Hotel Clemons Chattanooga, TN

If you’re looking for more than a standard hotel room, Hotel Clemons offers a refreshing alternative in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Formerly known as Bode Chattanooga, this boutique hotel combines the convenience of apartment-style accommodations with the amenities of a hotel, making it an excellent choice for families, couples, and groups exploring the Scenic City.

What Changed from Bode Chattanooga?

If you’re searching for Bode Chattanooga, you’re in the right place. The property has been rebranded as Hotel Clemons, but it’s the same boutique hotel in downtown Chattanooga.

The building itself has an interesting history. Originally constructed in 1920 as the headquarters for the Clemons Brothers Furniture Company, it was thoughtfully renovated in 2015 into an apartment-style property while preserving many of its original architectural details. Exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and historic columns give the hotel plenty of character and serve as a reminder of its past.

Today, Hotel Clemons features 54 apartment-style suites ranging from one to three bedrooms. Each suite includes a full kitchen and living area, making it an excellent choice for families, groups, or anyone planning an extended stay in Chattanooga.

While the name has changed, guests can still expect the spacious accommodations and walkable downtown location that made Bode Chattanooga a favorite with visitors.

Rooms

This post is based upon our experience in room 504, a 2-bedroom unit. (We stayed there while it was still Bode.) One room had its own private bathroom and the other bed and bathroom were adjacent to each other.

Hotel Clemons’ rooms are decorated with an eclectic mix of modern and vintage pieces. The overall effect is stylish and inviting. We loved the bright, airy feel of our room. It was really nice to be able to relax in the living area and sleep in an actual bedroom, as opposed to doing everything in one tiny hotel room.

The full kitchen was appointed with a full-size refrigerator, a microwave, an oven/stove, a dishwasher, and a coffee pot. Bode also provides guests with complimentary tea and their special coffee blend.

Bonus Amenity – We booked a “premium” room and it came furnished with a ping-pong table. For those who don’t book a premium room, you can still play a game or two of ping-pong on one of the tables on the ground floor.

The beds were comfortable, and the linens were good quality. There were plenty of blankets to keep us warm.

Room 504 also had two full baths, though, unlike the rest of the unit, the shower stall and bathtub were not roomy.

Each bathroom was stocked with Bode’s signature toiletries and three sets of towels.

Around the Property

One thing that’s changed since our stay is the hotel’s food and beverage scene. When we visited, the lobby featured a small bar called Dusk. Today, guests can enjoy Chattanooga Brewing Co., which has taken over the space with locally crafted beers, cocktails, and a full food menu. It’s a nice upgrade, especially if you’re looking for an easy dinner or a local brew after a day of exploring downtown Chattanooga.

The Negatives

While there were a LOT of positive things about the hotel, we would be amiss if we did not point out some of the negatives. We feel like the more you know about the place, the better your overall experience will be. So below are a couple of things that we feel like you might want to know before you go:

• The tall ceilings in our room were super cool, but they made it difficult at times to hear one another while we were watching television. High ceilings + bare floors = poor acoustics.
• The toiletries and hand soap had an earthy, masculine scent. While it was pleasant, not everybody wants to smell like a man. If you prefer something more on the floral side, bring your own.
• I had planned on us enjoying breakfast at Dawn one day so that we could see what it was like. I went down to get breakfast when it was supposed to open. The doors to the lobby were closed and I had to go elsewhere to get something to eat. I returned once it had opened to find out that it opened late because the employee got stuck in traffic.

FAQs

Guests are permitted one pet per room for a $100 non-refundable fee.

Check-In/Check-Out

Check-in was relatively easy using a smartphone.  All contact with staff was via text, which is great for those who like their personal space and privacy.

On the day of arrival, the primary guest is required to scan his/her driver’s license and credit card to the provided link. (For those who don’t use smartphones, this would be problematic.)

Check-out is at 11:00 and guests receive a text with a link to complete checking-out.

Parking

Hotel Clemons does not have on-site parking or valet service. Guests can use the nearby CitiPark Parking Garage, which offers in-and-out privileges when parking is booked through the hotel. Street parking and additional paid lots are also available nearby. (We parked in the parking garage on a Thursday evening and did not move our vehicle out until Sunday before noon.  It cost us $45 for three nights.) 

Final Call

If you’re planning a trip to Chattanooga, make Bode your home base. Its mix of hotel comfort and apartment-style convenience puts you right in the middle of all the action. While you’re in town, explore more local favorites — from Things To Do in Chattanooga to the best bites in Where To Eat in Chattanooga, and don’t miss the iconic Rock City and Ruby Falls nearby.

Have you stayed at Bode or discovered another hidden gem in Chattanooga? Tell me in the comments below — I love swapping travel tips! And if this post has you daydreaming about a weekend getaway, go ahead and share it with your favorite travel buddy — because every great trip starts with a good place to stay.

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