Last weekend I packed my bags and left home for a weekend work retreat. I really needed the time and space to do some strategic thinking about the blog: where it’s been, where it is now, and where I want it to be heading. It is really hard to have a good “thinking day” when you are surrounded by piles of laundry and other household distractions. Can you identify with that struggle?

The Chattanoogan, an upscale boutique hotel in downtown Chattanooga, invited me to spend the weekend there as their guest so that I could get my work done in peace, and experience what it is like to stay at the hotel and enjoy their amenities. If a visit to Chattanooga might be in the cards for you (and it totally should be), then The Chattanoogan would be an exceptional place to get to stay. Not only is its location downtown ideal for getting to the major tourist attractions, but there are also many great reasons to stay on site, too!

I stayed in a room with a king bed. Tip: if you stay in an odd numbered room, you’ll likely have a view of Lookout Mountain!

As someone who was there to get some work done, I really appreciated seeing the outlets in the work desk, itself. That make getting plugged in so much easier.

And I can’t finish the room tour without showing you the coffee bar, which was where I spent a lot of time hanging out. I’d like to see the selection of coffees, creamers and add-ins go to the next level here, but this is a good start!

The work-out facility is small, but the equipment looks up-to-date. And I LOVE all that natural light coming in from the solarium.

I thought the indoor pool area had a New Orleans Athletic Club vibe to it. It was just lovely, and the water was nice and warm…perfect for a cold February day. The pool is only 3 1/2 feet at its deepest, just FYI.

I also spent some time at The Spa at The Chattanoogan. This on-site facility offers a full range of spa and beauty treatments, and as a local, I’m just thrilled to know about it and plan to come back again later this year for a deep tissue massage. I was pleased to hear that they offer various specials each month, and they even offer discounts to locals. 🙂

I experienced the Signature Chattanoogan 50 minute massage, and I added on a hot stone treatment. Oh my word it was INCREDIBLE!!!! And while I was getting my massage I learned another great tip for the locals: if you receive a spa treatment, you are also entitled to use of the gym and the pool, with their compliments! I think that makes is a fantastic value for those of us who don’t already have personal gyms and our own pools (um yeah, that would be me). My plan for my next appointment is to come an hour early and do some laps, and then head into the locker room to take advantage of the sauna and steam room!

One other amenity I want to point out, especially for the locals who may not be planning on booking a room at The Chattanoogan, is Broad Street Grille, the on-site restaurant. I was absolutely blown away by the food coming out of this kitchen, friends. The skill of the chefs is among the best in the entire city. Tip: ask the waiter to surprise you instead of picking out your own dishes. Wine pairings can even be done that way, taking the guess work off your plate and leaving you to relax and simply enjoy surprise after surprise.

I enjoyed perfectly cooked scallops (a very hard feat!) with a beet sauce made form local produce. I don’t even like beets, and I loved every last bite of this appetizer.

I also tried the pork tenderloin with a cherry-onion glaze and a side of polenta. Pork tenderloin is one of my all-time favorite cuts of meat, and I was so inspired by the flavors in this dish. Definitely going to try that flavor pairing at home the next time I make pork tenderloin!

Peanut butter pie with caramelized bananas came out for dessert, and I nearly wept at the sight of it. It was absolutely beautiful, and it tasted every bit as good as it looked. Let me tell you, no visit to Chattanooga is complete without  dining at Broad Street Grille. It was a very memorable dining experience. And I learned that on Saturday nights, they offer menus for two that include appetizers, main courses, desserts AND a bottle of wine for just $65! Tim and I are going to have a date night in a few weeks, and this is where we’ll be going, for sure.

The Chattanoogan offers great specials and package deals, perfect for anyone who wants to explore Chattanooga, have a place to get some work done, or just go on a little retreat from the day-to-day grind. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a fantastic place in town to work, to play, and to simply enjoy the finer things in life. It’s the perfect way to experience the Scenic City.

If you have visited Chattanooga, where did you stay? Have any of my readers ever taken advantage of the spa or enjoyed a meal at Broad Street Grille? I want to hear about it!