Should You Plan a Stay at the Graduate Hotel?
When rolling into a new part of the country, some people don’t mind staying at any hotel because it’s just where they’re going to rest their heads, right? Others want a more unique experience to accompany the vibe of their trip. For those people, I recommend the Graduate Hotel. What is this hotel?
The Graduate Hotel is a Nashville boutique hotel in Midtown with a rooftop bar themed after Dolly Parton, an animatronic karaoke bar, and plenty of other quirky, unique sights and amenities that are exclusively Nashvillian.
If you’re wondering if a stay at the Graduate Hotel is in your wheelhouse, this guide will tell you everything you need to know. I’ll go over the history of the hotel, the rooms, the amenities, and what you can do around the Graduate, so keep reading!
What Is the Graduate Hotel? What Is Its History?
Let’s get right into it by talking about the storied Graduate Hotel, shall we?
Nashville’s Graduate Hotel, known as the Graduate Nashville, is part of a larger chain of Graduate Hotels.
Unlike a Best Western or a Hilton, the boutique design of each Graduate Hotel gives it a unique flair that isn’t replicated as you travel from city to city throughout the United States.
The hand-crafted hotels are all based in university towns, hence the name the Graduate.
The first Graduate popped up in 2014, with 27 more to appear across the United States in the years to come.
By late 2022, Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners–the owner of Graduate Hotels–wants to add eight more Graduate Hotels throughout the US.
Ben Weprin is the face behind Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners, which is a real estate developer that works on a global scale. Weprin created Adventurous Journeys–which is based in both Nashville and Chicago–in 2008.
Graduate Hotels have won acclaim by Forbes, Inc., and Conde Nast Traveler among many other publications.
What Rooms Are Available at the Graduate Nashville?
For the rest of this guide, when I refer to the Graduate, I’m talking about the Nashville hotel.
I’m sure you’re very eager to learn about what kind of rooms await you upon check-in. The Graduate Nashville has both guest rooms and suites, so let’s take a look at what’s available!
Guest Rooms
The Graduate Nashville’s guest rooms are the perfect place for singles, couples, and families who want to drink in the true atmosphere of Nashville. Here’s an overview of the rooms.
Graduate King
The Graduate King is a single-bed guest room with one bathroom. The room has space for up to two people.
Included in the room are a king-sized bed, a lounge chair, a full bathroom, and a workstation.
This guest room has vivid floral patterns as far as the eye can see, giving the Graduate King that true Nashvillian flair!
Graduate Queen-Queen
If you have a larger party, you might consider the Graduate Queen-Queen, a two-bed guest room with one bathroom for two to four people.
Both the beds are queen-sized (hence the name Queen-Queen), and the room also includes a full bathroom, a lounge chair, and a workstation for gettin’ it done.
The brights throughout will give you plenty of Music City vibes, and the florals are representative of the city as well.
Graduate Premium King
Sleep in the lap of luxury in the Graduate Premium King guest room.
These corner rooms are some of the most gorgeous you’ll find at the Graduate Nashville, as they boast dual windows that expand from the floor to the ceiling, bright and funky colors and patterns, and incredible amenities that will make you feel right at home.
The included amenities are toiletries from Malin + Goetz, a safe, your own refrigerator, an iron and ironing board, complimentary Wi-Fi, triple sheeting, and an HD TV.
Graduate Twin-Twin
The Graduate Twin-Twin is a two-bed guest room with one bathroom that’s meant for two people. Kid-friendly, there’s a horse-shaped loveseat (yes, it’s as fabulous as it sounds), a kid-friendly table, and two twin beds with ornate acoustic guitar headboards!
Suites
For longer-term stays that are all about comfort and luxury, the Graduate Nashville’s suites will not disappoint. Here is what you can select from.
Graduate Junior King Suite
The Graduate Junior King Suite, also known as the Jolene Suite (you know, for “Jolene,” the hit song by Dolly Parton), is a spacious suite for one to three people. Included are one bathroom and two beds.
Besides the portrait of Parton over the main bed, the unique flourishes such as gold décor, the cowboy printed lamp, and the floral bedcurtains couldn’t be more Nashville.
Your stay at the Graduate Junior King Suite includes Malin + Goetz toiletries, an iron and ironing board, a safe, complimentary Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, triple sheeting, and a sizable HD TV.
Graduate King Suite
The Graduate King Suite is also suitable for small groups of up to three people.
With two beds and one bathroom, this suite has it all. That includes plenty of space, as the Graduate Nashville calls the Graduate King Suite one of the biggest accommodations they offer!
You have access to a separate living room with a sleeper sofa as well as the two beds. This suite is dressed up in pretty Nashville florals!
You can enjoy such amenities as an HD TV, a refrigerator, triple sheeting, a safe, complimentary Wi-Fi, Malin + Goetz toiletries, and an iron and ironing board.
Family Suite
If you like to bring the whole family on your travels, then a stay at the Family Suite in the Graduate Nashville could be just up your alley. This suite has room for four, after all!
You and the family can use two connecting rooms for privacy. Each of the two rooms has its own full bathroom.
The twin beds with guitar headboards make a reappearance in this suite, while the second bedroom features a TV and a king-sized bed for Mom and Dad.
9 to 5 Suite
Are you a fan of Dolly Parton? If so, then you should prioritize staying in the 9 to 5 Suite, which is jazzed up and themed after Ms. Parton herself.
From the shag carpeting to the pink feathers and the ceiling complete with disco ball tiles, this room couldn’t scream Dolly Parton any louder.
