Nestled in downtown Nashville, just a few blocks from Broadway, Bridgestone Arena, The Country Music Hall of Fame and The Ryman Auditorium sits the The Bankers Alley Hotel by Hilton. During my last visit to Nashville, I decided to give this hotel a try while in town for the Country Radio Seminar. The hotel was in the perfect spot within walking distance to all of the venues for my live music event coverage throughout the week.
The Bankers Alley is part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, a gathering of independent hotels designed to give a local experience with the perks that come with being backed by the Hilton name. Guests get a unique and locally tailored hotel experience at each of the 100 plus hotels included in the collection. By staying at a hotel like The Bankers Alley, guests can still use their Hilton Honors perks such as free Wi-Fi, Digital Key, member discounts, and flexible payment options through Points.
Bankers Alley has an on-site dining option, a fitness center, business center, meeting rooms, and an 11,000 sq. ft. event space. The hotel also has peloton bikes for a workout that have been installed across their properties across the globe.
Visitors can choose to book either a guest room or a suite. The guest rooms have either 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds. Each guest room is equipped with a Nespresso coffee maker, a 43-inch HDTV, custom furnishings, and a desk area. The suites come equipped with the aforementioned amenities as well as stylish living and dining areas. For a slight upcharge, guests can have the luxury of a furnished terrace with a view of the surrounding city of Nashville.
Upon arrival I was greeted with a friendly staff at the front desk who has pre-arranged a feather-free room for my arrival. The staff was available 24 hours a day to answer questions about the hotel and downtown attractions that guests might be interested in.
We had a spacious King bed room for our four-night stay at the property with a large bathroom that included Malin + Goetz bath products. I loved the Rum body wash so much that I ordered my own bottle to be delivered to my home for use all the time. There was also a cozy robe to lounge in after a long shower.
There was a spacious area with plugs for working with a great view of the famous AT&T “Bat Building” outside my window to enjoy during my long hours of editing after photographing my assigned country music events.
I always request a quiet room in any hotel because I am usually working and need to sleep and I was little but worried about staying in the center of the action in downtown Nashville but my sixth floor room was extremely quiet and I could not hear any street noise during my stay which was amazing.
The dining option, Gray & Dudley is open for breakfast/brunch and dinner daily and has special bar hours in the evening. The name pays homage to the building’s past life as the Gray & Dudley Hardware Company. The re-imagined restaurant and lounge space bring together art and dining with adjacent museum galleries exhibiting contemporary art. The menu features unique and Southern inspired plates such as Duck Mac & Cheese, Biscuits & Gravy, and Mom’s Roasted Pumpkin Pie.
The hotel is full of art spaces. Bankers Alley prides itself on showcasing the vibrant creations of emerging artists. The hotel has art displays on the main lobby floor as well as a second floor dedicated to an art gallery space. Guests of the hotel will get extra opportunities to see pieces displayed in the hallways outside the elevators on each floor.
Travel can be stressful so it was very nice to be able to have a quiet place to retreat to look at beautiful art pieces in a bright vibrant space to relax during my stay between work commitments.
The main lobby has woven fiber pieces on display by local artist Pam Marlene Taylor. The pieces balance light and dark concepts through her creations in “Inevitable.”
Artists with works currently on display include Melissa Huang and Mary Mooney with “Glass Ceiling, Black Mirror.” These artists use an unabashedly bold and feminine color palette for their beautiful pieces on display.
There is a stunning exhibit of textiles con display called “What Is Kept?” by Mississippi based artist Coulter Fussell. Coulter Fussell was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, an old textile town. She is the youngest family quilter, hailing from multi-generations of seamstresses and quilters. She produces quilt-works using discarded and donated textiles as her sole materials.
Prices to stay the night range from $269 for a King guest room to $2,400 for the Penthouse Suite. If you want to bring your pet along with you, a $75 one-time fee will pay for your furry friend for your entire stay. Bankers Alley also offers valet parking for $55, otherwise, you will have to find your own parking in the city which could prove to be difficult. Guests should note that the 2nd Avenue entrance to the hotel is currently blocked with road construction that is happening until June so guests should enter and drop their vehicle at valet on the 3rd Avenue side of the building.
Overall The Bankers Alley Hotel is really a hidden gem in downtown Nashville where you can stay for work or fun. It is within walking distance to all the major attractions that Music City has to offer. And don’t forget to find all the art spaces during your stay.