The Tennessean Hotel, located in the heart of the vibrant downtown Knoxville neighborhood, exudes a refined fusion of European character and southern charm. As Knoxville’s only Four Diamond Hotel, guests are welcome to enjoy indulgent experiences like the only traditional afternoon tea service in the region, expertly crafted southern cocktails, butler services, and other opulent amenities. The Tennessean also recently celebrated their five-year anniversary.
A Nod to The Tennessee River
The Tennessean is situated along the iconic World’s Fair Park and on the banks of the Tennessee River and within an easy walking distance to several notable attractions, restaurants, and landmarks. Touches of the Tennessee River motif are spotted throughout the hotel, creating perhaps playful ‘Where’s Waldo’ moments for guests. For instance, each floor is named after a branch of the Tennessee River (Clinch, Hiwassee & Ocoee Floor), and the tables in the hotel rooms are inspired by the Tennessee River reeds. Additional touches of the famous waterway are spotted from the discreet water pattern in the carpeting and droplet-shaped sconces along the halls to the lobby’s grand bookcase.
The Maker City
Knoxville is affectionately nicknamed The Marble City, and The Maker City. In fact, Etsy recently named Knoxville the Maker City. The Tennessean Hotel is home to the Maker Exchange, a concept they unveiled in 2022 that is part of the complex that ties both hotels together (Marriott Knoxville Downtown).
The opening of Maker Exchange marked a major revitalization of the buildings comprising the hotel complex, originally built for the 1982 World’s Fair. Maker Exchange provides a point of connection for Knoxville’s makers, locals who support them and also want to enjoy a great cup of coffee, spirits or meal, and hotel guests who are drawn to the work on display (all of which can be purchased).
The hotel hosts holiday pop-ups and the inventory sold is available to purchase in person or online. In the game room, the shuffleboard table was made by artisans. Many of the pieces of art throughout the hotel are from local makers.
Rooms & Suites
The Tennessean is home to 82 opulent rooms and suites steeped in southern hospitality and modern comforts. Drawing from its European influences, the hotel chose boutique hotel room numbers (1-82). Notable guestrooms and suites include the Governor’s Suite and Pat Summitt Suite.
The Governor’s Suite
The Governor’s Suite is a true home away for those seeking the finest in accommodations. The Suite boasts some of the best views in the city with floor to ceiling windows. It features a large living with a fireplace, a baby grand piano with a piano auto-player option, a dining room, a separate butler’s entrance, and more.
Guests staying in the Governor’s Suite have the option to book a personal, impeccably trained butler to attend to their every need.
Pat Summitt Suite
The Pat Summitt Suite features classic Tennessean decor with memorabilia honoring the late Pat Summitt and her enduring legacy. A portion of proceeds from the booking of this suite are donated to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Additional Rooms and Suites
The Tennessean boasts panoramic one-bedroom suites, Executive King-King (featuring two king beds), Panoramic King (with nearly 360 degrees of sweeping views of Knoxville’s City), Classic Queen Queen (with two queen beds), and Classic King.
Amenities at The Tennessean
Amenities in the rooms and suites include laptop size safes, floor to ceiling windows, plush robes and slippers, coffee stations and mini refrigerators, and modern technology conveniences. Frette linens adorn plush beds in all guestroom and suite options.
Year-round, turndown service features locally made chocolates as a sweet way to end each day.
Seasonal amenities at The Tennessean include Football, but Make it Fancy experiences during the University of Tennessee home game weekends. Guests are greeted with an Old-Fashioned Welcome cocktail and door-to-stadium luxury motor coach transportation to and from games.
During the holiday season, guests enjoy beautifully decorated fondant cookies presented at check-in, a tempting Hot Cocoa Bar in the lobby, locally crafted annual Tennessean Hotel ornaments, and custom candles for guests to take home.
The Tennessean is Dog Friendly
The Tennessean Hotel welcomes furry companions under 50 pounds with a nominal pet fee. They will feel right at home with the hotel’s Paws in the City upgrade. This upgrade provides luxury touches for pups including in-room dining options with beef, chicken or salmon served over a bed of rice, a dog bed and personalized food and water dish for use, a Tennessean Hotel dog bandana as a takeaway souvenir, and a curated list of pup activities around pet-loving Knoxville.
Dining at The Tennessean
The Tennessean invites guests to enjoy their traditional afternoon tea service year-round. The afternoon tea menu features an array of scones, tea sandwiches, and petit four dessert courses. The menu is a mix of sweet and savory items.
Themed afternoon teas include Galentine’s Day, Prohibition Tea, four holiday-themed teas, a Princess Tea, and many more. There are options for gluten-free pastries from Mama C’s Bakery. Mama C’s is a sought-after local bakery that specializes in gluten-free baked goods. Their products can also be incorporated into any themed afternoon tea.
Enjoy Smoked Old Fashioned cocktails from the refined Drawing Room. The Drawing Room is an intimate, warm space serving up locally sourced provisions and artisanal cocktails.
The new Tavern at Maker Exchange serves up inventive flavors from Chef Robert Hoffman for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Happy Hour. Chef Hoffman serves up local, seasonal indulgences from a Calabash Fry appetizer of cornmeal-dusted oysters and shrimp to tender Smoked St. Louis Ribs. Seasonally-spun dishes include Deviled Eggs topped with refreshing blood orange and apricot marmalade.
On the cocktail list, favorites include the Sunrise in the Smokies featuring tequila, cold-pressed watermelon juice, lemon and crème de violette over smoked ice and the Field of Dreams. The Field of Dreams cocktail is made of house-infused orange vodka, house-made lavender syrup, pomegranate liquor, a squeeze of lemon, and topped with club soda.
Packages and Additional Information
The hotel’s most popular season is football season, or from September through the end of November. Weekends (Thursday-Sunday) are also consistently busy and book up months and months in advance.