Memphis, TN: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit

Memphis summers can be very hot — especially during July and August — but many of the famous festivals and other outdoor events take place during the summer months. If you're willing to brave the heat and drink plenty of water, you'll have fun during this season. For those who prefer milder temperatures, consider a visit in the spring or fall.

If you plan to visit in autumn, prepare for all temperatures. Mild days can turn into chilly nights, so pack lots of layers. The winter months aren't necessarily a bad choice for your next visit to Memphis, but prepare for cold winds and frequent rain.

The Beale Street Music Festival takes place in May every year and features lots of live music, food stands, and other attractions. The Mid-South Fair lasts for three days in September or October, while the Memphis International Jazz Festival draws thousands of jazz fans to the city in November. If you're interested in a particular event, plan your visit around those dates.

Best Discounts

Some hotels offer ways to save off the advertised nightly rate. For instance, the Comfort Inn Downtown Memphis offers Choice Privileges, a rewards program that allows you to save on room rates while building other perks. You can also take advantage of the hotel's advance purchase opportunity, which lowers your rate by as much as 20 percent if you book well in advance of your trip. Alternatively, take advantage of the Comfort Inn's winter promotion between November and January.

The Best Western Executive Inn in Memphis likewise offers special rates and discounts. If you're a member of AARP, AAA, or CAA, you can get a discount of 10 percent or more. Government employees traveling on official business and military personnel get a similar discounted rate. Additionally, seniors over the age of 55 enjoy a rate that falls at least 10 percent below the advertised nightly cost.

If you're looking for a more luxurious hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton Memphis East fits the bill. You can save up to 15 percent if you're an AAA or CAA member. This highly rated hotel also offers regular promotions, such as Breakfast for a Buck (pay just $1 for breakfast), Cheers With 2 on Us (sip two craft beers every day courtesy of the hotel), and Pay Your Birth Year (pay full rate the first night and your birth year the second and third). AARP members and senior citizens enjoy discounts of between five and 15 percent.

Best Value Options in Memphis, Tennessee

If you're looking for a hotel that rests at the intersection of comfort and affordability, you'll find it in Memphis. The Holiday Inn Memphis Airport Hotel and Conference Center offers just one possibility. It's inexpensive but loaded with amenities, from an on-site restaurant and lounge to the mini refrigerators and premium linens in each room. Take a dip in the pool or use the business center to keep up with work. There's even an on-site dry cleaning service.

You might also like the Hyatt Place Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria Hotel. The distinctly modern aesthetic and abundance of amenities will help you settle in from the moment you set down your bags. It's located about 15 miles from downtown Memphis, which means you're close enough to the action to take advantage of it, but far enough away to enjoy a quieter environment. Some of the premium features include clock radios with MP3 player compatibility, 42-inch LCD TVs, granite-topped bathroom vanities, and optional sleeper sofas.

Finding the Music in Memphis

If you're like many Memphis visitors, you're interested in music above all else. You want a sense of the musical history of the town as well as the chance to watch live performances.

Fortunately, you don't have to look far to find great music in Memphis. Start at Sun Studio, the original home of the Sun Records label and the place where Elvis Presley cut his first records. The King wasn't the only person who famously spent time at Sun Studio — others include Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Cal Perkins.
After you tour the studio, head to Graceland for a firsthand look at Elvis's most famous residence. You can see where he is buried and ogle at the decor he chose, which hasn't been changed since his death. Parts of the mansion remain off-limits, but you'll get to see the Jungle Room, Meditation Garden, and Trophy Building, among other famous areas.

The Buccaneer Lounge on Monroe Avenue is a favorite for people who love rock and roll. Listen to loud music while you sip a beer or cocktail. Levitt Shell is another music venue you won't want to miss. It offers live music five nights a week and features some of the best local blues bands. Other excellent choices for music-centered nightlife include B.B. King's Blues Club, the Blues City Cafe, and Earnestine & Hazel's.

Of course, you won't want to miss the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. You'll find it at 191 Beale, and you'll want to allocate at least a couple of hours to your tour.

Memphis is one of the most dynamic U.S. cities, and you'll find its celebration of music everywhere, from the restaurants and cafes to the hotels and street names. Plan your next vacation and choose a hotel that meets all your needs while still fitting within your budget.

Travel overview of Memphis, TN

The largest city in the state of Tennessee, Memphis offers travelers great options for having fun or doing business in any of the offices in the city. Still, being the largest does not mean it is the oldest. In fact, this city is among the newest of the state's major cities. Overtaking the growth of the other cities means that travelers can find lots of contemporary architecture and a great many attractions in this busy metropolis. The Mississippi River winds across the city, offering not just another option for transportation but also for recreation. In fact, river cruises are very popular activities in the area. Travelers who fear staying on the water body can choose to view it from Tom Lee Park. Bring the whole family or gang to Mud Island River Park where lots of exhibits about the river are shown in the museum plus options for guests to use paddle boats to navigate the river. Don't forget to visit Graceland, The Pink Palace, and, of course, Memphis Zoo. Such diverse options provide guests with a glimpse of what Memphis can offer to its visitors. It is also a good idea to tour the downtown area to see just how far developments have taken this grand city.

Memphis's most well known resident Elvis Presley once said, 'I never expected to be anybody important, but now when one thinks of Memphis he often comes to mind first.

Located in Tennessee this city is a great place to go and explore the history of American music, but also to experience amazing food. When visiting expect a lot of meat, particularly pork, and heavy sandwiches which are not for the faint hearted! Hotels in Memphis vary from the super luxurious and expensive, to cheap hotels on the lower end of the spectrum.

Staying Cheap in Memphis 

Vista Inn & Suites is one of the many cheap hotels in Memphis, offering an affordable stay and a complimentary continental breakfast for guests. It's situated in the downtown area and is within walking distance of the famous Beale Street. It offers the simple, basic rooms one would expect and is a great option for those looking at budget hotels in Memphis. Gardentree Hotel offers simple, clean accommodation for those visiting the city and looking for a convenient base. The recently remodelled hotel is located only ten minutes away from the main airport, and near to many of the main attractions including Elvis Presley's old house. Extras include a free breakfast, free wifi, and an indoor pool and gym. 

Staying in Luxury in Memphis 

Luxury Memphis hotels include The Peabody Memphis, which is quite well known for its grandeur, and its long history as a hotel. It can be found in the heart of the downtown area, and is close to many of the top attractions in Memphis. The Peabody also offers relaxation and pampering at the on site spa, making it the perfect place to unwind. The Crowne Plaza hotels have two different locations in Memphis, one of their Memphis hotels is located Downtown and the other is in Memphis East. These hotels are designed for the modern day business traveler, which means wifi is included and they offer little things to ensure a great nights sleep, including quiet zone floors and guaranteed wake-up calls. 

Top Memphis Attractions 

This city boasts a multitude of museums including the National Civil Rights Museum, detailing the history of the Civil Rights movement. There is also the Memphis Pink Palace Museum, which is one of the largest in the South West. This is ultimately a learning centre intended to be educational and informative for all visitors. Other museums include, The Mississippi River Museum, The Art Museum of Memphis and The Children's Museum of Memphis. Also worth a visit is Elvis Presley's old home, Graceland, which is open to the public for tours. It is  also America's second most visited private home, second only to The White House. For music fans Sun Studios is often on most people's itineraries. These studios are known to some as the birthplace of rock and roll, in the sense that Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley are amongst some of the famous names who once recorded there.