Top Reasons Why You’ll Love Staying at Gaylord Hotels

How am I just now discovering this amazing hotel brand?! When I lived in Nashville, I loved going to the Opry Mills Mall and spending all my money and then some. I never even paid attention to the huge Gaylord Hotel that shares a parking lot with the mall! I go to Orlando almost every year, and the Gaylord Palms always ranks high during my hotel search. For some odd reason, I just figured it was a boring, huge convention center hotel. Boy, was I wrong! After my first stay at the hotel in Nashville, I officially STAN!

For New Year 2025, I did not feel like traveling far. I did not want to stay in my city, so I returned to my old stomping grounds in Nashville, around 100 miles away. Since I did drive and didn’t have to spend much to get to Nashville, I splurged and spent two nights at the Gaylord Opryland Resort ($287 per night). I actually decided to stay there after viewing pictures of the beautiful Ice Carvings on a travel blog! During this past Christmas season, Gaylord created a huge winter wonderland called ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman. I think every year they choose a different theme; a few years ago, they featured The Polar Express.

ICE! Is an immersive, story-driven showplace with larger-than-life ice sculptures that were crafted over six weeks by 40 world-renowned master artisans. There were also some ice artists on site who were working on some smaller pieces! It was pretty cool to see how some of the gorgeous sculptures are created. Of course, the rooms are kept in freezing cold conditions at around 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The exhibit offered all the guests warm blue coats for an added layer of warmth. There were also six ice slides inside the exhibit that you could go up and down. However, I did pass on it because it was just too cold. The ICE! exhibit runs through the first week in January, so if you are unable to visit during the Christmas season, you can still enjoy it with fewer crowds!

Hotel Review

Even though I’ve only been to the Gaylord in Nashville, after doing some research, the five locations around the United States are pretty much the same. The Opryland Resort is the largest one and actually the largest non-gaming hotel in the US. The newest location, Chula Vista, California, is currently under construction. I definitely plan on staying there once it opens!

The Delta Atrium

So, after checking into the hotel and giving them all your hard-earned money, you proceed into the magical realm of the Delta Atrium. The vibrant greenery and lush plants make you feel like you’ve stepped into a tropical paradise! I am such a huge garden and indoor plant fanatic, so it was like a dream come true. There were so many different types of plants, I even noticed a few types that I currently own! Although they are way healthier than my plants 😒

While walking around early in the morning to capture photos I actually spoke to an employee who was tending to some plants. I found out that the atrium is kept at sixty-eight degrees year round and that there is an onsite nursery at the hotel. She also gave me a few tips for my struggling plants.

Not only is the atrium home to thousands of plants and a few waterfalls, there are other attractions such as the Delta River Boat Tour, the Aqua Fountain Show, and the International Waters Fountain Show. I did a late-night cruise so I could see the stars from above and the dazzling fountain show.

The Restaurants

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel has eight restaurants to choose from! The Old Hickory Steakhouse, Cascades American Cafe, and The Falls Bar & Lounge have the best views and are located in the Delta Atrium. There is an Italian restaurant called Ravello and a Mexican restaurant, Solario Cantina. It’s a sports bar called Fuse, that was pretty crowded on New Years – it was a college football game going on. Even a lounge called, The Library! I had lunch at the Jack Daniel’s restaurant – I enjoyed a juicy, delicious burger and warm, buttery, Jack Honey rolls. You can also sample whiskey from the distillery there. There was also a cute coffee shop, The Cocoa Bean. While at the ICE! exhibit, there was also an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and different food booths with all types of snacks and drinks.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the Opry Mills Mall, which features over twenty restaurants. I was disappointed to discover that there is a Claim Jumper restaurant there. During my visit to Seattle last year, I frequented that restaurant every other day because they have the best happy hour specials!

The Room

I chose a standard hotel room with a view of the parking lot. The atrium view rooms were an additional $67, and I decided that the money would be better spent on food. But, suprisingly I did get an upgrade, thanks to my Marriott Platinum status! The hotel is huge, so be prepared to walk a lot. Even from the parking lot, it is massive, and there are several different areas to park. I planned on using my camera to take pictures, but I forgot the lens in my car. It was just too far back to walk (i.e. i’m lazy) and too cold, so I just used my phone for pictures. Speaking of parking, it is expensive – it’s $39 per day plus taxes. There is also a map of the Gaylord that you can download on the hotel’s website. Definitely check it out before arriving!

Conclusion

I was not expecting to love the hotel so much! In the past, I was one of those travelers who didn’t really spend much time in the hotels. I treated hotels as a place to shower, sleep, and store my luggage. I’m not a fan of eating at hotels – the menus typically consist of the same food I can eat at home. As I get older and can afford nicer hotels, I’ve really started taking advantage of the amenities. The Gaylord Opryland was an amazing hotel with many things to do, see, and eat. It was like a mini vacation, and I had no reason to leave the hotel.

The Gaylord offers a variety of kid-friendly activities and is primarily geared towards families. As you drive into the hotel parking lot, the large water park attached to the hotel is hard to miss. It features numerous slides and tunnels, and if I were a kid, I would definitely think I was in heaven! In the winter, the hotel has ice slides, ice skating, ice tubes, a gingerbread decorating center, games – such as snowball blasts, and so much more!

But even as a childless solo traveler, I really enjoyed my stay, and I can’t wait to visit the five other locations. If you’re looking for a nice getaway from home with a stay-cation type of vibe, I definitely recommend the hotel. If you’re in town for a quick visit, you can also walk around the atrium for free.