Travel is expensive. Flights, gas, parking, pet (or human!) sitters — it adds up. And that’s where the smart staycation comes in. 

Nashville is overflowing with hotels. At the end of 2024, Nashville ranked as one of the top five cities for hotel-construction pipeline globally. Let that sink in. That’s not in the U.S. — that’s in the world.

As the people who have to live through all the construction and traffic and tourists and dipshittery, don’t we locals deserve to enjoy the finished products? The answer is yes, and below you’ve got five places to do just that.

Before we dive in, here are a few tips to keep things smart — aka cheap — so you can feel truly superior to the tourists upon checkout:

  • Pack a cooler. One of the beautiful things about not flying is that you can cram your Yeti full of Diet Cokes, fizzy water, wine, beer and cold brew to completely bypass the $8 mini-bar water. 
  • Do not valet. Nashville hotels charge $45-$60 per night for valet. This is insane. If you’re staying downtown, park here or take an Uber. If I see anyone with a Davidson plate valeting for a one-night stay, I’m giving them a swirlie.
  • Be flexible when booking. Stay Sunday through Thursday night, use apps like HotelTonight to find last-minute deals, and ask about locals-only discounts when you call to book (which you should at least try in case you get someone who’s feeling generous on the other end).

1. Lounge and Learn at Omni Nashville

Ten years ago, the Omni Nashville and The Hermitage Hotel were my go-to downtown hotels. Guess what. I still love both. The Omni is on the spring short list for one huge reason: their rooftop pool. It’s huge and private, partly shaded, serves excellent drinks and, unlike the grungy fish tank that sits atop the Westin, not ever cramped or crowded. Because of this, it’s locked up like Fort Knox, but that’s just how you want it to be to keep the Broadway bros out. (Tip: If you stay Sunday through Tuesday night, you’ll have a good chance of getting the pool largely to yourself in between rounds of tourists the next day.) 

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The rooms at the Omni, while not the most modern, are light-filled, eminently comfortable, and huge for one simple reason: It was built in 2013 — before downtown was developed to death with a tourist crammed in every corner.

In addition to the comfort factor, the Omni is one of the rare places you can play tourist while never leaving the building. 

  • If you like music history, costume porn or pure kuntry kitsch, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a blast. It’s more interactive than most museums, and kids are taken care of with nice touches like the free Young Explorer Kit, or the DIY scavenger hunt that the Taylor Swift Education Center provides. 
  • Between the lobby and CMHoF, there’s also Hatch Show Print, which I’d wager makes the venue one of few hotels where you can see people performing a craft that kicked off in 1879. Tours offer interesting tidbits — every letter is still hand-carved, and all the posters are hand-inked one at a time, with just three colors — and you get to print your own commemorative poster. Bonus: If more than one family member takes the tour, you can nab the front and back of the same poster to frame. 
  • If you don’t mind venturing out, the Historic RCA Studio B tour also departs from CMHoF and is far more interesting than the studio's sad, drab exterior on Music Row lets on. Guides expertly engage the crowd, and they do immersive tricks with mood lighting to help you experience the studio as artists might have. (The red light treatment Elvis had while recording “Fever” is a mood.) 

Pair any two activities above for about $52 per adult and $37 per child, or go in for the whole shebang for roughly $74 and $59, respectively. (Personally, I’d pick one and spend the rest of my time at the pool, but to each his own.) 

Finally, if you’re celebrating something, mention it. The Omni’s been known to throw in some bubbly or chocolates from time to time. And if you’re looking to eat onsite, I maintain that Bajo Sexto is still one of downtown’s best-kept secrets for a quick bite. Kaelin Ulrich left Bajo Sexto back in 2017, but from what I can tell, this outpost still uses all his recipes, which means the enormous nachos and frozen margaritas are still shockingly on point.

2. Find Over-21 Fun at The Dive Bar, Motel & Swim Club

I don’t know how many tenants of Penthouse No. 1 at The Dive Motel actually fire up the tandem bathtubs, but I like to think it’s a lot. As a concept, side-by-side tubs set the right tone of sexy and silly, which is what the Dive does best. See:

  • The "party switch” that turns on a disco ball in every room
  • The lighting options that include “Sex,” “Drugs,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and, least used, I’m sure,  “Sleep.”
  • The bedside table, which offers everything from condoms and lube to a pocket-rocket vibrator for purchase. (If you’re traveling for business, be sure to ask for a non-itemized receipt.)

Everything about this place screams, “Chill the fuck out,” from the shag carpet to the poolside food truck to the retro bar where you can enjoy a stiff drink and live music most days. While there isn’t much within walking distance (yet), you’re five minutes from McFerrin Park and 10 from Five Points by car, which you have because you live here. (Cherries is the best nearby bar at 0.9 miles away, and Shugga Hi is a solid weekend brunch option, though, again, Dickerson Pike is not yet pedestrian-friendly, so beware.) But really, there’s no reason to wander! The 1950s throwback vibe is one you should sink into, just as musicians did back when they’d crash at the motel after a gig. 

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The Dive Motel

Here are your marching orders:

  • Take the kids to your sister’s (and leave them there — Dive is 21+)
  • BYO day drinks for the pool (the bar doesn’t open until 4 p.m., though you can use the free-drink token you’ll get upon check in for a canned beverage before then)
  • Eat at Xiao Bao or Redheaded Stranger on your way over (or get them delivered once you’re there), and
  • Party like a rockstar.
  • If you leave one second before the 11 a.m. checkout, you’re doing it wrong.

