By Matt Paco
This past May, CNN crowned Nashville the “Bachelorette Capital of the World,” but with the recent building-boom of dog-friendly hotels, perhaps Music City should also be known as a great doggie destination to bring your furry friends for vacation — or a “staycation.” (Why should tourists have all the fun?)
According to BringFido.com, there are over 180 pet-friendly hotel options in the Metro Nashville area. Nowadays, many hotels not only allow customers to bring their dogs overnight, some are openly courting pet-owners with special perks and events. The Bobby Hotel downtown even has a live-in dog named Sasha that greets guests when they arrive.
So if you want to stay somewhere that provides great doggie amenities with a unique experience at a central location, two hotels stand out: The Dream Hotel, with their superb concierge service and dog-friendly bars nearby, and the iconically beautiful Union Station Hotel.
The Union Station Hotel on Broadway is an easy walk to both Downtown Nashville and the Gulch. Besides its convenient location, one of the biggest reasons to stay there is its gorgeous architecture. The Romanesque Revival-style building used to be Nashville’s train station, and its bright yellow, high-vaulted, wood-paneled interior is stunning. They also have a private outdoor patio on the first floor where you can bring your dogs to relieve themselves.
Every season, the Union Station Hotel hosts a “Yappy Hour” with the local Humane Society. Dog owners can enjoy a cocktail with their pets in the hotel’s spacious main lounge; you can even adopt a dog at the party.
A mile away at the Dream Hotel, the staff is all about personalizing your pet’s experience. According to Senior Director Tyler Newell, “when we know a dog is coming to the property, we will reach out personally to the guest and ask about the dog. So as a surprise and a delight when they check in, if you have a big golden retriever that loves ropes, that’s what we’ll try to accommodate.” Newell continues, “If there is any request, we’re here to satisfy those requests. If a dog eats some food that’s only available in Texas, we’ll make sure we get that food here.”
Another reason to stay at the Dream is that it is smack in the middle of what I call the “Boutique Block.” Within the last two years, four boutique hotels have sprung up on Fourth Avenue between Church and Union Streets, and three of them have trendy bars where you can bring your dog — the Noelle’s Lounge Bar, the Dream’s Parlour Bar, and the rooftop at the Bobby, which features cabanas and a bus. (Fun fact: some hotel bars allow you to stop by for a drink with your dog even if you are not a hotel guest. Be sure to check with the hotel first before bringing your dog.)
Other notes about staying at the Dream and the Union Station Hotel.
- Unique perks and amenities.
DREAM: They have seven food and beverage outlets in addition to the 168 rooms and suites. They offer Lincoln house cars for all their guests based on first-come-first-serve, and you get access to the Dirty Little Secret nightclub on Printer’s Alley.
UNION STATION: They have history tours of the building every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. This is an opportunity for guests to join various hotel associates for a 15-20 minute history tour of the building, followed by a complimentary Jack Daniel’s whiskey tasting. The hotel also claims to have a resident ghost named Abigail.
- Typical cost.
DREAM: The rooms start at $275/night. Prices fluctuate depending on the time of the year.
UNION STATION: Approximately $249-$399/night. - Limits to the types/sizes of dogs that can stay overnight.
DREAM: There is a weight limit of 35 pounds.
UNION STATION: There is a dog weight maximum of 60 pounds. Limit of two dogs per room. - Pet fees.
DREAM: $125 flat pet rate per room for the duration of your stay
UNION STATION: $100 flat fee per room for up to 4 nights - Special amenities for pet owners and their dogs.
DREAM: They have a plethora of dog beds for small dogs and large breeds, and they place water bowls in the rooms.
UNION STATION: They give all USH pup owners an USH logoed poo bag upon arrival, and offer water/food dishes if needed. They also feature locally made dog treats from Baxter & Bailey in the hotel gift shop.
Other Notable Dog-Friendly Hotels worth checking out in Nashville are: Omni, 21c Museum Hotel, Hermitage Hotel, Noelle Hotel, Hotel Indigo, and the Bobby.
