I’ll admit, that until I began working at the Preston, I thought that ‘boutique hotel’ meant a big, fancy hotel with a tiny, fancy shop in the lobby. I tell folks all the time about the great boutique hotel I spend my days in, so I’d thought I’d see what that actually means. I consulted Wikipedia (yeah, I know they’re not always accurate, but this time I think they’re on the money):

Boutique hotels are always individual and focused on offering their services in a comfortable, intimate, and welcoming setting, so they are therefore extremely unlikely to be found amongst the homogeneity of large chain hotel groups. Many boutique hotels have on-site dining facilities, and the majority offer noteworthy bars and lounges that may also be open to the general public.

That describes us to a T, so come on in and browse.

See you soon,

Dane

Now that Valentine’s Day has passed, it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the hard truth that faces us in April: tax day, the most dreaded milestone of the year. If you’re like my wife, the forms have already been filed; but for the rest of us, Hotel Preston is ready to make tax season a little more enticing.

Stay with us anytime through April 18^th and we’ll make the season a bit sweeter by paying Uncle Sam for you! That’s right, stay with us for two nights or more and we’ll cover the cost of your room taxes. Basking in the glow of a tax-free stay, a couple rounds of cocktails at Pink Slip, and a delicious meal at Cafe Isabella are sure to make tax season just a little less painful.

See you soon,

Dane

I’ve recently been chatting with our lady who Tweets for the Hotel Preston, reading some of the stuff that’s coming across, and it’s pretty entertaining and informative. Here’s a sample:

What you’re telling us:

Had an awesome time in Jamaica but all started with an awesome stay at @hotel_preston. Awesome Nashville hotel, check it out!

Just ask the front desk for one at check in! RT @LavaLamp: @hotel_preston You guys are awesome for putting Lava Lamps in your rooms.

What we’re telling you:

Win a night with our bro in #Seattle #hotel_max! Play #10days10nights. To enter follow @provenancehotel & tweet with the #! Last day to play!

Just in case you missed the big news…we have 3 new family members! Here we come, #SanFrancisco! http://bit.ly/fUD8fi

It might be time for a second cup o’ joe! What is your favorite #Nashville coffee shop?

Looks like it’s time to get connected! And there may just be a special deal or two in there in 2011.

Tweet you soon,

Dane

One of the best things about writing for this blog is discovering new and strange things about the town I live in. I did some research, wanted to see if there were some cool Halloween events going on in Nashville to turn all y’all on to. As expected, there are corn mazes, haunted houses, and plenty of pumpkin patches. But here’s what I’ll be doing: I’ll be walking around downtown Nashville, following a guy named Chris, who will be wearing old-timey clothes and carrying a lantern. Why? Because I want to find the real ghosts, that’s why.

Chris, a guide for Nashville Ghost Tours, is going to lead me to all sorts of spooky places, including the Capitol Building, then on to St. Mary’s Church, continuing to Printer’s Alley, and finally to the Grand Ole Opry. All chock-a-block with spirits from the past. I can wait to be creeped out.

See you there,

Dane

As you know, my female friends often give me advice about what to write. They see the hotel from a different perspective, and notice things that I might not. Like the toiletries. I gotta admit that what I look for in a soap is suds. Shampoo? Same. My gal pals, though, are just a little more particular. One such girl recently stayed at the Preston the night before flying out of town (took advantage of the deal I told her about, the Park & Fly package) and later went on and on about the Aveda products in the rooms.

So, I challenge you: ask five women in your life how they feel about Aveda. I can almost guarantee swooning. Apparently, it’s something about the scent. OK, it smells good, but really? As I was saying, it’s the little things.

See you soon,

Dane

Let me just say that a vacation beats a staycation any day. But since some people just don’t have the time to jet off to the Eiffel Tower or the Great Wall, the Preston makes sticking close to home a lot more affordable and a lot more enjoyable. Don’t spend your precious days off parked in front of the boob tube or, worse–like my pal Russ–cleaning your garage. Really.

The Preston’s Staycation Package sets you up with an overnight, free wifi, a cocktail at the Pink Slip lounge, and a breakfast voucher the next morning. Plan on taking a dip in the pool, and don’t forget to nab the pillow of your choice from the menu before heading to bed. And for our neighbors to the north and our in-state guests–that’s you, Kentuckians and fellow Tennesseans–the Preston will knock off an additional 30 bucks. No garage cleaning required.

Later,

Dane

You’ve got a 7 a.m. flight, off for a week on business to Random Big City. You’re planning on getting up at 2:30, being at airport long-term parking by 4:30 (at an average of eight bucks a day), taking the bus to get to the terminal by 5 a.m. How about this instead?

Check in to the Hotel Preston the evening before, making sure to be here for cocktail hour in the Pink Slip Lounge. Maybe a dry martini, just a little dirty. Your car is parked, safe and sound, free (yes, free) for up to seven days. Sit down to a fabulous plate of Chicken Parmigiana at Preston’s Café Isabella. Up to your room, maybe dessert from our 24-hour room service. Our wake-up service rouses you at 4:15, you’re on the complimentary airport shuttle at 4:45, easily making the three-mile trip to the terminal by 5. How much is your time worth?

Later,

Dane

Ok, here’s a straight-up plug for the Hotel Preston. Watching everyone come together during the recent flooding made me damn proud of Nashville, Tennessee. So, if you haven’t been here yet, I want to tell you that you’re really missing something.

So, that’s cleared up. You’re coming to Nashville. Now, where are you going to stay? That’s right: at the Hotel Preston. This is honestly one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever seen (and I’ve been around a bit). There’s always some kind of special offer, too, and this one’s great, whether you’re here on vacation or business.

If you book two or more nights, you can save 30% off the best rate we offer. Keep in mind that the Preston is a boutique hotel, and then you realize how cool that is. I’m personally inviting you to come see the hotel and one of the best cities you’ll ever run across. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

Later,

Dane

Bear with me, ‘cuz this is definitely not in my wheelhouse. I’m not a crafty guy (at least not in the artsy way), but a friend of mine was going on about this event last weekend, told me I needed to pass it on to everyone at the Preston.

So, here’s the deal. On the first weekend in May, you need to head out to Centennial Park to the 39th Annual TACA Tennessee Craft Fair Image gallery. It’s a TACA (Tennessee Association of Craft Artists) gig, the biggest one of its kind in the state. There will be almost 200 artists and their work represented, with a lot of the craftspeople on hand to talk about their process and inspiration. Throw in events for kids, special exhibits and booths, and I think there’s going to be something for everyone – even me – to like.

Enjoy,

Dane