I have always loved a hotel with a story. Give me historic architecture, a beautiful lobby, thoughtful design and elevated Southern hospitality, and I am already planning the trip. While location matters, some hotels are so memorable that the property becomes part of the destination.
Living in Memphis puts us within driving distance of so many incredible Southern hotels. Some are easy weekend getaways while others are longer road trips worth taking for a truly special stay. I have been fortunate to experience many of the hotels on this list, and a few are still at the top of my personal travel wish list.
These properties are not all technically boutique hotels. Some are grand historic landmarks while others are full-service luxury resorts. What connects them is a beautiful sense of place, elevated accommodations and an experience that goes far beyond simply having somewhere to sleep.
Drive times are approximate and can vary depending on traffic, weather and where you begin in the Memphis area.
1. The Peabody Memphis — Memphis, Tennessee
Approximate drive from Memphis: Local staycation
No list of beautiful Southern hotels would be complete without The Peabody Memphis. Known as the South’s Grand Hotel, The Peabody combines historic elegance, Southern hospitality and one of the most charming hotel traditions in the country: the daily Peabody Duck March.
We have stayed at The Peabody for family getaways, couples’ stays and special celebrations, and every visit is a little different. The grand lobby is the center of the experience, but the hotel also has beautifully renovated guest rooms, an indoor pool, Feathers Spa and several dining options. Kids love seeing the ducks while adults can plan an entire relaxing weekend without leaving the property.
The Peabody is proof that you do not have to leave Memphis to enjoy a memorable luxury hotel getaway. It is perfect for a staycation, girls’ weekend, family celebration or romantic night downtown.
Best for: Memphis staycations, families, couples and girls’ getaways
2. The Alluvian — Greenwood, Mississippi
Approximate drive from Memphis: 2 hours
The Alluvian brings polished boutique luxury to the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Its design reflects the colors and character of the region while still offering the elevated amenities you would expect from a much larger city hotel.
One of the biggest reasons to plan a getaway here is everything you can pair with your stay. The property has a 7,000-square-foot spa, and the nearby Viking Cooking School offers hands-on and demonstration classes. Giardina’s restaurant is another Greenwood favorite, making it easy to plan a weekend centered around good food, rest and a slower pace.
The Alluvian is close enough for an easy one-night escape from Memphis but distinctive enough to make the weekend special.
Best for: Spa weekends, food lovers and girls’ trips
3. Capital Hotel — Little Rock, Arkansas
Approximate drive from Memphis: 2 hours
Capital Hotel is one of the South’s most beautiful historic hotels and one of the easiest luxury getaways from Memphis. Often called the front porch of Little Rock, the hotel blends Gilded Age architecture with warm Southern service in the middle of downtown.
The grand staircase, marble details, stained-glass skylight and soaring ceilings make the property memorable from the moment you walk inside. The rooms maintain the hotel’s historic character while still offering modern comfort, and Capital Bar & Grill makes it easy to enjoy dinner without leaving the property.
Its downtown location is convenient to the River Market District, the Arkansas River and many of Little Rock’s museums and attractions. This is a wonderful choice when you want a refined weekend away without spending most of it in the car.
Best for: Romantic weekends, history lovers and quick luxury escapes
4. GunRunner Boutique Hotel — Florence, Alabama
Approximate drive from Memphis: 2.5 hours
GunRunner is a true boutique hotel with only 10 individually designed luxury suites. Each suite celebrates a different part of the Shoals’ music, fashion, art or local history, giving the hotel a strong sense of place.
The spacious rooms, bold interiors and downtown Florence location make it completely different from a traditional hotel stay. It is intimate, creative and ideal for a couples’ trip or girls’ getaway. Guests can also book spa services onsite and walk to downtown restaurants, shops and entertainment.
Florence is an easy road trip from Memphis, but GunRunner makes the weekend more than a simple overnight. The hotel is part of the reason to go.
Best for: Couples, music lovers and boutique-hotel fans
5. The Waters Hotel — Hot Springs, Arkansas
Approximate drive from Memphis: 3 hours
Located directly across from historic Bathhouse Row, The Waters combines a beautifully restored building with modern boutique accommodations. Each of its 62 rooms has unique details that honor the property’s history, and the location puts guests in the middle of downtown Hot Springs.
