
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Best for families, resort-focused stays, and large conferences that benefit from on-site activities and extensive event space.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is a large 4-star destination resort in the Opryland area with nine acres of indoor garden atriums, multiple pools, a large spa, and SoundWaves water experience—good for families, meetings, and travelers who want an on-site resort experience. The Westin Nashville is a 4-star, 456-room upscale downtown hotel near Bridgestone Arena and Broadway—best for visitors who want walkable access to Nashville’s entertainment district and a compact city-hotel base.
Updated · about 11–12 miles (18–19 km) apart

Best for families, resort-focused stays, and large conferences that benefit from on-site activities and extensive event space.

Best for music fans and nightlife visitors who want to walk to Broadway, Bridgestone Arena, and downtown attractions.
When Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center wins: choose Gaylord if you want an on-site destination with nearly 20 dining options, year-round indoor gardens, a large spa, and the SoundWaves water attraction—ideal for families, groups, and multi-day conventions.
When The Westin Nashville wins: pick The Westin for a downtown stay within easy walking distance of Bridgestone Arena, Broadway, and the Music City Center—it’s more convenient for concerts, restaurants, and sightseeing without relying on cars or shuttles.
Bottom line: Gaylord is a self-contained resort and event campus that keeps you busy on property; The Westin Nashville is a straightforward, full-service downtown hotel for guests focused on Nashville’s downtown entertainment and attractions.
| Category | Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center | The Westin Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Large resort complex with indoor gardens, family attractions, and convention facilities | Upscale downtown hotel focused on walkable access to music and entertainment |
| Location | Opryland area next to Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills; ~20-minute drive to downtown | Downtown Nashville within a 10-minute walk of Bridgestone Arena and Broadway |
| Size (rooms) | 2,888 guest rooms (six floors) | 456 guestrooms |
| Target guests / ages | All ages — family-friendly with dedicated adult-only pool zones | All ages — standard full-service city hotel |
| Pools | Complimentary indoor and outdoor pools plus the paid SoundWaves 4-acre indoor/outdoor water attraction (package/access required); children's pool and adult-only zones | Outdoor seasonal pool and an indoor pool (seasonal/operating details available from hotel) |
| Restaurants & bars | Nearly 20 dining outlets (steakhouse, Italian, Southern, quick-serve, cafés) and multiple bars/lounges | Two restaurants, two bars/lounges, room service (limited hours), and poolside bar |
| Spa & wellness | Relâche Spa (about 20,000 sq ft), treatments, steam/sauna, 24-hour fitness center | Full-service spa offering massages, body treatments, facials, plus fitness center and steam room |
| Known for | SoundWaves water experience and nine acres of indoor atriums (Delta Atrium, Garden Conservatory, Cascades) | Proximity to Music City venues (Bridgestone Arena, Broadway) and downtown events |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive convention campus with hundreds of meeting rooms and hundreds of thousands of sq ft (largest rooms for conventions and large weddings) | About 1,800 sq ft of conference space (conference center and meeting rooms) |
| Nearest major airport | Nashville International Airport ~6–9 miles (12–20 minute drive depending on traffic) | Preferred airport: Nashville International Airport (BNA), about an 11.8 km / 7.4 mi reference from supplier listing |
Gaylord Opryland sits in the Opryland entertainment district next to the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills—it’s a resort-focused location that’s convenient for airport transfers and Opry-area attractions.
Great if you want proximity to the Grand Ole Opry and a self-contained resort area, less convenient for walking downtown.
The Westin Nashville is positioned in downtown Nashville within short walking distance of Bridgestone Arena, Broadway, and the Music City Center.
Better for guests who want to be in the action and avoid driving once downtown.
Gaylord Opryland has thousands of rooms across multiple towers and room types geared toward families and groups.
Choose Gaylord when you need large-room blocks or family-sized accommodations tied to resort amenities.
The Westin Nashville offers 456 guestrooms with standard and suite options targeted at business and leisure travelers.
The Westin is well suited to travelers who want a consistent downtown hotel room inventory and a choice of suites for upgrades.
Gaylord Opryland has nearly 20 restaurants and bars spanning casual to upscale dining inside its atriums.
If you prefer staying on property for almost every meal or need varied options for families, Gaylord covers most bases.
The Westin has a smaller on-site dining footprint but is steps from downtown restaurants, bars, and venues.
The Westin works well if you plan to eat out downtown; on-site dining is modest by comparison.
Gaylord offers complimentary indoor and outdoor pools and the large paid SoundWaves water experience (package/access required).
If a waterpark-style experience and multiple pool options matter, Gaylord is the clear pick.
The Westin provides a standard urban hotel pool setup: an outdoor seasonal pool plus an indoor pool.
The Westin’s pools are suitable for relaxation after sightseeing but don’t replace a waterpark or resort pool complex.
Gaylord’s Relâche Spa and a 24-hour fitness center support wellness needs, and the resort has many on-site evening dining and entertainment spaces.
Good balance of wellness and on-site nightlife suitable for groups and families staying in the resort bubble.
The Westin Nashville offers a full-service spa, steam room, and fitness facilities, with downtown nightlife steps away.
Pick The Westin for streamlined spa services plus quick access to Nashville nightlife and live music.

Gaylord Opryland — family-oriented attractions, indoor gardens, children's pool, and the SoundWaves water experience (ticket/package required).

The Westin Nashville — walking distance to Bridgestone Arena, Broadway, and downtown venues.

Gaylord Opryland — an extensive convention campus and multiple ballrooms that handle very large events.

The Westin Nashville — a full-service downtown hotel with suites and meeting rooms but in a much smaller, more walkable package.
The Westin Nashville is downtown and within a short walk of Broadway and Bridgestone Arena; Gaylord is in the Opryland area and requires a drive or shuttle to get to downtown music venues.
No. SoundWaves admission is a separate paid experience; guaranteed access requires booking the SoundWaves Water Experience overnight package.
Gaylord Opryland is oriented toward families with indoor gardens, a children's pool, and the SoundWaves water attraction; The Westin is a typical city hotel that accommodates families but lacks large on-site family attractions.
Yes. Gaylord has Relâche Spa (large facility) and The Westin Nashville lists 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 ·