A bastion of finely polished, mid-century modern cool, the Thompson Nashville is the Gulch's see-and-be-seen seat of style, whether that be agonizing over which of the Third Man Records–curated vinyl collection to spin in the lobby, or where to sit at the immensely hip, open-air rooftop bar, LA Jackson.

Painstakingly curated local art fills in the blanks with restrained playfulness throughout the hotel. The 224 spacious rooms are rock-star-righteous, featuring custom-made everything from milk-toned subway-tile showers to rhombus-patterned wooden headboards, and are soundtracked by kitsch Marshall speakers. All in all, a devoutly design-forward, outrageously retro delight.