Historic Hotels near Downtown Nashville
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is a city known for its vibrant music scene, rich history, and southern charm.
Sammie O
Downtown Nashville has exactly three hotels that earn the word historic: the Hermitage Hotel from 1910, the Union Station Hotel inside a 1900 railway terminal, and the Noelle in a 1930 building that opened as the Noel Hotel. Everything else marketed as historic downtown is a newer hotel with old-style decor. This guide covers the real three first, then two nearby alternatives worth knowing.
Compare Downtown Nashville hotels on Expedia
| Hotel | Building dates from | Historic angle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermitage Hotel | 1910 | Beaux-Arts landmark, site of the 1920 suffrage fight | The full grand-hotel experience |
| Union Station Hotel | 1900 | Converted railway terminal with a vaulted stained-glass lobby | Architecture lovers |
| Noelle | 1930 | Former Noel Hotel, restored as a boutique stay | Design-focused travelers |
| The Nash (formerly Bobby Hotel) | Modern | Not historic, boutique energy near Printers Alley | Rooftop and nightlife |
| Omni Nashville Hotel | Modern | Not historic, connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame | Convenience and size |
The three genuinely historic hotels
Hermitage Hotel
The Hermitage opened in 1910 and remains the city’s grand dame. The Beaux-Arts lobby, with its marble and painted glass ceiling, is worth a walk-through even if you sleep elsewhere. The hotel also carries real political history. In August 1920 it served as the headquarters for both sides of the fight over ratifying the 19th Amendment, which Tennessee decided.
It sits across from the State Capitol, a short walk from Broadway. Book it when the hotel itself is part of the trip. Rates run at the top of the downtown market, and weekends sell out around major events.
Union Station Hotel
Union Station opened in 1900 as Nashville’s railway terminal and now operates as a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. The lobby is the draw: a barrel-vaulted ceiling, original stained glass, and stone details from the age when trains ran below. Passenger service ended in 1979, and the building found this second life instead of a wrecking ball.
Rooms mix modern fittings into the old shell, so no two floors feel identical. It stands on Broadway’s west end, about a 15-minute walk from the honky-tonk core. That distance cuts the noise, which some travelers count as a feature.
Noelle
Noelle occupies the 1930 Noel Hotel building at Fourth and Church, restored and reopened as a boutique property in Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio. The restoration kept period details in the lobby while the rooms went clean and contemporary. A rooftop bar tops the building with skyline views.
It is the smallest and most design-driven of the three. Pick it when you want the history without the formality of the Hermitage.
Two nearby alternatives that are not historic
The Nash, formerly Bobby Hotel
The Bobby Hotel on Fourth Avenue North was renamed The Nash on 1 March 2026, so listings still show both names. The building is modern and the vibe is playful, with a rooftop lounge that anchors its appeal. It lands on this page because searchers mix it into historic-hotel results, and the honest answer is that it competes on energy, not age.
Omni Nashville Hotel
The Omni is a modern convention-scale hotel connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Zero history in the walls, maximum convenience in the location. Big rooms, a rooftop pool, and direct access to the museum make it the practical pick for first-time visitors who want everything within two blocks.
How to choose between them
For a one-night landmark stay, book the Hermitage. For the most dramatic building, book Union Station. For history at a slightly lower price with a rooftop, book Noelle. The three sit within a short ride of each other, so location breaks few ties. Price and atmosphere do.
Comparing boutique options instead? Our guide to the best boutique hotels in downtown Nashville covers that list, including the renamed properties.
FAQs
What is the oldest hotel in downtown Nashville?
The Union Station building is the oldest structure, from 1900, though it spent most of its life as a train station. The Hermitage, from 1910, is the oldest building that has operated as a hotel since it opened.
Do trains still run at Union Station?
No. Passenger rail service to the terminal ended in 1979. The train shed is gone and the headhouse is now the hotel.
Are the historic hotels walkable to Broadway?
Yes. Noelle is the closest, a few blocks from Lower Broadway. The Hermitage is about a 10-minute walk and Union Station about 15. All three are easier on your ears at night than a room above the honky-tonks.
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Sammie O publishes Germ Trips, a travel guide covering hotels, restaurants, airport transfers and chauffeur services. The guides aim for practical detail and a clear recommendation rather than an undifferentiated list. Where a town has no good option, the guides say so and point to the nearest one that does. Guides are AI drafted. A small number have been checked against official listings, and those say so on the page.
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