Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

This destination resort is one of the nation’s most popular major convention hosts, as it has a massive inventory of meeting and exhibition space. Tourists also flock to see the nine acres of lush, climate-controlled gardens that showcase over 50,000 plants in three spectacular themed atriums. As a result, there are thousands of people on any given day visiting the resort, but its size and layout make it a generally peaceful place where solitude isn’t hard to find. The sound of gently rushing water is prevalent throughout much of the complex, where numerous waterfalls are found. A small flatboat of visitors meandering its way through the Delta atrium’s waterway is a common sight. Even the check-in areas are memorable, like the polished marble floors and stained-glass ceiling in the Cascades lobby, and the Magnolia lobby’s grand staircase and majestic brass chandelier. 

The Gaylord Resort is located just off busy Briley Parkway, about a 20-minute drive to downtown Nashville’s attractions like Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, and Music City Center. It's a 14-minute walk or three-minute drive (or shuttle ride) to the Opry Mills Shopping Center and its many restaurants and shops. The resort operates a free shuttle to Opry Mills and Grand Ole Opry, which is a three-minute ride away. Resort shuttle service (for a fee) is also offered to downtown and to Nashville International Airport, which is approximately 15 minutes away. The General Jackson Showboat is five minutes by car, and Gaylord Springs Golf Links is an eight-minute drive. Vanderbilt University is a 20-minute drive.

Guest rooms at the Gaylord Opryland Resort are tastefully decorated but not overly upscale or opulent. Decor can vary, but soft earth tones are the common color scheme. Typical decorative touches include light tan or beige wallcoverings, olive or light brown carpets, and gold or green bed throws and bolster pillows on white bedding. Dark wood furniture makes up the dressers, headboards, nightstands, and desks. King Guest Rooms also include medallion-backed desk chairs and velvety slipper chairs. Standard rooms are clean, spacious (350 square feet), and come in one king or two-queen bed options. Executives and Junior Suites are 400 square feet and include parlor areas and sleeper sofas. The One Bedroom, Two-Room Suite is 750 square feet, and Deluxe Rooms are 700-800 square feet. Small, marble-top vanities are placed immediately outside bathrooms, and larger marble vanities with magnifying mirrors are inside bathrooms. The bathrooms themselves are average in size, with beige tile floors and walls framing the shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, Keurig coffeemakers, and cordless, dual-line phones. Bottled water and Wi-Fi access are included in the daily resort fee, but some guests report the Wi-Fi to be spotty, depending on the room location. Some rooms offer lovely atrium views but are exposed to the noise created in the interior spaces. Exterior-facing rooms have mostly parking lot views. Be aware that the resort will not guarantee placement in a specific area at time of booking.  

Features here cater to both business travelers and tourists, but they often come with additional fees. Valet and self-parking are both rather expensive for a hotel outside of downtown Nashville. The resort operates shuttles to downtown and the airport for a fee, but provides free shuttles to nearby Opry Mills Mall and the Grand Ole Opry. Several shops sell everything from clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs to food and drinks including alcoholic beverages. The full-service Relâche Spa offers a broad menu of skin and body treatments as well as a beauty salon and separate lounges for men and women. It also has a steam room. The resort's fitness center is large and well equipped with rows of modern LifeFitness and Technogym equipment, but can get quite crowded during peak morning hours. Indoor and outdoor pool and whirlpool options exist, depending on the season. The indoor pool is open year-round. Golf is available at the nearby Gaylord Springs Golf Links which partners with the resort. Tours of the massive resort and its nine acres of themed gardens can be arranged at the concierge desk. A flatboat tour on the Delta River is offered as well. Supervised children’s activities are available. For guests with mobility issues, the resort rents scooters for a daily fee. Nearly 600,000 square feet of meeting space is available in the convention center and its 152 meeting rooms. The full-service business center is staffed, and there is a FedEx shipping center on-site. Wi-Fi is included with the resort fee. Be aware that only service animals are allowed in the resort, which is nonsmoking. There are designated smoking areas outside but no smoking allowed inside. 

Seventeen distinct bars and restaurants operate on site, ranging from an upscale steakhouse and sports bar to pizza, burgers, and Tex-Mex. Highlights include Wasabi's Sushi located inside the Cascades Atrium, for lunch and dinner; Bravo Gelato serves specialty gelato; Ravello does Italian food for dinner; and Fuse Sports Bar has over 100 high-definition TVs. Breakfast is not included in room rates, and it's served at Cascades American Cafe. Some of the restaurant and lounges offer live music. Room service is available 24 hours.