Whether you want to stay near iconic Beale Street Downtown, across the street from the King’s estate, or overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, here are our favorite hotels in the birthplace of rock n’ roll and home of the Blues.
More of an experience than a place to rest your head, this downtown pyramid offers a myriad of attractions as well as amenities. You can’t miss the towering, 535,000 square-foot Bass Pro Shops Pyramid, which is part 103-room outdoor-themed hotel, part Bass Pro Shops superstore.
Take the country’s tallest freestanding elevator to the apex of the pyramid to enjoy southern-inspired comfort food at The Lookout at The Pyramid. The restaurant is centered around a 10,000-gallon catfish aquarium and features 360-degree views of Memphis and the Mississippi River. Admission to The Lookout, the glass observation deck, is included for guests.
The pyramid’s nautical-themed restaurant and bar, Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill, sports a saltwater aquarium and an ocean-themed bowling alley. There’s also an archery range, shooting range, and laser arcade.
Stay in a treehouse-inspired room, suspended among 100-foot cypress trees. All of the rooms have fireplaces and handcrafted furniture. Most offer a private screened-in porch with rocking chairs and a view of the swamp below. Yes, a swamp, complete with alligators. Non-swamp hotel amenities include a spa, room service, and a fitness center.
A historic Amtrak Station since 1914, The Central Station has anchored the South Main Arts District of downtown for more than 100 years. But, the Curio Collection by Hilton hotel just opened in fall of 2019. Conveniently located within walking distance of the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame, the new hotel is just a short drive away from Graceland and the Stax Museum of America Soul Music. The charming early 20th-century building is surrounded by vintage music shops and studios where artists like Elvis, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash launched their music careers. Nearby dining options include The Arcade Restaurant (Memphis' oldest café), Catherine & Mary's, and The Gray Canary, but the hotel’s own French brassiere-inspired restaurant, Bishop, opens soon.
For now, there is 8 & Sand, The Central Station’s listening room and lounge which features a 30-foot record wall with Eggleston Works speakers and a 500-album vinyl record collection.
The 123 guest rooms are meticulously-designed, featuring plush bedding, custom artwork, and a speaker to play the hotel’s curated playlist. Deluxe rooms are larger and have a lounge chair, while some suites offer views of the Mississippi River or the historic South Main neighborhood through the oversized windows.
Amenities include free WiFi, a Keurig®, and a fitness room. The Central Station still serves as an Amtrak stop on the New Orleans route and is also served by the MATA Trolley system.
If the King of Rock n’ Roll is your main reason for visiting Memphis, then you must stay in one of the 450 modern, spacious rooms across the street from Elvis’ mansion. Twenty lavishly themed suites on the top floor were designed by none other than Priscilla Presley. Enjoy a Jailhouse Rocks cocktail from the hotel bar out by the heart-shaped firepit.
Located in the heart of downtown Memphis, Hotel Napoleon is named after the architect who designed the Winchester office building in which it is housed. Built in 1902, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Classic architecture on the exterior gives way to an ultra-modern industrial interior. Located along the iconic trolley line, the boutique hotel is within walking distance of Beale Street and FedEx Forum. AAA Cardinals affiliate, the Memphis Redbirds play next door at AutoZone Park. Other nearby attractions include the National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Zoo, and Memphis Cook Convention Center. This is a good place to stay if you are visiting the VA Medical Center, University of Tennesse, or St Jude Children’s Hospital—all located within a mile of the hotel. Luna Restaurant & Bar offers breakfast, tasty tapas, and craft cocktails onsite, while The Brass Door offers upscale pub fare, Irish spirits, and fine wines, just a few hundred feet away.
Amenities include a fitness center, free WiFi, and an in-room mini-fridge. This unique boutique hotel is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels, so Choice Privilege members can use or earn points.
Named after a Memphis philanthropist, this thoughtfully designed hotel is located in the center of downtown. The Hu. Hotel offers comfortable, yet sophisticated rooms and impeccable service. Onsite dining options include a café, an upscale diner and patio, and a rooftop bar. Hu. Roof hosts DJ sets and yoga classes as well as a view of the iconic Hernando de Soto bridge and its nightly light show, Mighty Lights.
The infamous The Peabody Duck March is reason enough to stay at this glamourous and elegant hotel, but if you need another reason, its just a block away from Beale Street. Dating back to 1869, “The South’s Grand Hotel” is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the rooms have been recently renovated.
Witness the mallards march through the lobby to the ornate fountain at 11am and 5pm, then enjoy a martini and some piano music in the historic hotel’s grand, two-story, marble-columned lobby lounge. Dubbed “the living room of Memphis,” the hotel bar is a seen-and-be-seen scene. During the summer, the Peabody hosts rooftop parties on Thursday nights.
European elegance meets southern charm at this old-fashioned boutique hotel. Located in the upscale Mud Island neighborhood of downtown, the acclaimed luxury inn is urban yet scenic, boasting views of the Mississippi River and nearby walking trails.
Watch the sunset from the Terrace rooftop while enjoying handcrafted southern cocktails and small plates. Tug’s – A Casual Grill is the hotel’s pub restaurant, while Paulette’s serves finer fare and offers a complimentary gourmet breakfast. Recently named “The South's #1 Hotel”by Condé Nast Traveler, its stellar amenities include a complimentary glass of champagne or wine at check-in and port wine and chocolate truffles at turn-down.
The rooftop pool is the star of this Downtown boutique hotel. The urban spot is ideally located between Beale Street and the Memphis Cook Convention Center on North B.B. King Boulevard. Its 119 warm rooms and suites feature hardwood floors, spa-inspired showers, and high-quality linens. Pops of color, local art, and Memphis musician memorabilia add to its modern vibe. In addition to its rooftop pool, the hotel offers a sundeck and gym. Parking, breakfast, and WiFi are all complimentary. Enjoy a modern American menu of seasonal, locally-sourced dishes at Chef Ryan Trimm’s first-floor restaurant and a cocktail bar, 3rd and Court Diner. In the basement, a new lounge dubbed Downstairs at 3rd & Court is open in the former Memphis Sounds space.
