
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Best for families, groups, and meeting planners who want on-site attractions, multiple pools and nearly 20 dining outlets.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a vast, family-friendly 4-star resort centered on nine acres of indoor atriums and large-scale meeting and entertainment spaces. The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville is an art-forward 5-star Luxury Collection property in downtown Nashville for travelers who want a refined, walkable city stay.
Updated

Best for families, groups, and meeting planners who want on-site attractions, multiple pools and nearly 20 dining outlets.

Best for travelers who want a downtown, luxury boutique experience with easy access to the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena and nightlife.
When Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center wins: choose Gaylord if you want resort-style amenities under one roof — multiple complimentary pools, a large spa, many casual and signature restaurants, indoor atriums, and a water attraction (SoundWaves) that appeals to families and groups.
When The Joseph wins: choose The Joseph for a downtown, five-star stay with an art-forward design, a full-service spa, and proximity to Nashville’s main music and cultural venues — good for couples, business travelers and guests who prefer walking to shows and restaurants.
Bottom line: Gaylord Opryland is a destination resort built around scale and on-site entertainment; The Joseph is a refined downtown Luxury Collection hotel that trades resort breadth for location, design and a quieter, higher-touch urban luxury experience.
| Category | Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center | The Joseph, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large, resort-and-convention focus with indoor gardens and many family attractions | Urban, art-forward five-star hotel with contemporary design |
| Location | Opryland area, near Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills (outside downtown) | Downtown Nashville, within a 5-minute walk of Country Music Hall of Fame and Music City Center |
| Size | Very large — 2,888 guest rooms and extensive public/meeting space | Mid-size — 297 rooms |
| Room types (examples) | Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 2 Queen Beds; Room, Garden View (350 sq. ft.) | Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed; Executive Room, 1 King Bed; Deluxe Suite, 1 Bedroom |
| Pools | Multiple complimentary indoor/outdoor pools plus the paid SoundWaves water attraction | One outdoor seasonal pool (outdoor seasonal pool; pool access and hours published) |
| Restaurants & bars | Nearly 20 dining outlets from steakhouses to quick-service and dessert cafés | Yolan (Italian) plus a coffee shop/cafe, room service and two bars/lounges |
| Spa & fitness | Relâche Spa (≈20,000 sq ft) and 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Event & meeting space | Huge convention and ballroom capacity (hundreds of thousands sq ft; Delta Ballroom, Ryman Exhibit Halls) | Conference space ≈22,000 sq ft and 10 meeting rooms |
| Known for | Nine acres of indoor atriums, SoundWaves water experience and on-site entertainment | Downtown location, art-forward Luxury Collection design and walkable access to music venues |
| Family vs adult options | Family-friendly with dedicated adult-only pool zones layered into the resort | All-ages property (children stay free using existing bedding per policy) |
Gaylord Opryland sits in the Opryland area next to the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills.
Choose Gaylord if proximity to the Grand Ole Opry and a resort precinct matters more than downtown walkability.
The Joseph is in the city center steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Music City Center.
Choose The Joseph if you want a downtown stay that puts music venues and attractions within walking distance.
Gaylord Opryland offers a very large collection of standard and garden-view rooms across multiple towers.
Choose Gaylord for variety and capacity — suites and large blocks are easier to secure for groups.
The Joseph offers refined, design-forward rooms and suites with in-room iPads and premium bedding.
Choose The Joseph for boutique five-star rooms with an art-focused design and downtown views.
Gaylord Opryland has nearly 20 dining outlets spanning steakhouses, quick service and themed restaurants.
Choose Gaylord if you want many on-site dining choices for different moods and budgets.
The Joseph focuses on a smaller, curated food-and-drink program with a signature restaurant and lounges.
Choose The Joseph for a tighter, higher-end dining program that complements a downtown itinerary.
Gaylord’s headline amenity is the on-site SoundWaves water experience plus complimentary pools.
Choose Gaylord if pools, on-site water attractions and family recreation are priorities.
The Joseph offers a single outdoor seasonal pool and rooftop garden as its primary leisure features.
Choose The Joseph if you want a quieter pool experience paired with downtown views rather than a water-park feel.
Gaylord combines a large spa with on-site entertainment options and bars throughout the resort.
Choose Gaylord for a full-service spa plus many on-site evening options without leaving the property.
The Joseph provides full-service spa treatments and a compact nightlife offering, with downtown nightlife a short walk away.
Choose The Joseph for in-hotel spa services and immediate access to downtown nightlife and music venues.

Gaylord Opryland — SoundWaves, indoor atriums and multiple pools give families on-site activities for all ages.

The Joseph — steps from the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena and downtown dining/nightlife.

Gaylord Opryland — unmatched meeting and exhibit space with ballrooms and Ryman Exhibit Halls for very large groups.

The Joseph — a five-star Luxury Collection property with design-forward rooms and a refined service profile.
The Joseph is downtown and within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame and many Broadway venues; Gaylord Opryland is outside downtown and requires a short drive or shuttle.
SoundWaves admission is not automatically included with a standard room — guaranteed access requires booking the SoundWaves Water Experience package or purchasing tickets where available.
Gaylord Opryland is better for large meetings and conventions due to its extensive exhibit halls and ballroom capacities; The Joseph has about 22,000 sq ft of conference space suited to smaller corporate events.
Yes. Gaylord Opryland has Relâche Spa (≈20,000 sq ft) and The Joseph offers a full-service spa; both require reservations for treatments and may have age restrictions for certain services.
Explore how Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·