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 (nearly 600,000 square feet). There is a full-service business center, an on-site FedEx shipping center, and a seemingly endless selection of restaurants and bars, including an upscale steakhouse. Some of the restaurant and lounges offer live music, and room service is available 24 hours. Golf is available at the nearby Gaylord Springs Golf Links, which partners with the resort.

The luxury Hutton Hotel is a modern and beautifully decorated property in Nashville’s Midtown, near Vanderbilt University. Its 247 thoughtfully decorated rooms are on the small side, but clean and functional with comfortable beds and lovely marble showers and distinctive glass vanities. Upscale touches include a spa, 24-hour room service, a fine-dining restaurant, free area shuttle service, and plenty of large meeting and event spaces. Rates are expensive for a hotel not in downtown, but that’s not unusual for Vanderbilt-area properties. 

The 854-room Omni Nashville Hotel is a large, upscale property in the center of downtown Nashville, connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. An array of features include 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space (all equipped with audio-visual equipment), a business center, two restaurants, a bar, coffee shop, fitness center, spa, and free lobby Wi-Fi. Guest rooms are modern, though less luxurious than the rest of the hotel, and include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and bottled water, but there have been complaints about noise issues due to thin walls. 

The Preston is a well-maintained, affordable boutique hotel minutes from the airport and I-40. Geared towards business travelers, the hotel offers a business center, small meeting rooms, larger conference rooms (which can comfortably seat up to 30 people), and a 4,400-square-foot ballroom. Large rooms are fairly quiet, and feature desks, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers. Freebies include airport transfer, shuttle service to Opryland, and Wi-Fi.

The upper-middle-range Loews Vanderbilt Hotel Nashville is a classy hotel that’s fresh from an extensive 2013 renovation. Its 340 rooms are spacious and feature stylish decor that's sophisticated, while still paying homage to the city’s country music roots. With a fine-dining restaurant and attached steakhouse, upscale dining is possible without leaving the property, plus there's a modern fitness center as well as ample meeting facilities and event space. It’s a great choice for anyone visiting adjacent Vanderbilt University, and the hotel's free shuttle takes guests to most attractions downtown. Rates are expensive, however, especially for a hotel outside of the downtown area.

The upper-middle-range Hotel Indigo is an eclectic mix of historical influences and contemporary style. Conveniently located off the historic Printer’s Alley, the hotel is in the heart of downtown Nashville, convenient to the sights, shops, and nightlife. With a number of meeting rooms and 24-hour business and fitness centers, this hotel is frequented often by business travelers, but sees more tourists on the weekends. The event spaces are also often used for weddings and other receptions. Rooms are quirky and stylish, with plenty of space.

Thanks to its location -- a brief walk to the city’s convention center -- and its 23 separate event rooms, the DoubleTree by Hilton Nashville-Downtown bustles with business travelers wanting to stay in the heart of this entertainment-rich city. (Not only is this mid-range chain hotel near Music City Convention Center and many other attractions, but it also offers a free downtown shuttle.) The 341 guest rooms are clean and comfortable, with coffeemakers and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Amenities include room service, an indoor pool, a lounge with live music nightly, a business center with free printing, and free Wi-Fi throughout. But, as with many Nashville hotels in and around downtown, rates are expensive, as is the valet-only parking.