I love a good fancy hotel...don't you?!? That smell of luxury when you walk into the lobby, the hush of ambiance that makes you instantly slow down, the feeling that you've stepped into something special. And that's exactly what it felt like walking into The Joseph in downtown Nashville. From the very first moment, it wasn't just a check-in, it was like stepping into a curated experience, part art gallery, part luxury escape, and fully worth the hype.
The room itself was stunning. Huge windows stretched across the city skyline, the kind of view that makes you pause with your morning espresso (yes, there's a legit in-room espresso machine). Every detail felt intentional, artwork that didn't just hang on the wall but told a story, textures that made the space feel warm and modern, thoughtful touches at every corner. It didn't feel like a hotel room; it felt like Nashville had been styled just for you.
Mornings started at Yolan, the hotel's refined Italian restaurant that somehow transforms into a calm, cozy breakfast spot. Soft light, strong coffee, fresh pastries, it was simple, but elevated in a way only a place like this can pull off. Even keeping it light with fruit and a pastry felt indulgent.
And then there was the gym. Let's be honest, hotel gyms are usually fine at best. But The Joseph's? Floor-to-ceiling windows, Peloton bikes, free weights, and all the machines you'd actually use. It felt like a boutique studio, not a hotel workout room. For once, we actually looked forward to exercising on vacation.
By the afternoon, the rooftop called. A saltwater pool lined with cabanas and skyline views that stop you mid-conversation, it's a showstopper. Add in lunch from Denim, the rooftop restaurant, and suddenly you're eating a Denim Double Burger by the pool, sunshine on your face, forgetting you're still in the middle of downtown. Honestly, that rooftop alone makes the stay worth it.
Dinner brought us back to Yolan, this time for house-made pasta, a glass of wine, and that kind of unhurried atmosphere you crave on a night out. Afterwards, we slipped into Four Walls, the hotel's cocktail bar. Intimate, moody, creative cocktails that don't feel overdone, it was the perfect cap to the evening.
Before heading out the next morning, we booked massages at The Rose, the spa perched high above the city. The treatments, paired with sweeping views of downtown, made the world go quiet. It was calm, modern, and the kind of spa experience that makes you seriously consider staying just one more night.
Here's the thing: at The Joseph, you don't really need to leave the hotel to feel like you've had a full Nashville experience. Between the art, the food, the rooftop, the cocktails, and the spa, it's its own little world. Add in the fact that Travel + Leisure named it one of the top hotels in Nashville, and it's easy to see why people call it the city's award-winning hotel.
If you've been waiting for a sign to book a stay, this is it. The Joseph isn't just a hotel, it's Nashville at its very best.
Sources: The Joseph, Expedia, Spa Executive. Marriott, Arquitectonica
