Looking for where to stay in Memphis or the best hotels in Memphis? The city of Memphis is perfect for music lovers, foodies, and history buffs alike.
Memphis played not only a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement but also an important role in the start of blues and rock n roll.
Visitors can learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr, and visit Slave Haven which was a stop on the underground railroad.
Memphis is the ultimate Deep South city, my hometown and celebrated as the musical capital of the USA, birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and if you love hip hop Memphis is home to Yo Gotti, Project Pat, DJ Paul, and Juicy J.
From the iconic Beale Street to Stax Museum, you’ll hear the constant hum of different genres of music at every turn so there are plenty of reasons to have Memphis on your bucket list.
If you are visiting Memphis this summer there are a ton of new hotels in Bluff City from popular chain hotels to some of the most quaint beautiful boutique hotels that are unique to Memphis.
There is just so much to see, do, and explore in Memphis so keep reading and let’s explore where to stay in Memphis and along with the best hotels whether you are on a staycation, girls’ trip, couples trip, or a solo vacation.
Keep reading for my 15 best hotels in Memphis!
Where To Stay In Memphis 2022
1. Hyatt Centric Beale
The Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis is located at the corner of Beale Street and Front Street and is the only hotel located on World Famous Beale Street.
Whether you are in need of a staycation, weekend getaway with your best girlfriend, or reconnect with your husband Hyatt Centric Beale is the perfect hotel to explore all Memphis has to offer.
With sweeping views of the Memphis skyline, the Mississippi River, and Beck & Call whiskey bar which is the only riverfront and rooftop bar in downtown Memphis.
After an amazing day of visiting sites like the Civil Rights Museum, Slave Haven Museum, or just people watching on Beale Street, relax in a private cabana on their expansive outdoor pool deck.
The private cabanas come with 15 drinks of your choice in a yeti cooler.
After hanging out by the pool all day enjoy Latin Inspired cuisine at CIMAS with equally beautiful unobstructed views of the Hernando de Soto Bridge.
A common theme found throughout the hotel is bridging the gap between the old and new, as seen in the front desk and concierge desk.
The hotel commissioned the Memphis Metal Museum to repurpose metal and materials from the historic 1879 William C. Ellis and Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop Building (now meeting space for the hotel) for the two desks
Click here if the Hyatt Centric Beale is right for you and save up to 30% on your hotel on your next vacation!
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2. Canopy by Hilton
Canopy by Hilton is the best hotel in downtown Memphis. Creative, atmospheric, and historically layered, Canopy hotel is located in the oldest area in the city and within walking distance lies America’s most iconic road, Beale Street.
You can walk everywhere during your stay at Canopy including Beale Street, I AM Man Plaza, MLK Reflection Park, Ernest Withers Museum, First Baptist Church, and many more attractions.
The hotel is located next to Autozone Park and a half-mile from FedEx Forum Arena. The Memphis Music Hall of Fame is five minutes away and they are under a mile from Mississippi River Park and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum.
If you want to venture outside of downtown you can catch a taxi to anywhere in Memphis in under 20 minutes.
If you are in need of a staycation or just some alone time but you are afraid to travel to due COVID-19 let me assure you Hilton is taking the safety of its guests very seriously.
Canopy offers a clean stay program which means there is a seal on each and every door to ensure no one has entered the room prior to you checking in and you also have the option of digital check-in.
The rooms are AMAZING y’all!
Beautifully decorated in contemporary 70’s music themes that include rhythm and blues influences of the South.
The rooms are locally inspired by the music that was created by legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and many more.
They also included a cozy bathrobe, slippers, and a pair of colorful and branded socks to kick back and relax.
Canopy by Hilton is my first choice! Stay 3 nights & Save up to 50% on Sundays at participating Hilton Portfolio hotels worldwide.
Click here if Canopy Memphis Downtown Is right for you and save up to 20% on Canopy Memphis.
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3. Central Station
Memphis Central Station referred to as Grand Central Station prior to 1944, opened in 1914, and was built on the site of a former station known as Calhoun Street Station.
