Notable in Nashville: 8 Cool Things We Saw at Hilton Hotels
May 28, 2024
During a recent trip to Nashville, we visited six Hilton properties across their collection of brands – from luxury brands like the Conrad Nashville to boutique brands in the Curio Collection like Hotel Fraye.
We toured meeting spaces, hotel rooms and suites, lobbies, bars, restaurants and gyms (stay tuned for complete rundown), but here are eight cool trends we noted and experienced during our site visit.
Hydration station. At the Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, guests can fill up their water bottles with complimentary sparkling, still or alkaline water. Partnering with Planet Water, Tempo by Hilton sells refillable water bottles in its gift shop, and $2 from each bottle is donated to help build water towers for water-insecure communities around the world. Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown has helped build a tower in Jalisco, Mexico.
Bespoke experiences. At the Conrad Nashville, Hilton teamed up with designer Olia Zavozina to offer a two-hour customized wedding gown experience that includes a two-night minimum stay in a premium suite with complimentary sparkling wine and chef’s charcuterie selection. Zavozina’s flagship boutique in Nashville has been a destination for brides for nearly two decades. Zavozina told us she outfitted 13 members of the wedding party for Country Artist Sam Hunt’s nuptials.
Mocktail for every cocktail. For every specialty cocktail, Hilton properties offered a mocktail option. As demand for non-alcoholic beverages has risen, particularly among 18- to 34-year-olds, hoteliers like Hilton have responded with inclusive menus that feature drinks like pomegranate cosmos and cucumber drinks made with Seedlip Garden’s zero alcohol spirits. During a reception at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown/Convention Center, the bar offered an extensive selection of premium tequilas and whiskeys, as well as a variety of non-alcoholic selections like Noughty Sparkling Rose.
Related: AHLI’s Michael Dominguez Talks Hotel Trends: 8 Takeaways
Double points for planners. During lunch with the Hilton Honors team at Hotel Fraye, Devin K told us the loyalty program doubled the number of points event planners can earn from hotel rooms, meeting space rental, food and beverage and more. As of April 15, planners earn two points for every dollar spent. Planners can use their points for experiences like the Kelce Jam Music Festival held May 18 in Kansas City, Mo. Hilton Honors members could redeem 45,000 points for two tickets to join NFL superstar Travis Kelce at his 2nd annual Kelce Jam Music Festival, featuring Lil Wayne, Diplo and 2 Chainz.
Digital tools. We were able to bypass any lines at the front desk and check in to the Embassy Suites via the Hilton mobile app while on the way to the hotel. Digital keys appeared within the app. Guests can walk up to the door, tap unlock and gain entry to their room – all without ever interacting with hotel staff, if they prefer. During the pandemic, guests adopted digital tools out of necessity, and many now enjoy the convenience of this do-it-yourself approach.
Rooftop experiences. If you haven’t been to a rooftop in Nashville, have you really experienced Music City? Every Nashville hotel we visited featured a rooftop pool, restaurant, bar, meeting space and spectacular views for miles. At the new Hilton BNA Nashville Airport Terminal that opened in February, our group enjoyed breakfast on the rooftop that overlooks the active runway. The rooftop at the 30-story Embassy Suites Nashville provided ample space for our group to nosh on appetizers, listen to live music and watch the sunset. At Conrad, groups can host a dinner or reception at the Secret Garden, which offers access to an outdoor rooftop space next to the pool.
Pet-friendly hotels. In 2021, Hilton launched a partnership with Mars Petcare to provide exceptional stays for pets and their owners. The partnership was expanded in 2022 when they launched Mars PET On-Demand across Hilton’s seven pet-friendly brands, available at more than 4,600 Hilton hotels across the U.S. and Canada. The online service provides pet owners with advice from the Mars Pet Expert Team during their stay. Notable: All Embassy Suites are pet-friendly.
The Hilton team worked with the Nashville Humane Association to bring in puppies to play with on the rooftop at Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown. Puppy lounges continue to be popular at meetings, providing not only fun for attendees but also sponsorship opportunities for exhibitors.
Giving back. In collaboration with Mars Petcare and Greater Good Charities, Hilton donates its retired towels and terry products to local animal shelters across the U.S. and Canada. To date, more than 1,200 hotels and more than 500 shelters have enrolled, and Hilton will donate more than 140,000 pounds of towels and terry products.
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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