You can walk to the historic bathhouses, restaurants, shops and hiking trails inside Hot Springs National Park. The hotel’s rooftop offers views of downtown and the surrounding national forest, making it a great place to unwind after a day of exploring.
The Waters is a strong choice for travelers who want the history and walkability of downtown Hot Springs with a more intimate, updated hotel experience.
Best for: Couples, national park weekends and walkable getaways
6. The Hermitage Hotel — Nashville, Tennessee
Approximate drive from Memphis: 3.25 hours
The Hermitage Hotel represents the historic, elevated luxury I love most. This Nashville landmark has welcomed guests since 1910, and its ornate Beaux-Arts lobby is one of the most beautiful hotel spaces in the South.
The hotel has been carefully updated without losing the grandeur and history that make it special. Spacious rooms, thoughtful service and a prime downtown location make it a wonderful option for an anniversary, birthday or romantic Nashville weekend. Guests are only steps from music venues, restaurants, shopping and many of the city’s most popular attractions.
Drusie & Darr, the hotel’s restaurant from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, adds another reason to stay. The sophisticated dining room and seasonal menu turn dinner into part of the hotel experience.
Best for: Anniversaries, romantic trips and luxury Nashville weekends
7. Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa — Birmingham, Alabama
Approximate drive from Memphis: 3.75 hours
Ross Bridge is a destination resort that makes you forget you are only minutes from Birmingham. The grand Scottish-inspired architecture, rolling landscape and resort amenities create an easy escape for couples, families or a girls’ weekend.
The property has an onsite spa, indoor and outdoor pools and access to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge. Dining is available throughout the resort, so you can slow down and enjoy the property without building a packed itinerary around the city.
This is one of my favorite options when the goal is to relax rather than spend the entire trip sightseeing. Book a spa treatment, enjoy the pool and let the hotel be the destination.
Best for: Spa trips, golf weekends, couples and families
8. The Edwin Hotel — Chattanooga, Tennessee
Approximate drive from Memphis: 5 hours
The Edwin is still on my list, but it stands out as Chattanooga’s only luxury boutique hotel. Located along the Tennessee River beside the Walnut Street Bridge, the property combines modern design with an impressive collection of regional art.
The hotel has 90 rooms and suites, Whitebird restaurant, Whiskey Thief rooftop bar, Provisions coffee shop and Ama Spa. Its waterfront location is also convenient to the Tennessee Aquarium, Bluff View Art District, Hunter Museum of American Art and downtown attractions.
The Edwin would work especially well for a couples’ getaway that combines a beautiful hotel with art, dining and time outdoors. It offers a more intimate alternative to a traditional downtown property.
Best for: Art lovers, couples and Chattanooga weekends
9. Barnsley Resort — Adairsville, Georgia
Approximate drive from Memphis: 5.5 to 6 hours
Barnsley Resort is a luxury retreat spread across 3,000 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property combines the romance of historic gardens and manor ruins with elegant cottages, guest rooms and a long list of resort activities.
Guests can spend the weekend golfing, visiting the spa, horseback riding, hiking, shooting sporting clays or simply relaxing beside the fire. The resort also offers farm-to-table dining and beautifully redesigned cottages that work for couples, families and groups.
Barnsley has the historic Southern atmosphere that gives a property character, but the accommodations and amenities are elevated and current. It is an excellent Georgia addition to this list because there is enough onsite to fill an entire weekend.
Best for: Couples, families, outdoor adventures and group getaways
10. The Mayo Hotel — Tulsa, Oklahoma
Approximate drive from Memphis: 6 to 6.5 hours
The Mayo Hotel is a restored 1925 Tulsa landmark in the heart of the city’s downtown Art Deco district. The building has hosted presidents, entertainers and generations of travelers, and its renovation preserves that history while offering modern luxury.
The architecture and interiors make this hotel especially memorable. The property also has a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the Tulsa skyline, including a historic penthouse space where Elvis Presley once stayed.
Tulsa has plenty to fill a weekend, including the Gathering Place, Philbrook Museum of Art, Greenwood Rising and the city’s Art Deco architecture. The Mayo gives the trip a polished home base that connects directly to the city’s history.
