Some hotels are simply places to sleep. Others become part of the destination itself. As a long-time traveler and travel writer, I spend as much (if not more) time choosing the hotel where I stay as I do choosing the destination. For me, a hotel is much more than just a place to lay my head after a busy day of sightseeing. It’s an integral part of the experience. It’s the gateway to my vacation and should offer not just the comfort I’m looking for, but also reflect exactly what I want my vacation to be.
That was certainly the case during my recent Nashville visit, when I stayed at two Cambria hotels in two very different parts of the city. Although they share the same name, Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown and Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown offered completely different experiences, which made my single trip feel like two very different destinations.
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Cambria Nashville Midtown felt polished, creative, and just a little more relaxed. It was close enough to Nashville’s major attractions, yet removed from the constant crowds and noise of Lower Broadway, something that I usually relish on my vacation. It is great for business travelers, those like me who love to eat, shop, and explore the arts rather than going out and partying all night, while the Cambria Nashville Downtown placed me right in the center of the Nashville that most visitors come to see, hear, and experience. Live music, honky-tonks, museums, restaurants, and some of the city’s best-known attractions were only a few blocks away.
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Together, the two hotels showed me two sides of Nashville. One was stylish and sophisticated, with easy access to neighborhoods such as The Gulch, Music Row, and 12 South. The other was energetic, music-filled, and unmistakably country. I still can’t believe that I got to experience two very different vacations in less than one week. What a fun way to make the most of my time there.
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A Stylish Stay Near Music Row
Located on Church Street, Cambria Hotel Nashville Midtown felt like a stylish home base for discovering Nashville beyond Broadway. If I had a condo in Nashville, this is what it would be.
Zippy Sandler
The design has a refined, creative personality that fits naturally into the neighborhood. My room felt warm and sophisticated, with a plush blue velvet headboard, a coordinating blue velvet, contemporary artwork that felt welcoming, with walls painted a beautiful soft blue and gold in curves that hug the room, and thoughtful design details that made it feel more personal than the typical chain hotel room.
View this post on InstagramMy favorite feature is the desk that opened to reveal a lighted mirrored vanity. Anyone who has ever tried to apply makeup in a dimly lit hotel bathroom will understand why I loved this so much. It was practical, unexpected, and exactly the kind of detail that can make a hotel room feel as though it was designed with real travelers in mind. I could write emails in the morning as I sipped my coffee, then open it to put my makeup on before going to dinner at night. I NEED to get one of these for my home.
The rooms are exceptionally large for a city hotel, with enough room to unpack, get comfortable, and settle in without feeling crowded. The rich fabrics and artistic touches gave the room a polished look, but it still felt comfortable enough to put my feet up at the end of the day and the location offered a different perspective on the Nashville I’d read about. Rather than stepping outside into the full-throttle atmosphere of Lower Broadway, Cambria Midtown puts you close to Music Row, Vanderbilt University, Midtown, The Gulch, and some of the city’s most interesting shopping and dining neighborhoods.
Rooms are fully equipped with everything you need for comfort including free WiFi, a coffeemaker, and you’ll love the convenience of that perfect cup of morning coffee at Church & State their in-house spot for Starbucks coffee drinks and quick grab & go beakfasts.
This is Nashville with a slightly softer volume.
What To Do in the Area
If this is one of those “I want to be alone” getaways, you do not even have to leave the hotel to enjoy one of the best views of the neighborhood. The Rux, the hotel’s rooftop restaurant and bar, is a magical place to watch the sun go down over the Nashville skyline.
The menu features Southern-inspired food, regional craft beer, Nashville cocktails, and mocktails. I enjoyed a mocktail while taking in the view, and it was one of those moments that reminded me why rooftop spaces can make a hotel stay feel so special. You can spend the day exploring the city and then return to the hotel for dinner, drinks, and a skyline view without having to arrange another ride or figure out where to go next. This is why choosing your hotel wisely is so important.
Zippy Sandler
About a 15-minute walk from the hotel, Midtown Cafe is another good breakfast option. I tried the Music City Eggs Benedict (served over biscuits), and the menu also includes a memorable French toast served with Jack Daniel’s peach compote. It is the kind of locally influenced breakfast that lets you know you’re in Nashville before you’ve even decided what you’re going to do for the day.
I’m a wanderer when I travel, I love just falling into neighborhoods, stores, galleries and the like and the Cambria Midtown for exploring The Gulch (a little over a mile away), one of Nashville’s popular neighborhoods for restaurants, boutiques, murals, and people-watching, it has a more modern, upscale feel than Lower Broadway, making it a good choice when you want to shop or have lunch with your bestie without spending the entire day surrounded by honky-tonks.
Music Row is another natural addition to a Midtown stay. This is the business heart of Nashville’s music industry, with recording studios, publishing companies, and offices connected to the artists and songs that helped make Nashville famous. This walkable area combines locally owned businesses with recognizable fashion and lifestyle brands, along with great Nashville eats.
These experiences all fit naturally with a stay at Cambria Nashville Midtown. You can shop, eat, explore Nashville’s creative neighborhoods, and still return to a hotel that feels calm, comfortable, and removed from the most hectic part of the city.
