If you’ve ever tried to book a room in downtown Nashville on a weekend, you know the drill. You're looking at $400 a night for a room the size of a closet, plus another $60 for valet parking. It’s a racket. That is exactly why the Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin TN has become this weirdly well-kept secret for people who actually want to enjoy Middle Tennessee without draining their 401k.
It’s in Franklin. Specifically, the Cool Springs area.
Most people see "Franklin" and think they're out in the boonies. Honestly? You’re about 20 minutes from Broadway. But the vibe is entirely different. You aren’t dodging pedal taverns or smelling stale beer the second you step outside your lobby. Instead, you're nestled in this corporate-meets-upscale-retail hub that feels remarkably safe and, frankly, much more functional than the chaos of Music City’s inner loop.
The "Kickback" is basically a cheat code for travel budgets
Let's talk about the food, because Drury does this thing that no other hotel chain really attempts. They call it the 5:30 Kickback. If you aren't familiar, it sounds like one of those sad "manager’s receptions" where you get a stale pretzel and a lukewarm Bud Light.
It’s not that.
Every evening, they put out a spread that basically functions as dinner. We’re talking sliders, tacos, pasta, chili, and salad. Is it Michelin-star dining? No. Of course not. But when you’ve spent the whole day hiking around Carnton or shopping at the CoolSprings Galleria, having free hot food waiting for you is a massive win. Oh, and you get three drink tickets. Every night. Real drinks—beer, wine, or mixed cocktails. For a family of four, the Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin TN is essentially saving you $100 a night just on dinner and drinks alone.
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It’s a huge perk.
Then there is the breakfast. Most "free breakfasts" at hotels are a depressing graveyard of plastic-wrapped muffins and watery eggs. Drury actually does a full hot spread with scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and those little DIY waffle makers that kids (and let’s be real, adults) obsess over. It’s consistent. You know what you’re getting.
Location: The Cool Springs advantage
The Drury sits right off I-65. This is crucial. If you’ve ever navigated Franklin traffic, you know that getting around can be a bit of a nightmare during rush hour. Being right by the McEwen Drive exit means you can hop on the interstate and be heading toward Nashville or south toward Columbia in seconds.
Proximity to what matters:
- CoolSprings Galleria: You can basically see it from the hotel. It’s one of the largest malls in the state.
- Historic Downtown Franklin: This is about a 10-minute drive. If you want the "Main Street" experience—think Gilmore Girls vibes but with more Tennessee whiskey—this is where you go.
- Arrington Vineyards: Roughly 20 minutes away. It's Kix Brooks’ (from Brooks & Dunn) winery. Even if you don't like wine, the view is worth the drive.
People often ask if they should stay in a boutique hotel downtown instead. Look, if you want to spend your entire trip on a rooftop bar, stay downtown. But if you actually want to see Tennessee, Franklin is the better home base. You have easier access to the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Civil War sites like the Carter House.
The rooms aren't flashy, but they work
We’ve all stayed in those "hip" hotels where the lighting is so dim you can’t find your suitcase and the shower has a glass wall that offers zero privacy. The Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin TN is the opposite of that. It’s predictable in a way that is deeply comforting when you're tired from traveling.
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The rooms are huge. Most of them have that separate sitting area which is a godsend if one person wants to stay up and watch TV while the other sleeps. They have microwaves and fridges in every room. That sounds like a small thing until you’re trying to heat up leftovers from BrickTop’s or J. Alexander’s (both of which are right around the corner).
One thing that genuinely surprises people is the "Clean + Safe" certification. Drury has consistently ranked at the top of J.D. Power awards for guest satisfaction for like, 16 years in a row. You can feel that. The staff in the Franklin location isn't some rotating door of disinterested teenagers; many of them have been there for years and actually know the area.
The pool situation (Inner-Outer)
Okay, this is a specific Drury quirk. They have an indoor/outdoor pool. There’s a swim-through gap in the glass. It’s kind of a novelty, but if you’re visiting in the shoulder seasons—like October or April—when the Tennessee weather can’t decide if it wants to be 40 or 80 degrees, it’s great. The hot tub is actually hot. The pool area is usually packed with families, so if you're looking for a quiet, zen-like spa experience, you might want to look elsewhere. But for kids? It’s basically Disney World.
Is it worth the price?
Price is relative, but compared to the nearby Marriott or the Hilton, Drury almost always comes out cheaper once you factor in the "extras."
Think about it:
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- No parking fee (The Hilton often charges).
- No breakfast cost.
- No dinner cost (if you use the Kickback).
- Free popcorn and soda in the lobby all afternoon.
It’s the "value" play. It’s for the traveler who wants a clean, quiet place to sleep but doesn't feel the need to pay for a lobby that smells like expensive perfume and has a DJ. Honestly, the money you save by staying here is better spent on a nice steak at Sperry’s or some local art on Main Street.
What people get wrong about staying in Franklin
A lot of visitors think that by staying at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin TN, they’re going to miss out on the Nashville experience. That’s just not true.
The reality of Nashville in 2026 is that it’s crowded. Staying in the city means constant noise—sirens, party buses, construction. Franklin offers a "reset" at the end of the day. You can spend 8 hours on Broadway, get your fill of neon lights and country music, and then drive 20 minutes south to a place where you can actually hear the crickets.
Plus, Franklin itself is arguably more interesting than Nashville these days. It has preserved its history much better. You can walk through the Park at Harlinsdale Farm or explore the Factory at Franklin, which is an old stove factory turned into a massive artisanal mall. The Drury puts you right in the center of that ecosystem.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to book, here is the most efficient way to handle your stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin TN:
- Join the Drury Rewards program before you book. It’s free, and they often have "member only" rates that shave another 10-15% off the price you see on Expedia or Booking.com.
- Request a room on a higher floor facing West. You’ll get a much better view of the rolling hills of Tennessee and less highway noise from I-65.
- Timing the Kickback: If you want to avoid the rush, go down at 5:15 PM. People start lining up for the food right at 5:30, and the line can get long, especially on Friday nights when youth sports teams are in town.
- Use the back entrance. The main entrance off McEwen can get congested. There’s a secondary way to get into the parking lot through the office complex area that saves you three traffic lights.
- Check the local calendar. If there is a festival in downtown Franklin (like Pumpkinfest or Dickens of a Christmas), this hotel will sell out months in advance. Book early if you're coming during a holiday.
Staying here isn't about luxury; it's about being smart with your time and money. You get a clean room, a full stomach, and easy access to the best parts of Middle Tennessee without the "tourist tax" found in downtown Nashville.