Review Author

Haley Bartlett

HOTEL SNAPSHOT

Nestled in the heart of Chattanooga, an ever-growing city in the mountains of East Tennessee, sits The Hotel Chalet. What was once a major railway hub in the 1900s morphed into a community hub, turning the station into a place for honoring history, small businesses, and a quaint hotel for travelers.

A recent $19 million rebrand and restoration project led by Trestle Studios breathed new life into this campus, from reopening as a four-star boutique hotel to quickly becoming the area’s first Michelin Guide One Key Hotel. With 127 rooms, including private train carriages, and a lush pool, travel back in time with historic designs while enjoying modern-day luxury with this perfect blend of Appalachian soul and French charm.

Design & Character

Where revitalization succeeds, the hotel’s designs carefully reimagined the property’s train carriages. Think pinch-pleat drapery, bentwood chairs, and original Tiffany Glass pendants, taking you back to the Victorian era. In a different approach, the Mid-Century boasts the eccentric with 60s-inspired bespoke wallcoverings and hues of lilac, lime, and rose.

To complement the neighboring mountains, the outdoor grounds were designed with French Nouveau landscaping, from the gardens to the courtyard and pool, making an enchanting and warm-lit oasis.

The Rooms

With 127 rooms, guests can get the full experience by booking one of the 25 Pullman train carriages surrounding the campus, restored to their Victorian and Mid-Century glory, paired with private entrances and poolside terraces. The remaining rooms inside the hotel offer the same inspired designs, bringing you back to the time period the building was first constructed, with luxurious velvet couches, dark tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the mountainscape.

The Food & Drink Situation

Even the restaurant pays homage to Chattanooga’s history. Elsie’s Daughter takes its name from architect Donn Barber’s wife, Elsie, a family name that carried on for generations.

The Appalachian bistro serves a French-Belgian-inspired menu, blending Southern heartiness with European finesse and offering farm-to-table menus when possible. Guests can also enjoy oysters by the pool or small bites and libations from an original train caboose reimagined as an outdoor bar.

Amenities

The heated alpine pool is treated with a mineral blend to promote relaxation and recovery and is surrounded by a lush courtyard, fire pits, and the Glen Miller Gardens. A 24-hour gym offers Echelon Fitness equipment.

Location & Neighborhood Recs

Tucked in Chattanooga’s Southside, the hotel is surrounded by local businesses and the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station. Nearby attractions include Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, Warehouse Row, Station Street, and Sculpture Fields at Montague Park.

Fast Facts

Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Vibe: Appalachian with a French flair and historic details.

Rating: Four-star, Michelin Guide One Key

Room Count: 127

Pricing: From $142 per night

Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: Restored Victorian-era train carriages turned into rooms, paired with the scenic mountain landscape and serene pool.

Dining: Appalachian Bistro, Elsie’s Daughter, The Caboose Bar

Amenities: Heated alpine pool, gym, lobby with a coffee bar and 24-hour retail shop, parlor and patio restaurant, outdoor bar, fire pit courtyard, and gardens

Nearby Attractions: Chattanooga Choo Choo, The Signal, Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, Warehouse Row, Station Street

Airport: Approximately 21 minutes from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)