by Scott Laird
Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Fri September 22, 2017
I remember days when you could walk into a Westin Hotel and reliably expect a certain architectural style: soaring ceilings, chandeliers, plenty of natural light, endless vistas of cool polished stone and an atmosphere that fairly oozed big city confidence and decadence.
Recently, I'd begun to think that they don't build Westin Hotels the way they used to. Modern touches had crept in, such as living walls (certainly for the better), and the public space art pieces leaned more contemporary rather than classic. It's not necessarily a putdown, it's just easy to wistfully sigh that they don't build them that way anymore.
Then I visited The Westin Nashville, and wistful sighs turned into delighted surprise.
Westin's glory days are back at the Music City property, and they're better than ever. Fans of old-school ambiance will find it-there's polished cream-colored marble and granite that feels lit from within throughout the soaring lobby peaked with chandeliers and bedecked with contemporary furnishings.
In a nod to modernity, glass bubbles filled with succulents add plenty of green life, but without compromising the glittering luxury of classic big city hotel design.
The hotel's "bigness" continues throughout guestroom corridors, with high ceilings and modern design flourishes. There's almost no chance to miss a spectacular skyline view, as corridors and elevator vestibules have floor-to-ceiling windows with commanding views that take advantage of light throughout the day.
Many design elements draw inspiration from country music.
Guitar picks seem to be a popular recurring theme-appearing molded onto the stone front desk counters and into the shape of guest room-occasional tables. Many bathrooms have claw foot tubs with separate showers and vanity stools alongside double sinks.
In efforts to stay both green and up-to-date, gone are the dusty leather-bound compendiums that haunt hotel rooms the world over. Hotel information is now available from menus on the television, almost guaranteeing some use in the age of streaming content.
Nashville being Nashville, there's plenty right in the hotel to entertain.
The signature restaurant Oak Steakhouse-perhaps one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city-boasts an enviable selection of dry and wet aged Angus beef along with a shockingly good raw bar featuring both east and west coast oysters. Decker & Dyer, in the lobby, offers shareable and full-sized plates and cocktails throughout the day. (Do try the short rib and pimento grilled cheese).
Pool aficionados will enjoy both the lower level workout pool and the rooftop infinity pool with glass sides that afford underwater skyline views of the city.
By night, the indoor/outdoor pool bar and upstairs lounge turn into a popular nightlife venue that spills partiers throughout the lobby and elevators until closing time. SPG Platinum members and guests booking Westin Executive Club accommodations will enjoy an expansive lounge on the same floor, which serves a rather exhaustive breakfast in the morning along with light bites and tipples in the evenings.
Those who celebrate too hardy can refresh and rejuvenate in the well-outfitted Rhapsody Spa, where wet areas come complete with steam showers and saunas while the selection of treatments renders choices difficult. Tea, champagne and other beverages and light spa nibbles are also on offer.
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The Takeaway
It's still fair to say they don't build Westin Hotels like they used to. If the Westin Nashville is the new standard, they build them much better.
The Math
I've seen rates from $264 depending on season and availability
Instagrammable Moment
The rooftop pool with skyline views will likely get the most attention on the 'gram.
Loyalty
Starwood Preferred Guest
Good To Know
If you're using Uber or Lyft, the pickup point is at a separate entrance from the main lobby on a street corner, not the porte cochere.
Surrounding construction can be noisy during the day; the hotel provides sleep masks, earplugs, and calming lavender balm for sleepy time.
Seating is limited at the rooftop pool-much of the space is given over to for-hire cabanas, so go early to secure a seat.
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