The First Luxury Boutique Hotel in Chattanooga

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography submitted by The Edwin Hotel.

On a recent pleasant autumn day a friend and I took Tennessee State Route 69 out of Savannah vs. the interstate to Chattanooga. It is more scenic and peaceful and an excellent highway, and the trip only took about 40 minutes longer than if we had traveled on the always busy I-40.

We arrived mid-afternoon in downtown Chattanooga on a lovely Friday afternoon. The weather was delightful. Since my last visit to Chattanooga, many condominiums and apartments, some of which overlook the Tennessee River, have sprung up downtown and near downtown. There was a positive energy in the air. Across the street from The Edwin is a popular ice cream shop called The Ice Cream Show. Locals and visitors who love the outdoors enjoy Chattanooga. There are many walkers and bikers in downtown Chattanooga. Students from UT-C and businessmen and women take advantage of daily walks, shopping and dining downtown, and visiting the Aquarium and other nearby attractions.

The Edwin is a boutique hotel located in the heart of the city’s downtown Bluff View Art District. Steps away from the city’s iconic Walnut Street Bridge and designed by architect PV Designs, Inc. with interiors by the Chicago-based Gettys Group Inc., The Edwin boasts 90 guest rooms and suites, and it celebrates local community and culture while offering highly-inspired design and caring guest service.

“Our aim is to make The Edwin a cultural hub where both visitors and locals feel drawn to experience our modern day, Southern hospitality. As a lifelong Chattanooga resident myself, we’re so proud to pull from the deep-rooted history of the city to create a new destination where design, art, food and drink capture the spirit of the American South today,” said Vision Hospitality Group President & CEO Mitch Patel.

The Edwin’s name is a nod to Edwin Thatcher who, in the year 1890, led the development of the historic Walnut Street Bridge that connects Chattanooga’s downtown neighborhood to today’s North Shore. The Edwin, honoring both Thatcher and the city’s “can do” spirit, is connecting visitors with the city of Chattanooga through its design, food and beverage, partnerships, and amenities.

A bit of background on the Walnut Street Bridge is in order. Built in 1891, the Walnut Street Bridge is no longer used for automobiles. It now stands as one of the oldest truss bridges still surviving in the South and one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, connecting Chattanooga’s downtown to the North Shore. The hotel name comes from Edwin Thatcher, the designer of the Walnut Street Bridge.

Fun Fact: As part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection the hotel is required to have a Mark. “The Mark is a way for both the Autograph Collection and its hotels to bring to life their unique character and stories and to provide a point of view of distinction for guests, leaving an imprint with every stay."

“Our aim is to make The Edwin a cultural hub where both visitors and locals feel drawn to experience our modern-day Southern hospitality. As a lifelong Chattanooga resident myself, we’re so proud to pull from the deep-rooted history of the city to create a new destination where design, art, food and drink capture the spirits of the American South today.”

— Mitch Patel,Vision Hospitality Group President & CEO

Architecture & Design

Inspired by the connections to Chattanooga’s present and future, the design intent at The Edwin—inclusive of colors, textures and illustrations—is a unique reflection of the community and the people and places therein, embodying the hospitality and spirit of its unique Southern setting.
The interiors of The Edwin are designed to reflect unique Southern design values, combining warm, worn-in accents with a fresh, modern design. The use of vintage-style accents anchor the room and are mixed in with modern touches, bold fabrics, mid-century lighting, and sculptural accessories that create a space that is fresh yet familiar.

Lobby & Guestrooms

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Tennessee River that serves as the backdrop, The Edwin offers 90 thoughtfully designed oversized guest rooms and suites, seamlessly wedding classic Southern design elements with a modern, sophisticated decor that celebrates the region. Guests receive a warm welcome upon entering the hotel lobby, greeted by a contemporary sitting room, gallery and parlor. A haven for rest and relaxation, all guest rooms house an array of deliberately contrasting design details that are both familiar and surprising. The property also features four Riverfront Suites with sweeping views of the Walnut Street Bridge.

My Guest Room

My guest room was comfortable and cozy. Its decor combined eclectic contemporary furnishings with a French Empire-styled sofa and contemporary art. The bedding was dressed with Frette luxury linens, and the mattresses are sourced in Cleveland, TN. Room amenities included a mini refrigerator; a robe; a hairdryer; a VitaCup coffee maker; a TV with cable, Netflix and Hulu; Bluetooth radio with wireless phone charging capacities and several USB ports and plug-ins. Co-branded Co Bigelow room toiletries are in the modern bathroom. Note: Cribs and dog beds are available upon request.

