Hyatt Centric Beale Street Review

Known as the “Home of the Blues” and the birthplace of rock 'n roll, any trip to Memphis is incomplete without a stroll down the city's most famous street, Beale Street. Lined with historic music venues, restaurants, bars, and shops, travelers could spend hours exploring the cultural fabric of the city at spots like the iconic B.B. King's Blues Club and classic general store A. Schwab. The area around Beale Street is top-notch as well: just steps away, theatre lovers can catch a show at the Orpheum Theatre, while basketball fans can take in a Grizzlies game at the FedExForum.

So it was no surprise that the spring 2021 opening of the Hyatt Centric Beale Street was met with much celebration by travelers and locals alike. The first hotel to set up shop on Memphis's famous Beale Street, the Hyatt Centric Beale Street's unbeatable location makes it walking distance from some of the city's most beloved haunts—a fete not common in the South. With its plush rooms, views of the Mississippi River, and great food and beverage options, it's an excellent choice for travelers who plan to spend their time on one of America's most historic streets, with the option of a quick walk back to their rooms—or a nightcap at the hotel's elegant whiskey bar, Beck and Call—once the night is over.

The Lobby

The hotel's welcome desk is located directly through a set of automatic doors, and features a lobby kiosk to the right of the desk where guests making their way in can grab coffee, pastries, sandwiches and more to refuel after a long flight. Beyond the lobby, the hotel's on-site ground floor restaurant and bar, CIMAS, provides a space for guests to sit and relax. The large seating area features plush chairs, carpeting, and lamps, as well as floor to ceiling windows with downtown views. Guests can kick back with a cocktail; the bar also serves coffee, so it's a perfect spot for those looking to get work done during the day.

Other Public Spaces

As part of their commitment to bring business back to downtown Memphis, the Hyatt Centric has repurposed the William C. Ellis and Sons Ironworks and Machine Shop, the historic neighboring property that was once a family-owned manufacturing business, into a vibrant meeting and event space. Complete with multiple meeting rooms and a ballroom, it can accommodate up to 500 guests.

The event space stays true to the history of the shop, retaining its original brick walls as well as featuring check-in tables made using former Ironworks materials. Paying homage to the city's rock 'n roll roots, the space's carpeting is designed with patterns that recall sound waves, while light fixtures resemble treble clef notes (these carpets can also be found throughout the hotel's lobbies). The event space also incorporates its own lawn, which overlooks the Mississippi River.

The hotel's pool area is resort-style, with private poolside cabanas and a sun deck. My room overlooked the pool, which was bustling with guests taking a dip in the southern heat. Guests can book a private cabana, and the entire pool and terrace can also be privately booked for parties or events (take note of this, as it could be booked up during your stay). The hotel's fitness center is open 24 hours and is fully equipped with treadmills, weights, and more.

Rooms

The hotel is comprised of 227 guest rooms, including 12 suites. All of the rooms celebrate the city's legacy—brown leather headboards evoke the iconic cowboy boot, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views of downtown or the Mississippi River. Rooms are available in a king bed or two queen configuration; ADA and adjoining rooms are also available. All on the larger side, the rooms feel hip and modern, with the moody color palette and brown leather giving it a youthful but slightly masculine feel. Bluetooth alarm clocks, a large vanity, jersey-knit bathrobes, and 55-inch HDTVs add to the luxury.

Bathroom

My king room's bathroom featured one of the property’s most thoughtful touches: frosted glass showers etched with the names of Bluff City staples, ranging from famous residents, iconic buildings, classic dishes, and quintessential neighborhoods. While this feature is not available in all bathrooms, it's worth booking a king if you'd like some lighthearted reading during your morning shower. During my stay, I luxuriated under the rainfall shower head and enjoyed the citrus-and-honey scent of the BeeKind (Gilchrist & Soames) amenities, although I would have preferred the property incorporate a local toiletries brand to tie in with its Memphis theme.

Food & Drink

The Hyatt Centric Beale Street really shines when it comes to its food and beverage offerings—a major litmus test in a vibrant food and nightlife city like Memphis. The hotel's ground floor restaurant and bar, CIMAS, as well as its rooftop cocktail lounge, Beck and Call, are hot spots for locals and travelers alike.

CIMAS is the Hyatt Centric Beale Street's Latin-inspired restaurant, featuring pan-Latin favorites with a Southern twist, such as crab stuffed rainbow trout with roasted poblano peppers and carnitas nachos alongside staples such as grits and collard greens. Open for breakfast, dinner, and weekend brunch, the restaurant sources from and supports local growers such as mushroom purveyor Bluff City Fungi and Mississippi regenerative farm Home Place Pastures. Cocktails, beer, wine and spirits are readily available, and a separate lounge menu featuring sips and bites is on hand for guests who get peckish while lounging in the restaurant's lobby bar.

The property's crown jewel is undoubtedly its hip rooftop bar, Beck and Call. One of the city's hottest tickets, getting a spot here on a weekend could be a full-contact sport—but once you get to the top, it's not hard to see why. Featuring a wrap-around roof deck that offers unobstructed views of the city's Hernando de Soto bridge, Beck and Call is the place to be to watch the city's nightly LED light show, also known as the "mighty lights," during which the bridge flashes in bright colors and patterns every evening at sundown.

The chic whiskey bar's outdoor area includes semi-secluded spaces, fire pits and an outdoor bar serving up craft cocktails. Inside, a bar area with plush seating offers plenty of screens to catch the basketball game on. Alongside favorites like the Bluff City Lemonade and the Biscoff Old Fashioned (trust us on this one), guest can chow down on small plates like chicken wings and truffled tater tots.

Fees & Other Info

The hotel charges a $32 daily fee for valet parking.

Dogs up to 50 pounds (75 pounds combined) are allowed at the hotel for a fee of $100 for up to six nights or $200 for up to 30 nights.