Set in the heart of Downtown Nashville , Bobby Hotel offers musical style and grandeur just a stone’s throw from the famous Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It sits on historic Printers Alley, the place where Dolly Parton began her meteoric rise to fame.

Quirky and unique, the hotel is lovable from the moment you walk through the big glass doors. It smells sensational and features an eclectic mix of treasures that marry perfectly with the creativity and fun of Music City.

My sons are musicians in a band called Broken Wires and we were there as part of a US trip, performing in LA, New Orleans, Memphis and, ultimately, Nashville. This boutique hotel fed their creativity as much as it offered comfort and refuge at the end of a day spent pounding the streets and enjoying the live music. The staff were lovely.

Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the bright lights of Broadway, with bands playing in open windows, Bobby Nashville provides a peaceful sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. Opened in 2018, the 144-room hotel is a must-visit, even if it’s just for a meal or a cocktail. But it’s much better to stay overnight.

The interior has a classic feel to it (
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STYLE

You’ll want to have your photo taken on the sweeping staircase that sits underneath an enormous chandelier made from Cadillac parts, and to snap the gorgeous Lincoln Continental convertible parked outside. And that’s before you even get to the top of the hotel.

Here you’ll find a retrofitted 1956 Greyhound Scenicruiser bus which has been hoisted up 10 storeys on to the roof! Grab a sun lounger by the glorious rooftop pool and enjoy cocktails and yard games while taking in magnificent views over Nashville.

FOOD AND DRINK

There are four places to eat and drink at the Bobby. Seafood features highly on the menu in the relaxed Union Tavern, with baked clams (￡14.50) and crab cakes (￡18) providing tempting starters, followed by pan-seared shrimp (￡22.50) and bacon-wrapped filet (￡42).

The fun continues into the dessert menu, where you can order Nutella-stuffed French toast (￡11) and fried Oreos (￡10).

Drop into Bobby’s Garage, a gritty bar adorned with neon street art and salvaged car parts, while the coffee from Cafe at Bobby is to die for, as are the pastries.

We also enjoyed eating at the nearby Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, known for its daily fresh hog on the firepit and beer garden games, and tucked into dishes from around the world at the Assembly Food Hall.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE

You can swim and ­sunbathe, work out in the gym and enjoy changing art exhibitions on the staircase, which really adds to the artsy vibe, as do the coffee table books and the comfy egg chairs. The kids loved chilling out with their guitars on the lounge sofas in front of the roaring fireplace.

There’s a garage with valet parking, free wi-fi and in-room Bluetooth speakers. Each summer, there’s a free music series lasting several months at Bobby’s Backyard Sessions, featuring 10 local and nationally recognised acts.

The hotel has a lovely pool area (
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A DAY OUT

We went on an RCA Studio B tour on Music Row, and stood on the “sweet spot” where Elvis recorded, and explored all the music shops in The Gulch area ? my boys recorded their first vinyl in the famous booth used by Neil Young and U2 at Third Man Records, owned by Jack White of the White Stripes.

My eldest played a ￡185,000 1954 Les Paul at Carter Vintage Guitars (probably his most treasured part of the trip) and we looked inside the secret vault at the Gibson Garage. The absolute highlight had to be when the boys played as Broken Wires at the legendary Bluebird Cafe. People were queuing around the block to get in; it was an incredible experience that we’ll never forget.

Be sure to watch live music at The Listening Room and to visit the interactive National Museum of African American Music, which charts the rise of music from gospel and soul to jazz and hip hop with fascinating social commentary throughout.

And, of course, no trip would be complete without a look around the Ryman Auditorium (don’t miss the chance to see inside Johnny Cash’s tour bus) and the Grand Ole Opry, where you can go on a backstage tour of the personalised dressing rooms before having your photo taken on stage.

A truly wonderful place, we can’t wait to return to Nashville, y’all!

GET THERE

  • British Airways flies from Heathrow to Nashville, Tennessee, starting at ￡659 return. ba.com
  • Rooms at the Bobby Hotel Nashville start at around ￡208 a night. bobbyhotel.com
  • More info at visitmusiccity.com

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