The Tennessean Hotel: Art and Fine Dining Collide in this Boutique Knoxville Gem
Before a trip to Knoxville, Tennessee, you might want to rethink what you’re expecting when you step into this art centric city steeped in rich history. Nowhere else are these two things experienced as simultaneously as they are at The Tennessean Hotel, just thirty minutes from the Smoky Mountains.
Combining Southern charm with a spotlight on the area’s artists, The Tennessean Hotel, situated on the grounds of the iconic World’s Fair Park and mere steps from the banks of the Tennessee River, unveiled Maker Exchange last summer, making the property a destination within a destination. A gathering space, artistic showcase, and culinary scene designed to highlight and embrace Knoxville’s creative maker community, guests can find unique paintings, jewelry, accessories, and gifts on display. Dubbed ‘Maker City’ by the website Etsy due to the amount of crafts being sold on the platform by local Knoxville artists, there is no shortage of art throughout this very charming and manageable city.
The opening of Maker Exchange indeed marks a major revitalization of the area, which was originally built for the 1982 World’s Fair. You will get a great view of the tall, disco-ball-like Sunsphere, which was originally constructed for the World’s Fair, and is located right across the street from the hotel.
Another part of this trip I will miss the most, aside from the spacious rooms and upscale yet comfortable cuisine, is the standout friendliness of the staff, who make you feel at home. The night
manager wound up picking me up from the airport after the car service attendant retired for the night after my plane was delayed, and concierge Ed consistently asked about my day and called me by my name for the duration of my stay. I even found myself welcomed back with a glass of champagne. The standards remain high in all aspects of this five-star boutique hotel, which is home to a constant influx of tourists and family of University of Tennessee, Knoxville students, as the campus is just up the street.
Featuring 82 opulent guestrooms and suites steeped in Southern hospitality, the hotel also offers unexpected amenities, including butler service, customized concierge offerings, and the only Tea Service tradition in the destination. For a truly memorable or extended stay that will seem like music to your ears, the expansive Governor’s Suite, a favorite of many touring musicians and celebrities, has a grand piano, luxurious living room area, and full kitchen, all with views of the city lights and rolling hills. All guests are sure to enjoy star treatment with the hotel’s complimentary black car service, which will take you anywhere you want to go within a three-mile radius.
Just a short walk from the hotel is an abundance of stores and boutiques between Market Square, Gay Street, and Old City, where you will find galleries, old-school ice cream and candy stores, and trendy boutiques, as well as an eclectic mix of restaurant cuisine. They are also home to many craft breweries, including the must-hit Knox Brew Hub, while Post Modern Spirits serves up some of the area’s best whiskey flights and has its own distillery on premises. Located on Gay Street, Babalu, which seems more like big-city hot spot with their buzzing millennial scene and tasty tapas and tacos, is worth a try, as is Sweet P’s, if you want to get your barbeque fix while in town.
Visitors can explore the works of local artists at the Knoxville Museum of Art, which offers complimentary admission, while The East Tennessee History Museum features an extensive genealogy department where guests come from around the world to explore their roots.
With industrial-style doors opening onto World’s Fair Park, the new Park Tavern at Maker Exchange serves up inventive flavors from Chef Robert Hoffman for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy
hour. Savor a smoky Old-Fashioned at The Drawing Room, a cozy bar, plus lounge-inspired dining area, where Southern breakfast favorites can be found as well as their famed tea times and dinner service.
Offering a dose of small-town charm mixed with culture and a budding gastronomic scene, plus yearly events including tours of their historic homes—a special treat at the holidays, when you can explore some of the mansions by candlight—plus the Ijams Nature Center and much more, Knoxville knocks it out of the park.
