The Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis Hotel is a contemporary, upscale property in Downtown Memphis. Stylishly designed, it’s not merely the hotel’s central location that makes it worth considering as the base for a city break in Memphis.
The hotel stands within easy walking distance of several of the city’s best-known attractions. Graceland, formerly the home of Elvis Presley and one of several music-themed tourism draws in and around Memphis, is a 15-minute drive from the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis. The FedExForum, the home arena of the National Basketball Association’s Memphis Grizzlies, is less than 15 minutes’ walk from the property. Don’t be surprised if you see stars from visiting NBA teams in the lobby of the hotel on game days.
Several of the hotel’s 227 rooms come with views of the Mississippi River and the Hernando de Soto Bridge, whose ‘M’ shape is illuminated by a colourful LED light show every half hour after nightfall. A huge glass pyramid, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, stands near the Memphis end of the bridge. Other rooms look towards Beale Street, which is dotted with live music venues, bars and restaurants.
Stylishly furnished, the air-conditioned guestrooms are spacious and, as you’d expect, comfortable. They come with one king or two queen beds, meaning plenty of space to sprawl at night. Black out curtains help ensure a good night’s sleep. Because of their effectiveness, it may be an idea to set the bedside alarm clock.
I stayed in a One King Bed Riverview Room and had a rainfall shower at my disposal. Guestrooms with bathtubs are also available. The shower was discretely hidden behind frosted glass bearing names and phrases associated with the city and its heritage.
Fittings such as the leather handles of storage drawers whisper quality. Pull them open and you’ll find an electronic safe. Rooms also have refrigerators, meaning you can stock up on cold drinks for refreshment. The easy-to-use Keurig coffeemaker is supplied with tea and coffee capsules.
A full list of room amenities are listed on the hotel website. They include hooded grey bathrobes that feature a terry-towelling lining. They’re large and it’s a joy to pull one on then sit down to watch shows on the room’s 55-inch wall mounted television.
If you enjoy reading it’s possible to do so in bed while using the bedside lamp. Alternatively, sit yourself in the chair over by the window and make use of the reading lamp.
Artwork above the bed references the location’s former use as an ironworks. Tags bearing the name William C. Ellis and Sons are a tip of the hat to the company that formerly worked metal on the premises. The erstwhile foundry and other rooms with late-19th century origins have been revamped into chic conference and event spaces that incorporate original brickwork and windows.
Look carefully at the reception desk in the roomy lobby and you’ll see how cogs are incorporated into its design – another subtle reference to the business began by Mr Ellis.
If you don’t want to grab a bite to eat in the lobby restaurant or up in the rooftop bar, room service is an option. Alternatively, you could pop up the street to nearby Gus’s, one of city’s celebrated fried chicken outlets.
The outdoor pool and fitness room, which has weights and cardiovascular equipment, offer spaces to work off the excesses imbibed in Memphis bars and restaurants. In fine weather, loungers on the poolside patio present space to unwind.
All told, the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis Hotel makes a smart, positive impression and is a comfortable place to stay during a break in Memphis.
The Details
Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis, 33 Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, United States.
Tel: +1(901) 444-3232
Website: www.hyatt.com
Email: MEMCT-RFP@hyatt.com
As its name suggests, the Hyatt Centric Beale Street Memphis Hotel in on Beale Street, which is renowned for being the beating heart of Memphis’ Downtown nightlife and the home of the blues. The hotel is less than five minutes’ stroll from the likes of B.B. King’s Blues Club, the Hard Rock Café and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. It is located approximately 12 miles northwest of Memphis International Airport, and the drive to or from the airport takes less than 20 minutes. Valet parking is available at the hotel.
Type of Hotel: 4-Star Contemporary Upscale Hotel
Number of Rooms: 227 rooms of which 12 are suites and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Price Band: Medium to High
Insider Tip: Pack a swimsuit so that you can make use of the outdoor pool and plan evening downtime so you can head up to the hotel’s stylish rooftop bar and lounge. Beck and Call has a spacious wraparound terrace presenting views of the M-shaped Hernando de Soto Bridge. The structure spans the Mississippi River as it crosses between Tennessee and neighbouring Arkansas. Sink into one of the plush red sofas and order one of the bars speciality cocktails while sitting under photos of musicians associated with the Tennessee city. The bar operates with a casual-smart dress code, so dress accordingly.
Enjoy embracing heritage and history? Walk one block along Beale Street and board a trolley. Trams run along South Main Street. They stop near the Blues Hall of Fame Museum and National Civil Rights Museum. The latter is a thought-provoking attraction is at the site of the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated on 4 April 1968.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8.5/10
Fact Box: See the Memphis Travel website for ideas about things to do and see in the city of Memphis. The State of Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development website lists visitor attractions in and beyond Memphis’ city boundary.
Visitors to the USA require a visa or a visa waiver. Visit the official Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) website to apply. Other sites cost considerably more than the official fee of $14.
Author Bio:
Stuart Forster is an award-winning freelance writer and photographer specialising in food and travel related features.
Photographs by Stuart Forster
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