3. Explore Bobby With Your Furry Friends

If you’ve only been to Bobby in the winter for its rooftop igloos and “skating rink,” you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you discover everything else. Spring is an ideal time for this staycation because you can enjoy the small rooftop “dipping” pool before temperatures force everyone on deck to crowd in at once, and there’s nowhere else in town you can enjoy a cocktail in a bikini on a bus — or, rather, nowhere else you should. 

This spring, the rooftop’s rotating activity is pickleball. Reserve a court for $40 starting May 25, or check out the celebrity tournament May 24, which features “pickleball pros and celebrities,” not a one of which I have ever heard of, but which I am certain you cooler folks have: James Neal, Ava Ignatowich, James Ignatowich, Ryan Fu, Meyers Leonard, Tyra Black, Morgan Evans and Ben Johnson.

The decor at Bobby is flashy and fun, and the rooms are enormous by Boutique Row standards (again, thanks to being built “all the way back” in 2018). Rooms are themed for famous cities (London, Marrakesh, Rome), but they’re not precious about anything, which keeps it all cheeky and cheerful. Their two-bedroom penthouse is worth a splurge for a special occasion, with a record player and plenty of vinyl, a kitchen, a pool table and a private balcony with views of the Batman building. One of my favorite parts of this hotel is the basement bar, Bobby’s Garage, which is the closest thing to a dive on this side of Printers Alley. (See Alley Taps for the real deal.) It’s decorated with neon art by L.A. street artist Risk, graffiti, salvaged car parts and little touches like bar stools made from vintage oil cans. 

The restaurant, Union Tavern, has changed hands several times, and I’ve had solid, if not mind-blowing, meals at each iteration. (All meals have been rich, so they pair nicely with retiring straight upstairs to your big ol’ bed). Vibe-wise, you can’t beat the cafe patio, which is a great place to enjoy your OSA coffee alongside other local goods from places like Ornette Sourdough, Bloomsbury Farms, Mr. Aaron’s Goods and Maypop Sparkling Water.

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But the absolute best part about Bobby is their commitment to furry friends. Not only do dogs stay free — all breeds and sizes are welcome — and get royal treatment, but the hotel also partners with Nashville Humane Association to help rescue one teachable pup each year. The hotel trains the dog with the skills and behaviors needed to turn them into perfect companions for veterans, and then Pets for Patriots pairs them with their “forever hero,” a local U.S. veteran who lives within 40 miles. Bobby covers all bedding, food, toys and more — and, yes, I do have something in my eye.

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4. Enjoy a Socially Responsible Stay in East Nashville at The Russell

If you’ve driven by The Russell in East Nashville and marveled at its vibrant stained-glass window, you might have assumed the building was just a gorgeous old church — and it is. But the 120-year-old building also quietly serves as a concierge-less hotel, with 23 guest rooms each delivering history and hospitality in very different ways. From the old brick walls to the pews reused as headboards, this place is thoughtful — but that thought goes far beyond design. 

As part of the Mission Hotels group, The Russell’s “Rooms for Rooms” project donates a substantial portion of each night's stay to local ministries for people experiencing homelessness. A typical stay can provide more than 15 beds and hot meals at local shelters. Again: 

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In addition, the room rates are reasonable — snag a weeknight stay for about $250 — which includes parking in Historic Edgefield, putting you in walking distance (blocks, not miles) of every type of activity: 

5. Blow It Out at Four Seasons

One of the swankiest brands in the world, Four Seasons was late to the Nashville game — they opened in 2022 — which meant their designers had to build smart. By cramming all the boring stuff like conference rooms on the bottom floors, they ensured all guest rooms have expansive views of the Cumberland River or the city, which they maximize with floor-to-ceiling windows. Should you ever want to leave your room, the atmosphere and cocktails at the lobby restaurant, Mimo, are stunning, bright and bold. And the spa is everything you hope it will be, though I maintain that the trend of “experiential showers” (which I also saw at The Joseph) is some hot nonsense. It’s a bunch of nozzles and some multi-colored lighting; everyone calm down. 

But the real reason for the Season is Nashville’s most lights-out pool. The infinity design makes it appear as though water is spilling out over the edge into the Cumberland. It sits right above Broadway, just seven floors above the Shelby Street Bridge, yet feels miles away from both. There’s every conceivable lounging arrangement — grassy areas, partially submerged chairs, umbrellas with tables — but the hardest part is not just bellying up to the bar. With the pool perched right on the edge of the roof, they were careful to keep this whole space wide open, which makes it just plain freeing to sit there and breathe and enjoy the sun and sky. Let’s just say when my mindfulness app tells me to go to my happy place, this rooftop is it. 

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Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

Is the Four Seasons pricey? Hell yes. A Grey Goose martini at Mimo will run you $33 with tax before tip! But that’s why it’s kind of ideal for a staycation — you couldn’t drop this kind of cash on a hotel after shelling out for all the other stuff real vacations require. Take the sting out of the price tag with the tips at the top — your drink cooler is going to save you several Benjamins — but also:

  • Pets stay free, so bring ’em!
  • Valet is crazy; rideshare or drop your bags off and park at the library.
  • Check their site for deals:
    • If you book at least 15 days in advance, you get 20 percent off.
    • They run specials for Tennessee residents when you call to book. 
    • Starting May 8, a Nash Splash two-night package will shave some money off — I’ll find out how much with the rest of you — and include a guaranteed late checkout at 2 p.m., $100 dining credit at Rivière (their fancy name for the rooftop) and “hourly complimentary amenities” such as tropical fruit skewers, sunglass cleaning services and fresh juice shots.

If you can’t swing the staycation, check out their new Second Sunday Lawn Parties for music from local DJs, cocktail specials, passed surprises and three hours of included valet time with ticket purchase.