Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel is a ‘love letter to Nashville’
The story of Dolly Parton is intertwined with the city of Nashville. From her first performance at the iconic Grand Ole Opry at the age of thirteen to her eventual relocation to the city at the start of her career, Nashville clearly holds a special place in Dolly’s heart. Later this year, Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel will open in downtown Nashville, steps away from the heart of Country Music’s past, present and future.
All renderings and concepts courtesy of Dollywood Parks & Resorts
When it opens, this 245-room hotel will be Dolly’s love letter to the city, featuring themed suites, two entertainment venues, and a dedication to southern hospitality and service that runs through the veins of all of Dolly’s projects.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Shannon Foster, the general manager of Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, to get a sneak peek at what guests can expect from this new hotel, from its entertainment, the attached Dolly Parton museum and archive, to its dedication to guest service and joy.
When I first sat down with Shannon, obviously, the first thing on my mind was how this hotel fit in with some of the other Dolly Parton-themed offerings around the state of Tennessee, specifically the Dollywood Resort in nearby Pigeon Forge (well, nearby might be a bit misleading; Pigeon Forge is about a three-hour drive from Nashville).
Shannon spoke at length about how this new hotel fits into the portfolio of the existing Dollywood resorts: “When we really talk about this project overall, it is Dolly’s love letter to Nashville. And the reason we call it a love letter is that it’s just a way for Dolly to thank the fans for all the love and support she’s received over the last seven-ish decades of her career. She moved to Nashville when she was 18 and has really made a life for herself there. So that’s why Nashville was really chosen for this project… DreamMore is like if Dolly were inviting you into her home, and HeartSong is like if she were inviting you into her mountain lodge. So, think what people will really find is that Southern hospitality, that true kindness, that true genuine anticipatory guest experience will exist in SongTeller as well.”
Dolly Parton’s vision for SongTeller Hotel
When I asked about what goes into capturing that ‘Dolly Parton Spirit’ in a hotel, Shannon told me that Dolly sees SongTeller as a bit of a legacy project.
In planning this project, she has helped pick out items that will be on display in the museum and determine how they’re represented, as well as design elements for the hotel itself: “I’ve sat in a meeting with her where we…kind of went through all of the detailed renderings and talked about all of these different spaces and she was able to weigh in based on all of this ongoing feedback that’s happened. So, there are regular meetings with Dolly and regular involvement”.
Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum
One of the main draws of this location, both for guests who are staying at SongTeller, as well as those who just want to celebrate the career of Dolly Parton, is the aforementioned ‘Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum’, which will be “unlike anything Dolly that exists today”.
The attraction will occupy the entire third floor of the property, over 20,000 square feet of museum and retail space, and feature a mix of items from Dolly’s personal archives—Shannon told me they have warehouses full of Dolly memorabilia to choose from—as well as fan-driven pieces.
In fact, Shannon informed me that this has become a bit of a family affair for Dolly: ”Her niece, Rebecca, is the executive director for the museum. So, [we are] very much working hand in hand with the individuals involved to help create this really special project, to really help bring it to life.”
Live music venues
The dedication and commitment to Dolly’s ‘SongTeller’ identity is also evident in the two entertainment venues on site. The larger of the two, ‘Parton’s Live,’ is a 114-seat venue that will host ticketed performances by some of the area’s fastest rising musicians, as well as some of Dolly’s friends and collaborators.
Shannon mentioned during our chat that Parton’s Live will host Writer’s Rounds, intimate performances where three or four songwriters share not only their music but also the stories that inspired them.
The other venue, ‘Jolene’s’, is a smaller, speakeasy-style performance space, where people are invited to celebrate and connect in a more social setting. Both venues will feature southern-inspired food and beverage services, with as much focus on mocktails as on cocktails.
One interesting point that Shannon brought up during our talk was that both venues, in true Dolly spirit, would serve as platforms for ‘underrepresented voices’, meaning that at least 50% of performances in these spaces would be women-led. “…If you listen to country radio, you’ll find that women’s voices are maybe one in every seven songs on the radio…women’s voices aren’t represented quite as much as they could be. So, given that Dolly is a female songteller, songwriter, and storyteller, we’re really going to create that platform. So we will never have less than 50% of our performances not represented by women…so we can make sure that we’re creating that platform for those underrepresented voices.”
Special accomodations
Guests of the hotel will also be able to choose between a variety of accommodations, ranging from signature rooms to the elaborate two-story SongTeller suite.
For guests looking for a girls’ getaway or celebration, the Six Sisters Suite features a main bedroom with three beds and offers guests a ‘very special’ turn-down service, as well as a Mimosa cart.
Says Shannon, “It’s such a fun and special place that I think it’s really gonna be at the top of people’s list to come check it out, experience it, and celebrate whatever brings them to Nashville. I love that. We need bubbles for that.” Shannon also mentioned that in lieu of Mimosas, a Pressed Juice cart could also be requested, for those looking for a non-alcoholic experience.
For those more interested in a personalized experience, SongTeller also offers Acoustic Suites that not only feature musical decor but also include instruments such as pianos in the room. Guests staying in these suites can also partake in a ‘Bath Butler’ service or Bourbon tasting, included as a part of their stay.
Those looking for a more musical experience can add on an In-Room Songwriting session, where the hotel will partner with a local songwriter to lead aspiring SongTellers through their process and help them create their own song. “We’ll work with that person, and (have) conversations with our VIP concierge to really understand what this guest is looking to accomplish through that session so we can find just the right songwriter for them to work with,” explains Foster.
Key Takeaways
- Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel opens in Nashville, celebrating her love for the city and offering unique themed suites.
- The hotel features a Dolly Parton museum, two entertainment venues, and emphasizes Southern hospitality.
- Parton’s Live will host diverse performances, ensuring at least 50% are women-led, promoting underrepresented voices.
- Guests can enjoy various accommodations, including the Six Sisters Suite and Acoustic Suites with in-room music experiences.
- Reservations for Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel are open for September 15th and the grand opening will be announced soon.
Ultimately, what I walked away from my conversation with Shannon about this hotel was the infusion of Joy they are trying to give everyone who visits them.
“I think people are going to find a lot of joy throughout all of the things that they uncover during their time on property. So, whether it’s … these tributes on the guest floors, this beautiful representation of a moment in Dolly’s life…There’s been just so much love and passion from so many people who have gone into creating this project. I think that’s going to create a lot of joy for people just simply coming to the property.”
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel is currently accepting reservations for September 15, 2026 and beyond, with an official grand opening to be announced soon.
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