Famed as the home of the blues, riverside Memphis fuses historic charm with a vibrant forward-thinking vibe, making for a wonderfully exciting city break destination. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with family and friends, this striking Tennessee city promises an intriguing cultural history, a legendary music scene and some terrific Southern barbecue. Accommodation options are wide-ranging, with everything from intimate historic inns to sleek city hotels with all the mod-cons. Our pick of the best places to stay in Memphis offers brilliant bases in and around the downtown area, within easy reach of top museums, buzzing eateries and funky live music venues.
Perched on the banks of the Mississippi River, much of Memphis has undergone a significant regeneration in recent years, but many of the city’s oldest buildings still ooze a sense of faded grandeur. The best way to delve into the soul of the city is through a guided walking tour, where you can discover the secrets of everything from the enormous former Sears Crosstown building to little lanes lined with old record stores.
There are heaps of excellent museums, too. Highlights include Sun Studio, the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, as well as the W.C. Handy Museum. Fans of Elvis Presley should make a beeline for Graceland, whilst Beale Street is the place to go for the blues. For a reckoning with Tennessee’s past, the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum comes highly recommended, as does the National Civil Rights Museum in the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968.
Escape to Mud Island River Park for outdoorsy adventures, hike or cycle along riverside trails and feast on delectable barbecue dishes in the evenings before seeking out the hottest live music spots. Whether you’re in town for the food, the tunes or the turbulent history, the best places to stay in Memphis offer a characterful base from which to explore.
The Peabody Hotel is a Memphis icon, featuring opulent decor in superb rooms and suites, as well as an acclaimed French restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and small, soothing spa. The hotel's famed 'duck walks' have been a daily highlight since the 1930s. A grand hotel for a luxurious stay.
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Memphis
A chic hotel located right in the heart of Memphis. Spacious rooms have a retro feel with vintage wallpaper set against exposed brick - the bathrooms are a thoroughly modern affair. Complete with an all-American restaurant, a bar that serves innovative cocktails and a coffee shop. A has-it-all stay.
Memphis (Tennessee)
1905 bank turned boutique with original features, ornate tiled floors and large windows, complete with contemporary furnishings. Elegant, comfortable rooms with city views and spa bath tubs. Must try the World cuisine at Eighty3 and catch the sunset over the Mississippi from the Sky Terrace.
Memphis (Memphis)
A stylish modern hotel with a nod towards Memphis' rock-n-roll history seen in the design. Contemporary rooms feature hardwood floors, spa-inspired showers, Aveda bath products & Frette linens. With a modern American restaurant, outdoor pool, & lounge complete with a jukebox — this is a chic stay.
Memphis (Memphis)
In typical Moxy style, this is a hip modern hotel with a youthful feel. Stylish rooms are minimalist in design with dark wooden floors, large windows, and clean lines. Downstairs, a spacious bar has a convivial feel; it serves American cuisine and attached is a games room. A trendy downtown base.
Memphis (Tennessee)
A lively hotel in Memphis's entertainment district. Calm rooms in muted tones contrast with fun, vibrant communal areas. Think animal print chairs, fuchsia walls and multi-coloured chandeliers! There's a chic rooftop bar, restaurant and coffee-to-cocktail lounge. A unique city stay.
Memphis (Memphis)
An historic hotel dating back to 1869, known for its resident duck walks since 1933. Opulent, traditional decor, a top rated French restaurant, the famed Lobby Bar, indoor pool, hot tub and a full service spa. A haven for business and leisure travellers, ideally located in the centre of Memphis.
Memphis
An opulent original Memphis house turned into a luxury adult-only boutique hotel. Five sumptuous suites are enormous, each with hardwood floors, well-chosen antiques, and most have roll-top baths. A grand lounge complete with a grand piano is ideal for an evening drink. Well suited to couples.
Memphis (Tennessee)
Old south meets European intimacy, welcoming guests with crackling fireplaces, art works and antiques. Four-poster beds in the elegant rooms as well as fine linens. Paullette's Restaurant offers continental cuisine, or head to the rooftop for panoramic views. Explore Memphis by bike or foot.
Memphis
Downtown guesthouse with 8 individually decorated self-catered studios. Colourful, contemporary and each totally unique, all have spacious living and sleeping areas. The brilliant location means the city's highlights are on the doorstep. Fab for long stays; feel at home in the heart of the city.
Memphis
Set within a century-old railway station, this luxury hotel combines all things Memphis from the history to the music. Rooms boast enormous original windows, high ceilings and clean modern design. Downstairs, there's a popular French restaurant, a lively bar and a live DJ. A fun yet smart choice.
