Best Hotels in Tennessee: A Complete Guide 2026

Tennessee's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: downtown Nashville, home to The Joseph and The Hermitage Hotel; Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville, home to The Peabody Memphis and The Edwin Hotel; and the Smoky Mountains, home to Blackberry Farm and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort. The Hermitage Hotel holds a Michelin Two Key distinction as Tennessee's only National Historic Landmark hotel.

‍

Explore Tennessee's Top-Rated Hotels

Tennessee stretches from Nashville's music-driven downtown core and Memphis's Mississippi riverfront in the west, through Chattanooga's river gorge in the south, up to Knoxville's university district and the Great Smoky Mountains along the eastern border. Small towns like Walland and Pigeon Forge sit tucked into the Smokies foothills, offering a completely different pace than the state's larger cities. That range gives Tennessee genuinely different trip types within a few hours of each other, from urban music tourism to mountain seclusion.

That contrast is what separates Tennessee's top hotels, from downtown Nashville towers to riverfront landmarks and Smoky Mountain retreats. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

‍

How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

‍

Tennessee's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

‍

Nashville's Luxury Downtown

The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel

• Address: 401 Korean Veterans Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203
• Category: Art-focused luxury hotel
• Rating: 4.5/5 across roughly 764 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the hotel functions as a residential-luxury art gallery with an on-site curator managing over 1,100 contemporary artworks, plus Yolan, fine Italian dining by James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano
• Best for: art-focused travelers wanting Nashville's top-ranked downtown hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Nashville

• Address: 100 Demonbreun St, Nashville, TN 37201
• Category: 5-star skyline hotel
• Rating: 4.6/5 across roughly 388 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: set in the historic SoBro district, the hotel offers custom Songwriter Experiences and downtown's only 7th-floor rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Cumberland River
• Best for: music-focused travelers wanting a hands-on Nashville songwriting experience

The Hermitage Hotel

• Address: 231 6th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219
• Category: Historic landmark hotel
• Rating: 4.7/5 across roughly 1.5K reviews on Google
• Standout feature: opened in 1910, the Beaux-Arts hotel is Tennessee's only National Historic Landmark hotel and holds a Michelin Two Key distinction, with dining at Drusie & Darr by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
• Best for: travelers wanting historic grandeur alongside Michelin-level dining

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

• Address: 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
• Category: Large-scale resort
• Rating: recognized among Southern Living's "The South's Best Resorts 2026"
• Standout feature: the massive property features a 9-acre climate-controlled indoor glass atrium with cascading waterfalls and a winding indoor river, plus the SoundWaves indoor and outdoor water resort
• Best for: families and convention travelers wanting an all-in-one indoor resort experience

‍

Memphis, Chattanooga And Knoxville Icons

The Peabody Memphis

• Address: 149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103
• Category: Historic landmark hotel
• Rating: 4.5/5 across roughly 9.7K reviews on Google, the highest review volume in this guide
• Standout feature: known as the South's Grand Hotel since 1869, the property is famous for the Peabody Ducks tradition, where resident ducks march a red carpet to the lobby fountain daily
• Best for: travelers wanting a legendary, tradition-rich stay steps from Beale Street

The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection

• Address: 102 Walnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
• Category: Riverfront boutique hotel
• Rating: named Marriott's official "Hotel of the Year" for June 2026
• Standout feature: perched directly along the Tennessee River, the hotel displays over 75 original works by local Chattanooga artists and houses Whiskey Thief, a rooftop bar with over 100 Tennessee whiskeys
• Best for: travelers wanting a walkable riverfront base near the Walnut Street Bridge

THE TENNESSEAN Hotel

• Address: 531 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902
• Category: 5-star boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.5/5 rating on major review platforms
• Standout feature: Knoxville's premier luxury property offers old-world, sophisticated service and a classic drawing-room bar known for tailored spirit flights
• Best for: corporate travelers and couples wanting refined, understated luxury near downtown Knoxville

‍

Smoky Mountains And Family Retreats

Blackberry Farm

• Address: 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
• Category: Luxury pastoral estate
• Rating: 4.7/5 across roughly 554 reviews on Google
• Standout feature: the exclusive 4,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains offers fine dining, an acclaimed wine cellar, and serene spa treatments across its pastoral grounds
• Best for: couples and food-focused travelers wanting Tennessee's most secluded luxury countryside stay

Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa

• Address: 2525 DreamMore Way, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
• Category: Family theme park resort
• Rating: runner-up for Best Family Resort in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
• Standout feature: guests receive exclusive TimeSaver skip-the-line passes and complimentary shuttles directly into Dollywood, along with zero-entry pools and nightly fireside s'mores
• Best for: families planning a Dollywood-centered trip who want theme park perks built into their stay

The Inn at Christmas Place

• Address: 119 Christmas Tree Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
• Category: Themed family hotel
• Rating: 4.8/5 rating, ranked the #2 family hotel in the entire United States
• Standout feature: the Bavarian-style hotel maintains year-round holiday decorations with a grand two-story glockenspiel performing hourly, plus the Winter Wonder Lagoon lazy river pool
• Best for: families wanting an immersive, holiday-themed stay near Pigeon Forge's attractions

‍

Tennessee Hotel Taxes And Fees

Tennessee charges a 7 percent state sales tax on hotel rooms, and cities add their own local sales tax and hotel occupancy tax on top of that. Nashville's Metro Davidson County hotel occupancy tax pushes the combined rate in the city close to 15 to 17 percent, according to Nashville.gov's tax guidance, while Memphis applies its own separate hotel-motel occupancy tax layered on top of the state and local sales tax. Smaller cities like Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Pigeon Forge set their own local rates, so the exact combined charge depends on the city. Resort fees are also common at larger properties like Gaylord Opryland, which lists a mandatory nightly resort fee, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

‍

Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

Downtown Nashville travelers should choose The Joseph for art-focused luxury, Four Seasons Nashville for music-industry experiences, or The Hermitage Hotel for historic grandeur and Michelin-level dining. Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville travelers should pick The Peabody Memphis for tradition, The Edwin Hotel for riverfront art and whiskey, or THE TENNESSEAN for understated Knoxville luxury. Families and Smoky Mountains travelers should choose Blackberry Farm for a secluded culinary retreat, Dollywood's DreamMore for theme park convenience, or The Inn at Christmas Place for year-round holiday theming.

{{cta-strip}}

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the nicest hotel in Tennessee?

Blackberry Farm in Walland is widely considered the nicest and most luxurious hotel in Tennessee, known for its 4,200-acre Smoky Mountains estate and acclaimed culinary program. The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville is a close alternative for travelers wanting historic grandeur with a Michelin Two Key rating.

2. What is the best place to stay in Tennessee?

Downtown Nashville is the top choice for music and nightlife, home to The Joseph and The Hermitage Hotel. For a quieter luxury escape, Walland's Blackberry Farm in the Great Smoky Mountains is the standout alternative.

3. What are the most luxurious TN resorts?

Blackberry Farm in Walland and The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville lead Tennessee's most luxurious properties, each carrying five-star recognition and high guest ratings. Gaylord Opryland is the state's largest luxury resort, built around a 9-acre indoor glass atrium.

4. What is the prettiest place to visit in Tennessee?

The Great Smoky Mountains around Walland and Pigeon Forge are widely considered Tennessee's prettiest region, home to Blackberry Farm and the Dollywood resorts. Chattanooga's Tennessee River gorge, where The Edwin Hotel sits, is a close alternative for scenic river and mountain views.

5. What is the best hotel for a family trip to Pigeon Forge?

The Inn at Christmas Place is ranked the #2 family hotel in the entire United States, known for its year-round holiday theming and Winter Wonder Lagoon pool. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa is the top choice for families centering their trip around Dollywood itself, thanks to its skip-the-line park passes.

6. Is Nashville or Memphis better for a music-focused Tennessee trip?

Nashville is the stronger choice for a broad music scene, with The Joseph and Four Seasons offering direct access to downtown's live music venues and songwriting experiences. Memphis, home to The Peabody, leans more into blues and soul heritage, with Beale Street just blocks from the hotel.

7. What is the best hotel in Chattanooga?

The Edwin Hotel Autograph Collection is Chattanooga's top-rated pick, named Marriott's official Hotel of the Year for June 2026 and set directly on the Tennessee River. Its rooftop bar, Whiskey Thief, is also considered the city's premier rooftop destination.