cubbynole

If you want to do the touristy thing, visit the honky tonks, maybe a show at the Ryman or Bridgestone Arena, enjoy some adult beverages - downtown is the place to be, but it's popular so the prices are high. The Vanderbilt area is fine and is a great second choice for Nashville visitors. Prices will generally be cheaper at the Vandy/West End area, parking will cost $20ish/nt instead of $30ish/nt - most of the hotels have shuttles that will take you to "lower Broad" which is the main tourist district, which is maybe 2 miles away - if you don't want to wait on the shuttle, Uber is easily available if you download the app, or you can even take the city bus. I rarely drink, and when I do, generally no more than two drinks, so the convenience of being able to walk back to the hotel is not a big deal to me. I am, however, cost conscious (hey, I use Price.line!), so usually when I go to Nashville I stay out in the suburbs (my friends live there anyway) for a lower rate and drive in and park (for free) at Nissan Stadium when I visit downtown. However, as a first timer, I would recommend staying downtown, alternatively at the Vandy/West End area.

Just to pipe in here as a former Nashville resident and frequent visitor. Beware the 3* in the downtown/metrocenter area if you need to be downtown. As was pointed out, that is likely the Millennium Maxwell House which is located in the Metrocenter area which is a few miles north of downtown. I believe if you go the name your own price route, they guarantee an 8+ rating, which would eliminate the Millennium which has a 6.7 rating. It will be difficult, however, to get rooms for under $100/nt in downtown.

Just to follow up with this and offer a hint to others that might win this property in the future. The hotel was great, absolutely zero complaints. Upon check-in, the desk agent asked if I would be using the internet in my room. I replied "possibly", hoping to get a confirmation of price for the service; instead he said he would modify my reservation to the "e-bundle" package which includes wireless access, with the instructions to log into the internet from the room and there wouldn't be any additional charge. Bottom line, if you are going to use the internet in your room and this package is offered, take it. Admittedly, your mileage may vary, but worst case scenario, you'll get charged a daily fee, but you were going to spend that anyway; best case, it will get included in your prepaid rate, so you'll have no additional charge.

Rolled the dice and "lost" by getting upgraded to a hotel class which will charge an extra $15/day for Wifi (of course I knew this was a possibility when I bid). Was looking for a 3 star in DTC, South, or Cherry Creek - essentially used downtown as an extra rebid since I didn't expect anything to be accepted in that zone at that price. Past wins in the area of the past couple of years were Hyatt Place Denver South and Courtyard by Marriott Tech Center, either of which is what I was expecting/hoping for this time around, but I'll make this property work. Bid history: $47 3* Denver Tech Center $49 + Denver South $51 + Cherry Creek $53 + Downtown -- Accepted Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows