The Dwell Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

The staff were the hotel's greatest strength. They were kind and courteous, clearly cared about their guests and city, and made us feel welcome and appreciated. At check-in they told us to ask for anything we needed, because they wanted us to feel looked after. We used points from our major brand to stay here, wanting character after tiring of the usual chain hotel, and were glad we did. The older building has creaky wood floors, imperfect moldings, and an old-world feel. Every room is different; we stayed in the flamingo room. The downstairs spaces have their own decor and plenty of photo opportunities. It's downtown, with a few good places to eat within walking distance, though we would've liked more nice dining options closer by. Our supposed city view was the side of another building. The room wasn't soundproof, either: we heard street trucks and people walking overhead, so a top floor might be preferable. Parking was a little odd, since we had to use the courthouse across the street, but the gated lot and security cameras were a plus.

The Tiki Room had a gas fireplace, a huge tub that fit two, a very comfortable king bed, and lots of space. We were surprised to find champagne on ice when we arrived. I mentioned our anniversary in the reservation's special requests, though I hadn't expected anything. Hotel manager L'Erin greeted us at check-in and personally showed us to the room, a lovely touch. The Dwell Hotel is a charming boutique spot in downtown Chattanooga, with each room decorated around its own theme. Everyone on staff was incredibly kind, and everything was clean. We'd recommend it. One tip: bring your charging block. Our room had no furniture or outlets set up for charging smart devices, so there was nowhere to plug in the cords we brought. They had a wall block and cord for sale for $18, which seemed reasonable, but luckily we didn't need to buy one.

We chose the hotel for my birthday because our anniversary stay a couple of years ago had been so welcoming, friendly, and clean. This visit was a letdown. We arrived late after a delay back home, and Harrison at the front desk spoke to us rudely in a condescending, smart tone for no reason. It made us very uncomfortable and set a bad tone for the stay. Then we found hair in the shower and tub, and a big stain on the bedsheet. I was disappointed after how good the service had been on our first visit.

Matilda Midnight, attached to The Dwell Hotel, is a dark, moody cocktail lounge with thoughtful design. Its adventurous drinks look as good as they taste, the small bites go well with them, and the welcoming, knowledgeable staff are happy to suggest something new. The hotel itself has distinctive rooms with mid-century style, retro details, and playful colors. It feels comfortable and carefully put together, with more personality than standard lodging. The combination makes for a stylish, fun stay: enjoy the rooms and attentive service, then head downstairs for cocktails. It has enough character to feel like a destination.