The Ryman Auditorium is right around the corner, and just about everything else worth seeing in downtown Nashville is within walking distance.

As soon as you enter the lobby, you know this is going to be a special stay. To get to the reception desk, you walk through what appears to be a small temple on the Nile, with columns and palm trees. But then you look at the wonderful stairway going up to the mezzanine and wonder if you have entered an antebellum mansion—Tara, perhaps? The interior of the hotel is an atrium with a light and airy feeling. The elevators have a glass back so that you don’t miss the view as you zoom up to your room.

This is an all-suite hotel, and as far as I’m concerned, you should spell it "sweet." You get two very nice-sized rooms and a bathroom connected to both. There’s a desk, sleeper sofa, chair and ottoman, and two tables in the parlor. The TV, microwave, coffeepot and refrigerator are all located within the wall unit. In the bedroom is a king-size bed facing a wall unit with a built-in dresser and TV. The closet is positively cavernous and holds an iron, ironing board, extra bedding, and a luggage rack. Both rooms have large windows, and there is even crown molding framing the ceiling.

Every effort has been made to see to your comfort. In the bathroom, you’ll find small-size Neutrogena shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Hand lotion, mouthwash, and hand-milled French soap finish off the amenities. Plenty of towels and a big fluffy robe guarantee a comfortable stay.

If you want to eat in the hotel, you can choose between the Palm Restaurant, Eddie’s Grill, and room service. I had room-service breakfast twice, and I ate the buffet breakfast on the other morning. The food was good, but expensive. If I had not been alone, I would have walked out and found somewhere else to eat.

Parking is valet. There is a 24-hour business center that offers free Internet access. There is a very nice store near the elevator that offers snacks and souvenirs. I was surprised by the very reasonable prices. There are ice machines and vending on every floor. There is also an indoor pool, hot tub, and exercise room. If you need a shoeshine, there is a shoeshine stand right off the elevator. I never saw a concierge, but there was a rack with a good selection of brochures. This hotel has everything going for it—style, location, comfort, location, and beauty, and did I mention location?

The room rate includes a complimentary drink in Eddie George's Sports Bar and a comprehensive breakfast buffet. We got a good rate through this website. Our room was nicely decorated, clean, and big. Outside the door was the beautiful atrium view. Right outside the windows was the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Gaylord Entertainment Center.

A block north of the hotel puts you right on Broadway where the Honkey Tonk Bars are (see separate listing). Walk a few blocks east and you'll be on 2nd Avenue for more clubs, and, of course, more live music (which is EVERYWHERE!).