Graduate Nashville

"Why book?  This is the upbeat, set-the-email-to-out-of-office weekend away hotel choice, an art-filled place with something quirky in every corner. Set the scene  If you haven’t heard that Nashville is a destination for bachelorette parties, you’ll find out when you book a room at the Graduate Nashville. The lobby teams with cowboy-hat-wearing groups of women taking photos with the cool art in the lobby and making plans to head out on the town. Like all Graduate hotels, the lobby is designed for hanging out, so you may see students pouring over books, locals reading in the ample living room-style chairs, or families planning where to go grab barbecue.  The backstory  Graduate hotels are built in college towns, and purposefully fuse the personalities of nearby campuses with other iconic city elements. No two Graduate hotels are exactly alike. In Knoxville, you’ll find photos of Peyton Manning in the rooms. In Nashville, it’s a portrait of Dolly Parton hung over the bed. There are little Easter eggs hidden throughout, such as elements of the Tennessee flag and Vanderbilt University’s acorns in the carpet design. The Nashville outpost is just feet away from Vanderbilt University and not far from Belmont University and other schools. Vanderbilt’s essence is woven into the décor, including a piece of art by the front door that details every different tree found on the Vanderbilt campus, which is a certified arboretum. The rooms  Like the rest of the hotel, guest rooms have fun detailing that is a nod to both Nashville and Vanderbilt. Rumor is that the Vanderbilt campus is home to three squirrels for every student, so you’ll see squirrel-shaped door pulls. Four-poster beds have a decorative canopy that includes a painting of Dolly Parton. Plush, colorful carpet, pink striped wallpaper, and full-length curtains complete a look that is heavy on Southern charm. Big spenders can book the 9-to-5 Suite which doubles down on all things Dolly and has great views of Midtown, but the suite life isn’t essentially for getting the vibe. Rooms are ample in size (plenty of room to walk around your bed and desk, but not huge) and have a small fridge for keeping beer cold.  Food and drink  White Limozeen (named after a Dolly Parton album) is the Graduate Nashville’s rooftop bar and its most-photographed spot (that’s saying a lot in a hotel where every corner is photoworthy). Non-hotel-guests flock here to have cocktails, see the giant pink bust of Dolly Parton, and be photographed with its pink-and-white poolside umbrellas. Reservations are a must to eat and drink at White Limozeen. The full menu features seafood dishes and salads, and the prettiest cocktails you can imagine, plus a full brunch and a limited poolside menu. On the first floor, at Cross-Eyed Critters animatronic creatures accompany you on stage as you sing your heart out at karaoke. The food menu here is limited to tacos, burgers, chips and salsa and the like, plus all manner of spirits, beer, wine. This is a 21-and-older popular destination for bachelorette parties and other groups. The space is dark and clubby, but don’t let that stop you from wandering and taking in the fun Nashville-music themed décor. Grab a cup of coffee and pastries at Poindexter Coffee, the coffee shop in the lobby. Don’t miss the pencils which are used as an art element built into the sides of the coffee counter. The spa  The hotel does not have a spa. There is a pool on the rooftop; everyone needs a reservation to use the pool, guests and non-guests alike.  The neighborhood/area  The Graduate Midtown location can seem sleepy sometimes of the year, but it is just a few blocks from a lot of different action. Across the street is the Vanderbilt University campus and surrounding student-centric restaurants and bars. Elliston Place is Nashville’s famous “Rock Block” with the Exit/In music venue, a famous soda shop, and boutiques and restaurants. It’s a mile-and-a-half straight shot to Lower Broad and Nashville honkytonks.  The service  Many Graduate hotels staff students on its properties. At the reception desk you’ll learn about the majors and interests of those working that day. Staff is friendly and enthusiastic (particularly if you are traveling with your dog; expect extra treats and pets), but they are not hospitality professionals with decades of experience. They’re happy to help you with area recommendations and fix anything that might have gone wrong, but if you like someone to call you by name and roll out the red carpet, this might not be your jam. Self-service bicycles are at your disposal and valet service is quick and convenient.   For families.  The hotel is dog-friendly with a $35 fee. Guests with dogs will be asked to fill out a safety form on check-in and will be given a special pet-in-room sign for their door.   Accessibility  Because this is a new building, and not a retrofitted old one it is ADA accessible, from the guest rooms, to the doors and the ample-sized elevators. Anything left to mention?  Obviously, if you’re in Nashville, you want to spend plenty of time exploring Nashville. But it is worth setting aside some time to hang out in the hotel if you’ve booked here, particularly if you are an art fan. The owners have made a concerted effort to acquire pieces from artists in Nashville and about Nashville. Don’t kiss Margaret Timbrell’s giant latch hook rug of Minnie Pearl, complete with price tag on the hat, hanging over the reception desk." - Margaret Littman