The Chalet After an extensive refresh, Chattanooga's train station hotel changed its name from Choo Choo to The Chalet without losing its renowned railway nostalgia theme.
Chattanooga's Terminal Station was built in 1909, and its pretty brick-laden facade and arched windows were saved from a complete demolition with the help of a popular song.
The downturn of railway travel in the US after the Second World War, with the spread of automobiles and high-speed flying, forecasted a dark future for the railroad stations.
By the 1960s, there were so few passengers that the building's fate was decided, and its planned destruction was due in April 1973.
However, the 1941 song written by Mack Gordon, Chattanooga Choo Choo, was once again a big hit on the radio, and quick-witted business people saw great potential in using the brand for a hospitality endeavor.
And so, with the injection of four million dollars, the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hilton and Entertainment Complex opened its doors to railway enthusiasts with train car accommodations, shops, and restaurants.
A decade and a half later, it was first rebranded as the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, and in 2023, after another extensive renovation, it became The Chalet.
Embracing the past glory of US railways, the team behind Trestle Studio (who are known for their projects like the eccentric Saguaro Palm Springs) combined the historic heritage with modern-day luxury.
The upscale hotel is now home to 127 guest rooms, including the most exciting, the 25 Pullman train carriages from the 1920s and 1960s-era, where you can experience pastime travel without waking up in a different city.
The 24-acre site lies on the former infrastructure of the historic train station of Chattanooga - which today is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Glenn Miller Gardens is a transformation of the original railway tracks, where now pedicured bushes and vintage fountains provide a leisurely space for guests.
The railway platform between the trains was turned into a mini garden where elegant seating invites you for a glass of whiskey on the rocks (delivered from the on-site Experimental Distillery) to philosophize about the demise of the US railways.
The emerald green Pullman cars were renovated inside and outside.
The luxury bath products are sourced from the Botanist and the Chemist.
The top-of-the-range MacArthur Suite takes up a complete Pullman car and comes with a private heated pool.
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a 20-minute drive from the hotel, and if you are an avid railway fan, it's a must-see.
