Where to Stay in Memphis

We don’t recommend it, but if you’re only going to visit Memphis once in your life, you should do it in Old South style and stay at the Peabody Hotel. The grand dame of Memphis hotels, the Peabody’s known for its traditions, its elegance and its lobby, one of the most beautiful and distinct in the country. See, in addition to its oak bar, plush couches and occasional live music, the lobby buzzes with activity twice a day every day when a small paddling of mallards make their way from their rooftop roost to a red carpet that leads them to the lobby’s large marble fountain. The Peabody Duck March is not only a unique tradition, but also a clever way to entertain children while their parents boost the hotel bar's sales.

Looking for something more boutique? The Madison Hotel stands just a block away from Front Street and offers visitors plush interiors and creature comforts, including a bank-vault fitness center and one of the best rooftop views in all of Memphis. With 110 rooms, the hotel’s design takes inspiration from Memphis music heritage but casts it in a modern style. It’s also home to Grill 83, one of the finest restaurants in the city.

But the newest hotel in Memphis claims one of the best locations in all of downtown. At the foot of Beale and just across the street from FedExForum, the Westin Beale Street offers visitors familiar, modern amenities, including numerous bars and restaurants, as well as a few unexpected details, like extra-long beds and roomier showers. The Westin made sure that if it was going to invest $40 million in downtown Memphis, it would become the preferred hotel for visiting NBA players. Which makes the Westin Beale Street not only a great reason to visit the city’s historic district, but also to celebrate a Grizzlies victory.