Nashville's Boutique Hotel Scene: Nine Picks for Every Kind of Traveler

Nashville rewards visitors who follow their own tastes. The city draws musicians, designers, entrepreneurs and bachelorette parties in equal measure, and its boutique hotels reflect that mix. Properties on this list are so distinct it's hard to believe they share a zip code - one day you might check into a 425-acre sustainable resort with citrus trees growing in a custom orangerie, the next you could stay at a hotel overlooking the football stadium after drinks on the rooftop.

Each of the intimate properties offers an authentic Nashville experience, whether you want to be blocks from Broadway or in a suburb where you can live like a local. Condé Nast Traveler's picks are all written by journalists who know the destination and have visited the property, with editors weighing design, location, service and sustainability across price points.

For travelers wondering what makes a boutique hotel, the category usually means fewer than 100 guest rooms and a one-of-a-kind vibe; many are independently owned, though some chains have created boutique properties showcasing a particular city or neighborhood. On luxury, the non-boutique 1 Hotel Nashville earns praise for impeccable service, Bamford Wellness Spa scents and design that offers an oasis from the city's energy - every room in the pet-friendly property has live green plants.

On where to stay, downtown, SoBro and The Gulch are quite walkable, but the further out you go, the sparser public transportation becomes. Budget hotels on and near Murfreesboro Pike sit far from many attractions, so savings on room rates may go toward parking and transportation. As in any city, visitors should stay aware of their surroundings.