CHOOSE CHATT™ BLOG

Where to Stay in Chattanooga: Kinley Southside Chattanooga

The Kinley Hotel is one of Chattanooga’s most innovative and exciting places to stay. Located in the heart of Southside, the Kinley offers the perfect blend of art, nightlife, and local flavor. The experience starts from the second you enter the lobby for check in and doesn’t let up the entire stay. The Kinley is a masterclass in luxury, so if you want to rest in comfort without sacrificing style, then this is the accommodation for you. 

Dining room bar at the Kinley Hotel in Chattanooga

Once you hand your keys to the valet, check in at the guest services desk. Deep wood tones and dark blue-green walls bring warmth and coziness to the space that immediately makes you feel welcome. Meanwhile, the geometric wall adds an edgy coolness to the lobby that does double duty as a seating area or, if you borrow a board game off the built-in shelving, triple duty for game night! 

Check in desks in the lobby at the Kinley Hotel in Chattanooga

Entered from Market Street instead? Then welcome to The Exchange, one of two hotel bars. Gorgeous natural lighting from the wall of windows illuminates the bar and provides a perfect backdrop to settle in for one of The Exchange’s delicious coffee offerings. With everything from cold brew and cappuccinos to chai lattes and hot chocolate, there’s sure to be something to perk up even the sleepiest hotel guest! If you’re more inclined to follow Jimmy Buffett’s clock, order a hand-crafted cocktail from the hotel’s incredible bartenders. The liquor isn’t just for show! The Kinley takes its cocktails just as seriously as its coffee, with a full craft cocktail menu featuring Southside’s own Gate 11 gin and Chattanooga Whiskey, as well as a number of beers from local Tennessee brewers. The Exchange also makes for a great brunch spot. Try the bacon-infused deviled eggs or the country hash, which features fried beef bologna, herb butter, mixed potatoes, onions and peppers, cheddar cheese, and a fried egg. For those with a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with the 1409 French Toast – the fluffy brioche tastes like a cloud!

Company, the speakeasy at the Kinley Hotel in Chattanooga

Looking to add a little mystery and intrigue to your evening? Move past the check-in desk and let your eyes be drawn to the bookshelf in the far corner. Push your way through the shelf and enter Company. This speakeasy-inspired bar transports you back in time to a bygone era. The long copper bar top is drenched in dark Edison bulbs and candles for a moody, intimate experience all soundtracked by pulsating jazz tunes. This 21+ only bar is perfect for an adult’s night out with a menu fit for sharing! The apple flatbread is a sweet and savory combination of prosciutto, apples, and arugula, while the arancini is fried to golden-brown perfection. Wash it all down with one of Company’s incredible cocktails like the Original Sin, a blend of cinnamon rye, brandy, and Ancho Reyes liqueur or, for a drink as mysterious as the mood, the Stranger on a Train, a tequila-based drink embellished with lavender syrup, lemon, and orange bitters. 

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Dog sitting on a couch at the Kinley Hotel Chattanooga

At the end of the night, head upstairs to your room fit for royalty! The crisp linens add coziness to custom Murmaid mattresses, and the hotel’s dedication to the local art scene continues with Chattanooga-themed art pieces throughout the room. You’ll also find luxury touches like a cotton robe and clever storage options that keep your items out of sight in style. If you’re looking to really treat yourself on vacation, go all out and book the Market Street Suite, complete with a view overlooking its namesake and a dedicated living room space. Staycation, anyone? If you’re traveling with kids or just want to relive the sleepovers of youth, book one of the Kinley’s bunk bed suites. With both twin and queen bunk bed options, these rooms let you chase those summer camp vibes – minus the bug bites and sunburn. Don’t think the bunk beds mean you have to skimp on privacy or comfort, though. Each bunk is fitted with a privacy blackout curtain and the same gorgeous tile bathroom, fluffy robe, and artistic touches as the rest of the rooms. Can’t stand the thought of leaving your four-legged friend at home? The Kinley is pet-friendly, so they won’t have to miss out on any of the fun! The hotel is also in an ideal location for a stroll around downtown, so you can take in the sights while making sure Fido gets in his daily walk.

Kinley Hotel bedroom

The Kinley prides itself on supporting and uplifting the community it calls home. The tagline isn’t “Come as you are. Leave as a local.” for no reason! This local feel is evident in everything from the menu to the artwork. The Kinley’s Artist in Residence program offers a local artist the chance to feature pieces in the hotel, and the hotel also offers a Q&A with the artist. And while the welcoming, inviting energy of the space makes it easy to never want to leave, the Kinley is the perfect starting point for a tour of the vibrant, beautiful city of Chattanooga! If you want to explore the Southside neighborhood, hang a right onto Market Street and run right into Main Street. With multiple local restaurants to choose from, there will be something to please every palate. Blue Orleans Seafood boasts Creole staples like gumbo, po’ boys, and fried catfish, or head further down East Main for Scenic City favorites including Bluegrass Grill, Alleia, and Main Street Meats. While you’re out, be sure to check out the local music scene and take in a show at The Signal or Barrelhouse Ballroom. Want to explore more than one neighborhood? Cross the street from the Kinley to the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo and catch a ride on the free electric shuttle; just make sure you make it back to the Southside in time to grab a scoop from Clumpies Ice Cream Co. This local institution shares a block with the Kinley – don’t worry, we won’t tell if you eat ice cream in bed. It’s vacation, after all! 

blue couch in a room at the Kinley hotel in Chattanooga
Mural on the exterior of the Kinley Hotel in Chattanooga

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