The home of country music is also updating the blueprint on how hospitality impacts local communities. Holding up a corner of East Nashville, The Russell has set a new standard, converting a 1904 Cumberland Presbyterian Church into a 23-bedroom hotel. The hotel both host hosts fortunate travelers, also serving several local charities to ensure bed nights translate into community impact.

Opened in 2019, The Russell embraces original stained glass windows, old brick walls, and original pews to create a unique setting. The project from property developers Anchor Investments maintains a connection with the past, echoed through the hotel’s connectivity with local non-profits. By matching bed nights from paying guests, The Russell gives away a substantial portion of each night’s stay to local homeless ministries, with the average weekend stay providing one of:

16 beds nights

100 free showers

30 free meals

Local organizations include Nashville Rescue Mission, Shower Up, People Loving Nashville,
Room In The Inn, Nashville YoungLives, and MapleBuilt.

The Russell joins two other Nashville properties in its goal to support underserved communities. Mission Hotels includes boutique hotel The Gallatin as well as 506 Lofts, apartments in downtown Nashville.
A fourth is planned for 2023 – Tulip Street United Methodist Church.
Click here to learn more about their Giving Back Mission.

Read the article at Tendo.

Mission Hotels
As of early 2022, Mission Hotels has donated over 150,000 meals, showers, beds, and supplies to those experiencing homelessness in Nashville. At Mission Hotels, we build spaces that bring our guests joy and serve those who need it most. Through our Rooms for Rooms program, we give away the majority of our profits to Nashville’s underserved communities. Just one more reason to love your stay.

Nashville has all the lights and life of a big city with all the charm of a small, southern town – it’s what makes us one of America’s most desirable tourist destinations! But don’t take just our word for it, take theirs! Access our Nashville Guide. 

Welcome to the Nashville’s Greatest Give Back Hospitality!

My parents used to take me every Sunday when I was a kid,
so I’ve had some prior experience sleeping in church, but I never imagined
paying to sleep in a church, but here we are at The Russell.
A 115-year-old historic church turned boutique hotel in 2019.
It’s widely regarded as one of Nashville’s most distinctive hotels.
Many of the original structural features, such as stained glass windows,
church pews used as headboards, and old brick walls, were preserved.

no images were found

You won’t find anyone at the front desk because there is no on-site concierge service.
They do, however, respond right away to cell phone inquiries. Their technology-driven 
hospitality is second to none and a true sanctuary in the heart of East Nashville.

As much as we were impressed by The Russell’s attention to every meticulous
interior design detail, we fell in love with The Russell because of its mission.
By staying at The Russell, you assist an unhoused person in Nashville through
the Rooms for Rooms program.

The average weekend stay provides one of the following:
16 nights in a bed
100 free showers
30 free meals

STAY HERE. CHANGE LIVES.

Follow Us on Instagram

no images were found

Read the article at T+Co Spring Issue 2022 featuring 24 hours in “Music City” Nashville, Tennessee, Healthy Air Fryer Recipes, and more.

WKRN – Discover the article and full video coverage 

What does the word restoration mean to you? Perhaps it means to turn something old, maybe forgotten into something exciting and new?

That’s exactly what the team of Anchor Investments does with the properties they acquire. A few are old churches turned boutique hotels.

Why knock it down when you have the opportunity to pay tribute to beauty and history?

“We have loved buying these old churches, which are sadly closing down these days. Their congregants have moved out of the area and we wanted to repurpose these churches so they can still have a ministry impact but turn them into a commercial business,” says Lacher.

506 Lofts, The Russell, and The Gallatin are all part of that story and if you’ve had the chance of staying in one of them, then you know that they are anything but average.

“We try to honor everything we can,” says Lacher. “Like at The Russell, all the beds are made out of the old church pews. The stained glass, we redid all the stained glass windows.”

At The Gallatin, original photographs are on display, with a modern flair and neon lights.

But that’s not all.

“We give the majority of the profits away to underserved communities, mainly the homeless community in Nashville,” says Lacher.

All three properties make up Mission Hotels. Their mission: reimagine hospitality while restoring communities. They partner with local ministries like Nashville Rescue Mission, Shower Up, People Loving Nashville, Room In The Inn, Nashville YoungLives, and MapleBuilt.

“It’s been super impactful for people to think, ‘I’m laying here in this hotel tonight, there’s someone downtown who would not have had a bed to lay in otherwise.’” said Lacher.

And they are not slowing down! Announcements of a fourth hotel have been made. This time to bring restoration to another East Nashville church called Tulip Street United Methodist Church. Tentative opening date of 2023 has been made.”

