Playing Tourist at The Thompson Nashville
Over the past decade, Nashville has seen explosive growth as it has become the “it” city of the south. From bachelorette parties to travelers coming for a fun weekend away, Nashville has something for everyone. Practically overnight, it seems that every hotel chain has arrived to stake a piece of the tourism industry. One of the first true luxury boutique hotels to enter the Nashville scene was the Thompson Hotel. It is located in the heart of the trendy Gulch neighborhood and has set the bar for hotel accommodations in Nashville. As a Nashville local for the past 17 years, it can be easy to steer clear of the “tourist” areas in town. But when given the opportunity to check out The Thompson for a fun date night with my husband, I simply couldn’t resist. There are so many great reasons to check out the Thompson, and here are just a few…
The Gem of the Gulch
The Gulch is a vibrant pocket of Nashville with plenty of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. While the area may have grown rapidly over the past decade, it surrounds a true Music City icon, The Station Inn, which is a historic bluegrass music venue. There’s something for every tastebud, from Kayne Prime steakhouse for a fancy night out, to The Dutch and Saint Anjeo for fun weekend brunches. You can even get dolled up at The Blowout Co. before exploring the plethora of murals around the area.
Marsh House
Located on the ground floor of the Thompson, Marsh House is a fantastic restaurant experience, without even leaving the hotel. The menu focuses on seafood and inventive southern cuisine. We started the meal with delicious oysters, smoked trout dip, ceviche, and Hamachi collar. For the main course, I decided on the fried chicken on a whim, and it was truly some of the best that I’ve ever tasted! Just when I thought I couldn’t eat another bite, we had to try two amazing desserts—“Honey I’m Good” and “Tennessee Whiskey” (when in Rome!) The chocolate bacon cake, pecan toffee, whiskey ice cream combo was the perfect end to an incredible meal.
Nightcap with a View
Just a short trip up the elevator is L.A. Jackson, one of the best rooftop bars in Nashville. It’s the perfect place to grab a cocktail and take in the ever-changing city skyline. The indoor-outdoor bar serves a rotating list of delicious cocktails and southern beer. They also have small plates in case you need a late-night snack. On the weekends, it’s the place to see and be seen. The best part for us? Our trip “home” for the evening was just a short elevator trip down.
Luxury Defined
Every room at the Thompson boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook The Gulch and downtown Nashville. The beautiful décor is both luxurious and comfortable. Inspired by Nashville, each room has hardwood floors and a sliding barn door. One of the coolest features is the Marshall Bluetooth speaker, to help you set the music vibe. For a true splurge, check out the Thompson Suite, complete with a separate living area and claw foot bathtub.
Killebrew
On our way out the next morning, we had to make a stop at Killebrew coffee. Located directly adjacent to the lobby, it serves a variety of coffee drinks with seasonal specials like the cereal milk latte and king cake latte. They also had an impressive spread of baked goods like croissants, muffins, and giant cookies.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Nashville or a local splurging on a fun staycation, The Thompson needs to be at the top of your list.