2007 CMA Music Festival - Where to stay?

[Pam'scorner]

I need some help with finding a hotel reasonably priced within walking distance to the CMA festivities. I've already received a tour guide book with tons of info but not knowing the city streets, I have no idea the vicinity of the hotels to the festivities. This is my first trip to Nashville and I want to take in as much as possible. I've already purchased my four-day pass, but am looking for a good deal on a combination hotel and airfare package. I live in south Texas, and will be meeting my daughter whose coming from southern California where I used to live. I plan on being in Nashville from June 4th - June 11th so I can check out other sites to see in and around Nashville. That tour guide overwhelmed me with all the info - I don't know where to begin! Any suggestions on which clubs to visit; which restaurants to hit, etc. Can you tell how excited I am? Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Jojo]

Unfortunately, we have been hearing that everything within walking distance is sold out! Our Hotel & Resorts Editor, Kate Buckley has this latest info on accommodations during the 2007 CMA Music Festival:

"Holiday Inn Select on West End Ave: (615) 327-4707 - There is availability June 7 - 10 - and they are about 3 miles from downtown Nashville

Or, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, 2100 West End Ave, Nashville: (615) 320-1700 - However, it's too early to book. They recommended checking back with them in a couple of months. They're 5 minutes from downtown and they have 340 rooms. If you book at the rack rate and the rates go down, you can always rebook for the lower rate."

Entertainment - head to Broadway where you'll find lots of bars with live music. Don't miss Tootsies which is really fun, Wildhorse Saloon, Robert's Western World and Lonnie's for line dancing.

Where to eat? Merchants (located on Broadway) which offers both a casual bar & grill menu on the first floor and fine dining upstairs. Rippy's Smokin' Bar & Grill also located on Broadway and The Palm (off of 5th Ave) which offers fine dining.

We hope you have a wonderful trip to Nashville!

[Pam'scorner]

Thank you so much for your help on where to stay. Since it sounds like I'm going to have to drive, I'll just find a parking lot and park each day!

[Jojo]

Ask the hotel if they offer a shuttle service. Holiday Inn Select (mentioned in my previous post) does offer this service. However, due to congestion, they drop off at Broadway & either 6th Ave or 10th Ave. From those points - it's less than a mile walk. Shuttle service at this property runs from 7am until 11 pm.

[RainingOnSunday]

We're staying in Opryland, how far away is that? We can get a free shuttle bus but it might be nice to walk. Although after all the line dancing we're planning on doing, we might be a bit tired!

[Unregistered]

Opryland is probably too far. We always stay at the Embassy Suites near Vanderbilt University which is centrally located and within easy distance of most of what Nashville has to offer. Within a 15 minute brisk walk, you can be dowtown at the Honky Tonks and still do some fine dining in the West End.

[Wendy]

Is there anyone who can give me an idea about the Guestbook Inn. Is it a dump?? Or decent enough for a weekend. I am not necessarily looking for a five star hotel but just something clean.

[nash4u]

Best place to stay would be in the Vandy area because you will avoid some of the constant downtown traffic and it is still like said above in walking distance to downtown but I would still say find another way because it would be a long walk from areas of Vandy to downtown. You can find many places in that area to stay for a reasonable price.