Arrival/Check-in: After an eight-hour drive we arrived ready for dinner and a quiet evening. Check-in was quick and efficient while the piano in the adjacent bar played a soft tune. The front-desk agent recommended Americo’s for dinner and handed me a map. A porter collected our keys and escorted us to our fifth-floor suite. (30/30)
Guest Quarters: The suite was generously sized and featured a raised king bed, a sleeper sofa, a large flat-screen TV, a small desk with internet access (fee charged), a safe, a mini-bar, and a CD player with selections from Nashville artists. The bathroom offered granite countertops, a swivel makeup mirror and plenty of plush towels. The shower, however, needed maintenance: the bracket for the showerhead lacked a screw and pulled away from the wall, and the handheld plastic showerhead had only a single setting. (23/30)
Services/Amenities: A storm with heavy rain and lightning changed our dinner plans, so we ordered room service and a movie. Our meal arrived in about 30 minutes, but before we could continue, the phone rang. The front desk informed us that a tornado warning had been issued and, because I use a wheelchair, advised I go to the first floor immediately. I grabbed my purse and took the elevator down. On the lobby level, hotel security staff were distributing walkie-talkies to employees. When outdoor sirens sounded, the piano music stopped and a PA announcement asked all guests to move to the first-floor restaurant for shelter.
The restaurant quickly filled with more than 100 people: business travelers, a couple of guests still in robes, a dog on a leash, families and a lively group with cocktails. After about 20 minutes an announcement declared it was safe to return to our rooms. The next morning national news covered the damage in nearby counties, underscoring how serious the situation had been. (40/40)
The Experience: The hotel staff remained composed and professional throughout the emergency. I appreciated that they contacted me promptly once they learned of the potential danger. Every employee we encountered was friendly and helpful—many are students from nearby Vanderbilt University.
Total Score: (93/100)
Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
2100 West End Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203
tel 615 320 1700
http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Vanderbilt-Hotel