🎓 A Night at The Graduate Hotel Nashville Doesn’t Make the Grade

Our family makes it to Nashville a few times a year—sometimes to visit family, sometimes to enjoy the food and music scene, and occasionally to turn a regular visit into a mini-vacation. On a recent trip, my husband and I decided to check into the Graduate Hotel Nashville, a property I’d seen splashed across social media for its over-the-top, Dolly Parton-inspired décor and its rooftop hotspot, White Limozeen, known for its glittery pink aesthetic and skyline views.

Spoiler alert: the experience was memorable… though not quite in the way we expected.

🛎️ Arrival… and a Quick Room Swap

We arrived at the Graduate and were warmly welcomed by the front desk staff. Check-in was smooth, and we headed upstairs—only to be hit with a distinct mildew-meets-sewage smell as soon as we entered our room. We dropped our bags and called down for a room change.

The process was… unusual. A front desk employee came up, surveyed the room, and silently relocated us next door. There was no apology, no explanation. Thankfully, the new room was odor-free, but the handling felt oddly impersonal for such a personality-packed property.

🎀 Décor: Quirky Meets Retro-Feminine

Let’s talk about the vibe. The Graduate is all-in on maximalism. Think: bold patterns, bright colors, fringe, and nods to Nashville’s rich musical history—especially its women.

The lobby is one of the most unique I’ve seen. Whoever designed the space did a fantastic job making it bright, retro, and full of interest. With each place we looked in the large space, we were drawn to another unique design element such as the lighting and the seating.

The guest room’s 1980s-style design felt less vintage-chic and more time capsule. It definitely leaned feminine (cue pink velvet), and while I loved the playful energy, I couldn’t help but wonder how many solo business travelers might feel slightly out of place.

It’s clear the brand is unapologetically whimsical. If you love kitsch with a backstory, you’ll be charmed. If you’re hoping for understated elegance… this may not be your spot.

🍔 Dinner at White Limozeen

Despite the Dolly glam and social media fame, White Limozeen was refreshingly low-key on our Tuesday evening visit. A reservation was suggested (and typically required), but we got lucky—only one other table was seated.

We started with the bread service (highly recommend it—it’s enough for two). My husband ordered the burger and declared it “shockingly good.” Meanwhile, I watched a nearby diner order the charcuterie board for two… it could’ve easily served four and was stunningly presented.

The rooftop setting is beautiful and ideal for golden hour views. But based on the empty vibe, I suspect the real sparkle happens later in the week and on weekends with music and a buzzier crowd. If you’re going, definitely make a reservation in advance.

☕ Morning at Poindexter Coffee

The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at Poindexter Coffee in the hotel lobby—a surprisingly charming café setup. I went for a breakfast sandwich, my husband chose a classic plate. Both were fresh, fast, and enjoyable. Seating was a bit tight, but we snagged a spot at the communal table and made it work.

💳 The Billing Glitch

Here’s where the experience soured slightly. A few days after our stay, I noticed our credit card had been charged for two nights and two rooms—on the second night. I called the hotel and was told our charges had been accidentally mixed with another guest’s. The extra charges had already been refunded, but the explanation was vague and no one contacted us in advance.

I asked for a corrected folio and a call from the manager (I needed the receipt for business reimbursement). Neither happened. The follow-up just didn’t match the charm and whimsy of the hotel’s exterior.

🧳 Final Thoughts

We wanted to love the Graduate Hotel Nashville, but the experience didn’t quite live up to its high-style branding. The property is absolutely worth a visit if you’re in town for a bachelorette weekend, a fun girls’ getaway, or want to snap some truly iconic photos (White Limozeen is an Instagrammer’s dream).

But for us? We’ll probably try a different Graduate location before we commit to the brand. It’s fun, flirty, and fabulous in theory—but even the most fabulous pink rooftops need the basics to shine.

📸 Don’t Miss:

• White Limozeen rooftop for cocktails and skyline selfies
• The Graduate’s lobby and rooms for colorful, over-the-top photo ops
• Poindexter Coffee for a quick breakfast or laptop session

📍 Location:

Graduate Hotel Nashville
101 20th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203

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