Priceline Hotel: 3.5* Chattanooga (Downtown) Marriott at the Convention Center

[jak378]

Planning on a short getaway in Chattanooga enroute home from the Midwest, May 16 through May 19. HOTWIRE shows a 4 astar hotel with shuttle, fitness, pool, restaurant, hi-speed internet, business, spa. I see the Chattanoogan lised in Betterbidding.com as a 3.5 star. Is it likely that Hotwire's listing is for the Chattanoogan and that the star ratings have changed? Does anyone know how convenient the Chattanoogan is to attractions like the Aquarium and the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and the Tennessee Valley Railrod museum?

Thanks for any help.

[thereuare]

The Chattanoogan has been upgraded to a 4* property and matches the above so that would be our best guess.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Let us know how it goes or if we can be of further help.

[mtsublueraider]

The chattanoogan is BY FAR the best and finest hotel in the area. You can probably take the free electric shuttle to all of the attractions. Otherwise it's about 8-10 blocks to the riverfront where everything is. And, parking is about $1-2 dollars for 3-4 hours in the self-service lots near the aquarium. Not too bad! If you have any questions about the area I'd be happy to help. Also, if you do stay at Chattanoogan they have a GREAT happy hour at the hotel bar during the week. Cheers!

[jak378]

The chattanoogan is BY FAR the best and finest hotel in the area. You can probably take the free electric shuttle to all of the attractions. Otherwise it's about 8-10 blocks to the riverfront where everything is. And, parking is about $1-2 dollars for 3-4 hours in the self-service lots near the aquarium. Not too bad! If you have any questions about the area I'd be happy to help. Also, if you do stay at Chattanoogan they have a GREAT happy hour at the hotel bar during the week. Cheers!

I gather from your post, and from a post by you in another thread that you would not recommend the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. As a bit of a train buff it appeals to me, especially the victorian rail car rooms. However it is not worth it if the place is run-down and less than a good place to stay. I understand from another of your posts that the Choo-Choo may be about to undergo a renovation and a change of hands. Can you verify this?

Also, if you would be so kind, can you recommend restaurants near the Chattanoogan, and do you have any opinion as to the quality of the restaurants in the Choo-Choo? I also would ask if the Choo-choo is interesting as a stand alone attraction?

I assume that the squarium is a top attraction. We will probably only have one full day there.

[mtsublueraider]

Thank you for showing such interest in my hometown. I DO want to make it a good experience though... First of all, I don't know what you expect from your vacations. If you're asking me if I would visit the Choo-Choo as an attraction? 100% yes! It's got a wonderful lobby and seeing the old train cars is fun. But that does not mean you need to sleep there. The Choo-Choo is in an older part of downtown that is starting to turn the corner. And yes, the Choo-Choo is about to drop the Holiday Inn brand and be managed by the Leading Hotels of the World brand. They are pouring money into it and it should be first class in a few years. You can read any trip advisor review to get the details.

For my money I would take any HOTWIRE hotel that is 3.5 stars an above. The Marriott is probably the "lowest" rated of those but is still nice. The chattanoogan is wonderful and they have top notch resturants inside the hotel. But, my favorite places to eat in Chattanooga are in the Bluff View Art District. Tony's Pasta shop makes their own bread, pasta, and desserts in a beautiful setting high above the Tennessee River. And believe it or not, Tony's isn't that expensive.

As for near the Chattanoogan there is a place very near to it (the hotel will advise) called The Southern Star. It is great and within walking distance. But, for a BIG inexpensive breakfast try the city cafe near the days inn on ML King.

If you want high end you can't go wrong with Porter's Steakhouse in the Sheraton Read House Hotel or Easy Bistro near the Aquarium. VERY high end but VERY worth it is St. John's which is near the Chattanoogan.

The resturants at the Choo-Choo are average. Although at the Stationhouse Resturant the wait staff sings. :)

http://www.bluffviewartdistrict.com/

The aquarium is a must. I don't know how much time you have but they have a new boat called the River Gourge Explorer. I was on the first voyage and it is IMPRESSIVE. We also have the Delta Queen Riverboat (from new orleans) docked on the riverfront and you can actually stay on board for the night. That may be something worth looking into.

http://www.deltaqueenhotel.com/

And of course, you could be the ulitmate tourist and SEE ROCK CITY or Ruby Falls.

Hope this helps!

