Inside the SongTeller Hotel: Dolly Parton’s Ultimate Love Letter to Nashville
Undoubtedly one of the state’s most treasured, Dolly Parton was the high-heeled, bedazzled woman who helped launch Nashville into the international spotlight. And in true Dolly fashion, she spent her final months crafting the ultimate love letter to one of her most beloved cities.
The singer-songwriter, actress, humanitarian and businesswoman owned or co-owned what Fox Business estimated in 2024 was a $650 million empire that includes theme parks, film and television production companies, dinner theaters, music and book publishing companies, and product lines, among them dog accessories (“Doggy Parton”), cosmetics, baking kits and wines.
But what set her apart from the rest were her charitable initiatives that continue to touch lives even after her passing. Since 1988, her Dollywood Foundation has supported education, disaster relief, conservation efforts and, most famously, her Imagination Library, which sends millions of free books to children around the world.
New Song for the Skyline
In 2025, Parton announced she was building her first Nashville hotel, a unique accomplishment that a spokesperson calls “Dolly’s love letter to Nashville.”
The SongTeller Hotel, a 12-story, 245-room hotel, offers guests a chance to get up close and pretty personal with one of the entertainment industry’s most legendary stars.
“The SongTeller Hotel began as Dolly’s vision – this is her love letter to Nashville and to her fans that have given her so much,” says Shannon Foster, the hotel’s general manager. “SongTeller is her way to give back to this community.”
The hotel’s interiors reflect Parton’s approach to hospitality in many ways.
“Every space tells part of her story – from thoughtfully curated artwork and locally inspired design elements to music-infused experiences and signature suites that celebrate different chapters of her life and career,” Foster explains.
An Acoustic Suite, for example, comes with Dolly-owned guitars on the walls, a keyboard, headphones and a leather journal for inspired working sessions. All guestrooms feature luxurious amenities, from Frette robes to fitness kits (per request) to Bose speakers.
Two different live-performance venues highlight the hotel: Jolene’s and Parton’s Live.
Museum of Many Colors
The crown jewel of the hotel is the 20,000-square-foot Life of Many Colors Museum, which occupies the entire third floor of the building.
Among the many exhibits and collections of personal memorabilia – her largest exhibition to date – are a re-created Dolly’s Writing Room, where she did most of her songwriting; Dolly’s Wardrobe, showcasing many of her eye-catching, glamorous costumes; and the Hall of Fame.
Dolly’s global charitable presence is celebrated in the Imagination Library. That program itself, as well as United Way of Middle Tennessee, benefited from an inaugural 9to5K Run & Walk event in downtown Nashville in September 2026, complete with lots of big hair, heels and, of course, plenty of sparkle.
For those on the road, the first of several Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stops opened this year, where food and drink (like the beloved Cinnamon Bread), a Doggy Parton Dog Park and more are waiting for you 24/7. In 2027, mark your calendar for the inaugural DOLLYFEST – a two-day, multicontinent celebration of the larger-than-life superstar.
In a recent press release from her estate, Founder/CEO of CTK Enterprises Danny Nozell shared, “What Dolly started, we will ensure is brought to life.”
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