Gaylord Opryland Resort Review: One of the Most Incredible Hotels You’ll Ever Get Lost In

Some hotels are simply places to sleep.

The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center isn’t one of them.

This place is an attraction all by itself.

The first time you walk through the doors, your brain almost has trouble processing what you’re seeing. Massive glass atriums. Winding rivers. Waterfalls. Bridges. Thousands of tropical plants. Restaurants tucked into little corners that feel like they’re part of a small village.

It’s almost like someone built an indoor resort, then decided to put a hotel around it.

And honestly…

It’s one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.

First Impressions

Pictures don’t prepare you for the scale of this place.

The resort features three enormous glass atriums covering more than nine acres of indoor gardens. Inside you’ll find waterfalls, tropical plants, walking paths, restaurants, fountains, and the famous Delta River, where guests can ride flat-bottom Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens. 

It feels less like a hotel and more like a miniature city under glass.

You could spend hours simply wandering around.

There’s Always Something To Do

One thing I really appreciated is that this isn’t just somewhere you stay between sightseeing trips.

The resort itself is the destination.

You can:

• Ride the Delta Riverboats through the indoor gardens.
• Walk the beautifully landscaped atriums.
• Watch the light and fountain shows.
• Visit dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops.
• Spend time at SoundWaves, the resort’s indoor and outdoor water attraction (with the appropriate package).
• Relax at the spa.
• Simply sit by the river and enjoy the atmosphere. 

There aren’t many hotels where you can spend an entire day without ever stepping outside.

This is one of them.

The Room

The room itself was exactly what I’d expect from a premium Marriott property.

Clean.

Comfortable.

Well maintained.

Honestly, though…

That’s not really why you stay here.

The room almost becomes secondary because the real experience begins the moment you leave it.

The Food

I ate at several places throughout the resort during my stay.

Overall, everything ranged from good to very good.

I even grabbed some pizza while I was there.

Was it the best pizza I’ve ever had?

No.

Was it the worst?

Not even close.

It was perfectly fine, and with so many dining options spread throughout the resort, there’s something for just about everyone.

The Biggest Problem

Now for the downside.

This hotel is enormous.

And I mean enormous.

It’s beautiful.

It’s impressive.

It’s also one of the most confusing hotels I’ve ever been inside.

The maps didn’t help much.

At one point I asked an employee for directions, and they couldn’t answer my question. They actually had to bring me to another employee.

That pretty much summed it up.

Walking from your room to a meeting room or convention hall can easily take 20 minutes.

That’s if you know where you’re going.

If you don’t…

Good luck.

The same thing happened when heading out for the evening. Coming back from downtown Nashville meant a surprisingly long walk from the rideshare drop-off back to my room.

It’s just part of staying at a property this size.

Would I Stay Here Again?

Absolutely.

Without hesitation.

I’d just leave earlier to get anywhere.

The Gaylord Opryland isn’t the kind of hotel you choose because it’s convenient.

You choose it because it’s unlike almost anything else in the country.

The indoor gardens are breathtaking.

The atmosphere is incredible.

The resort is beautifully maintained.

And Nashville remains one of my favorite cities to visit.

Just make sure your phone is charged…

Because you’re probably going to be using the map.

A lot.

My Rating

Property: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)

Navigation: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5)

Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.8/5)

Pags on the Go Take

There aren’t many hotels where I tell people to set aside time just to explore the property.

This is one of them.

The Gaylord Opryland is one of the most unique resorts I’ve ever visited. The indoor gardens, waterfalls, riverboats, restaurants, and atmosphere make it feel like you’re walking through an indoor resort town instead of a hotel.

Just don’t assume you’ll find your room on the first try.

Or the second.

Travel smart,
Tommy Pags