The Harpeth Hotel in Tennessee and Hotel Distil in Kentucky are two new Southern hotels that offer a boutique, historic aesthetic with unique guest experiences that cater to whiskey lovers. Learn more about each below.
The Harpeth Hotel Opens in Tennessee
The Harpeth Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton opened in the heart of historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee.
As the town’s first boutique hotel, the property pairs modern-day comfort and timeless charm with subtle nods to Franklin’s rich history.
“Guests will get a taste for both the history and present-day culture in Franklin while they experience premium amenities and a beautiful space,” said Justin Foster, general manager of The Harpeth Hotel. “We look forward to welcoming guests and offering a new hotel experience steps away from the town we love.”
The Harpeth Hotel offers 119 guest rooms, including a vast range of room types for the curious and experience-driven traveler. Guest rooms mimic a traditional Southern home, with features such as mudroom entryways, expansive bathroom vanities, herringbone and chevron patterns and local artwork. All rooms and suites are pet-friendly and include a welcome pet amenity.
The hotel introduces two new dining venues to Franklin’s culinary scene: 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails.
Cocktails is an upscale restaurant serving Southern-influenced contemporary cuisine with a private dining room overlooking the courtyard.
Completing the space is 1799 Kitchen, a full-service bar with a heavy focus on handpicked bourbon, rye and American whiskeys as well as handcrafted cocktails. 1799 will also host a weekend brunch with expanded cuisine offerings and live entertainment.
McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions, named after a distinguished Middle Tennessee family that resided in Carnton during the Civil War, offers a more casual dining experience. The European-style cafe features roasted offerings from Franklin’s own Honest Coffee Roasters as well as a variety of specialty breakfast and lunch items from Franklin’s local purveyors. McGavock’s Coffee Bar & Provisions serves a handpicked selection of beer and wine, in addition to seasonal craft cocktails.
The Harpeth Hotel offers more than 5,000 square feet of meeting space with abundant natural light, including the Riverside Ballroom and tech-forward Maury Boardroom. The hotel also offers a courtyard with a grand staircase and fountains for galas and corporate events.
The hotel is complete with a special whiskey keep that guests and locals can utilize after a day exploring the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, as well as a library with a cozy fireplace and a wide range of Franklin- and Civil War-themed books curated by Landmark Booksellers.
This information is based off a press release from The Harpeth Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Hotel Distil Arrives on Kentucky’s Whiskey Row
Located on the historic Whiskey Row, Hotel Distil opened its doors in Louisville, Kentucky. The hotel is Autograph Collection Hotels' first property in Kentucky. The 205-room boutique hotel celebrates the past, present and future of Louisville's bourbon heritage.
Hotel Distil incorporates an original 1860s-era facade, which was saved following a fire in 2015, and was the original location and barrel house for J.T.S. Brown and Sons, whose name remains prominent above one of the entrances. (Photo: Hotel Distil’s guest rooms offer scenic views of the historic Whiskey Row on Main Street. Photo credit: PhotoWeb and Robert Benson)
From the moment guests walk in the door, the homage to bourbon culture is subtle, but clear, as many of the design cues are taken from bourbon barrels and the distilling process, including wood tones, staves, black metal accents and copper fixtures. Other cues are taken from Louisville's glass blowing community, including pre-Prohibition-style globe light fixtures and blown glass flask art pieces.
Fine comforts and gracious service extend to Hotel Distil’s stylish guest rooms, which offer scenic views of the historic Whiskey Row on Main Street. The hotel is comprised of 11 two-room Connoisseur Suites, in addition to 194 rooms with a king bed or two queen beds. The spacious guest rooms feature Nespresso coffee makers, plush robes and custom amenities designed for relaxation.
One of the unique experiences guests can participate in is a celebration of the repeal of Prohibition. Hotel Distil guests will be offered an invitation—via a “prescription card” at check-in—to gather in the hotel's lobby for a nightly toast at 7:33 p.m., which is 19:33 universal time, the year Prohibition was repealed.
Guests are then treated to a celebratory whiskey cocktail and a tribute to the repeal of Prohibition. Guests of the Connoisseur Suites will also have access to an in-room private bourbon cart where a bourbon ambassador will craft one of 10 premium bourbons neat or one of four Old Fashioned cocktails made with Hotel Distil's private single barrel picks.
Hotel Distil offers a refined event space, including a 5,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom that boasts remarkable design and exquisite appointments. The event space can accommodate up to 500 people or be divided into three separate spaces for more intimate presentations, receptions or banquets.
At Hotel Distil, the 2,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop terrace is the only open-air, all-season terrace in Louisville. Photo credit: PhotoWeb and Robert Benson
Hotel Distil’s three other meeting rooms range from 775 square feet to 1,000 square feet and are uniquely designed for breakout sessions and presentations, with modern technology, attentive service and top-notch amenities. The 2,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop terrace is the only open-air, all-season terrace in Louisville. The hotel’s onsite catering staff provides locally sourced, Southern-inspired cuisine for events.
This information is based off a press release from VOCA Public Relations.
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