Sweet Dreams are Found in Tennessee

Whether you’re looking for a quaint B&B, a luxurious hotel or a bed underneath the stars, Tennessee has an endless list of places to stay. With so many new options – and such a wide variety of accommodations – every visit is sure to be different.

New Hotels in Tennessee

Another year, another crop of new hotel brands across the state. Nashville’s trendy hotel boom is going strong with The Gallatin and its first W Hotel; exciting openings slated for this year include the Four Seasons, the Conrad Nashville and the Park MGM Hotel. (Also in the pipeline: a Ritz-Carlton in 2025.) Memphis has its own flurry of fresh offerings, with Canopy, The Memphian, Central Station, Arrive, Moxy and Hyatt Centric all recently joining the ranks. Caption By Hyatt Memphis, adjacent to Hyatt Centric. Chattanooga recently welcomed a pair of stylish hotels – Kinley Chattanooga Southside and Common House, complete with a speakeasy – as well as the Scenic City’s first Aloft and Element By Westin locations. Knoxville now has its own slick Element, too, and the city is currently transforming the old Tennessee State Supreme Court site into a short-term rental/hotel hybrid. Near the Smokies: Downtown Gatlinburg’s Cambria Hotel is open, as is Pigeon Forge’s Renaissance Inn and Suites.

Wellness Centers and Retreats in Tennessee

For those looking to relax and restore, consider Tennessee’s bountiful wellness centers and retreats. Find peace in one of six yurts on the grounds of the family-owned Seven Springs Yoga & Holistic Retreat in the foothills of the Smokies or attend a yoga retreat at Isha Institute of Inner-Sciences, a tranquil oasis in McMinnville. And no list of places to unwind would be complete without The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm, Walland’s world-renowned relaxation destination within a relaxation destination. 

Tennessee Glamping Spots

To experience the great, glamorous outdoors of Tennessee – without sacrificing a Wi-Fi connection – book a glamping getaway in any part of the state: Under Canvas and Camp LeConte Luxury Outdoor Resort in the Smokies, Tennessee Glamping in Altamont, The Cabin at Still Waters Farm in Cumberland Furnace and Hayshed Farms in Kingston Springs. Have your sights set even higher? Take in the killer views from above at Gatlinburg’s Treehouse Grove and Cookeville’s Sulfur Ridge Treehouse resorts.

Lodging at Tennessee State Parks

While the styles of Tennessee State Parks’ cabins range from historic to modern, all 56 of these parks provide an affordable and truly special getaway – whether you stay in a cabin or pitch a tent. Newly opened The Lodge at Fall Creek Falls gives you instant access to waterfall trails, biking, fishing and beautiful overlooks while offering state-of-the-art amenities and a full-service restaurant. Natchez Trace State Park’s cabins cater to boaters and anglers in Wildersville, while Norris Dam State Park in Rocky Top offers 4,000 acres to explore surrounding Norris Dam. At Lebanon’s Cedars Of Lebanon State Park, named for eastern red cedar trees found throughout the area, there are 8 miles of hiking trails. And to catch some great views of wildlife, Reelfoot Lake State Park in Tiptonville is the place to get out with your binoculars.

Tennessee Bed & Breakfasts

Escape to a bed-and-breakfast any time of year for pampering and personal touches. At Mulberry Lavender Farm and B&B, located outside Lynchburg (and once owned by Jack Daniel’s brother), you can choose a room in the 1860s farmhouse or book the private cottage. Just a bit northeast is the Blythewood Inn Bed & Breakfast, a French Colonial-style gem with modern comforts. And in Kingston, outside Knoxville, you’ll find the sanctuary-like Whitestone Inn, which is actually its own charming village.

Unique Places to Stay in Tennessee

For a truly memorable Tennessee trip, seek out truly unforgettable accommodations. No other state can claim the themed dwellings of Knoxville’s Ancient Lore Village, the mountain experience of Smithville’s scenic Evins Mill resort or a year-round holiday destination à la The Inn At Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge – let alone all three within a few hours drive of each other.

RV Parks in Tennessee

If an outdoor camping resort is more your style, pack up your RV for a Tennessee site packed with Southern charm. Pigeon Forge Landing RV Resort, the latest to join the lineup, boasts stunning views of the Smokies, an illuminated river walk and amenities like a concierge; the high-end camping destination’s neighbors include Camp Margaritaville, The Ridge Outdoor Resort and Little Arrow Outdoor Resort. Two other RV-friendly options are Anchor Down in nearby Dandridge and Clarksville RV Park and Campground, just south of the Kentucky border.

Historic Hotels in Tennessee

There’s one amenity that only certain hotels can deliver – roots in the past. Chattanooga’s storied (and recently renovated) Read House dates back to 1872, while Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel is a tad younger, at 112 years old. Three stately historic hotels can be found in Northeastern Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region – Hale Springs Inn in Rogersville, General Morgan Inn in Greeneville and The Donoho in Red Boiling Springs. Memphis offers the opulent James Lee House, and The Commodore, a former bank, can be found in Linden.

Retirement Places in Tennessee

Considering a more permanent stay in Tennessee? Plenty of scenic towns and cities would love for you to call them home. 

Atop the long list of perks are a mild climate – meaning four distinct but comfortable seasons – and the natural beauty of countless rivers and mountains. 

In your downtime, experience the state’s fine arts, impressive museums, fairs and festivals, thrilling sports events, world-famous musical heritage and outdoor recreational activities like boating, fishing and hiking wherever you go. And no matter what you’re doing, you’ll be able to find delicious food and drinks.

There are also financial incentives for putting down roots here (and an abundance of data to back it up) such as zero state income taxes, the second-lowest state and local tax burden per capita and a gloriously low cost of living – especially considering the high quality of life.

Close to 14 counties are part of the state’s Retire Tennessee program, which spotlights communities that are exceptionally appealing to retirees. These specific resources and amenities include housing availability, health care and hospital systems, and a mix of nightlife, retail and other fun ways to spend your time.