Walking into the stark-white lobby of the 21c Museum Hotel Nashville, I was immediately reminded of the hotel’s namesake — yes, it looked like a museum; no, I was not quite ready for the bright lights at the hour of my late check-in.

Within a few minutes, I was headed to the elevator up to my luxury king room. Along for the ride was a video on the wall that looked like a kaleidoscope of snakes. The darkness of the elevator made the snakes pop and illuminate the small space. Art really is subjective.

Wandering through the dark hallways of the sixth floor to my room, narrowly avoiding three penguin statues positioned together as if in conversation in the hallway, I was that person using my phone as a flashlight to find my room. Once inside, the bright-white bathroom drew my attention, featuring Malin+Goetz soaps and enough sink surface to double as a vanity, with neatly stacked towels topped with a rubber ducky.

Walking further into the room, I was drawn to the king-sized bed, but distracted by the Mid-Century furniture and wide-open windows — two design themes I’m a sucker for. On top of the fold-top desk was a generously sized television, and inside was a minibar, Nespresso maker, water bottles and some stylish glassware.

In the morning, I pulled back the floor-to-ceiling curtains to review a sunshine-filled view of the Cumberland River. The wide window ledge could serve as that reading corner we’ve all always wanted — perfect use for a hardcover copy of Art is the Highest Form of Hope & Other Quotes by Artists on the bedside table — but the call of downtown Nashville was too strong.

The hotel had more amenities than I had time for, including a spa, 24-hour fitness center equipped with Peloton bikes, 24-hour business center and full museum of contemporary art. In the morning, several visitors were touring the exhibits in the lobby and making their way to the restaurant and museum on their own accord.

21c Museum Hotel Nashville

221 2^nd Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37201
tel 615.610.6400