Both stations were owned by the Illinois Central Railroad and now service Amtrak’s City of New Orleans route and the MATA Trolley system.
4. Arrive Hotel
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•memphis, tennessee • A place to hang your hat on (or bench) 🎩 📷: @heywanderer
5. Moxy Hotel
6. Hotel Indigo
Click here if Hotel Indigo is right for you.
7. Hu. Hotel
8. The Memphian
The Memphian, the newest member of the Marriott Tribute Portfolio, is located in Midtown’s Overton Square Entertainment District.
Discover the area’s rich arts and culture scene before retiring to your cozy quarters. This eclectic property is an extension of Midtown’s unique personality.
Dig into some locally inspired fare at the Complicated Pilgrim, the hotel’s on-site eatery, or grab drinks at the rooftop bar The Tiger and Peacock. The hotel also offers a fitness studio and pet-friendly accommodations.
Click here if the Memphian is right for you.
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9. Aloft Hotel
Aloft, Marriot’s collection of modern boutique hotels is opening in Downtown Memphis later this year.
The hotel, which focuses on tech-savvy amenities like mobile keys and robotic bellhops, will feature 156 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, and three banquet halls.
The property will also include retail space and a private-viewing movie theater.
Click here if Aloft Hotel is right for you.
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10. Hilton Garden Inn
Click here if Hilton Garden Inn is right for you. Book your stay with Essential Extras, including daily breakfast, premium WiFi, and late check-out (subject to availability), at participating Hilton Portfolio hotels worldwide!
Best Unique Hotels In Memphis
11. The Guest House at Graceland
Click here if The Guest House at Graceland is right for you.
12. Big Cypress Lodge
13. Hotel Napoleon
Click here if Hotel Napolean is right for you.
14. James Lee House
The James Lee House is an internationally acclaimed Boutique Bed and Breakfast located in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee.
Gorgeous architectural features, treasured antiques, a rich heritage of art, music, and literature await you.
They invite you to spend your nights in the elegance of refined Victorian splendor, resting in the harmonious balance of authenticity and contemporary comfort.
Our five meticulously appointed suites are thoughtfully and handsomely decorated to make your stay with us truly unforgettable.
We welcome the opportunity to help you make your stay at The James Lee House Bed and Breakfast a thoroughly memorable Memphis experience. Plan your trip to our National Historic Landmark today!
14. Talbot Heirs Guesthouse
Click here if Talbot Heirs is right for you.
15. Peabody Hotel
The Peabody Hotel is one of Memphis’ grandest, most legendary hotels, The Peabody Memphis offers a magnificent bridge between the “Blues City’s” celebrated past and cosmopolitan present.
Known as the “South’s Grand Hotel,” The Peabody is legendary for its charm, elegance, gracious hospitality, and rich history.
This Memphis icon, opened in 1869, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is world-famous for its five resident ducks, who march daily through the lobby at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
When you’re ready to experience Memphis’ most unique and distinctive hotel, The Peabody is waiting.
Click here if the Peabody Hotel is right for you.
When to Visit Memphis
The best times to visit Memphis are April and May or October and November. These short seasons are brief reliefs from the uncomfortable (and long) summer and winter seasons.
Average summer highs often reach the high 90’s with extremely high and almost unbearable humidity. However, the summer remains Memphis’ peak tourism season because of school vacations.
Best Neighborhoods in Memphis
1. Midtown Memphis
This hip area in the city core — known as the funky, artsy area — is perhaps the most diverse neighborhood in Memphis. Midtown is home to Overton Square, a quirky collection of bars and restaurants ranging from the laid-back New Orleans-themed Bayou Bar & Grill to the laid-back Babalu.
You’ll also find upscale dinings like Porch and Palor, Ecco on Overton Park, and The Second Line.
Midtown is known for having the most diverse food scene in the city. Try the Korean-style ramen at The Crazy Noodle, the fried tofu buffet at Pho Binh, the upscale Italian fare at Bari Ristorante, pizzas topped with local meats and produce at the Trolley Stop Market, or the classic curries at Bhan Thai.
