Gaylord Opryland: A Luxe Experience in an Iconic Resort

January 29, 2017September 7, 2020 by Pamela Dittmer McKuen

Outside the window of my 5^th Floor guest room at Gaylord Opryland Resort was a waterfall cascading from limestone cliffs into a freshwater pond. Mature palm trees canopied the balcony. Below was a dense forest of tropical plants and colorful flower beds, plus topiaries and water spouts.

The view seemed to be of a nature preserve or botanical park, but it was a massive atrium!

Gaylord Opryland in Nashville is a mega-resort with 2,800 rooms, 9 acres of indoor gardens and a 1/4-mile navigable river. It’s the country’s largest hotel and convention center outside Las Vegas, and the largest without a casino.

Waterfalls in the Cascades conservatory. — Waterfalls in the Cascade atrium spill into a freshwater pond.

Falls restaurant in the Cascades conservatory. — Breakfast at the Falls restaurant feels like dining outdoors.

As it turns out, my garden overlook in the Cascades section of the hotel wasn’t even the largest. It has 8,000 plants, but the Delta gardens have 30,000. (Fun Fact: Taking care of all that foliage requires a full-time staff of 100.)

Gaylord Opryland Resort was built in phases since 1977. The first phase, with 600 rooms, was designed to serve visitors to the adjacent Grand Ole Opry House. Today the 52-acre hospitality complex includes 16 food and drink emporia, from quick bites to fine dining; indoor and outdoor pools; spa and fitness center; golf course; indoor riverboat; live entertainment; in-house radio station and upscale shopping arcade.

dscn5546 — Falls restaurant in the Cascades atrium.

The Cascades lobby, where I began my media tour hosted by Visit Music City, is a classically-designed space with volume ceiling and terrazzo floors. The perfect spot for meeting friends or passing time is beneath the immense stained-glass dome. It crowns a contemporary, towering blown-glass sculpture with dozens of outstretched tentacles reminiscent of sea grasses. Cushy conversation seating circles the artistry.

Closeup of the stained glass dome, Cascades lobby. — Stained-glass dome in the Cascades lobby.

Glass sculpture in the Cascades lobby. — Contemporary art glass sculpture in the Cascades lobby.

My standard guest room with atrium view, C5014, had a comfortable king bed padded headboard, pillow-top mattress and a menu of pillows. The furnishings included a writing desk, upholstered chair with ottoman, dresser, flat-screen television and coffee station. On the balcony were two café chairs and table.

The bathroom had a combination tub and shower plus dual vanities. A generous supply of the resort’s Relanche Spa-branded toiletries was stocked.

Gaylord Opryland is located in the Music Valley neighborhood, about 10 minutes from Nashville International Airport. It’s several miles from the bustle and attractions Downtown Nashville, but it’s an iconic destination in itself. The Grand Ole Opry House and 200-story Opry Mills shopping center are within walking distance. You could easily confine your entire stay to the resort and its many offerings, but shuttles are available if you wish to explore further.