Directly across West End Avenue from Centennial Park with its replica of the Parthenon, the hotel is also a short walk from Vanderbilt University and good restaurants. Recently renovated, the 382-room hotel features an outdoor pool, a fitness room and a lounge with live entertainment. The Beaux Arts structure has 120 suites, and about 85 percent of them will be turned into oversized guest rooms, still in a variety of styles. The service is informed and attentive, and the room is quiet enough for conversation. Enjoy an after-dinner drink in the jazz bar.
Salads are fresh and tasty.
In the quaint Germantown neighborhood, just beyond downtown, meals are served family style at long tables seating 12 to 16. The rotating menu features pork chops, baked chicken, meatloaf, turnip greens and corn pudding. The biscuits are particularly good. Usually at least six different noodle types are made fresh each day, including the penne Mamma Rosa, with a thick, creamy pesto and tomato sauce. The lavender-walled restaurant, with a great view of downtown, is closed on Monday.