11 Memphis Hotels to Book for Your Next Tennessee Getaway

Editor’s Pick: The Peabody Memphis

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Why We Chose It

It may be most famous for its resident ducks, but the Peabody Memphis also stands out for its luxurious rooms and multiple dining options.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: Yes, $13.95 per night
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Full-service spa, indoor pool, rooftop bar with summer concerts, daily duck shows in the lobby

Hotel Description

The Peabody Memphis opened its doors in 1869, and it now serves as one of the most famous and historic hotels in the city. While the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel’s greatest claim to fame is its five resident ducks, who appear in the lobby every day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to splash in the fountain and entertain guests. The Peabody Duck March is so popular that the hotel recommends arriving 30 minutes early to get a good view.

Avian delights aside, the Peabody has plenty of amenities for both families and luxury travelers. All 464 guest rooms and suites were renovated in 2014 and feature custom wall art, luxe decor in shades of blue and gray, and Carrara marble bathrooms. The rooftop bar — one of the best in the city — is open all year but holds live concerts every Thursday night during the summer (hotel guests can get in for free before 7 p.m.). Dining options include an opulent French restaurant with afternoon teas, a steakhouse with an excellent weekend brunch, and a bakery selling coffee and duck-themed desserts. Be sure to stop by the Feathers Spa for a full range of treatments and salon products, or gather up the kids and relax at the heated indoor pool.

River Inn of Harbor Town

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Why We Chose It

River Inn of Harbor Town is one of the chicest hotels along the Mississippi River, boasting romantic rooms and an award-winning restaurant.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Rooftop lounge, live music on Thursdays, turn-down service with port wine and chocolate truffles

Hotel Description

With a prime location in Memphis’ cute Harbor Town neighborhood, this boutique property is easily one of the best hotels in town. The cozy lobby greets guests with a crystal chandelier and wood-burning fireplace, and the 28 rooms and suites are even more inviting: think four-poster beds with Frette linens, blackout curtains, embroidered pillowcases, and, in many rooms, views of the Mississippi River. Each floor also has its own little library with armchairs.

While River Inn of Harbor Town is within walking distance of many great restaurants, you should plan on dining in for at least a few meals. The in-house restaurant, Paulette’s, has been a Memphis institution since the 1970s, serving up a unique combination of Southern and Hungarian dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; you can order shrimp and grits one night, then ham-filled crepes and cinnamon apples the next. The hotel also has a casual grill for pub fare like burgers and wings, and a rooftop lounge where you can grab a cocktail and watch the sun set over the Mississippi.

Hu. Hotel

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Why We Chose It

A chic and affordable option in downtown Memphis, Hu. Hotel lets guests mingle with locals who frequent the lobby café and rooftop bar. 

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Year-round rooftop bar, local artwork and minibar snacks, pet-friendly rooms

Hotel Description

Formerly the Madison Hotel, this property was purchased by Aparium Hotel Group and transformed into the trendy Hu. Hotel in 2018. It’s housed in the historic Tennessee Trust Building, a downtown Memphis icon easily recognized by its Beaux Arts architecture. The sunny lobby is filled with vintage furniture, and the check-in counter doubles as a coffee bar — simply grab your key from the barista and head up to one of the 110 well-designed rooms.

The rooms and suites were designed by Brooklyn-based company Home Studios with custom furniture, minibars stocked with local snacks and drinks, and views of either the Mississippi River or Memphis skyline. Two dining options — Hu. Roof, a rooftop bar with river views, and Lucy’s, the aforementioned lobby café — are popular among locals as well as guests.

Big Cypress Lodge

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Why We Chose It

With a variety of dining options and resort activities (and a lobby swamp with live alligators), Big Cypress Lodge is the best option for families or lovers of the great outdoors.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Family-friendly dining and entertainment venues, free Sky High Ride tickets, 24-hour fitness center

Hotel Description

It’s hard to miss Big Cypress Lodge, located in the massive Memphis Pyramid along the Mississippi River. The wilderness-themed hotel opened in 2015 and is already one of the most popular stays in town, thanks to its family-friendly amenities and unique guest rooms. Visitors can choose from 103 accommodations, ranging from Treehouse suites with vaulted ceilings to lodges designed to look like classic hunting cabins with fireplaces and a lot of antler decor.

