Hotel Snapshot
Nestled in the heart of Chattanooga, an ever-growing city in the mountains of East Tennessee, sits The Hotel Chalet. What was once a major railway hub in the 1900s morphed into a community hub, turning the station into a place for honoring history, small businesses, and a quaint hotel for travelers.
A recent $19 million rebrand and restoration project led by Trestle Studios breathed new life into this campus, from reopening as a four-star boutique hotel to quickly becoming the area’s first Michelin Guide One Key Hotel. With 127 rooms, including private train carriages, and a lush pool, travel back in time with historic designs while enjoying modern-day luxury with this perfect blend of Appalachian soul and French charm.
Design & Character
Where revitalization succeeds, the hotel’s designs carefully reimagined the property’s train carriages. Think of pinch-pleat drapery, bentwood chairs, and original Tiffany Glass pendants, taking you back to the Victorian era. In a different approach, the Mid-Century boasts the eccentric with 60s-inspired bespoke wallcoverings and hues of lilac, lime, and rose.
To complement the neighboring mountains, the outdoor grounds were designed with French Nouveau landscaping, from the gardens to the courtyard and pool, making an enchanting and warm-lit oasis.
The Rooms
With 127 rooms, guests can get the full experience by booking one of the 25 Pullman train carriages surrounding the campus, restored to their Victorian and Mid-Century glory, paired with private entrances and poolside terraces. The remaining rooms inside the hotel offer the same inspired designs, bringing you back to the time period the building was first constructed, with luxurious velvet couches, dark tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the mountainscape.
The Food & Drink Situation
Even the restaurant pays homage to Chattanooga’s history. Elsie’s Daughter takes its name from architect Donn Barber’s wife, Elsie—a family name that carried on for generations.
The Appalachian bistro serves up a French-Belgian-inspired menu, creating an unforgettable dining experience in its parlor or patio. From sharables to large plates, think of blending Southern heartiness with European finesse, offering farm-to-table menus when possible. For a more unique experience, enjoy oysters by the pool or grab small bites and libations from an original train caboose that’s been reimagined into an outdoor bar.
Amenities
If the rooms are designed for maximum comfort, then the hotel's amenities offer ultimate tranquility. No matter the season of your travels, take a dip in the heated alpine pool, treated with a mineral blend to promote relaxation and recovery, and take in the lush courtyard with fire pits, or the Glen Miller Gardens. Pair your downtime with an Italian aperitif. For guests who prefer sweating it out, the 24-hour gym offers Echelon Fitness equipment.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Tucked in the heart of Chattanooga’s Southside, the hotel is surrounded by vibrant local businesses and the city’s most historic railway contribution, the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s Terminal Station. Travelers can walk up and down the neighboring streets to find attractions like Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery and Warehouse Row shopping district. Convenient to the rest of the city, the hotel is also just 21 minutes from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.
Eat and drink like a local when trying the bars and restaurants along Station Street, which connects to the hotel’s courtyard with easy access, or find out why it’s called the Scenic City via an e-bike to ride a short distance down to Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, featuring larger-than-life sculptures from around the world.
Fast Facts
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Vibe: Appalachian with a French flair and historic details.
Rating: Four-star, Michelin Guide One Key
Room Count: 127
Pricing: From $142 per night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Restored Victorian-era train carriages turned into rooms, paired with the scenic mountain landscape and serene pool.
Dining: Appalachian Bistro, Elsie’s Daughter, The Caboose Bar
Amenities: Heated alpine pool, gym, lobby with a coffee bar and 24-hour retail shop, parlor and patio restaurant, outdoor bar, fire pit courtyard, and gardens
Nearby Attractions: Chattanooga Choo Choo, The Signal, Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, Warehouse Row, Station Street
Airport: Approximately 21 minutes from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
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