Drift Nashville has opened in Nashville. The 87-key hotel has spacious multi-room suites, a ground-level pool with neighboring cabanas, three food and beverage concepts helmed by Nashville entrepreneur and designer, Alexis Soler, and a seventh-floor penthouse with skyline views. Drift Nashville is the fourth property of the Drift Hotels brand, following TMC Hospitality’s first Drift in San Jose del Cabo and California expansion to Santa Barbara and Palm Springs last year.
“We are thrilled to open our doors and introduce the Drift brand to the city of Nashville," Philip Bates, co-founder and CEO of California-based TMC Hospitality, said in a statement. "The city’s vibrant energy complements Drift's blend of well-designed accommodations, innovative tech, and community-centric ethos. This expansion underscores our commitment to redefining hospitality with distinctive and exceptional experiences.”
TMC Hospitality, in collaboration with Dryden, a Nashville-based firm known for their design work on local hotspots like Locust and Noelle Hotel, has breathed new life into a former circa 1965 inn. Now a beacon of minimalist modernity on the developing East Bank, Drift Nashville retains the integrity of the building’s mid-century architecture. The interiors balance the Drift brand’s signature Baja flair with warm colors such as rust and forest green, complemented by earthen materials and textures of the Southwest and Mexico including leather, terrazzo, wood, and terracotta.
From Red Rock Tileworks to Sick Dye and Juliana Morgan Alvarez, Nashville’s artisans leave their imprint on every aspect of the hotel, ensuring Drift Nashville is woven into the city’s cultural fabric. These design touches are found throughout each space, from the lobby’s custom wood door handle by Britt Soler to plaster lighting sculptures over the welcome desk by Tommy Hans, and handcrafted tiling by Red Rock Tileworks in the guestrooms, cafe and lobby bar.
Drift Nashville has guestrooms designed to create an atmosphere of curated comfort with room types including the standard or city view king, one-bedroom suite, two-bedroom suite, three-bedroom suite with the option of a patio, and the penthouse. Featuring custom walnut beds, locally made custom artwork, Drift brand bath amenities and bathrobes handmade in Oaxaca, Mexico, each room offers a relaxing sanctuary, showcasing the distinctive style that defines the Drift Hotels brand. The one-, two- and three-bedroom suites also include kitchenettes, multiple bathrooms, desks, and dining and lounge areas.
The jewel of Drift Nashville is the seventh-floor penthouse, with one of the most unique views in Nashville. This 1,800-square-foot space provides a refined escape with three king beds and three bathrooms, including a primary bathroom with a free-standing bathtub and a powder room that features a golden toilet, paying homage to Elvis’ frequent stays in the building throughout the '80s. The perfect spot for group travelers seeking an unforgettable stay, the Penthouse features a living room, a large outdoor balcony, and an outdoor dining and lounge area featuring sweeping views of the city and Nissan Stadium.
Drift Nashville’s food and beverage concepts are led by Nashville hospitality talent, Alexis Soler, whose other local ventures include Old Glory, a three-story bar built in the boiler room of a former Whiteway Cleaners from the 1930s, and the recently opened Golden Pony, a retro-inspired cocktail bar located in the buzzy Highland Yards complex. Soler’s footprint on Nashville’s hospitality scene continues to grow with Drift Nashville’s trio of food and beverage outlets that harmonize with the city’s rich flavors, catering to the surrounding community and visitors alike through design, vibe, drinks and shareable bites.
One of Nashville’s first in-ground hotel pools, the property’s resort-style pool and garden area are designed to feel like an urban oasis. The outdoor space has ample room to mingle or relax with single and double teak loungers, luxe cabanas and the upcoming Poolside at Drift, which is intricately bricked to complement three towering fireplaces on the perimeter wall. During the warm seasons, Drift Nashville will offer pool day passes for locals and visitors.