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In the Heart of the Action
If Cambria Nashville Midtown showed me Nashville’s polished, creative side, Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown placed me inside the version of the city everyone talks about. It’s blocks from the sights and sounds of Lower Broadway, making it a walkable, in-the-center-of-it-all stay. From here, live music, museums, restaurants, honky-tonks, and major cultural landmarks are just steps away.
View this post on InstagramThe hotel has an entirely different feel, with more of a rugged yet still refined decor. Wood details, music-inspired artwork, vintage touches, and references to Nashville’s country heritage give it a strong sense of place. Even the hallway leading to the elevators is set with old 78 rpm records featuring country artists and a big gold Victrola.
Zippy Sandler
My room continued that story. With huge swipes of gold painted above the bed and a contrasting leather, nailhead-trimmed headboard. The room featured industrial-style concrete ceilings and art prints of Broadway’s famous honky-tonks.
Zippy Sandler
With a Victrola and a country album in the room, it felt like more than a decorative touch and more of an invitation to slow down and go back in time, put on that 78 and listen to the Nashville you are here for.
The overall look felt like leather and lace. It was somewhere between down-home country and cool, urban artistry. Nothing about it felt generic: nothing felt “chain hotel”. I could have woken up, looked around the room, and known immediately that I was in Nashville.
The hotel also has a rooftop pool, bar, and patio, and after a hot summer day walking through downtown, having a pool waiting upstairs feels like a luxury. You can cool off, order a drink, and look out over the city before heading back out for the evening.
Music is not treated as background decoration here. It’s part of the hotel’s identity.
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Must-See Downtown Nashville Attractions
One of the easiest places to hear live music is inside the hotel itself. True Music Room and Bar presents live entertainment every evening from approximately 4 to 10 p.m., with a new performer taking the stage every two hours.
Zippy Sandler
The space has a full stage, along with playful touches such as a photo booth and neon wall. It gives guests a chance to hear Nashville performers without immediately plunging into the crowds on Broadway. You can order something to eat, settle in with a drink, and listen to live music just steps from your room.
Jason Kempin / Getty Images
When you’re ready to experience Broadway, take a quick right at the corner. The neon signs, rooftop bars, honky-tonks, and nearly nonstop music are only a couple of blocks away. I made my way to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, one of Broadway’s legendary stops and an essential photo opportunity, even if you only pop in briefly. With three floors of music (a different band/musician on each floor), you’re sure to find a band you love…just walk up a flight. Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and even Aerosmith have all graced one of the stages at Tootsie’s. Who knows, you may just come across the next Jason Aldean while dancing the night away.
CHANDAN KHANNA / Getty Images
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a quick few blocks from the hotel. Even visitors who do not consider themselves devoted country music fans might be surprised by how broad the museum’s collection is. I certainly did not expect to encounter Ringo Starr as part of my country music experience. The museum explores the artists, instruments, clothing, recordings, and stories that shaped country music. The Taylor Swift Education Center also gives families with kids and teens an interactive experience.
Of course, shopping is one of my favorite things to do, so I suggest heading to 12 South for a food and shopping day. You’ll find a mix of local and larger stores, with favorites including Judith Bright Jewelry, where the pieces are every bit as beautiful as the store itself and my favorite find—UAL for deep discounts on designer clothes (I picked up a $180 Bella Dahl blouse for only $40), and I saw plenty of Farm Rio, Staud, and Cinq à Sept as well.
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Hungry on the Run? The Assembly Food Hall is a great place to grab a bite and hear even more live music. It brings plenty of food options together under one roof, making it especially convenient when everyone in a group wants something different. Try some local flavors, find a seat or grab it to go before heading back to the hotel.
Puckett’s is one of those restaurants where Nashville’s food and music cultures come together. The restaurant serves Southern comfort food, barbecue, gumbo, and a DO NOT MISS banana pudding. Live music adds to the atmosphere and makes the meal feel like part of the Nashville experience rather than simply a place to stop and eat.
Chase Swift / Getty Images
A visit to the Grand Ole Opry requires a ride from the downtown hotel, but it remains one of the city’s must-do experiences. During my visit, I saw Jake Hoot, Riders in the Sky, Josh Tatofi, and Lorrie Morgan. How can you possibly go to Nashville without a night at the Opry?
After the performance, returning to Cambria Nashville Downtown keeps that musical feeling going. Depending on the time, you may hear another singer performing downstairs, see the lights of Broadway nearby, or take a record back to your room and end the night with your own private Nashville soundtrack.
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Which Hotel Should You Choose?
The answer depends on the Nashville experience you want.
Cambria Nashville Midtown is a great choice for easier access to shopping, neighborhood restaurants, and a more relaxed side of the city, while The Rux rooftop provides food, drinks, and skyline views without leaving the hotel.
Cambria Nashville Downtown is perfect for visitors who want a more traditional Nashville experience. You can walk to Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Assembly Food Hall, honky-tonks, and downtown attractions. Its country-inspired design, nightly live entertainment, and rooftop pool make the hotel feel like an extension of Nashville itself.
I loved that the two properties made my stay feel very different. Each hotel reflected its neighborhood and offered a distinct way to experience the city.
At Cambria Nashville Midtown, I found Nashville’s creative, fashionable, and more relaxed side. At Cambria Nashville Downtown, I stepped directly into the music, neon, energy, and country heritage that have made the city famous.
Two hotels. Two neighborhoods. Two completely different Nashville stays. Which will you choose?
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