But you probably won’t be spending too much time in your room once you see all the activities the resort offers. Adults can enjoy massages and facials at the full-service spa, while kids will love the underwater-themed bowling alley, aquarium with live fish feedings, and Sky High Ride, the country’s tallest free-standing elevator, which journeys 300 feet up to a glass observation deck. The lobby even has a swamp with live alligators, which will surely provide a couple hours of entertainment. For meals, enjoy steak and seafood at The Lookout (located at the pyramid’s apex), breakfast and burgers at Fishbowl at the Pyramid, or cocktails and river views at the Mississippi Terrace.

The Guest House at Graceland

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Why We Chose It

Located right next to Elvis’ former estate, the Guest House at Graceland pays homage to the King while remaining tasteful and contemporary.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: Yes, $13.30 per night
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Complimentary airport shuttle, outdoor swimming pool, Elvis-themed suites

Hotel Description

Many people flock to Memphis solely to visit Graceland, and you can’t get much closer to the Elvis-themed action than the Guest House at Graceland. This 450-room resort is less than a 10-minute walk from Elvis’ former estate, and it’s filled with glam decor and amenities that provide a rock ‘n’ roll vibe. True fans of the King should book one of the 20 extravagant suites, which were designed after the rooms at both Graceland and Elvis’ home in Palm Springs.

The fan service extends beyond the rooms, too. The in-house restaurants serve up contemporary spins on Elvis’ favorite dishes (like pancakes with peanut butter glaze and a whiskey banana flambé), while the lobby lounge is a great place to sip Tennessee whiskey. There’s also a 464-seat theater that hosts live performances and movie screenings all year.

Central Station Hotel

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Why We Chose It

The Central Station Hotel pays homage to the city’s musical legacy with curated playlists and a listening room with more than 500 vinyl records.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: No
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

24-hour fitness center, in-room speakers with curated playlists, food bowls and beds for pets

Hotel Description

Built as a train station in 1914, the building housing Central Station now operates as both an Amtrak hub and luxury hotel. The historic property sits in the South Main Arts District, and the hotel’s design pays homage to Memphis at every turn. Central Station is filled with local artwork, all rooms have speakers for the daily curated playlists, and guests can access more than 20,000 Memphis-related songs in the Listening Lounge. Even the DJ booth in the lobby bar was made out of a repurposed pipe organ from a Memphis church.

The 123 guest rooms are spacious and hip, with wood-paneled headboards, William Roam bathroom products, and oversized windows overlooking the Mississippi River and South Main neighborhood. All rooms and suites are pet-friendly, and the pet deposit includes a welcome treat bag, water and food bowls, and a dog bed (if needed). The in-house restaurant, Bishop, serves up a respectable wine list and locally influenced French fare. The true star of the show is Eight & Sand, the aforementioned lobby bar with live DJs and craft cocktails. 

Hotel Napoleon

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Why We Chose It

With modern amenities and a framework dating back to 1902, Hotel Napoleon is a downtown Memphis classic.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

In-room Bluetooth speakers, 24-hour fitness center, Egyptian bed linens

Hotel Description

Located inside the 1902 Scimitar Building in downtown Memphis, Hotel Napoleon perfectly combines historic roots with contemporary interior design. The building’s original Beaux Arts architecture, bay windows, crown molding, and Tennessee marble staircases remain intact, while the 56 rooms and two suites are fully modern, with sleek furnishings and Bluetooth radios. Suites come with sleeper sofas and private entrances.

Luna Restaurant & Bar covers many of your dining and drinking needs, with breakfast and dinner menus every day of the week, plus nightly cocktail hours. Some of the best restaurants in Memphis are also just a quick walk away, including Huey’s Downtown, with its world-famous burgers, and the Rendezvous, which serves iconic barbecue. For an elevated couple’s retreat, be sure to book the Enhance Your Romance package for bottles of bubbly, Godiva chocolates, and more.

The James Lee House

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Why We Chose It

The James Lee House, a charming bed-and-breakfast housed in a Victorian mansion, is one of the most unique accommodations in Memphis.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$$

Notable Amenities

Full gourmet breakfast, gated private parking, walk-in rain showers

Hotel Description

For something a bit off the beaten hotel path, consider staying at the James Lee House. The impossibly charming bed-and-breakfast is housed in a Victorian mansion from 1848, but it underwent a total renovation in 2014 that even the most discerning guests will appreciate. Though the B&B has all the historic trimmings — intricate crown molding, chandeliers, stained glass windows, and antique furniture galore — amenities like Tempur-Choice beds and spa-like bathrooms make sure visitors don’t get too lost in the past.