Of course, all the amenities you’re used to getting in a Graduate Nashville room are here as well, including a fridge, triple sheeting, an in-room safe, an HD TV, Malin + Goetz toiletries, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
What Else Is Available at the Graduate Nashville?
Of course, no stay at a hotel is complete without food, meeting spaces, and fitness amenities. Let’s shine the spotlight on the Graduate Nashville to see what this incredible hotel has to offer!
Food and Drink
All your traveling can easily work up an appetite! Fortunately for you, the Graduate Nashville offers three places to satiate your hunger.
Poindexter Coffee
If you’re one of those people who never starts your morning without coffee, you don’t have to go far during your stay at the Graduate Nashville. Poindexter Coffee is a coffee shop on the hotel grounds, specifically, in the lobby.
The menu includes espressos, coffee (seasonal offerings, Cubans, cold brews, and chilled), teas and lattes, and even cocktails!
Get fueled up and ready for a day of exploring all of Nashville’s greatest sights right here.
Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole
For a truly one-of-a-kind experience you can only find in Nashville, be sure to hit up Cross-Eyed Critters Watering Hole.
This restaurant affords you the opportunity to hop on stage with animatronic characters and sing your favorite classic tunes karaoke style!
The 18+ bar offers beer, wine, and cocktails as well as bar fare such as chips and salsa, nuts, loaded fries, tacos, and burgers.
White Limozeen
Although Dolly Parton doesn’t own the rooftop bar known as White Limozeen, it’s still named and themed for her.
The rosy onyx bar has all your favorite spirits on tap while the poolside lounge with a bright pink daybed boasts the perfect Parton flair.
Meetings
Do you need some meeting space? The Graduate Nashville has it in spades.
You can select from three meeting spaces that are anything but run of the mill. The Vandyland meeting space for 40 people has a capacity of 636 spacious square feet.
The Nancy & Allen Saturn Room is 560 square feet for up to 30 people. You can also borrow the Cornelia Fort Room, a sizable meeting space at 602 square feet. The room is for 40 people.
The funky Nashville feel of the Graduate Nashville also makes the hotel a covetable place for weddings. The Hippodrome Ballroom is upscale and appealing!
Fitness
If you want to get your sweat on during your stay at the Graduate Nashville, the second floor is home to a 24-hour fitness center.
All the equipment you require is here, such as yoga mats, medicine balls, free weights, full-range Matrix machines, Peloton cardio bikes, spin bikes, and treadmills. You can also use headsets and towels as needed.
What’s in the Vicinity of the Graduate Nashville?
The Graduate Nashville in the heart of Midtown is in proximity to many of the best sights that Nashville has to offer. You can fill your entire itinerary by staying within the vicinity of the hotel!
Here are some sights to add to your schedule ASAP.
Centennial Park
The beautiful Centennial Park is home to Nashville’s own Parthenon, a faithful recreation of the Greek structure that’s almost as good as a trip to Greece. I wrote about the park and the Parthenon in detail on the blog, so be sure to check that post out!
Robert’s Western World
For those who don’t need a family-friend itinerary, Robert’s Western World will give you a dash of Nashville flavor.
This honky-tonk bar on Lower Broadway in the historic district is very close to the Ryan Auditorium.
The Honky Tonk Grill on the grounds of the bar ensures that you can get a delicious bite to eat a well as imbibing spirits to your heart’s content (responsibly, of course). With live entertainment and long hours, Robert’s Western World is plenty fun!
Hattie B’s
One of the most beloved restaurants in all of Tennessee let alone Nashville is Hattie B’s. You can experience authentic Nashville chicken here with sweet or spicy undertones depending on how you like it.
Choose from six heat levels: Southern (no heat), Mild (some heat), Medium (more heat but nothing extreme), Hot! (getting there!), Damn Hot!! (very hot), and Shut the Cluck Up!!! (extremely hot).
Frist Art Museum
Since 2001, Frist Art Museum has been a Nashville institution. The art museum strives to “inspire people through art to look at their world in new ways.”
Long before the building that became the Frist was, it used to be a post office for Nashvillians. The art here runs the gamut from American West paintings to original Picasso art.
National Museum of African American Music
For another dose of culture, be sure to check out the National Museum of African American Music or NMAAM.
You can explore the Roots Theater with its immersive film experience, the Rivers of Rhythm corridor, the Crossroads exhibit on blues, the Wade in the Water religious music exhibit, and plenty more.
What Is the Address of the Graduate Nashville?
The Graduate Nashville is located on 101 20th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.
Should You Stay at the Graduate Nashville?
Is a trip to the Graduate Nashville in the cards for you? For a lot of reasons, I think it should be.
As a boutique collection of hotels, Graduate Hotels are astonishing. The Graduate Nashville hotels embody the spirit and style of Nashville through design flourishes and décor, giving you a great taste of this incredible city.
The Graduate Nashville offers an assortment of rooms, each with something unique to bring to the table. Whether you only need a room for two or a whole family suite, you have options. The suites feature privacy walls so you share space with your whole family comfortably.
Each room includes the amenities you need with workspaces too in case you have to get work done.
The restaurants here are each creative and special, the meeting and event spaces are beautiful, and the fitness center is another great feature.
What I like the most is the Graduate Nashville’s proximity to some of the greatest sights that this city has to offer!
Final Thoughts
The Graduate Nashville is part of Graduate Hotels, boutique hotel chains throughout the US. The undeniable flavor of Nashville is apparent with every step you take in this incredible hotel. You’ll want to take plenty of photos!
Plus, with its proximity to all your must-see destinations in Nashville, I think the Graduate Nashville is calling your name!