An upscale Nashville resort that is a destination all its own, known for stunning indoor gardens and waterfalls, and remarkable activities, seasonal events, entertainment, dining, and shopping.
A Unique Experience in Nashville, Tennessee
Situated in the heart of Nashville, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center offers a stunning, one-of-a-kind resort experience. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the Nashville International Airport, nearby to many of Music City’s most popular attractions like the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium.
Beautiful Setting: Tropical Atrium Gardens and a Waterfall
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center isn’t just a standard hotel to stay at when you visit Music City. It’s a one-of-a kind experience that is unforgettable. This upscale resort allows you to explore nine acres (yes, acres!) of indoor garden atriums, award-winning restaurants, an indoor river that features a boat ride, sparkling waterways and waterfalls, four-acre indoor-outdoor waterpark, something for everyone to enjoy.
We planned a quick 2-night getaway during a 5-night Nashville stay, and were very curious to see if the hotel lived up to the hype. And yes, it’s expensive but the memories you make at this resort are priceless. When we arrived at the resort, I was immediately impressed. Once you walk through the lobby, you enter a huge atrium with a glass ceiling and the biggest indoor garden ever, with mesmerizing cascading waterfalls, flowers, and trees galore.
There are winding paths that you can walk along during your stay, allowing you to admire the sights of lush greenery while enjoying the pleasant sounds of water. And wait until you view the resort’s colorful gardens at night. It’s a sparkling magical atmosphere.
Things to Do at Gaylord Opryland Resort
In addition to all the fun highlights to see in the Nashville area and the beautiful resort gardens, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center also offers guests a lot to do without ever leaving the resort. My advice is that you do a bit of planning so you can experience it all. Before you arrive, check out the resort’s website for the events calendar. This resort is a massive 9 acres. From SoundWaves, the resort’s aquatic attraction, a spa, 18-hole golf course, arcade, dining, shopping, fountain shows, scavenger hunts, and other entertainment and seasonal activities, there’s something for the entire family to enjoy.
Seasonal events at the Gaylord Opryland Resort include the breathtaking holiday lights and ice sculptures during the winter holiday season and the “Once Upon a Spring” exhibit. The spring event features colorful floral exhibits. The holiday lights are truly remarkable to see, a definite must-do during the holiday season.
Note: Resort guests are offered a short complimentary shuttle ride to the Grand Ole Opry, or you can choose to walk. The daytime tour at the Grand Ole Opry is a must-see during any Nashville visit. The free shuttle also takes resort guests to the Opry Mills shopping mall, General Jackson Showboat, and The Inn at Opryland.
Delta Riverboat Rides
The Delta Riverboat Ride right inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort is truly special as you hop aboard for a ride down the scenic indoor river winding through the resort’s 4.5-acre indoor garden. The resort’s Delta River spans a ¼ mile long and contains the water from 1,700+ rivers around the globe. A tour guide narrates along the boat ride where you’ll get an up-close look at the atrium’s natural beauty and learn fascinating facts about the plants, trees, and fish swimming in the river. You’ll also learn more about the hotel’s history and current resort activities as you make your way around the hotel.
SoundWaves Combines Water Attractions with Country Music
The 4-acre upscale resort water attraction at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, SoundWaves, offers year-round indoor and seasonal outdoor aquatic adventures for all ages. As you would expect in Nashville, the country music and water features blend harmoniously throughout the resort’s water attraction. That makes it such a unique indoor water adventure for resort guests of all ages to enjoy.
SoundWaves provides both relaxation and exhilaration during the wintertime. It’s filled with temperature-controlled pools and water rides, including two lazy rivers, and water slides. The adults-only area features private pools and lounging areas for adults to relax. There are cabanas for rent that offer lounge chairs and concierge service.
SoundWaves is only available to resort guests who pre-purchase the “SoundWaves Experience Package.” SoundWaves admission isn’t included with the price of a room at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Luxurious Gaylord Opryland Relâche Spa
If you enjoy a luxurious spa experience, the Relâche Spa at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center offers spa treatments including hair and nail services … scrubs … wraps … and Swedish massages. You can refresh your mind, body, and soul in a truly serene atmosphere. Within the spa, you’ll also find a fully equipped fitness center with the latest equipment.