There are five suites to choose from, each with its own aesthetic. The Isabel Suite, for example, features soothing sage-green walls and a brick fireplace, while the Lee Suite is decked out in dark wood furnishings and vintage books. A gourmet breakfast is included with every booking; expect to wake up to fresh pastries, warm grits, buttermilk pancakes, homemade granola, and more tasty dishes every morning. 

Arrive Memphis

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Why We Chose It

Though it only opened in late 2019, Arrive Memphis is already one of the coolest, best-designed hotels in town.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Complimentary drink at check-in, Apple TV, private poker room

Hotel Description

Arrive Memphis opened its doors in 2019 and quickly made a name for itself as one of the coolest boutique hotels in the city, thanks in large part to its location in the trendy South Main Arts District. Guests check in at the lobby bakery and café, then head to one of 62 industrial-chic rooms with splashy wallpaper, plush beds with Egyptian cotton linens, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, Hudson Made bath amenities, and well-stocked minibars. Book the Corner Loft for panoramic city views.

Aside from the all-day café and bakery in the lobby, Arrive Memphis has a few additional dining options, each cooler than the last. Bar Hustle, open every night from Thursday to Monday, serves up craft cocktails, local beer, and snacks like catfish dip and sourdough pizza. The main restaurant, Longshot, is already a neighborhood favorite. Aside from a menu featuring globally inspired pub fare, from ​​pollo asado nachos to Moroccan short ribs, there are a few shuffleboard tables for a little friendly competition after dinner. Speaking of competition, be sure to check out the poker room on the second floor, designed after the Billiards Room at Graceland.

Moxy Memphis Downtown

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Why We Chose It

Moxy Memphis Downtown skews toward younger travelers with affordable room rates and a 24-hour lobby bar.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $

Notable Amenities

24-hour lobby bar, game room, smart TVs

Hotel Description

Moxy Hotels are designed with millennial, Instagram-loving guests in mind, and this downtown Memphis outpost is no exception. The check-in counter doubles as a neon-lit bar, with cocktails and cheese puffs ready upon arrival. The lobby is decorated with album covers and guitars for even more photo ops. That tongue-in-cheek musical aesthetic extends to the Sound Studio suite, which features signed Broadway posters, a record player, and even more guitars. All 119 rooms have a minimal yet edgy design — leather headboards, wood-paneled walls — and come with amenities like smart TVs and Muk bath products.

Bar Moxy is open 24/7, serving up breakfast naans and coffee in the morning, then switching to draft beers, creative cocktails, and appetizers like kimchi tater tots and hot dogs in the evening. 

The hotel also has an outdoor patio with two fire pits, a bocce ball court, and table tennis, plus plenty of cozy seating for the whole crew. Other common areas include a circuit gym and a game room with foosball tables and pinball machines.

Hotel Indigo Memphis Downtown

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Why We Chose It

Hotel Indigo is a boutique property just a few blocks from Beale Street with pet-friendly rooms and a secluded outdoor pool.

Key Specs

• Free Wi-Fi: Yes
• Resort fee: No
• Room rate: $$

Notable Amenities

Outdoor pool, Aveda bath products, Frette linens

Hotel Description

Built as Memphis’ first Holiday Inn in 1963, this building was transformed into the Hotel Indigo Memphis Downtown in 2019. The property is within walking distance of Beale Street, Autozone Park (home of minor league baseball and pro soccer), and most downtown hot spots but also has plenty of amenities that encourage guests to linger awhile. The lobby-level Memphis Clover Club serves up elevated Southern dishes, with menu options ranging from pulled pork omelets to blackened catfish topped with succotash. The restaurant also has a lounge with cocktails and live entertainment on weekends. In summer, guests can be found in the hotel courtyard, which has an outdoor pool and yard games like cornhole and giant Jenga.

The 118 rooms feature hardwood floors, music-themed murals, Frette linens, and spacious showers with Aveda bath products. The colorful lobby is a great place to relax between city excursions, especially with its jukebox churning out Memphis-focused tunes.