AOL PICK from our Editors
Memphis has several great, character-filled luxury hotels, all in the downtown area. The most iconic of these is the Peabody, with its famed daily duck parade (yes, you heard us). Since Memphis is a relatively inexpensive city, it's possible to live quite large on far less than you would in other similar-sized American cities. So you might want to consider splurging. There are plenty of good mid-range and budget options, though few of these have much in the way of character. For the cheapest digs, try one of the exits off Interstate 40 in West Memphis, Ark., just across the river. For the Elvis fanatics, there's always the Heartbreak Hotel. We’re not kidding.
River Inn of Harbor Town
Neighborhood: Mud Island Price Range: Expensive Just across the water from downtown, the north end of Mud Island has been transformed into a genteel suburban community that feels worlds apart from the rest of boisterous, gritty Memphis. Here, the River Inn is an intimate, European-style boutique hotel with 28 small but luxurious guest rooms. Most rooms are done up in soothing shades of gray and blue, with antique-style beds and crisp Frette linens. There's a highly rated restaurant on the lobby floor, and a rooftop terrace with heart-stoppingly beautiful sunset views. Clientele are quiet and sophisticated, quite a departure from the noisy crowds of Beale Street.
The Peabody Memphis
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive Do you hear a quacking sound? No, you're not losing your mind—this opulent downtown Memphis hotel has kept five mallards in its marble lobby fountain since the 1930s. The ducks march down from their penthouse apartment at 11AM each morning and return at 5PM every afternoon. Even if you don't stay here, definitely stop by to see the procession, led by the Peabody's red-jacketed Duck Master. If you do stay at the Peabody, expect 464 plush, traditional rooms done up in shades of red and gold. The lobby bar, with its stained-glass ceiling and potted palms, is a great place to see and be seen. There are several shops on the first floor, including Lansky's, an upscale clothing store favored by Elvis.
The Westin Memphis Beale Street
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Expensive In the heart of the downtown action, this shiny, minimalist cube of a hotel is a favorite with well-heeled business travelers. The 203 rooms are luxuriously simple, with crisp white bedspreads and killer city views. The big, echo-y lobby, all marble and glass and polished wood, whispers "money." The restaurant, Sole, is well-regarded for its fresh seafood—a nice change if you've been stuffing yourself with Memphis's famous pork barbecue. As is appropriate for a hotel catering to on-the-go travelers, there's a Starbucks attached to the hotel and a spacious health club upstairs.
Doubletree Hotel Memphis Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate If you're expecting a bland, beige chain hotel, you're in for a major surprise at the Doubletree. The dark and brown lobby, with stylishly worn leather couches, looks like it took its design cues from a New York artist's loft. The 280 rooms nod toward Memphis's rock-‘n'-roll heritage, with subtle leopard prints and hints of black leather. It's walking distance from Beale Street and the rest of the downtown hotspots. Guests range from business travelers to pleasure-seekers.
Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel
Neighborhood: South Memphis Price Range: Moderate Yes, it is at the end of Lonely Street. No, we're not kidding. Across the street from Graceland, the Heartbreak Hotel offers kitschy fun for diehard Elvis fans. Most of the 128 rooms are pretty normal looking, with standard double beds and carpeted floors. The four themed suites are where the action's at—we're partial to the Gold & Platinum Suite or the red velvet-draped Burning Love Suite. The in-room TVs play free Elvis movies 24/7. Sit on a plush purple chair in the lobby and observe the guests, who range from RV-ing American families to star-struck Japanese travelers. If you're starving, grab a sandwich in the lobby's Jungle Room Lounge (go for the fun of it, not for the food). Just leave your good taste at the door, and you'll have a wild time.
Madison Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Moderate This mid-size boutique hotel has a jazzy lobby full of modern art and a dramatic, angular staircase. The 110 guest rooms are contemporary, with vintage music prints and splashes of deep plum and burgundy upholstery, adding a touch of Roaring Twenties charm. Standard rooms aren't huge, so if you need extra wiggle room, consider a suite. The rooftop deck has an unbelievable view of the Memphis-Arkansas River Bridge spanning the muddy Mississippi. Travelers tend to be young, hip business types, who appreciate the hotel's manageable size and personal service.
Hilton Memphis
Neighborhood: East Memphis Price Range: Budget This towering silver tube of a hotel looks like a rocket ship about to take off from a suburban Memphis office park. Designed by famed Memphis architect Francis Mah, it has 405 rooms and more than 30,000 square feet of business space. Unsurprisingly, it's popular with business travelers, who sip martinis at its space age-looking Lobby Bar. But those visiting Memphis for pleasure will appreciate its surprisingly low rates and the vertigo-inducing views from the upper floors. Contemporary-style rooms have all the standard luxury amenities—big flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, high-thread-count linens. It's about a 25-minute drive from downtown.
Sleep Inn at Court Square
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget One of the most affordable hotels in the downtown area, this Sleep Inn makes up in convenience what it lacks in character. The 116 rooms are clean and modern, done up in organic sage and wood tones. Big flat-screen TVs add a touch of luxury. There are fridges and microwaves, nice for reheating that plate of pork ribs you couldn't finish at dinner! The staff is friendly and used to giving advice to out-of-town sightseers, who make up the bulk of the guests. Ask for a room with a view of the river.
Days Inn Graceland
Neighborhood: South Memphis Price Range: Budget Days Inns tend to have a generic chain ambiance, but this particular Days Inn is quite the opposite. Just down the road from Graceland, it's up to its neck in Elvis memorabilia—a life-sized Elvis bust in the lobby, a neon Cadillac display on the roof, a guitar-shaped swimming pool. Rooms are decorated with Elvis prints and have TVs with all-Elvis channels. Guests, unsurprisingly, tend to be King-worshippers, some of whom come to visit Graceland year after year. Avoid this hotel in mid-August, when fanatics descend on Memphis for a week of festivities surrounding Elvis's Aug. 16 death.
Econo Lodge Downtown Memphis
Neighborhood: Downtown Price Range: Budget In the shadow of AutoZone Park, Memphis's minor league baseball stadium, this standard chain hotel has unstylish-but-clean rooms at bargain prices. This is the place to come if you don’t plan on spending much time in the room and are just looking for a place to crash. Besides, with all of downtown Memphis just at your door, you won’t even want to be in your room. The 116 guest rooms have bare white walls and dated furniture, but they're comfortable and well-kept. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a sun deck and cocktail hour in the lobby bar.
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