The thrum of Broadway in Downtown Nashville can be too much to bear. A stone’s throw from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is The Bode Nashville, a distinctive hotel and retreat for anyone braving Broadway or avoiding it completely. The 87-bedroom hotel opened in 2021, designed by Dryden Studio to cater to Nashville’s group travel demand. Connected to properties in Baja California, Mexico and Santa Barbara, Nashville’s Bode adds an urban hotel to the portfolio.

Originally an inn built in the sixties, Drift Nashville highlights the property’s mid-century architecture while spotlighting local artisans with design touches, including locally made tile and custom wooden door handles. Room types vary from king to multiple room suites which work for groups visiting Nashville. A 1,800-square-foot penthouse on the seventh floor that plays homage to a former famous guest at the inn – Elvis Presley. The penthouse offers a large outdoor balcony and outside dining and lounge space.

Also on site at Bode are Dawn Cafe, a coffee and espresso bar and The Sun Room, a lounge with cocktails and Spanish-inspired plates. The poolside and fitness center are also available to guests.

Nearby coffee includes Barista Parlor. Restaurants to note The Catbird Seat, Folk and Bastion.

Training Notes

The heave of Nashville’s Broadway can be easily escaped in a short run of brief bike ride. Swimming pools are harder to come by.

For a run setting out from downtown Nashville, Centennial Park is the most central option with avenues of trees crossing 132-acre park. A 2.4-mile loop around the park’s perimeter provides a contained route. For trails running, look south to Percy Warner Park or use the network of greenway trail – Cumberland River Greenway being popular.

For track workouts, the best local option is Stratford High (Google Maps). It’s a standard 400-meter track that’s typically open to the public when school is not in session.

When it comes to road cycling in Nashville, Harpeth River Greenway is worth noting – a scenic route southwest of downtown, offering river views and rolling countryside. The route through Kingston Springs provides a mix of rural landscapes and moderate terrain, approximately a 30-mile round trip. Alternatively, take on the Natchez Trace Parkway – a popular cycle route which includes rolling hills and low traffic.

Trace Bikes are the road bike rental company in central Nashville and have a rental fleet made mostly of the 2024 Felt VR Endurance Road with 105 12spd mechanical.

For swimmers looking for a competition pool in Nashville, Centennial Sportsplex is home of the city’s aquatics program. The Competition Pool is open from 6am to 7pm, with recreational pool open from 7:30am to 2pm.

For more information, visit drifthotels.co

Header image: Erin Feinblatt