Whiskey Thief Rooftop Bar

After a brief rest in my room, my traveling companion and I took the elevator to the rooftop bar called Whiskey Thief, an interesting name. Engrained in the fabric of distilling history, a whiskey thief is the Master Distiller’s most critical tool. As the name implies, this tool “steals” a sample of a whiskey batch straight from the barrel and then releases it into a cup. Whiskey Thief Chattanooga is named after this iconic tool and strives to celebrate Tennessee through the artful delivery of its signature spirit. Note: Whiskey Thief is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It opens at 5 pm Wednesday-Sunday.

My friend and I enjoyed our creative autumnal beverages and shared delicious mushroom quesadilla appetizers. Our service was excellent. Because the weather was perfect for sitting outside, we left the intimate lounge, which has quickly become a couple's date night spot, to enjoy the wraparound patio with its sweeping view of the Tennessee River framed by city lights. Then we walked the Walnut Street Bridge to the well-lit Hunter Museum of American Art and Sculpture Garden and then on to the Bluff View Art District, pausing to peer into shop windows and see folks coming and going at the popular Tony’s Restaurant.

Dining

On day two of our visit to The Edwin Hotel, my companion and I stopped by Provisions, a coffee shop, open from 7-11 am daily on the ground floor. Breakfast is served next door to Provisions in Whitebird from 8am-11am, and dinner is offered from 5-9pm (Reservations required.) Whitebird is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-1pm. The slogan of Whitebird is “Appalachian Evolved.” Whitebird restaurant is named for John Ross, dubbed the founder of Chattanooga and leader of the Cherokee nation that led tribes across the country on The Trail of Tears. His Cherokee name is “Mysterious Little Whitebird.” In Whiskey Thief there are 32 lockers each filled with the hotel’s finest selection of whiskeys that the bartender usually must retrieve with a ladder and then proceeds to pour tableside. 1 oz.pours range from $50-$500.

The Executive Chef of Whitebird is Khaled AlBanna, who spent his childhood in the kitchen beside his mother in Amman, Jordan. Later he cooked in top-tier restaurants in Chicago, New York and Chattanooga. He has created a lovely fall dish of Beef Short Rib Gnocchi, smoked pulled beef, braised collard greens, pickled radish, crunchy grains and chili. Try his Whiskey Thief Cocktail named Walnut Street, a perfect autumn beverage.

After a quick trip across the Walnut Street Bridge to Rembrandt’s courtyard for old times sake, I hurried back to The Edwin Hotel where Ms. Jordan Nix, Director of Sales, took me on a tour of the hotel while my friend enjoyed an energizing downtown walk. We began our tour in the lobby which combines comfort with luxury and contemporary art. Be sure to view the large art wall near the Front Desk. The property features thought-provoking, innovative art from both established and emerging artists all based in and around Chattanooga. More than 75 pieces of artwork commissioned from 65 local artists are on exhibit throughout the hotel. Pieces represent the diversity of the Tennessee River Valley, inspired by the deep history and current culture.

I met Michelle Paty, Director of Spa Services, in the lovely light-filled hotel spa on the ground floor. The spa’s name is Ama (the Cherokee word for water), and it incorporates the healing powers of water into its extensive treatment menu. A full-service spa, Ama offers signature treatments including “Lightening Whelk Renewal," an immunity-boosting, healing body treatment; Whiskey + Wellness, utilizing the properties of locally-made bourbon to cleanse and revive; and Ama Purification, a full-body detoxifying treatment beginning with a sage smudging ritual; in addition to an array of massages, facials, and more.

A state-of-the-art 24-hour Fitness Center and an Outdoor Plunge Pool (open from 7am-7pm for guests only) featuring three rentable cabanas is located on the hotel’s fifth floor. In partnership with Chattanooga-Based Forte Fitness, Group Fitness Classes including yoga sessions, boot camp, and more are offered complimentary to guests. A quiet lovely library on the fifth floor is open 24 hours. It is a peaceful sanctuary for reading, resting or working at your laptop.

The Edwin has four suites, all of which have riverfront balconies and are quite popular with hotel guests. They are equipped with a record player and collection of records for guests’ use at their convenience. The Holmberg Ballroom is located on the 5th floor.

I was scheduled to spend a second night at The Edwin Hotel, but due to an exceptionally busy schedule I could only spend one night there. I look forward to a return visit to this very special hotel.