Holiday Inn Select Memphis – Downtown (Beale Street)

At times, this Holiday Inn seems to buzz with as much activity as the downtown streets that surround it. Its central location near many major attractions makes it popular with tour groups and other tourists looking to experience the Southern culture and charisma that characterize Memphis. The spacious lobby is bright with tan-and-white tile floors illuminated by a large modern chandelier. The wood-framed, circular front desk is designed to handle crowds, with the bell captain’s station next to it for easy coordination. Sitting areas with sofas and armchairs include a small fireplace with a multi-colored tile mantel. The sports bar and grill just off the lobby is a large but cozy space filled with local sports memorabilia. The black granite-topped bar, wood floors, and natural stone columns exude a homey atmosphere. An outdoor pool and sundeck is another place where many guests gather at the end of the day.

Located in the heart of downtown Memphis directly across the street from the famous Peabody Hotel, the Holiday Inn Select Memphis is within walking distance of the city’s most popular attractions, including the nightclubs along Beale Street (a six-minute walk), the shops and restaurants at Peabody Place (five minutes), FedEx Forum arena (seven minutes), Auto Zone Park (three minutes), National Civil Rights Museum (five minutes), and Memphis Cook Convention Center (13 minutes). Other attractions are within a short drive, including Sun Studio (three minutes), Graceland (14 minutes), Mud Island River Park (10 minutes), and Memphis International Airport (15 minutes). Numerous restaurants are within sight of the hotel or a few minutes away by foot. 

The 190 rooms at the Holiday Inn Select Memphis are clean, quiet, and large enough if not overly spacious. In Double Rooms, for example, one of the two beds abuts the inner wall but there's still enough room to move about without feeling cramped. Reddish orange is the featured color for the bedspreads, drapes, and desk chairs, with light-brown-and-tan-patterned carpeting and light yellow painted walls with music-themed framed art. The desks are on wheels for maximum flexibility. All rooms have coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, speakerphones with voice mail, and free Wi-Fi. Executive Club-Level Rooms offer a bit more space plus robes, turndown service, mini-fridges, CD players, microwaves, free microwave popcorn, and bottled water. Larger suites are available as well. Bathrooms have roomy granite-top vanities, and most have white shower/tub combos with curtains but some have only  showers. Beige tile floors, light-yellow wallpaper, and a framed wall mirror complete the color scheme. Views are of the downtown streets. 

On-site parking is valet only and can be expensive. There are two restaurants -- the coffee shop is open for breakfast (mainly pastries and yogurt) and lunch (mostly salads and wraps). The sports bar and grill is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is not included in standard room rates, but some packages offer it. The outdoor pool on the fourth floor is surrounded by a spacious sundeck. The fitness center includes free weights as well as cardio and weight-resistance machines. The business center has two computer stations with printers and Internet access as well as sofas and chairs for small, informal meetings. Five meeting rooms include two ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 250 people. Same-day dry cleaning and valet laundry services are available, as are babysitting services. A safe deposit box is available for guest use at the front desk, and an ATM is on site. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.