TL;DR

Unique setting: Boutique hotel in a renovated 1914 Memphis train station
Atmosphere: Historic Roman Revival architecture with modern touches
Noise: Minimal train traffic; sensitive sleepers should be fine
Neighborhood: Revitalized South Main Arts District with cultural attractions nearby
Check prices here

This Memphis, Tennessee hotel jumps straight on the new trend of boutique hotels in renovated train stations.

Like some others, the station in question still runs daily, though in a limited capacity.

You might think the noise would be an issue, but actual train traffic is very limited, and tramways aren’t known for their noise pollution.

Guests don’t seem to have many issues with this element, so sensitive sleepers can breathe easy.

And the renovation is a clear success. The building itself, a 1914 Roman Revival number, is a gorgeous combination of colonnade and stonework that looms over the recently revitalized neighborhood.

It’s surrounded by contemporary touches, clearly added for modern transportation needs, but they all work well together.

You won’t forget you’re in a train station, but you’ll be happy you’re in this one.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 123
Style: Contemporary, laid-back, with unique wood furniture and plaid upholstery
Room types: King Singles, Queen Doubles, Concourse King, Suites, Loft Suite
Amenities: 50″ HDTVs, Keurig, mini fridge, blackout curtains, in-room speakers with curated playlists
See each room in detail here

You can tell there’s history here, but the interiors don’t really reflect it.

Everything is a laid-back kind of contemporary stylish, with enough variety in decor to feel unique, without many bold touches.

Lots of unique wood furniture and the plaid upholstery give it a kind of vanilla handsomeness that works well with the orderly exterior.

Room types start at cozy King Singles, each 225 square feet, best for solo travelers or train-bound couples.

Queen Doubles and the larger “Concourse King” have a little bit more space, with a similar clean and simple atmosphere.

The Suites rooms add space and some extra zhuzh that make them feel worth the upcharge.

We’re always partial to a loft, and the Loft Suite’s wrought iron staircases and super-high ceilings make it a special option.

Whatever you choose, you’ll have 50″ HDTVs, Keurig machines, mini fridges, and blackout curtains to make the mornings easy.

In-room speakers connect to curated playlists from the super-hip onsite music joint.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Dining: Eight & Sand restaurant & bar. New American cuisine, snacks, cocktails, beer, wine, spirits
Entertainment: 500-album record wall with speakers and curated playlists; live DJs

The restaurant onsite is called Eight & Sand, a bar in lounge with a Very Serious Music Program called 8 & Sand.

It’s open for breakfast and dinner, with New American options made to Hilton standards.

Food is not super vegetarian-friendly, heads up, but they have a solid menu of bar snacks.

Cocktails are creative, and the beer list is extensive, along with a solid collection of wines and “local-ish” spirits.

The real kicker, though, is the record wall. Its 500-album collection is attached to some gorgeous speakers that let you enjoy Memphis classics the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

A mix of live DJs, eager-to-please staff and excellent playlists will keep you fully entertained while you hang around the hotel.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Neighborhood: South Main Historic Arts District
Walking distance: National Civil Rights Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, galleries.
A little further: Graceland (15 min drive), Downtown Beale Street, Riverboats/Mud Island, Zoo and Museum of Art

South Main is a part of the city that’s been many things throughout the years, as the city’s prospects have waned and waxed.

Currently, it’s a Historic Arts District, with plenty of cute spots and cultural offerings in walking distance.

The National Civil Rights Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and a small selection of galleries and event spaces are either across the street from the station or within a 10-minute walk.

If you’d like to explore the city, you can grab the tram from the hotel and head in whatever direction you like.

Graceland is a 15-minute drive south. Downtown is a 20-minute tram ride (or a 25 minute walk, if you’re trying to get the steps in).

You’ll enter around the Beale Street Entertainment District, a pedestrian-friendly space lined with restaurants, bars, museums, music halls, and more.

Head towards the Riverboats if you want to get some river time and visit Mud Island Park.

The Zoo and the Museum of Art can be found in Midtown, a 15-minute drive east. It’s also a great place for shopping and food.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Excellent property, full of character, great vibes! The room was modern, staff were friendly and the bar was really cool for a couple cocktails in the evening….”

“We needed a hotel that would allow a big dog, Central Station was perfect. Our golden even joined us in the bar….”