Editor Pick
The Best Part of "the Other Broadway"
- May 9, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
8156 from Gerton, North Carolina
I'm a travel agent and a thirty year veteran of vocal jazz and songwriting who had never been to Nashville, even though I live within an easy drive. So we took the weekend, and I can't wait to design my own upscale trip, "In the Footsteps of Patsy Cline." Even though country music is out of my genre, I loved every minute, especially Union Station.
Nashville's humming downtown section, called Broadway, opened my eyes the weekend I drove to Music City with my fifteen year old daughter, for a "Mom and me" getaway. Now I know there is more than one Broadway in this country, and this city never sleeps either. We arrived at 1AM after a long Friday, and a 5 hour drive from Asheville, delayed by an accident on one of those infamous four lane sections of I-40. We 'moseyed' in to the center of town without a GPS, found ourselves where the Cumberland River meets 1st and Broadway, and heard live bands cranking from twenty bars in five blocks, people "hangin and sangin." Looking up and down the happening side streets such as Printer's Alley, where singer-songwriter's perform originals, it appeared the live music continued. But the very best part of driving down Broadway was moving a few blocks past the hustle and bustle, and coming upon Union Station, at 10th Avenue, our gorgeous hotel that looks like a cathedral, right next to the Frist Museum. As much as I loved the music part of Music City, my hotel room was the highlight of the trip, and I didn't want to leave it! Union Station is a beautifully restored historic landmark -a train stop built in 1891. It not only bisected the country, making it possible to ride the rails and sing the blues, but it's elaborate tile floors had been padded by the likes of every star whose "make or break" show in Nashville probably set the tone for their entire careers. And when I stood there, in the same spot as I imagined BB King, Patsy Cline, and others did, I felt the feelings of the less lucky ones as well, the ones who caught a "Greyhound Bus for home," like the lyric of "On Broadway." Just for the spark to my imagination alone, Union Station was worth every penny, you can't experience that from a newly constructed hotel that looks just the one in the next town.
But there was nothing old or worn down about Union Station, it is an absolute marvel of restoration, with stylish, modern rooms that are QUIET. Wyndham's designers used all the right touches to place uniquely oversize classic chairs in the huge lobby. Because it looks like a castle inside, the furnishings had just the right scale to make the space seem comfortable, while keeping the original feeling of a grand space. Behind the front desk is the original train schedule to all places north, south, east and west. The stained glass windows and domed ceiling will just knock you out, and the original train clock still keeps time above the castle like fireplace.
The ceiling in my room was probably 12 feet high, making a large room feel even larger. Our room was offered at a 50/50, and I had made reservations that day. It meant that I got the rack rate plus any standard discounts, and got the next night for half rate. It was a pretty good deal for a perfect room, done in turquoise, cream and brown, with retro type drapes and lamps, a comfortable king bed in pretty white linen, with a stylish oversize headboard, a nice large flat screen TV, and a long, large bathroom. I needed a small table next to the stand-alone sink to put my stuff, and Wyndham needs to offer down pillows, as they were very hard.
Prime 108 was a good restaurant, my Belgian waffles were light as air, but pricey, the coffee was too pricey, especially. Sunday we were wiser and went to a breakfast buffet at another major hotel.
Another warning about Nashville, in general, is the high 16% tax. Make sure you ask what the full price will be with taxes. I used valet parking, and it was just fine, at $22 per day, you could come and go as you pleased and the attendants were very sweet, and no-pressure.
Wyndham did a great job with Union Station, and I hope they realize that would never recommend any other place on a trip to Music City, it's just not authentic like Union Station is.
Wonderful Hotel
- August 12, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
We stayed at Union Station to celebrate our anniversary. The hotel was beautiful, as was our room. The bed was extremely comfortable (pillowtop mattress and down pillows/comforter). The 18 foot ceiling also added a lot to the room. Our bathroom was on the small side, but was still quite nice; very spa-like.
Our room did face the train tracks, but we only heard trains pass by once or at most, twice a night. The trains were not a problem for us. Actually, our A/C was much louder than the trains, drowning out most of the noise. The most bothersome noise for us was not the trains, but folks in the lobby. A handful of the rooms on the fifth floor open above the lobby. We had one of these rooms and I enjoyed opening my door to the beautiful, spacious lobby instead of some tight hallway; but we could hear voices from the lobby every now and then.
The on-site restaurant is excellent. It is fine dining with a fine price, but it is the same quality food one would expect in a fine dining restaurant outside of a hotel. However, I will say that we found the breakfast to be a bit expensive and only ate it once at the hotel.
Our only real complaint is the distance to downtown actractions. Hotel is on tenth avenue and everything is located between first and fourth avenues. Walking would not be bad in Spring or Fall, but in 95 degree summer heat (plus humidity), it was a sweaty chore. There are plenty of public parking lots in downtown that charge fees, but after paying $ a day for hotel parking, we did not want to pay for more.
An overall wonderful experience and a great hotel.
Trains? What trains? Absolutely Wonderful
- March 11, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I'm really not sure why everyone focuses on the train noise because honestly, it was barely noticeable. Our room was very spacious and very luxurious. The bed was absolutely awesome; down mattress top, down comforter, tons of down pillows. The valets were absolutely great; very courteous, very helpful, and very friendly. Always greeted us by name everytime we returned from wherever we went. Always asked us if we needed directions to anywhere,... made recommendations on some of the best places to go or see. The staff was great and very friendly. The hotel was GLORIOUS inside. You can definitely tell they spent a lot of money renovating the place. I only wish we had more time to spend there, maybe eat at the restaurant/bar. If you want a getaway for a weekend in Nashville, this is definitely the place to go. Stay here and be pampered for a bit.