Read the article at WKRN.

Historic churches, wild spaces, and beautiful songbirds

For my final day, I transfer to The Russell, a hotel in East Nashville, across the Cumberland River. Called the city’s “Coolest Neighborhood” by Vogue way back in 2016, East Nashville has long drawn artists, young couples, and open minds—which means it’s packed with craft breweries, music venues, and independent shops.

The Russell is a prime example of preservation within progress. It’s a 118-year-old church that has been reimagined as a hotel—sans front desk. I punch a keypad to enter my room, which is painted in swaths of plum. The headboard is refashioned from an antique pew, and the sheets are so soft I fire up my laptop and buy a set before meeting hotel founder Micah Lacher in the lobby. We sit beneath a stunning stained-glass window and sip lattes while talking about the hotel’s mission to help those experiencing homelessness in Nashville. A percentage of the room rate for every guest who stays at The Russell or its sister property, The Gallatin, goes to those in need, with a typical weekend stay covering roughly 16 nights of shelter, 100 free showers, or 30 meals.

“I grew up as the recipient of charity, and I’ve never forgotten it,” says Lacher, the president of Anchor Investments, a real estate company. “I loved the concept of business as a mission, and I loved that we could not only support East Nashville’s original community through this growth but also save historic buildings.”

Read the article at Hemispheres Magazine.

There’s no easier way to pay it forward than staying at this new boutique hotel in Nashville.

Anchor Investments, which also owns the Russell Hotel and 506 Lofts in Nashville, Tennessee, is opening a brand new property called The Gallatin Hotel. While it’s certainly a comfortable stay, it also serves an important purpose in its local community as the only hotel brand in the U.S. that gives away a substantial portion of each night’s stay to local homeless ministries through its Rooms for Rooms program.

Renovated from a historic church built back in 1925 in East Nashville, The Gallatin has been modernized and updated for travelers today. Architecture firm Daniels & Chandler redesigned the space with vibrantly-colored guest rooms and suites. Blocks of bright colors can be seen on the walls, ceilings, and floors to make this an Instagram-worthy stay in Music City.

“East Nashville is known for its quirky vibe and buzzing restaurants and nightlife, and The Gallatin Hotel is the perfect place to stay to take it all in,” said Micah Lacher of Anchor Investments. “Inspired by bright and fun pop art images, this cheery hotel interior awakens the senses and ensures that your stay in Nashville is one you will never forget.”

In addition, the hotel’s courtyard connects to Fat Bottom Brewery’s newest taproom in Nashville, and its location is close to some of the hippest destinations on the East Side and a short trip downtown.

But perhaps what makes it most special is how it gives back to the community. Anchor Investments properties give a generous percentage of each night’s stay and the majority of its profits to local ministries that are helping those experiencing homelessness in Nashville. A weekend stay at one of its properties can provide up to 16 nights in a bed, 100 free showers, or 30 free meals for people struggling with homelessness at one of the company’s nonprofit partners, like Nashville Rescue Mission, Room in the Inn, People Loving Nashville, and ShowerUp. In the last five years, over 100,000 meals, showers, and beds have been donated.

“We started our Rooms for Rooms program to give a hand to the most vulnerable in our community. We believe we were put on this earth for a purpose greater than ourselves and we’re called to give back to those who need it most. Our company motto is ‘Work Here, Change Lives’ and we strive for that mission each day,” said Lacher in a statement. “We are continually encouraged by all of the amazing things our charity partners do for our community on a daily basis. Because guests stay at our hotels, our partners are able to provide hundreds of hot meals, showers, and beds each day to those in need. These daily necessities that many of us sadly take for granted serve as a great source of encouragement to those experiencing homelessness.”

Rooms are available to book online for stays starting May 14. Nightly rates depend on the number of guests and availability, but can cost anywhere upwards of $179.

For more information or to make a booking, visit The Gallatin Hotel website.

Andrea Romano is a freelance writer in New York City. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.

It’s tough to keep up with Nashville. Country music stars, Deep South cuisine and boot-stompin’ honky-tonks defined the Tennessee capital for decades, but these days the metropolis is flaunting its more liberal, hip side. And to cater to the ever-growing influx of visitors, and locals after smart staycations, Nashville has seen an explosion of boutique hotels in the past few years. You’ll find the largest concentration in Downtown, along with the city’s greatest hits, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the recently opened National Museum of African American Music, which shines an overdue spotlight on black music’s legacy and contribution to Nashville’s sound. For a more local flavour, as well as affordable hotel rates, head to East Nashville for boutique cafes and independent shops, and you’ll no doubt also find a bartending singer-songwriter looking for their big break in Music City.

