Hampton Inn Nashville / Vanderbilt

This Hampton received an extensive renovation in 2015-16, and its public spaces remain bright and modern. The lobby features a sunny alcove, colorful contemporary art, and several comfortable places to relax, including a sectional sofa dotted with bright pink and sky-blue pillows. But it isn't a space where guests linger long beyond checking in and out. However, the breakfast area gets quite busy at peak times, although there's plenty of seating and the spacious room accommodates crowds with ease. The property is generally a quiet hotel that hosts a diverse clientele, from Vanderbilt students and families to business travelers, tourists, and visitors and patients of the nearby hospitals. 

The hotel is located on busy West End Avenue in Midtown, an area that's on the outskirts of the city center. A great selection of restaurants and bars are within sight of the hotel, and it's just two blocks from the edge of Vanderbilt University’s sprawling campus. The university’s medical center is a 14-minute walk, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital is a six-minute walk, and Centennial Medical Center is about 15 minutes on foot or a five-minute drive. 

The Parthenon is an eight-minute drive, and several top attractions in and around downtown are within a 10-minute drive, including Nissan Stadium, Tennessee State Capitol, Bridgestone Arena, Music City Center, Printer’s Alley, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and Music City Walk of Fame Park. Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center and Nashville International Airport are approximately 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. 

Guest rooms at Hampton Inn Nashville/Vanderbilt are well-equipped and have contemporary decor, but they're a bit dark despite floor-to-ceiling windows. Furniture has an espresso finish, and the carpeting is a lackluster tawny-brown with maroon accents. Still, units are comfortable and pleasant, with large desks, wardrobes, and armoires. All come equipped with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, lap desks, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no microwaves. King and Double Queen Rooms add armchairs and some Kings have sleeper sofas. Larger Executive Queens have boardroom-style tables and eight chairs for small meetings. The spacious bathrooms are a highlight, with attractive corner vanities, three-way mirrors, and pretty yellow-striped wallpaper. All have shower/tub combos and a generous supply of Neutrogena toiletries. 

This hotel is packed with amenities that cater to its diverse clientele -- and offers ample freebies. Among them, a hot breakfast buffet is served in a spacious dining room, and guests on the go are offered breakfast bags to take with them. There's also coffee and cookies in the lobby throughout the day at no charge.

Other highlights include an outdoor pool surrounded by loungers and a few covered tables, and a 24-hour fitness center with several pieces of Precor cardio equipment, a weight-training machine, and free weights. The business center is also open 24 hours, and has two computers and printers, plus there's meeting space for up to 55 people. Free weekday newspapers are available in the lobby.

The guest laundry room has three washer/dryers, and valet dry cleaning and laundry service is available. Free parking is a big perk here, as parking at some other nearby hotels is expensive, and the hotel runs a free shuttle to downtown and to other points of interest within a two-mile radius. There's also free Wi-Fi throughout.