Fodor's Expert Review 21c Museum Hotel Nashville

21c Nashville is one of the United States' biggest multi-venue contemporary art museums, though there are not many museums across the country that guests are also welcome to spend the night. From the lobby and restaurant exhibits to each guest room, the purpose of the space never strays from promoting and exploring artists' creations. Guests will enjoy not only the sleek, contemporary rooms and quality service, but the prime downtown location as well.

room

The hotel contains 124 rooms including 14 suites. Naturally, each room is home to original artwork. Several suites are specialized to artistic interests. For example, the artist's suite holds both a music and visual arts studios in addition to the bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area. All rooms are clean and contemporary. Pops of purple stand out against the light, neutral color scheme. Guests can access free W, a television, and Nespresso coffee in the room.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Because the hotel is unchanged from its historical structure, the suites are not standardized; therefore, some have a terrace, others a living room.

bathroom

Minimalist and clean, the large bathrooms are stocked with Malin & Goetz bath products as well as a rubber ducky.

lobby

Inside the museum, the artistic, minimalist lobby is also on the first floor. A multimedia show plays behind the front desk as well as in a sitting room behind the front desk's partition. As a functioning museum, the space is open 365 days each year and always free to the public. Guided docent tours are led at 5 p.m. biweekly, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Check their website for current exhibitions and events. 21c Nashville often hosts charity dinners or yoga with art.

spa

The 21c Nashville spa is not full-service, but a variety of massages are offered. Book 24 hours in advance.

gym

Guests can workout in the hotel's 24-hour fitness center, which includes bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights.

dining

The hotel's restaurant, Gray & Dudley, serves casual American dishes three times per day as well as late night snacks, but guests can also order to the room. Taking a seat in the dining room does, however, present another art exhibit, Menagerie.

drinking

Gray & Dudley also serves as the hotel bar. Guests can order cocktails, wine by the glass, or beer, but the menu is most extensive with regard to spirits.