Best for do-gooders: The Russell

Housed in a century-old former Presbyterian church, this eclectic hotel still pops with original charm, including the enormous stained-glass windows that enhance the already colourful, airy lobby. Guests can choose between 23 individually decorated and configured rooms, including 1970s-style penthouses with balconies overlooking the atrium. Check-in is contactless, with numeric door codes for building and room entry sent via email after booking. The hotel’s slogan, ‘Stay here, change lives’, isn’t mere hyperbole: a portion of proceeds from overnight stays goes towards local homeless ministries.
Rooms: From $149 (£107). 

Read the full article at National Geographic written by Travis Levius

The Russell
East Nashville, Tennessee
Bright and Funky, Moderate

And so the word went out around the kingdoms of all the lands, proclaiming 2020 as the year travel became a religion. When casual practitioners became the determined faithful, their measure of devotion underlining what Roman Catholics have known for centuries: There’s no motivation quite as strong as denial. And, lo, a holy trinity emerged in this brave new time — religion, travel, and destination. And into this world emerged The Russell, a warm and welcoming hotel housed in a former Presbyterian church in the cool neighborhood of East Nashville. But no backward-looking, anachronistic lodging was this, for The Russell practices two other foundational pillars — charity and technology — transforming a happy trinity into a noble pentagram, that ancient symbol of good against evil (and not the opposite, as heretics might believe).

The story begins in 1904 when Cumberland Presbyterian Church builds the brick structure (the commemorative cornerstone is still visible on the exterior), which it then sells to the Russell Street Church of Christ in 1913. In 1916, a fire destroys the community but not the church, and in 1918 the church becomes a temporary hospital to care for victims of the Spanish influenza. The church remains a house of worship and center for community care until 1998, when a damaging tornado forces its doors to close. In 2001, a developer begins transforming the building into a 23-room boutique hotel that opens in summer 2019 with striking preserved elements like the stained glass window in the lobby and a no-staff-on-site, technology-driven guest experience.

At a Glance

The Vibe: Warm, colorful, friendly, and welcoming.

Feel-Good Factor: It’s strong here, and effortless for guests. The hotel donates a percentage of every stay to local nonprofits who serve Nashville’s homeless and needy. In partnership with Nashville Rescue Mission, ShowerUp, Room in the Inn, and People Loving Nashville, The Russell has donated more than 16,000 meals and beds to those in need. To put it in numbers that are easier for a guest to understand, a typical weekend stay will provide 16 nights in a bed, 100 showers, and 30 meals. The hotel’s motto is Stay Here, Change Lives — and they mean it.

Standout Detail: In addition to the feel-good factor, top marks go to the circular stained glass window in the lobby, though there are charming touches in the decor throughout the hotel.

This Place Is Perfect For: Independent, technologically savvy customers who don’t need a ton of looking after, as the hotel has no staff on site. Everything — reservations, check-in, services, — is handled digitally and virtually. Those offended by the de-consecration of a former church might not find The Russell as whimsical as those who wear their religion more lightly.

Special Covid-19 Considerations: The Russell is following CDC guidelines for cleaning, paying attention to sanitize not only bed linens but also high-traffic surfaces like light switches and doorknobs. Guests are encouraged to wear masks in public areas. The hotel’s tech-y features like contactless check-in and check-out allow for easier social distancing.

Rooms: 23 rooms in various sizes and configurations. The Tower Suite sleeps six and has a bed where the church bells once hung; the Penthouse Suite sleeps four and has a kitchenette. The other rooms are single or double queens or kings, including one bunk room. The website has detailed descriptions of all the rooms, but common motifs are clever use of bright paint, local art on the wall, church pews reconfigured as headboards, and skylights. The hotel doesn’t have an elevator but does have a dumbwaiter for lifting luggage. Rooms are cleaned before check-in, but the hotel does not provide daily housekeeping services.

On Site: A small, soundproof common room doubles as a work space and a podcast studio. The neon sign in the room, #blessed, pays tribute to its religious history and its Instagram-friendly present. Notably, the hotel has no on-site staff. Guests are emailed a code for access to the building, and assistance is a text or a call away. Pets are not allowed, and quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Food + Drink: The hotel does not have a restaurant. Guests can help themselves to free coffee in the lobby and local snacks in the rooms.

