Kimpton Aertson Hotel Nashville: Upscale + Eco Friendly

Written by Lisa Waterman Gray

December 13, 2021
Home >> Travel >> Hotels and Resorts >> Kimpton Aertson Hotel Nashville: Upscale + Eco Friendly

Discover the Kimpton Aertson Hotel, near ‘Music Row’, and within 1.5 miles of the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

When I heard the name of the boutique Nashville hotel where our press group would stay—Kimpton Aertson Hotel—I wondered about the source of this unusual name. It turns out the renowned Vanderbilt family, which is from the area, only became Vanderbilts after arrival in this country. Soon after Jan Aertson immigrated to the US from DeBilt, Netherlands (then Holland), he changed the family name to Van DerBilt. The change honored his ancestral village of DeBilt. The Kimpton Aertson honors the family’s ancestral roots.

The hotel operates near ‘Music Row’ and within 1.5 miles of the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame. It’s also the same distance from Nashville’s new National Museum of African American Music.


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Arriving at Kimpton Aertson Hotel

Kimpton hotels always have a unique feel that draws on unique inspiration for each location. When walking into Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville, the first thing you see in the lobby are hundreds of rough-hewn rocks hanging along the face of a floor-to-ceiling two-sided gas fireplace.



Small rocks hang along the surface of this floor-to-ceiling fireplace

Small rocks hang along the surface of this floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the lobby at Kimpton Aertson Hotel. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Marine-blue rope decorated the front desk’s entire surface. Raw wood beams lined the ceiling above, and black metal stick chandeliers blazed in the adjacent lounge area. Behind the morning coffee station, a huge montage of brightly painted, recycled wood pieces decorated the wall.

Raw wood beams in the lobby of the Kimpton Aertson Hotel

Raw wood beams accentuate the lobby ceiling. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Unwind and Recharge at Kimpton Aertson Hotel

When I arrived in my spacious guestroom, I could not turn on the lights from the entry wall switch. That is until I noticed the ‘Shine On’ card, which required insertion before I could activate the lights. These Wattstopper Lighting Controls, by Legrand, save electric energy in any space. They are common in European hotels, but not as common in the US.

Kimpton Aertson Nashville

The Kimpton Aertson Nashville hotel is full of eco-friendly characteristics. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

I really appreciated the eco-friendly and repurposed design elements in my room. On a nearby wall, metal that looked like it was once an animal trough framed a large mirror. Bottled water came in glass, and most bathroom amenities are in large, reusable containers.

Repurposed metal mirror frame in a guest room at The Kimpton Aertson Hotel

Repurposed metal created a mirror frame in my guestroom. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

A two-sided wastebasket provided space for recyclable and non-recyclable trash. A raw-edge wood shelf that supported the television and a table lamp hung from wall-spanning, smooth wood panels. They echoed wood panels installed behind the comfortable bed. I was also thrilled to see a glass door, which fully opened onto a small balcony. It provided fresh air and great views of the surrounding neighborhood.

Kimpton Aertson Nashville

Guestrooms are sleek, stylish, and full of natural or reused materials. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

How the Kimpton Brand Protects the Environment

If you’re noticing a ‘green hotel’  trend at Kimpton Aertson Hotel, it’s no wonder. Environmental awareness and action reflect a company-wide eco-friendly business model. The use of non-toxic cleaning supplies, extensive recycling, and minimized water consumption is only the beginning. Kimpton also partners with the not-for-profit Clean the World Foundation, which collects and recycles discarded soap and hygiene products as it provides hygiene education.



In addition, nearly half a dozen Kimpton hotels have received Silver and Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council-including the Kimpton Aertson Hotel. This brand was also the nation’s first to receive 100 percent portfolio-wide certification from the Green Key Eco-Rating Program and the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ program.

TripAdvisor GreenLeaders recognizes hotels that are leading the way, in their environmental practices. It reflects a partnership award with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Travelers can also locate eco-friendly hotels via the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders website. Additional Kimpton brand eco-focused recognition has included the Condé Nast World Savers Award.

The Kimpton Aertson Hotel Blends Upscale Design with Natural Elements

Public spaces beyond the lobby and guestrooms continue the Kimpton Aertson Hotel’s eco-friendly focus. Deep gray walls in my hallway included painted original brick. On the meeting level, dark marble-topped cabinets featured various wood tones. They also displayed ceramic and glass art pieces.

Kimpton Aertson Nashville

This stunning cabinet, ceramic, and glass pieces decorate a hallway near meeting rooms. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Inside the hotel’s Henley Modern American Brasserie, a long table lined with tall stools sported a raw wood edge. Black metal framed decorative indoor windows, and artful metal installations glowed gold as they let light through. Cozy booths surrounded the perimeter.

Kimpton Aertson Nashville

The cozy and comfortable Henley hotel restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

This upscale eatery is a great place for breakfast, happy hour, or dinner. On one morning, I savored a breakfast of Chia Pudding, served in a handcrafted ceramic bowl. A private dining space featured an entire wall of gorgeous wood cabinets and shelves, creating the feel of somebody’s living room.

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When You Visit Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville

During my stay at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville, I didn’t need to park a car because I was traveling with a group. But in this bustling, music-focused district, it’s important to know that valet parking (at the time of this writing) costs $37 per night.

For guests who are health-conscious, there’s a spacious onsite workout space, offering treadmills to weights. You can also receive a professional massage or other pampering treatments only steps from the front desk. Book appointments inside the adjacent 4,000-square-foot The Woodhouse Day Spa – Nashville, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Enjoy your visit to the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. Be sure to check out Wander for more great ideas on what to see and do when you visit Tennessee. We also have more hotel profiles and cover some of our favorite Green Hotels.

Discover the Kimpton Aertson Hotel, near ‘Music Row’, and within 1.5 miles of the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame. This green hotel is in the middle of everything in Nashville, TN.

Kimpton Aertson Hotel Nashville: Upscale + Eco Friendly



Written by Lisa Waterman Gray

A Kansas City-area resident, Lisa Waterman Gray has savored Quebec’s finest cuisine, ridden in a pickup before a Kansas buffalo herd, and toured natural Arizona landmarks with Native American guides. In June 2011, 18 months of driving, research, and writing ended with national publication of Lisa’s book, An Explorer’s Guide: Kansas. During October 2014, she was a U.S. delegate for Terre Madre and Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy – a conference for Slow Food International. Lisa has written for Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle (a Canadian magazine), USA Today.com, Midwest Living, four AAA magazines, and other clients. Visit her online at http://www.lisawatermangray.com/.

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