Best for: Architecture lovers, couples and Tulsa city breaks
11. Blackberry Farm — Walland, Tennessee
Approximate drive from Memphis: 6.5 to 7 hours
Blackberry Farm is still at the top of my hotel wish list. Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this Relais & Châteaux property is known for exceptional hospitality, beautiful accommodations and its celebrated Foothills Cuisine.
This is not simply a hotel where you check in and leave to explore somewhere else. The resort experience includes farm tours, horseback riding, fly-fishing, hiking, spa treatments and seasonal culinary experiences. The peaceful mountain setting and attention to detail make it ideal for a milestone trip.
Blackberry Farm is a splurge, but it is the type of property people plan an entire vacation around. It would be a beautiful choice for an anniversary, birthday or restorative couples’ getaway.
Best for: Milestone celebrations, food lovers and luxury mountain escapes
12. Omni Grove Park Inn — Asheville, North Carolina
Approximate drive from Memphis: 7 to 8 hours
The Omni Grove Park Inn has welcomed guests since 1913 and remains one of the South’s most recognizable historic resorts. Built from massive granite stones on Sunset Mountain, the inn offers sweeping views of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Great Hall, enormous fireplaces and Arts and Crafts architecture give the property a sense of history that cannot be recreated. The resort also has a 43,000-square-foot subterranean spa, golf course, multiple dining options and plenty of places to slow down and take in the views.
The drive is longer, but the Grove Park Inn is a destination in itself. It is especially beautiful during fall and the holiday season when the National Gingerbread House Competition transforms the property.
Best for: Spa weekends, holiday trips, mountain views and history lovers
13. The Cloister at Sea Island — Sea Island, Georgia
Approximate drive from Memphis: Around 9 hours
The Cloister at Sea Island is the longest drive on this list, but it is also one of the most memorable Southern resorts we have experienced. The Spanish Mediterranean-inspired architecture, beautiful grounds and private coastal setting create an elegant escape that is difficult to compare to anywhere else.
Sea Island offers Forbes Five-Star accommodations, exceptional dining, a renowned spa, championship golf and access to the Beach Club. The resort works equally well for a romantic trip or a family vacation because there are so many ways to enjoy the property.
This is not a quick weekend drive, but it is absolutely worth turning into a longer road trip. The Cloister is the perfect finale to this list because it represents exactly what I love about Southern hotels: history, architecture, elevated service and a stay that becomes part of the memory.
Best for: Coastal luxury, families, couples and special celebrations
Which Southern Luxury Hotel Is Right for You?
- Best Memphis staycation: The Peabody Memphis
- Best quick luxury getaway: Capital Hotel
- Best true boutique stay: GunRunner Boutique Hotel
- Best walkable historic location: The Waters Hotel
- Best Nashville luxury: The Hermitage Hotel
- Best for golf and spa: Ross Bridge
- Best for art lovers: The Edwin Hotel
- Best Georgia countryside resort: Barnsley Resort
- Best Art Deco hotel: The Mayo Hotel
- Best food-focused splurge: Blackberry Farm
- Best mountain resort: Omni Grove Park Inn
- Best coastal resort: The Cloister at Sea Island
Tips for Planning a Southern Hotel Road Trip
- Book early for holidays, fall weekends and special events because many of these hotels fill quickly.
- Compare the full cost of the stay, including parking and resort fees.
- Check the hotel calendar for seasonal events, spa availability and dining reservations before choosing your dates.
- Plan at least two nights for properties more than five hours from Memphis.
- For resort destinations such as Ross Bridge, Barnsley, Blackberry Farm, Grove Park Inn and Sea Island, leave space in your itinerary to enjoy the property.
- If you are celebrating something special, mention it when booking. The thoughtful service is often part of what makes a luxury hotel stay memorable.
Final Thoughts
The best hotels offer more than a beautiful room. They tell a story, reflect their destination and give you a reason to slow down and enjoy where you are. That is what I love about each of these Southern properties.
From a quick staycation at The Peabody to a coastal escape at Sea Island, these hotels prove that some of the most memorable luxury getaways are within driving distance of Memphis. Whether you are drawn to grand historic architecture, an intimate boutique setting, a world-class spa or a resort filled with activities, there is a property on this list worth planning a trip around.
Which of these beautiful Southern hotels would you choose for your next getaway?