2. Cooper-Young
This historic district is, perhaps, the most iconic and hippest neighborhood in Memphis. It is mostly residential, but its 1920s bungalows are bordered by a few colorful mom-and-pop coffee shops, trendy restaurants, and neighborhood pubs.
The relaxed vibe of Cooper-Young can be best felt in its laid-back pubs and casual eateries. There’s authentic Irish pub Celtic Crossing, farm-to-table dining at Sweet Grass, or get a taste of the Pacific Rim at Tsunami.
For Cocktails my favorites are Alchemy, Next Door, Bar DKDC, and the newly Memphis Whistle which specializes in prohibition cocktails.
3. Downtown Memphis
A few blocks from the calm quiet of the Mississippi River, you’ll find the hustle and bustle of Downtown.
Downtown is home to the Beale Street Entertainment District, which is a bit of a tourist trap but who doesn’t love a good love tourists trap. If you’re looking for a night of bar-hopping check out Rum Boogie Cafe and B.B. King’s which are located right on Historic Beale St.
Don’t forget to head over to Club 152, and Irish pub Silky O’Sullivan’s, and if you are looking for a more upscale sitting For a more relaxed evening check out The Majestic Grille which offers high-end fare served in an old converted movie house and Felicia Suzanne’s but they are moving to the South Main Art District. Also, Hit up Aldo’s Pizza Pies for a slice and a cold one, or stop into DeJavu for a taste of New Orleans.
4. South Main
Also known as the South Main Arts District, it’s home to galleries, boutiques, casual and upscale restaurants, and has one of the best farmers’ markets around!
There are plenty of things to do on South Main in Memphis from nightlife and dining attractions including the Italian restaurant Spindini, the laid-back South Main Sushi, Japanese fusion burger joint Oshi, and The Arcade, a greasy spoon that claims to be the city’s oldest continually operating restaurant.
As for watering holes, there’s Max’s Sports Bar for the game, Onix for a glass of fine wine, or Earnestine & Hazel’s for greasy burgers, domestic beers, and is known to be the most haunted place in Memphis.
Just a few blocks from South Main is Loflin Yard, a rustic outdoor bar with a waterfall, a smokehouse, and barrel-aged cocktails.
Is Memphis Safe for Tourists
Memphis is generally a safe city for both locals and tourists alike. If you are staying in downtown Memphis You’ll notice a lot of police around Beale Street because tourists seem to get drunk and criminals will use the opportunity for petty theft.
Watch your belongings and avoid accepting drinks from strangers as you would traveling to any strange city.
Memphis is safer than only 0.6 percent of the cities in the nation and you have a 1 in 13 chance of being a victim of crime here. I have lived in Memphis most of my adult life and contrary to popular belief I have never been robbed, mugged, or held at gunpoint.
Some neighborhoods are safer than others, but with a crime index that is higher than the Tennessee average, you need to be smart and aware of your surroundings at all times.
Conclusion of Where To Stay in Memphis 2022
Downtown is, without a doubt, the best place to stay in Memphis.
Pop into one of the clubs along Beale Street, such as Rum Boogie Café, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Silky O’Sullivan’s, or the Hard Rock Café.
Soak up this unbeatable atmosphere where the greatest movers and shakers in jazz have all played.
At any of these places, you are likely to stumble across an impromptu jazz session day or night giving a taster of this city’s rich musical history.
The area is, therefore, a great place to stay as it has something to offer for everyone and every budget.
Where will you book your next Memphis stay?
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ADDITIONAL ARTICLES FOR EXPLORING TENNESSEE
50 Things to do in Memphis With Kids
Best Luxury Hotels in Nashville
Ultimate Guide To Memphis Fall Festivals
If you’re coming into town and trying to decide where to stay in Memphis consider staying at one of these unique hotels to fully enjoy your time in Memphis exploring attractions and eating BBQ.
You will not want to leave.
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[…] 1909 Handy and his band moved to Memphis and established their presence on Beale Street. “The Memphis Blues” was written in 1909 […]