Both Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel and Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum have opened in downtown Nashville, simultaneously paying homage to the Queen of Country and providing more than 10,000 square feet of new gathering space for meeting planners .
Created in partnership with Parton and Herschend themed attractions company, SongTeller Hotel features 245 guest rooms and suites, two live-entertainment venues and a café. The property is within walking distance of some of the city’s biggest draws, including the Ryman Auditorium and the Music City Center.
In Parton’s own words, the hotel was conceived as a love letter to Nashville. “It's a place where musicians and guests will come together to experience Music City’s inspiring spirit,” reads a message from Parton on the hotel’s website. “From intimate venues to eclectic, yet sophisticated rooms and suites, I’ve poured my heart into this new song, and I’m dedicating it to you, Nashville.”
Meetings with a little Dolly flair
For planners, the dual openings of SongTeller Hotel and the Life of Many Colors Museum present a distinctive, if somewhat niche, option in a city where music is already central to the visitor experience. Then again, who doesn’t love Dolly?
Spanning more than 20,000 square feet and occupying the third floor of the hotel, the museum follows Parton’s life from her childhood in the Great Smoky Mountains through her careers in music, film, television, fashion and philanthropy. Personal stories, rarely seen pieces from her collection and interactive exhibits help tell that story, with Parton herself guiding visitors through portions of the experience using footage filmed earlier this year.
The museum, which has a dedicated entrance, can be booked for private events. The Hall of Fame gallery accommodates up to 235 guests for a reception or 160 for a seated event, while the Imagination Library hosts up to 40 for a reception or 32 seated. Groups also can arrange a full museum experience.
More than 10,000 square feet to gather
Beyond the museum, gathering spaces stretch throughout the hotel and lean heavily into Nashville’s live-music identity.
Jolene’s, a 2,521-square-foot venue on the hotel’s top floor, hosts nightly performances from Nashville singers and songwriters. On the second floor, the 2,719-square-foot Parton’s Live focuses on writers’ rounds, songwriter sessions and emerging artists.
The hotel is keeping both spaces active with a rotating roster of performers, too. Parton’s Live is partnering with FEMcountry, a platform founded by music industry executive Leslie Fram to champion women in music, for monthly performances featuring established female artists and songwriters.
Additional gathering spaces include the 1,096-square-foot Studio, the 2,673-square-foot Listening Lobby and the 1,056-square-foot Liner Note & Guitar Lounge. Taken together, the hotel and museum give planners a range of options for receptions, dinners and other group functions without requiring attendees to leave the property. For groups looking to work Nashville’s music culture into the program, that could mean pairing a meeting or reception with a live performance or museum visit, rather than treating entertainment as a separate excursion.
A destination in its own right
Another selling point for planners is Parton’s considerable history of drawing visitors to Tennessee.
Parton and Herschend transformed Dollywood from a regional attraction into a major tourism engine in East Tennessee and, following her death, tributes have extended across the state, with Nashville in particular embracing its connection to the singer-songwriter. That includes Nashville International Airport, where the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority voted unanimously in September to begin the process of modifying the airport’s name in Parton’s honor. A final name has yet to be determined.