Accommodations: Rooms With a View
Within this lush landscape of the Gaylord Opryland Resort gardens, you’ll also find 2,881 guest rooms on 6 floors. If you’re planning to stay at the resort, you should consider a balcony overlooking the beautiful garden. We stayed two nights in an atrium view guest room. Atrium View balconies provide an outstanding view of the resort’s waterfalls and fountain shows. The room was comfortable and immaculately clean, but to be honest, we didn’t stay in the room much. It was so much fun to walk around the resort, both day and night.
Rooms at Gaylord Opryland Resort include:
:: Standard Guest Rooms
:: Parlor
:: Junior or Family Suites
:: Atrium View Rooms
:: Deluxe Rooms
:: Accessible Rooms
Most rooms come with either one king bed or two queen beds, mini-fridge, coffee maker, microwave, hair dryer, and a desk workspace. Connecting rooms are available.
20+ Dining Options at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Now, for the food. Gaylord Opryland Resort offers a variety of delicious options from casual to fine dining, to buffets and several markets offering grab and go food, snacks, and beverages. The resort’s restaurants offer an array of cuisines from southern favorites to steak and sports bar cuisine. You can also select in-room dining with meals delivered directly to your guest room. While all the food selections are great, the breakfast buffet in the Cascade area is highly recommended.
Restaurants include:
:: Cascades American Café – Modern American classics featuring a southern twist for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual atrium setting.
:: Cocoa Bean – Coffee shop located in the Cascades Atrium, serves Starbucks® coffee and grab-and-go light bites.
:: Conservatory Café – Located in the Garden Atrium, on-the-go breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, pastries, fresh fruit juice, and Starbucks®.
:: Decibels™ – Dining at the SoundWaves water park area, featuring live music on the restaurant’s patio (seasonal), offers appetizers, burgers, salads, and beverages. You must have a Soundwaves wristband to dine here.
:: Delta Marketplace – Quick carryout options including a full menu of beverages, breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, and more. Serves Starbucks® Coffee.
:: Fuse Sports Bar – Enjoy a beverage while watching your favorite sports teams play. Offers pub- style food and craft beers.
:: Jack Daniels Restaurant – Enjoy delicious Southern food and sample “Flavors of Tennessee” hand-selected whiskey from the Distillery.
:: Old Hickory Steakhouse – Serves dinner with a business casual dress code. Enjoy local steaks, seafood, artisanal cheeses, crafted cocktails, and fine wines. Reservations recommended.
:: Paisano’s Pizzeria & Vino – Enjoy Italian favorites like pizza, pasta, and wine.
:: Ravello – Italian restaurant including house-made pastas and an expertly curated wine selection.
:: Seasonal outdoor food trucks – Located by the outdoor attractions of the SoundWaves water activities, you can grab a bite on-the-go from the fun food trucks (seasonal).
:: Solario Cantina – Enjoy bold flavors of Mexico like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, signature margaritas, and selections from the tequila bar.
:: Status Cymbal™ Adult Pool & Bar – Signature cocktails and food. Adults-only exclusive setting.
:: Stax Burgers – Quick option to pick up burgers.
:: The Falls Bar & Lounge – This lobby lounge features hand-crafted cocktails in a breathtaking setting overlooking twin waterfalls.
:: Wasabi’s Sushi – Enjoy fresh sushi and Japanese cuisine with a modern twist.
Shopping at Gaylord Opryland Resort
There are shops conveniently located throughout Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. You’ll find clothing, chocolate, souvenirs, travel items, and ice cream … a little of everything.
:: The Signature Store – Shop from exclusive brands such as Vineyard Vines® and Under Armour® for resort and golf clothing, beach towels, and souvenirs.
:: SoundWaves Store – Shop for water activity necessities including beach towels, sunglasses, sunscreen, souvenir water bottles and more.
Gaylord Opryland Resort is a Unique Place to Stay in Music City
A two-night stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center was plenty of time for us to appreciate all that it had to offer. This resort is absolutely wonderful no matter what time of year that you visit. Of course, the Christmas season features decorations that can only be described as spectacular.
The resort’s indoor environment is remarkable. The high ceilings and open space, the architecture, gardens, not your typical hotel stay. The hotel is huge! It’s like you need a GPS to locate your guest room on the first try. Be sure to take the time to enjoy the gardens and lights, both day and night.
I will finish by saying that you don’t necessarily need to stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort to appreciate it. You can simply visit the resort and stay somewhere else in Nashville for less money. However, staying at the resort for one or two nights will be an unforgettable, magical experience.