Staying in a train car at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is a bucket list hotel experience for someone like me–a history lover, Tennessee native, mom of a toddler, and hotel connoisseur. When I had the opportunity to visit Chattanooga for the first time in a very long time, the first thing I did was check availability for this hotel, and then snap up a room in one of their vintage train car rooms. Here is your inside look at the room, the hotel, and the fun! This is what it’s like staying at the Chalet Hotel at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
The Hotel
The hotel itself is located behind the old Terminal Station, where the Chattanooga Choo Choo used to chug into for nearly 100 years. It’s nicely decorated, with an emphasis on elevated, vintage, art deco train station style. I loved the visual when we walked in. Everything from the massive chandelier to the shined-up wood floors made the whole place look like we were stepping into a movie set. It’s a little inconvenient that the hotel is located so far back from the main road, but it’s nice to be away from the hustle and bustle. We were still walking distance from coffee shops, restaurants, and other sites, though. Overall, we were pleased.
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The Pullman Train Car Rooms
There are regular hotel rooms at the Chalet Hotel, but their unique offering is the opportunity to stay in a converted, antique Pullman rail car. There are two rooms per car, and they are located just outside the main hotel building on what looks like train platforms. Inside, you’ll find carpeted floors, classic train-style short curtains, a long room, bathroom, closet, and even a sitting area, all within the long, narrow train cars. They’ve kept the art deco vibe going from the main hotel lobby, and made very efficient use of the space. The bed was quite soft, and the room came complete with a coffee and tea station and a mini fridge.
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The Bathroom
The bathroom was surprisingly spacious for a narrow rail car. I loved the vintage style and tile work, and the marble sink with plenty of counter space was a nice touch. Check out the lights by the mirror! The toiletries were nice, which is something I look for in a hotel, and the walk-in shower was lovely.
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The Gym and Pool
I was remiss to forget to take a photo of the gym! It was actually really nice, with dumbbells, kettlebells, TRX, exercise bands of a variety of lengths, medicine balls, and weight machines. For cardio, there were treadmills and stationary bikes. The pool was a good size for short laps and splashing around, but maybe not for “serious” exercise swimmers. It is, however, heated to 80 degrees, making it ideal for chilly winter days or a cool off without the cold shock on summer days. There are also plenty of loungers and umbrellas all the way around. Don’t forget your bathing suit!
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The Choo Choo
This is the fun part! Just steps away, at the old Terminal Station, you can see an authentic steam engine, like the ones that used to run on the Chattanooga Choo Choo line. It’s fun to see, but sorry, no climbing. My daughter and I took the opportunity to use it as a photo backdrop, but her favorite part was the gravel. She picked up several rocks! That’s an almost-two-year-old for you.
(Coming soon) Also helpful: The Best Things to Do in Chattanooga with a Toddler
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WOW! That looks like a fantastic experience! Thanks for sharing.