Home2 Suites by Hilton Nashville Vanderbilt

The bright colors and half-hearted music theme -- photographs of music equipment and large silhouettes of musicians hang on the walls -- at the Home2 Suites both demonstrate that this property is geared towards a Generation Y crowd. The common areas can feel a little like a college dorm in color scheme and furniture style, but there are some features that make the space more welcoming and refined. A long communal table, where guests can grab free breakfast, is equipped with outlets and cable internet hook-ups. Coffee, tea, green apples, and Nutella are available for free by the front desk all day. And right off the reception area, a lounge space has a big sofa and several chairs and tables. There are also two computers and a printer, and while this may not be ideal for the easily distracted user, they are accessible 24/7.

As an extended stay hotel, the services are geared toward business travelers, but the hotel welcomes short-term stays as well, and could be a cost-conscious choice for couples and families visiting the area.

The Home2 Suites is located in midtown Nashville, about a 10-minute drive to downtown. The area is cleaner and quieter, but still convenient to shops, restaurants, and bars. Across the street is the Catbird Seat, a famous upscale Nashville restaurant. The hotel is just a block away from historic Music Row and about a 10-minute walk to Vanderbilt University.

The suites at the Home2 are spacious and brightly decorated, with orange headboards and yellow walls. Even the studios have space to move around in and each one includes a sofa, working space with a desk and ergonomic chair, and kitchen table. Furniture is lightweight and easily moveable so guests can make the space their own. The kitchenette is well-equipped with a fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, dishwasher, and dishware, and a hotplate can be checked out from the front desk. Bathrooms, also sizable, are stocked with Neutrogena products. Other bonuses in the rooms are iHome alarm clocks and 42-inch TVs.

Rooms overlooking the parking garage are quieter than those that face Division Street. Guests who want to sleep in should also avoid rooms on the ground floor near the lobby area, which tends to get noisy during breakfast.

The Home2Suites strikes a nice balance between its hotel-quality services and the home-like conveniences for extended stay travelers. The small fitness center is open 24/7 and includes free weights, weight machines, two treadmills, an elliptical, and a bike. Off the gym, there are coin-operated laundry machines so guests can work out while cleaning clothes. The space is cutely called Spin2Cycle.

The Home2Suites has a surprisingly large whirlpool (more akin to a lap pool), which it calls the Spa, and barbecue grills are available outside. There is also a 24-hour convenience store with snacks and toiletries. There are plenty of attractions in the immediate area, and for guests who prefer not to walk, the hotel offers a free on-demand shuttle service that will go anywhere within a 3-mile radius.

A breakfast buffet with mostly cold items (aside from tasty egg sandwiches) is free, but there's no full on-site restaurant.