photo: Tamara Gane

On our last night, we had dinner at Marsh House, the seafood-focused restaurant on Thompson Nashville’s main floor. As we were escorted to our table, we passed sharply dressed couples feasting on oysters on the half shell. The atmosphere was decidedly posh but still down-to-earth and friendly. We chose two appetizers: the smoked fish dip from the regular menu, plus the Sicilian swordfish meatballs from the happy hour fresh sheet. Both were excellent, but we agreed the smoked fish dip was one of the best things we’ve had in Nashville. For entrees, we had the skirt steak with duck fat fries and lobster fra diavolo. They were flavorful and delicious. It’s not difficult to see why this is a popular pick for date night in The Gulch.

Photo: Tamara Gane

This wasn’t my first trip to Nashville, but it was my first time staying in The Gulch. I’m officially in love with this neighborhood. In addition to stellar accommodations and dining options at Thompson Nashville, The Gulch is brimming with shops, bars, and restaurants.

Highlights include Biscuit Love, a casual brunch spot specializing in amazing comfort food. Get there early before the lines form and order the “bonuts” (fried biscuits with berry compote and lemon mascarpone). For dinner, the upscale Italian restaurant Luogo is outstanding. You can’t go wrong with the menu, but favorites include the Margherita pizza, the rigatoni bolognese, and chianti-braised short rib. For nightlife, The Station Inn, an old-school music venue with live music seven nights a week is just around the corner.

For guests who wish to venture further, the sights and sound of Broadway are less than a mile away.

Thompson Nashville is just 7.5 miles from Nashville International Airport and easy to reach by Uber or Lyft.