So, you’re thinking about staying at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
It’s one of those places that everyone knows, even if they’ve never set foot in Tennessee. You hear the name and that old Glenn Miller song immediately starts looping in your head. Pardon me, boy... and all that. But honestly, if you haven’t looked into it since, say, 2022, you’re basically looking at a totally different animal now.
The "Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel" as a single entity doesn't really exist the way it used to. It's complicated.
The Big Rebrand: It's Now The Hotel Chalet
For decades, you just booked a room at the Choo Choo. Simple. Now, the actual lodging portion of the famous Terminal Station has been sliced off and rebranded as The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo.
They spent something like $19 million on this.
A Chicago group called Trestle Studio took over and decided to lean into a "mountain chalet" vibe mixed with a heavy dose of Wes Anderson aesthetic. If you've seen the photos, you know what I mean. Think velvet, brass, and deep greens. It’s a massive departure from the slightly dusty, "grandma's wallpaper" feel the hotel had in the early 2000s.
What about the train cars?
This is usually what people actually care about.
Yes, you can still sleep in the train cars. In fact, that's the main draw. There are 25 restored Pullman train carriages dating back to the 1920s through the 1960s. They aren't just old metal tubes anymore; they’ve been gutted and turned into high-end boutique suites.
Some of them have:
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- Radiant heated bathroom floors (seriously).
- Italian linens.
- Trundle beds for the kids.
- Private entrances so you aren't walking through a lobby.
The MacArthur Suite is the "big boss" of these cars. It takes up an entire Pullman carriage. It’s got a private terrace right by the pool and enough room to host a small party of 15 people. If you’re looking to flex for a weekend in the Southside, that’s the one.
The Terminal Station Isn't Just a Lobby
One of the biggest misconceptions is that the big domed building is just where you check in.
It's actually a massive, 24-acre "campus." The Terminal Station building itself—the one with the 82-foot high dome—is open to the public. You don't have to be a guest to walk in and gawk at the architecture.
When it opened in 1909, that brick arch was called the largest in the world. Even now, standing under that dome makes you feel tiny. It’s cool, but it’s also a bit of a weird mix of high-end design and "work in progress" vibes.
Where to eat (and drink)
The dining scene here is where things get interesting. The old "Dinner in the Diner" is gone, which might bum out the nostalgia hunters. But the new stuff is objectively better.
- Elsie’s Daughter: This is the hotel's crown jewel. It’s an "Appalachian Bistro" with a French-Belgian twist. Think posh cocktails and savory snacks. It’s intimate, maybe even a little moody, and usually requires a reservation if you want a decent table on a Friday night.
- STIR: Located right in the station, they’re famous for their artisanal ice. Yeah, ice. They have a massive oyster bar and a solid local following.
- Nic & Norman’s: Co-owned by Norman Reedus (yes, Daryl from The Walking Dead). It’s more of a classic burger and beer joint.
- Frothy Monkey: The go-to for breakfast. It’s a Nashville staple that made its way down here.
The "Rough Edges" Nobody Mentions
I’m gonna be real with you: it’s not all polished brass and velvet.
If you spend any time on local Chattanooga forums or talk to the residents, you'll hear some grumbling. The "Choo Choo" name covers a lot of ground, and while The Hotel Chalet is sparkling clean and modern, some other parts of the campus feel a little neglected.
The famous neon sign? It’s been dark or "in repair" for ages, which is a huge bummer for the city skyline. Some of the old train cars that weren't part of the renovation look a little tired. The Glenn Miller Gardens, once a literal sea of roses, has been simplified. It’s more of a "lawn with string lights" now.
It’s a transition period. As of early 2026, more revitalization is planned for the gardens and the back-end of the property, but for now, you might notice a contrast between the luxury of your room and the "industrial-chic-meets-actual-industrial-decay" of the far corners of the lot.
Is the choo choo chattanooga hotel actually worth it?
It depends on what you're after.
If you want a standard, quiet Marriott experience, stay elsewhere. This place is loud. It's in the middle of the Southside Entertainment District. You’ve got The Signal (a major concert venue) right there. You’ve got The Comedy Catch. You’ve got Station Street, which is one of the few places in the city where you can walk around with an open container.
It’s an experience.
You stay here because you want to tell people you slept in a 1930s Pullman car. You stay here because you want to be able to stumble out of a late-night show at the comedy club and be in your bed in three minutes.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip:
- Book the "Sleeper Deluxe" if you're a couple. The standard hotel rooms (in the MacArthur building) are nice, but they feel like a regular boutique hotel. If you aren't in a train car, you're missing the point.
- Check the concert schedule at The Signal. If a heavy metal band is playing and you're a light sleeper, you're going to have a bad time.
- Don't skip the Distillery. Gate 11 is tucked inside the station. They make their own vodka and gin, and it’s way better than it has any right to be for a "tourist spot" bar.
- Parking is a pain. Use the hotel's valet or be prepared to feed a kiosk every few hours. The Southside is not friendly to free parking.
Basically, the Chattanooga Choo Choo has finally stopped trying to be a dusty museum and started trying to be a cool, modern hangout. It's not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more interesting than a suburban Hilton. Just don't expect the roses to look like they did in 1974.