Taxis from the airport have regulated flat-rate fares, so the cost to most downtown hotels is $25. The price seemed reasonable when we arrived, because during daytime traffic, it took about 20+ minutes to drive to the hotel. However, it seemed like a high price when we returned to the airport in the early morning hours and the trip took less than 10 minutes. We paid our fare (and the gratuity) using a credit card. A taxi queue is located outside of baggage claim, and the process is orderly and efficient.
The Doubletree Nashville Downtown is located close to the riverfront and to Broadway; however, you may prefer the location of other downtown Hilton-branded hotels (such as the full-service Hilton and the Hampton Inn and Suites). Because we used award points, the Doubletree “cost” slightly less than the Hilton or the Hampton Inn, which better fit with our HHonors balance. Room rates were higher than we expected, on par with hotel rates in any large city (possibly because of the Independence Day celebration).
The hotel is located a few blocks from Broadway (a 10-minute half-mile walk). Guests encounter a slight incline in elevation on the return walk to the hotel. Guests can walk from the Doubletree to many restaurants and shops, but most businesses were closed on the holiday weekend. A Dollar General discount store near the hotel sells beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), food, and other items that guests may have forgotten. (It was open on the holiday weekend, and business was booming!) A small sundry store in the hotel lobby sells drinks, snacks, toiletries, and souvenir items; guests must use their room key card to access the shop.
The hotel offers underground valet parking, but we did not have a car. Depending on where guests enter the hotel, such as from the valet area on Fourth Avenue North where taxis drop guests off, they must go up one floor to reach the lobby. Another hotel entrance / exit exists on the lobby level, but it opens onto Union Street via a pedestrian passageway / sidewalk that is not easily accessible by car. At the hotel, taxis queue across the street from the hotel driveway on Fourth Avenue North, so guests can to hail one at any hour without the aid of the doorman. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service within 1 mile of the hotel. The hotel has a concierge stand, but when we asked him to store our luggage (as the front desk directed us), the concierge was not knowledgeable about the process. Instead, we carried our bags back down to the lower level to ask the valet attendants to store them.
Several dining options exist at the Doubletree Nashville Downtown. Swank’s Martini and Wine Bar is located near the lobby. Swank’s has high ceilings, indoor seating, outdoor seating (where smoking is permitted), and live music on certain nights of the week. Next to Swank’s is the Plaza Cafe, which is part of Swank’s but is less open and airy. Because we are HHonors Diamond members, we received coupons for the complimentary breakfast buffet on every day of our stay. Non-revenue-generating breakfast patrons sit in a back room away from the paying customers of the Plaza Cafe. The servers in the back breakfast room are the friendliest that we have met anywhere! Their positive and outgoing attitude is remarkable because they do not work for large tips, other than the few dollars that guests leave because of the buffet format.
The breakfast buffet features a made-to-order omelet station and waffle bar, a hot bar (with eggs, meats, potatoes, pancakes, oatmeal, and grits), pastries and breads, and a cold bar (with fresh fruit, cereal, and yogurt). The omelet / waffle chef placed a tip jar in front of himself; we have never witnessed that tasteless request for gratuities! Wait staff serves water, coffee, and orange juice (included with the breakfast buffet), and they are quick to offer beverage refills with a smile. Breakfast hours are generous, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am on weekdays, and 7:00 am to 12:00 noon on weekends. The hotel also has a large Starbucks Cafe, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
On the day that we tried to check into the hotel, we sat in Swank’s Bar for hours, despite the less-than-welcoming attitude of the European bartender. Further, he insisted that we close out our check with him so that he could receive his tip before the shift changed. The replacement bartender, the remainder of the wait staff, and the restaurant manager were pleasant in comparison.
The Doubletree Nashville Downtown offers 337 rooms spread among nine floors. Every floor contains both ice and vending machines. The second floor contains the indoor swimming pool, fitness center, business center, and several meeting rooms. (A flower and garden show occurred in one of the event rooms when we visited.) The business center permits guests to print from their room. The indoor pool area contains a corner wall of windows, a skylight, and modern-looking lounging furniture (white with lime green cushions) that makes the space feel resort-like. The fitness center is located adjacent to the pool, and it contains the standard array of treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, weights, and so on (approximately two or three of each piece of equipment). The pool operates from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, but the fitness center is open 24 hours per day.
We encountered difficulty when we checked into this hotel. As HHonors Diamond members, we often check in early to a city hotel. (Actually, the only Hilton-branded hotels that have not allowed us early access to our room are the Doubletree Nashville Downtown and the Doubletree Jersey City. Is it coincidental that it happens to us only at the Doubletree brand?) We waited, and waited, and waited for our room, even though we saw other couples checking in before us. Because we were frustrated, we asked those guests when they arrived, how long they waited, and what type of room they reserved. We thought that perhaps they had arrived earlier than we arrived, or that they were not also waiting for a room with a king-size bed. We could determine no reason why everyone else checked in and we could not. We went to the front desk several times, and the attendants gave the same speech every time: our room would be ready shortly. Eventually our room was ready, and we discovered that it was just an ordinary room! Our room had no special view or other features, so we do not know why we waited for hours to check in.
Previous reviewers commented on the room size, but the space in a king room was adequate. The bathroom size was also fine for a city hotel. The room contained an easy chair for relaxing. The room was in good condition, although the shower drained slowly, which we informed the front desk at check out (we were in Room 904). The room does not contain an electronic safe nor any bathrobes or slippers, but it had a luggage stand and an iron and ironing board, and we received chocolates at evening turn-down on our second night. The hotel provides toiletries by Crabtree and Evelyn (mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shower cap, and mending kit).
We enjoyed our stay at the Doubletree; however, next time we visit Nashville, we will try the Hilton or the Hampton Inn.
