Hotels in Memphis

Where you stay in Memphis depends on why you’re here, but if I had my way, I’d strong-arm all first-timers into staying downtown. Look, I get it: Business travelers who want convenience and cost-effectiveness will find what they need in one of the many comfortable chain hotels in East Memphis, and Elvis fans on a pilgrimage to Graceland may choose to stay near the mansion (where there is now one excellent option). But for the vast majority of visitors, downtown is where you want to be (with an argument to be made for Overton Square as a close second).

In addition to offering walkability, access to attractions, and iconic views of the Mississippi River, downtown is one of the only places in town where you’ll be able to feel the city humming around you. Memphis is incredibly spread out, and if you stay near the airport to save a few bucks, for example, you’re going to spend most of your time in a car, and that’s simply no way to live the Memphis life. Lodging here is affordable, especially in comparison to Nashville’s ever-climbing price points, so take advantage of this opportunity to stay somewhere central, comfortable, and unique.

If you get quoted a price that seems exorbitantly high, you might have accidentally stumbled upon a special holiday or event rate. Such rates are usually in effect for major sports events or music festivals. If this is the case, try scheduling your visit for a different date if possible.

Or consider doing a rental rather than a hotel. Visitors can sometimes (though not always) find better rates at short-term rentals via Airbnb, and VRBO, especially in areas such as Midtown where there are fewer hotel options, or downtown for people who want to live like a local for a few days. Short-term rentals can cost anywhere from $60 for a single bed to $500 for an entire house. One of those rentals has an association with Elvis Presley. He lived at Lauderdale Courts (252 N. Lauderdale) with his parents, Vernon and Gladys, as a teenager. The first-floor apartment is available to rent for $250 a night and includes a 1950s-style kitchen and sleeping room for four people. Blackout dates apply during Elvis week (Aug) and other tourist-heavy times, when the property is in demand for guided tours (9am–3pm Mon–Fri; $15 fee). Visit facebook.com/pg/LauderdaleCourts to book.

For the purposes of this guide, I have placed hotels in the following rate categories: expensive, $216 and up; moderate, $150 to $215; and inexpensive, less than $150. Please keep in mind, however, that the rates do not include taxes, which in Memphis add up to a whopping 15.95% (9.25% sales tax and 6.7% room tax).

Downtown -- In addition to historic Beale Street, downtown is where the majority of Memphis’ sporting events, concerts, and performances take place. If you want to feel as though you’ve been to Memphis, you need to be near the riverfront as much as possible, plain and simple. If you’re going to do a 3-day weekend, I recommend tacking on a Thursday rather than a Sunday as many restaurants downtown are closed Sunday night, and many attractions are closed Mondays

Midtown -- Midtown has few good options, but will appeal to folks on a very strict budget. There’s a small boutique hotel that took over a seriously ugly office building several years back called The Gen X Inn (1177 Madison Ave.; tel. 901/692-9136). It's a smoke-free Best Western property with spare, modern, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. It appeals primarily to students and budget-conscious travelers who don’t mind its location, a short drive or scooter ride from downtown. Rates average around $140 a night. Other reasonably priced options include the Holiday Inn Select Medical Center/Midtown, 1180 Union Ave. (📞 901/276-1175), which charges about $140 for a double. But again, for about $10 more per night you can stay downtown at a Hyatt, so there’s really no need to make these concessions. A final Midtown pick: Hostel Memphis, 1000 S. Cooper (tel. 901/278-6787), which offers inexpensive accommodations in the Cooper-Young neighborhood. With bunk rooms for groups or private rooms for individuals starting at $63/night it’s kind of like staying a dorm (shared bathrooms, communal kitchen). And while I am personally past the age where I will ever share a bathroom with a stranger again, young, open-minded, and/or thrifty folks might find this a fun and convenient option.

East Memphis -- If your visit to Memphis brings you to any of the city’s dozens of suburban business parks, East Memphis is a smart choice, though anyone looking to pull double duty with tourism and business should consider staying downtown and commuting. Free parking is a plus in East Memphis, as is the food scene, which is just as good as downtown and Midtown.

Airport & Graceland Areas -- I’m just going to level with you: Don’t stay near the airport. The neighborhoods are a bummer, some aren’t safe, and you’re not going to get a sense of what Memphis is really about by staying out there. If you want to stay near Graceland, there is one excellent option, a few mediocre ones, and not much else in the area.