Opreyland Hotel

Convention Center Entrance

At the beginning of this month Brad's company had a four day convention at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Merinda and I decided that we could not pass up the opportunity to go with him, especially since it was a long weekend.

Convention Center

We had walked around the Hotel before, but this was the first time we actually got to stay at this beautiful place.

These two pictures were taken of the amazing murals which covered the massive rooms in the Conference Center.

Delta 

This hotel is so enormous that it has different sections that represent different parts of the outdoors. Each area does just that, brings the outdoors in. It's like staying in a huge greenhouse with rivers, waterfalls, nature paths and every kind of vegetation you can think of. 

However, this greenhouse is decked-out with all the essentials you could want such as fine-dining, fast-food restaurants, cafe's, bars, shops of every kind, a salon, spa, fitness center, arcade, and several pools and hot tubs.

The Delta area is actually an island of quaint little shops and restaurants surrounded by a lazy river.

Here is the Delta river boat station where you can take a boat ride around the island.

Magnolia

The Magnolia area had beautiful walkways below and above the foliage. 

The walkways above were lined with millions of lights strung from the ceiling, intermingled with adorable Christmas decorations.

Garden Conservatory

The Garden Conservatory was Merinda's favorite place to explore.

It was also Merinda's favorite place to read a good book. I couldn't see anyone in this gazebo until I zoomed in.

And low and behold who did I find!

Here is a cute little pond with real fish.

Each view point was picture perfect.

The botanical paths wound around the most awesome water falls,

plant life and flowers,

and darling statues.

The paths were often layered one on top of another with little benches or seating areas at every turn.

My favorite part about the Garden Conservatory was how peaceful and serene it was.

Cascades Entrance

Statue of blown-glass flower bouquet. 

The entrance to the Cascades included these amazing works of art.

Cascades

These pictures of the Cascade ares really speak for themselves.

Our hotel room was actually located at the top of these escalators.

Here is the view out our veranda. Even though each room was intermixed between everything else, you still felt a sense of privacy with all the foliage on the ground floors, and elevation of the upper rooms (talk about views!).

The Hotel at night was just as beautiful.

The Magnolia lights were our favorite, it looked as though the ceiling was raining crystals.

Even the Garden Conservatory was tastefully lighted.

The Cascade lights were also pretty amazing!

And of course, no hotel experience would be complete without a swim in the hotel pool. This was one of several, and I think it too speaks for itself.

The outdoor hot tub was the size of a regular hotel's pool and sooo relaxing. This particular night it was raining and freezing cold, which made the hot tub experience that much more enjoyable. When Merinda and I finally took the free bus to the Oprey Mills Mall to shop, we were surprised to see how cold it was outside, especially after living in a greenhouse for several days.

Also during our visit to Nashville we celebrated our good friend Debbie Wright's 50th birthday (boy I hope I look that good on my 50th birthday!). Happy Birthday Debbie - We Love You!!!!