Background
The Hotel Fraye Nashville is a Curio Collection by Hilton property and opened in August 2022. The newly built hotel is part of a mixed-use development, with a 347-unit residential tower and the 200-room hotel sitting on a shared podium on Broadway (though with separate entrances). The project was developed by Greystar along with Concord Hospitality, which manages the hotel.
Where is it?
At the intersection of 19th Avenue at 1810 Broadway on the upper end of the famous night-time strip. It’s a 20 minute or so walk into town along quite a busy road, but the hotel is in an attractive neighbourhood close to Music Row, and the grounds of Vanderbilt University are nearby.
What’s it like?
The interior design by EoA Group and Christian Triana draws inspiration from the history of Nashville’s pioneering suffragettes, and is impressive from the moment you check in. The reception desk is on the right at an oblique angle and while you get your bearings you’ll immediately start spotting clever design features such as the ‘rope’ illuminated light fittings, almost chandelier-like as they loop down from the ceiling, and the tapestries and marble wall by the elevator bank. There are abstract paintings, graffiti murals and “fashion editorial-inspired photography evoking an artistic ode to femininity”.
Rooms
The hotel has 15 floors in total, with the majority of the 200 rooms being either King doubles or Queens (twin beds). Room sizes are generous – around 31 sqm, with the two suites (a one-bedroom King suite and a Hospitality suite) ranging up to 75 sqm.
All rooms have exposed brushed concrete ceilings and pillars, floor-to-ceiling windows, herringbone floors, high ceilings and a large desk for working, though there was a shortage of power options here if using a laptop, but plenty by the side of the bed including USB charging. All rooms have complimentary wifi. The large 55-inch flatscreen TV had a wide choice of cable channels and it was easy to cast from your own device.
The rooms have no overhead lights, but there are lights set into the bed’s headboard for reading, plus side lamps, and a neat bit of technology senses when you get out of bed at night and turns on a light under the bed so you can find your way to the bathroom. The same applies in the bathrooms, with an automatic sensor turning on in response to any movement.
The building is eco-friendly, with LED lighting throughout and smart thermostats as well as low water usage toilets. I noticed the flow limiters in the shower, which meant the combined rain shower and power shower didn’t have a strong flow. There are mounted toiletry dispensers instead of individual bottles. Our room also had a large mirror and plenty of storage.
Food and drink
On the ground floor by reception is the all-day dining restaurant, Gathre, which serves American cuisine with a seasonal menu and a farm-to-table approach, sourcing ingredients from local and regional purveyors and farms. On the seventh floor, bar and lounge Eddie Ate Dynamite has cocktails and sharing plates as well as live music and DJs, alfresco dining in warm weather and cabanas.
Meetings
The hotel has 600 sqm of meeting space across four rooms on the seventh floor, including the 280 sqm Friesian Ballroom with room for 300 people.
Leisure
There is a pool on the seventh floor (the Pool Deck) and a 24-hour fitness centre with Peloton spin bikes, cardio equipment and free weights with a private space for personal training or yoga.
Verdict
This is an excellent value, stylish hotel with great service and a peaceful sanctuary from the madness of Downtown.
FACT BOX
- Best For Affordable style in central Nashville
- Don’t miss Drinks on the seventh floor at the Pool Deck bar as the sun sets to some live music
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in February start from US$329 (£264) for a Standard King room
- Contact 1810 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203; +1 615 321 1007; hotelfrayenashville.com