[jak378]

I am interested in your hometown. Over the last 8 years or so we have driven between the midwest and Florida at least 28 times, and only once did we stop in the Chattanooga area, and that was to see Lookout Mt. and Chickamauga Battlefield where my wife's great grandfather was captured by the Confederate Army during the battle. I appreciate your help, and we have pretty much dediced on the Chattanoogan, but since we both enjoy old, historic hotels I am curious about the Read House. Can you tell us much about it, including what the area is like, and what is in the area? Which would be better as far as proximity to restaurants and attractions? I will read your review. We will be spending 2 or 3 nights there. We are retired so time is not an important issue.

[jak378]

Uh-Oh, I hate to be a pest, but I just looked at the Delta Queen. That looks like just the place for us. Do you know much about it: Food, entertainment, amenities, transportation, etc? I don't know if it available through Hotwire, but it seems to be reasonably priced. Is it in a fairly accessible area? Any info will help.

By the way, so far we have been able to resist the ubiquitous signs for Ruby Falls and Rock City. Mostly because I believe they entail entering a cave, and we are both claustrophobic.

Thanks again for any info.

[jak378]

Well, after all of that, I got the Marriott Convention Center at 70 dollars a night through PRICELINE. May 16 through May 19th, 2009. After much deliberation I wanted either that or the Sheraton Read House and the Marriott came up first. Thanks for all the help.

I will post a review after thestay.

[thereuare]

Congratulations on your success!

Glad to see you received one of the properties you were hoping for and are happy with the results.

Please use these PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links to begin your travel purchases.

Enjoy your stay.

[mtsublueraider]

Hey thereuare, they are staying at the marriott in Chattanooga.... not downtown vandy in Nashville. :)

I think you'll be happy with that choice. I've seen the Marriott come up plenty of times and if it makes you feel better it is MUCH less expensive than the Chattanoogan. You are right off the major highway so it's easy to find. They offer Valet and you are very close to everything you want to see. If you have any specific questions, i'm happy to help. Can't wait to see what you think.

[thereuare]

Hey thereuare, they are staying at the marriott in Chattanooga.... not downtown vandy in Nashville. :)

FIXED... thanks!

[jak378]

The Marriott was everything a Marriott is expected to be, clean, newly renovated, large rooms with king bed, sofa and chair plus work area. The restaurant was reasonably priced and quite good for breakfast. Check in went very smoothly, with a slight upgrade. Valey parking was extremely efficient. A quick phone call and the car was outside the door by the time we got there. I definitely recommend this hotel

Chattanooga itself is a great, clean, modern city. The aquarium is a must see and is fantastic. The ride on the Tennessee Valley Raliroad Museum steam engined train was scenic and pleasant.

A very freindly and helpful manager of National Tire and Battery was able to replace our expensive, self sealing Continental, that did not self seal. This was accomplished under the warranty at a total cost of 10 dollars for tax.

Porters in the Sheraton Read House is excellent, if a bit pricey. Food is great and plentiful, atmosphere is very clubby, and the service is perfect.

[mtsublueraider]

So glad you enjoyed your stay in Chattanooga! Just don't tell too many people about our humble little town. Ha!

[Keoni]

So glad you enjoyed your stay in Chattanooga! Just don't tell too many people about our humble little town. Ha!

Ok my friend from Middle Tennessee State University, why didn't you tell our Yankee Cousin about a ride on the INCLINE Railway,

which is a "Trolley Car" with a glass roof that takes you to the top of Lookout Mountain. From there you can see seven states which

I believe is the only place in the country that is possible. Visit the Read House, maybe the only still standing building in downtown that

dates from the Civil War. It was used as a hospital by Union Troops during the siege of Chattanooga. How about the Hunter Art Gallery

or maybe a stroll across the Chestnut Street Bridge for a little shopping in North Chattanooga. Take the drive along the top of Missionary

Ridge and see the many monuments to the War of Northern Agression... whoops, my bad. I meant to say the Silver War.

Anyway, take in a Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball game and see minor league players that still think the game is played for fun.

How about a short drive over to Rossville, Ga., just across the state line. Here you will find the log cabin of Chief John Ross, head

of the Cherokee Nation. Chattanooga was originally named after this great leader and was called Ross's Landing. Read up about the

Lupton family of Chattanooga and learn about the history of the first Coca Cola Bottling plant. And... if you haven't experienced the

Southern version of the White Castle, or Slider, or Belly Bomber, or Greesetal, you absolutely have to visit a Krystal Restaurant and

TAKE HOME A SACKFUL! The difference in the little Krystal burger and the White Castle is that the Krystal is made from 100% pure

beef, and having comsumed more that a few WC's I've never been really sure what its ingrediants are... Finally, are the tourist

attractions on Racoon Mountain still there?

Sincerely, Brainerd Rebel, Class of '71,

Aloha,

Keoni