A tattooed bartender places dried orange slice garnishes onto four amber cocktails lined up on a bar counter.
About us

A Place of Story, Memory & Craft

On the shaded borders of World’s Fair Park on Henley Street, The Tennessean opened in 2017 as a reimagined landmark overlooking the Tennessee River. What was once an office tower was thoughtfully transformed floor by floor, inspired by the water that winds through the heart of the city.

For centuries, the rivers of East Tennessee shaped the land, the people, and the paths they traveled. At the meeting point of the Holston and French Broad Rivers, where they join to form the Tennessee River, Cherokee communities and traders navigated these waters as vital routes through the Appalachian frontier. Today, that spirit lives on here, in a hotel that honors the landscape, the craftsmanship, and the deep-rooted identity that defines East Tennessee.

STORIED

The Essence of the River

The Tennessee River was a guide, a provider, and a quiet force connecting mountain towns to the wider world. From this history emerges the spirit we call The Tennessean. It is a spirit shaped by mountain mist, river currents, and generations of makers, guides, and storytellers.

Bird of paradise flowers in a vase on a wooden counter, with framed pictures on an orange wall behind it.
CRAFTED

Shaped With Purpose

Regional artisans left their mark throughout, interiors draw inspiration from steady movement of the rivers, and design reflects the natural beauty and creative spirit of East Tennessee.

A small glass cup sits on a workshop table next to tools and an active torch flame in a glassblowing or craft studio.
A man with arms crossed stands at a counter next to another man wearing a cap, with oranges in a glass dispenser nearby.
Rooted

Celebrating East Tennessee

The Tennessean is rooted in the spirit of the Tennessee River and the cultural rhythm of Knoxville. Here, tea service becomes a ritual of storytelling. Dining unfolds as a celebration of local flavors and mountain botanicals. And each stay becomes a personal chapter in Knoxville’s living history, through local partnerships, thoughtful programming, and curated experiences.

Three women smiling and chatting together in a brightly lit room with a blue wall and large window.

Frequently 
Asked Questions

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Check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. local time.

Check-out is at 11:00 a.m. Late check-out may be available based on your departure day, for an additional fee, based on availability. An additional fee will be charged for departures after 11:00 a.m.

Yes! Our concierge team, noted for their innate ability to curate extraordinary experiences, is available 24/7 to assist you with local recommendations, reservations, and tickets to any of Knoxville’s many attractions.

The Tennessean is a smoke-free property. A minimum $250 fee will be charged if smoking occurs in a guest room, plus any additional cleaning costs.

In the Heart of Knoxville

#tennesseanhotel
  • An iced cocktail with an orange twist and a garnish pick sits on a wooden table, with a blurred lounge in the background.
  • An elegant catering spread on white spoons, decorated with purple orchid flowers, as a person reaches for a piece.
  • A man with long blonde hair sings into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar in front of a blue shelving unit.
  • A close-up of a floral arrangement with pink roses and white flowers, with the Tennessean hotel lobby desk blurred in the back.
  • A hotel room features a white robe hanging in a partially open closet. A bed, dresser with coffee machine, and map artwork are also present. Text: COUNTY TRADING AREA clearance date
  • Three distinct cocktails and a blue menu sit on a white table. One is a martini with chocolate shavings, another a coupe glass with a dried orange, and the third a rocks glass with lemon slices. Text: The Drawing ROOM.
  • Hands pouring tea from a white and gold teapot into a blue and gold teacup on a marble table, next to a matching tea set and a three-tiered high tea tray filled with pastries, macarons, and sandwiches.
  • Wine bottles chill in a metal bucket, blurred in the foreground, against a white wall displaying a gold floral logo and "THE TENNESSEAN".
  • A woman smiles while riding a white bicycle on a street beside a white building reading "THE TENNESSEAN". Far right: "usbank".
  • A server in a grey suit and purple bow tie holds a "LABARRAUD" sparkling wine bottle from an ice bucket. A name tag reads "ED". Bright background.
  • Café menu board with black letters on brass rails lists coffee (Drip Coffee 12oz 16oz, Espresso 4 5) and tea. It's above a pastry display case.
  • A cocktail in a glass smoking box is being opened by a person wearing a dark vest, releasing thick smoke across a white counter.
  • A coupe glass with an amber cocktail and a spherical ice cube is stirred by a twisted bar spoon. It rests on a speckled counter, with a blurred bartender in the background.
The Tennessean, Knoxville

Shaped by the River and Refinement

PLAN YOUR STAY