On Friday, October 9th, six members of the VWT team set out on a domestic FAM trip to Nashville. The group got an early start, meeting at LaGuardia Airport first thing in the morning. The airport was cleaner than ever. With automatic hand sanitizing stations throughout the terminal, and mandated spacing amongst the gate seating area, we all felt comfortable in this “new normal” airport setting.
After first class was seated, the plane was boarded back to front so that passengers did not have to walk past all of those already sitting. Upon boarding the plane, we were greeted with hand sanitizer and later in the flight given a plastic bag filled with more sanitizer, a mini water bottle, and some bagged snacks. Masks were allowed to be removed only when eating and drinking but other than that were strictly enforced by the Delta Flight Attendants. Unless you traveled with a companion, passengers were assigned every other seat to allow for social distancing.
After landing in Nashville, we were greeted by our two transfer drivers and brought right to The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville. After checking in, each of us were allowed some time to settle into our rooms. We all had a surprise waiting for us based on the preference sheet we had filled out prior to arrival. From breakfast pizzas, to wine and cheese, to a record player, our rooms were personalized based on our likings.
Accommodations
The Joseph opened up in late August of 2020, so has been designed with health and safety in mind. From the automatic sanitizers throughout the property, to remote control access of your room via smartphone, and the 72 hour period left for the sanitization of guest rooms between stays, the property allowed us to reconnect with one another in a responsible manner.
Security is the priority at the property. All elevators require your key to move and you are only able to unlock the floor you reside on. We stayed on floors 7 and 8 in Executive King rooms. The rooms were large for a city property and had a couch and coffee table across from the bed, perfect for doing some work.
In addition to our rooms, we were allowed to use both the Penthouse Suite for our cooking lesson, and the Presidential Suite for our after dinner cocktails and piano playing.
The most popular restaurant on Property, Yolan, is on the main floor. The speakeasy bar, Four Walls, is on Floor 2 of the property. And the rooftop bar, pool, and casual dining experience, Denim, is located on the top (21st floor)…. the same floor as the gorgeous spa, Rose!
Throughout the property there are over 1,100+ pieces of contemporary art on display. The owners of The Joseph, the Pizzuti family, own one of the largest contemporary art collections in the world! Their pieces are on loan to the property and displayed throughout both the common areas and guest rooms. With a combination of both international and local Tennessee artists, the art will be rotated periodically so hotel guests can appreciate the extent and breadth of art in the Pizzuti’s collection.
Dining
Our first meal on property was a lunch where we learned how to make pasta with Chef Tony Mantuano and his wife and Sommelier, Cathy Mantuano. We had a three course lunch consisting of an endive salad, homemade tortelli, and a chocolate cake.
Later that evening, we got to preview the Speakeasy bar, Four Walls. There, we tasted all of the appetizers that will be served and got to sample the signature cocktails. The most interesting thing about our sampling was the way all the food was presented. Because the bar is far away from the property’s kitchen, all food is jarred/pre-packaged and is then assembled table-side.
Our dinner that night was at Yolan where we were seated in the private dining room and served the five course tasting menu. Each course was exquisite and allowed us to explore the extent of Chef Tony’s menu.
Saturday morning we were back to the private dining room for an a la carte breakfast. From breakfast sandwiches, to prosciutto scones, to French toast, the menu offered a Yolan twist on classic favorites.
For our last dinner in Nashville, we ate upstairs at Denim. Denim had a great, hip vibe. With seating both indoors and out, the space takes advantage of its 21st floor view of the city. We sat for dinner, inside because of the weather, at high-tops. The menu is a lot more casual and eclectic than Yolan. Across the table we ordered pizzas, burgers, steaks, and more.
Virgin Hotels Nashville
On Sunday morning we headed to Virgin Hotels Nashville, just a 20 minute walk from The Joseph and located farther away from Broadway and the downtown area of Nashville, closer to Vanderbilt University.
We enjoyed a tour of the property and were so excited about the whimsical and playful interior design throughout. Although the guest rooms are small, there is no shortage of space when it comes to the common areas. Between the masculine downstairs bar and lounge, to the rosé themed rooftop restaurant and bar, to The Pool Club, the decor in each space was transformative.
We had brunch on property downstairs at Commons Club. We sat on high-tops and had a view of the chef preparing our meal. The menu’s most fun item was the build your own Bloody Mary. It allowed for customization and a fun activity for us all while we waited for our food. The menu was not your classic pancakes and syrup but instead offers everything from a pho bowl, to a honey butter chicken biscuit.
Overall, we were all pleasantly surprised by the property and feel that for young families, millennials, and dog lovers (yes it is extremely pet friendly!) this is an affordable and playful option that gives you an unexpected Nashville experience.
Want your own Nashville experience? Get in touch with a VWT Advisor today!