1 Hotel Nashville – Hotel Review

When a city hotel becomes a destination in itself, you know you’re in for a memorable stay. Perfectly positioned in the heart of The Gulch, the 1Hotel Nashville enjoys one of the city’s best locations, placing the vibrant energy of Broadway just moments away. Beyond this address lies the real appeal of the hotel that sets it miles apart. With sustainability woven into almost every aspect of the stay, from its nature-inspired interiors to its thoughtful approach to dining and design, the 1Hotel Nashville offers a more considered take on luxury. Coupled with the genuine warmth of Southern hospitality, you’ll find a hotel that feels refreshingly different from the traditional cosmopolitan stay.

Location

Nashville is home to some of the best live music venues in the USA, with the iconic Broadway at the heart of its music scene. It’s no surprise that the 1Hotel Nashville is only moments away from where much of the city’s musical history comes to life, making it one of the best-located hotels for exploring all that Nashville has to offer. Within a five to ten-minute walk, you’ll stumble upon some of the city’s key sights, from the plentiful live music venues lining Broadway to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as some of the best spots to try Nashville’s famous hot chicken.

If you’re like me and looking for a car-free city break where you can simply step outside and wander without much of a plan, the 1Hotel Nashville is ideally located. I found myself walking almost everywhere during my stay, with something new around every corner, whether that was a live band playing on Broadway, a hidden bar or one of the city’s many restaurants. It makes exploring Nashville feel effortless, while still giving you the option of retreating back to the quieter surroundings of the hotel when you’ve had your fill of the city’s infectious energy.

The Design

Sustainability is a core concept of the 1Hotel group, and it’s something that is immediately apparent rather than simply a statement on the hotel’s website. From the subtle featuring of the signature green foliage throughout the property, to the noticeable use of natural and reclaimed materials, there is a focus on reusability and responsible sourcing woven into the stay without compromising on luxury.

As soon as you step through the large wooden doors of the lobby entrance, you almost forget you’re in the heart of a city. The dark, moody wooden tones are brought to life by sprinkling hues of green and white to resemble a forestry feel, while the abundance of leafy greenery softens the space and creates a connection to the outdoors. There is something calming about arriving back here after experiencing the energy of Broadway, with the design encouraging you to slow down.

What I particularly liked was that the concept of sustainability never felt forced, with no grand gestures telling you to admire how environmentally conscious the hotel is. Rather, it is subtly blended into your surroundings to create a space that feels contemporary and luxurious through the clever interlink between natural textures, muted tones and carefully considered lighting, but also a space grounded in nature. It gives a distinct identity to the 1Hotel Nashville to differentiate it from the more traditional hotels found in the city. This feeling continues as you move through the hotel, with each space retaining the same earthy aesthetic without feeling repetitive and for me, that is where the design really succeeds.

My Suite

Some hotel suites are defined by opulence and grandeur, and then there’s the Corner Suite at the 1Hotel Nashville which redefines luxury in a rather different way. Stepping through my suite’s doors, I was instantly drawn to the ample light flooding through the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding half the walls of the suite. Being able to enjoy the first rays of light trickling through to gently wake me from a deep night’s rest, to the golden hour glow and the twinkling lights of the city that set the scene for an evening in Nashville, was a privilege, and a detail not to overlook when choosing a room type.

The open-plan kitchen and living room became the perfect spot to enjoy a morning coffee or return to after a day exploring Nashville. Minimalist in design, the space was practical without compromising on comfort, with everything needed to settle in and unwind. The same natural wooden tones, leafy greenery and neutral furnishings found throughout the property continued here, keeping the suite feeling airy and light. It was a welcomed contrast to the more intimate atmosphere of the lobby, with each space offering a completely different mood.

The standalone bedroom had thoughtful touches added which made the room feel more like a private residence than a conventional hotel room, from the welcome home sign on the bedside chalkboard, to the yoga mat in the wardrobe, and the soft, sheepskin rug that made it feel like I was walking on a cloud. The silky white bed linens that adorned the plush king-size bed subtly reminded me of my luxurious surroundings, and the sky high view of the city added in another level of elegance that resembled the luxuries of a penthouse.

However, my favourite part of the suite was the bathroom. Unique in design, the bathroom resembled a spa-like experience. The freestanding bathtub, a feature I always indulge in when choosing a hotel room, was one of the best designs I’ve come across. A large, naturally carved stone step led up to the expansive bathtub, set against a wooden wall and finished with granite-textured bricks to bring in a slice of nature into this inside sanctuary. The separate, expansive walk-in rainfall shower transformed into a steam room to provide a spa experience, and the his and hers vanity units completed the space without making it feel overcrowded. Even the amenities were thoughtfully chosen, with the Bamford’s signature green amenities seamlessly blending into the space.   

Culinary Journeys

Breakfast at 1Kitchen Nashville is no ordinary affair. Stepping away from the usual buffet-style service, here you can expect a fully à la carte menu with extensive options to suit any palate. Being in the South, the biscuits and gravy were an absolute must for me, and they did not disappoint. The generous-sized portion put a slight twist on this traditional Southern dish, which was executed perfectly and left a lingering taste that had me savouring it for days after.

However, dinner is where the real showstopper comes in. 1Kitchen Nashville sources all of its ingredients from within a 200-mile radius, apart from the seafood, with a focus on a key ingredient synonymous with Tennessee each month. The frequently changing menu means there is always something new to discover, making it a firm local favourite. During my stay, the menu was focused on corn and bourbon, with each of the five courses of the tasting menu representing a different stage of the whiskey-making process, starting in the field and finishing with the final spirit.

A thoughtful touch was Chef Marco would come out to explain each dish, and you could really see the passion behind what he had created. It made the tasting menu feel much more personal. There is also an à la carte option available, but for the full experience, I would recommend the tasting menu.

The cocktail menu is equally creative, with the tzatziki martini being the highlight for me. Taking two days to prepare through a washing and fermentation process, it was certainly not your typical martini and whilst it may sound like an unusual combination, the result was surprisingly refreshing. For a more special experience, head up to the rooftop bar which boasts one of the best views in the city. It is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail or a night cap to close out a day of exploring Nashville.

Moments in Between

With so much to explore in Nashville, the 1Hotel Nashville has purposefully been designed not to detract from that. There’s a spa on offer, daily classes and experiences, and the lounge to enjoy and pass the time, but the hotel encourages you to step out and experience Nashville rather than trying to keep you inside.

For me, it was the little moments in between exploring the city that made the stay memorable; enjoying a quiet coffee in the morning, taking some time to relax in the lounge, or returning to the hotel after a busy day before heading out again for the evening. It gives you everything you need to unwind when you want to, without feeling like you need to spend your entire stay inside the hotel, providing the perfect base to experience the city, rather than becoming a distraction from it.

Final thoughts

What stayed with me most about the 1Hotel Nashville was how effortlessly it balanced being part of the city. After a day spent wandering Broadway and soaking up the live music that Nashville is famous for, returning to the hotel felt like a welcome change of pace. There is a real sense of calm here without ever feeling disconnected from the energy just outside its doors.

The combination of the little details makes the 1Hotel Nashville stand out. From waking up to the incredible city views in my Corner Suite, to the memorable dining experience at the 1Kitchen and ending an evening with a cocktail overlooking Nashville from the rooftop, each part of my stay offered something different. Add in the hotel’s genuine commitment to sustainability and the warmth of its Southern hospitality, and it becomes much more than just a place to stay.

If you want to experience Nashville but also have somewhere to escape to when the music, crowds and energy become a little too much, the 1Hotel Nashville strikes that balance effortlessly