Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt (Downtown)

Renovated in 2015, the Holiday Inn Nashville-Vanderbilt (Downtown) hotel is sleek and starkly modern. Its spacious and open lobby has light-wood floors and columns, white walls, and recessed ceiling lighting, which all work to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Some walls consist of large square color cubes of various earth tones -- one with an aquarium at its center and several upholstered armchairs positioned in front of it. Clusters of sitting areas are conducive to informal meetings or intimate chats. The open, light-wood-and-white decor continues into the popular Commodore Grill, where live music is heard nightly from its small stage set below a large music-themed mural. The hotel, restaurant, and lounge host a wide range of guests, from business travelers and tourists to Vanderbilt alumni, parents, and students.

The Holiday Inn, surrounded by numerous restaurants and shops, is adjacent to Vanderbilt University’s Stadium, and sits within a five-minute walk of most of the campus. The university’s medical center is a 15-minute walk, or an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital (a nine-minute drive) and Centennial Medical Center (a three-minute drive) are also nearby, as is Centennial Park’s famous replica Parthenon (a 10-minute walk). Most of Nashville’s downtown attractions are about a 10- to 12-minute drive, including Nissan Stadium, Tennessee State Capitol, Bridgestone Arena, Music City Center, Printer’s Alley, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and Music City Walk of Fame Park. The downtown Nashville Riverfront train station is a 12-minute drive, or a 25-minute bus trip. Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center and Nashville International Airport are both 20 to 25 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. Bus service is available between the university area and various points downtown, but the bus will take much longer than driving. The hotel operates a free shuttle service within a three-mile radius, which includes most of downtown. 

A renovation was completed in 2015, so the hotel's 297 rooms are fresh and modern, with up-to-date furnishings. Deluxe Double Rooms and Executive King Rooms are available, along with a few larger one- and two-bedroom suites. The color scheme is brown and beige, with patterned carpeting, striped bedspreads, and light-tan drapes. Chocolate-brown wood furnishings include matching headboards, dressers, desks, and nightstands. Dark-chocolate leather armchairs provide seating, and framed Nashville-themed art adorns some of the walls. Some bathrooms include tubs, but most have walk-in showers with clear glass doors. Like the rooms, the bathroom's color scheme is beige and tan, which is used on the tile floors, wallpaper, and generously sized corian-style vanities. The same corian-style material frames the shower. Bathrooms are also outfitted with magnifying mirrors and large wall mirrors, hairdryers, and toiletries. All rooms come with coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, speakerphones with voice mail, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms also have small balconies with views of either Vanderbilt’s stadium or Centennial Park. The Executive Club Level Rooms on the 10th floor have their own lounge, which includes a continental breakfast, various beverages, and evening cookies in the rate. Those rooms also provide robes.

The hotel operates a free shuttle service that takes guests within a three-mile radius, which covers most of the attractions that are scattered throughout downtown. Valet and self-parking are available, but both are expensive. There is an outdoor pool and whirlpool, and the fitness center's cardio and weight-training machines were installed in 2015. The Commodore Grill serves breakfast (not included) and dinner daily, and its lounge features free, live nightly music. There is approximately 3,500 square feet of event space and a 24-hour business center with two computer stations, printer, Internet access, and space for informal meetings. Same-day dry cleaning and valet laundry services are available, as are self-serve laundry facilities. The hotel has an ATM, gift shop, and safe deposit box at the front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.