What to Do Nearby

East Nashville has emerged as Music City’s coolest neighborhood in recent years for spots that run the range from impressive culinary offerings to beloved local dive bars. Check the hotel’s local guide for restaurants, bars, and things to do. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the restaurants, venues, and shops of Five Points and less than two miles from the Nissan Stadium and Broadway.

Keep exploring Nashville with more from Fathom’s Nashville Guide.

Read the full article at Fathom written by Pavia Rosati.

Unique: The Russell, Nashville

The Russell is one of the most distinctive boutique hotels in all of Nashville. Once a functioning church, it now houses 23 unique rooms with a modern, alluring twist. The church walls have stood for 115 years nestled away in what has grown to be one of Nashville’s most entertaining neighborhoods. Each room features many original details such as stained glass windows, original brick walls, and even headboards made of recycled pews. The fun, bright colors and alluring characteristics of design will speak to your playful side while bringing you a sense of romance. Not only will you share a wonderful memory with your loved one but you will change lives in doing so. The Russell’s slogan, Stay here, Change lives, is set in motion with every hotel booking. Each time The Russell is chosen by a guest, a donation is made to care for the local homeless population by providing 16 beds and warm meals to a homeless shelter with an average booking.

The Russell is located at 819 Russell St | Nashville, TN 37206

BOOK NOW

and save up to $50 OFF with a FREE bottle of bubbly!

Read the whole article on the WILLIAMSON SOURCE website, written by Elisa Perry.

Reviewed by MARGARET LITTMAN

Why did this hotel catch your attention?
The Russell is all about the wow factor. Formerly a 115-year-old church, the hotel retains many of the building’s original elements, including a series of jaw-dropping stained glass windows. Bright, restored panes of glass play off modern décor and stylish new architectural elements.

What’s the backstory?
The Russell is owned by a local hotel group that incorporated elements from the church, including the pews, into the decor in a way that feels respectful and—just as importantly—not cheesy. Management donates a portion of each stay to a homelessness charity and offers free recording space to local podcasters.

Tell us all about the rooms. Any tips on what to book?
Each room is a different shape and size—such as the reality of retrofitting an old church into a new hotel. All of them have good light, smartly designed charging stations in the pews-turned-headboards, and beautiful color schemes. Bathrooms have lovely tile and church-like mirrors.

Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is free and fast.

How was the service?
Much of the service, including check-in, happens through an app, but there’s always someone if you need additional help. The vibe here is laid back, bordering on hands-off.

What type of travelers will you find here?
Architecture buffs and philanthropists love The Russell. The hotel is swanky and photogenic, so don’t be surprised to see other guests snapping pics and uploading them to Instagram.

What about the neighborhood? What else is around?
You’re right in the heart of East Nashville, within walking distance to clubs, bars, and cool boutiques. Yet the street is quiet and residential—you’ll be able to get some sleep.

Is there anything you’d change?
There’s no elevator to the second floor—just a dumbwaiter for luggage.

Any other hotel features worth noting?
There’s a parking lot across the street—helpful in such a residential neighborhood. The lobby and guest rooms are stocked with picks from The Bookshop, a local indie favorite; borrow them during your stay or purchase one as a souvenir.

Bottom line: Worth it?
Worth it. The stained glass windows and the community vibe make The Russell feel like someplace you’ve never been.

*Check out the full article at Conde Nast Traveler blog.

Something that I’ve been wanting to do all of 2020 was visit Nashville. My friends were sick and tired of me talking about Nashville and how badly I wanted to go there and oh the things I would do if I were in Nashville. I was like a broken record when it came to Nashville!

Well, I finally got to go and I am beyond ecstatic to tell you all about my trip. It was everything I thought it would be, and more. It was the best way to end off this year. Now I can’t shut up about Nashville!

Take me back!!!

My first two nights were spent at the Russell Hotel in East Nashville. It’s absolutely breathtaking and the most unique hotel I’ve stayed at literally ever. It boasts these insane stained glass windows that were originally from Venice, Italy and a lobby that you cannot stop taking photos of. It even has the original pews from when it was still a church!

Now, I was raised a Catholic and still stay true to my faith, so you can only imagine how surreal it was to stay at a church for two nights. I kept examining and wondering what it might have looked like in the past. If you want to see photos of how it looked like in its early days as a church, click here.

Being the geek that I am, I looked into some articles about the church itself and learned that the church is 116 years old and withstood some tornadoes, a losing faith of its members, and more. It’s quite unfortunate reading it, actually..

After some extensive research, I found some photos that I thought you’d find interesting! I sure got chills from it.