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Planning a US road trip on the classic route from Chicago to Memphis? We've done some of the work for you by selecting these inns, lodges, B&Bs and hotels along the way
House of Two Urns, Chicago
The House of Two Urns is a characterful B&B in Wicker Park, one of the most happening neighbourhoods in Chicago. It is halfway between downtown blues joints and local indie music establishments such as the Empty Bottle. Each of the nine rooms has its own charm (we like the look of the Das Porzellanzimmer, which features antique German and French plates bordering the ceiling), so expect an eclectic mix of antiques and art. Two of the rooms share a bathroom; the others are en suite. Regardless of the room you stay in, everyone is entitled to enjoy breakfast – served in the dining room every morning.
• 1239 North Greenview Avenue, Chicago, +1 773 235 1408, twourns.com. Doubles from $99
Hotel Indigo, Columbus, Indiana
Right along the trail from Chicago to Memphis – a three-hour drive past Chicago on I-65 – Columbus, Indiana, is a must-stop for anyone interested in works by some of the most prominent modern architects in the world. In this pinprick of a town, buildings by Eero Saarinen, Eliel Saarinen, Cesar Pelli, IM Pei, Robert Venturi and more top-rung names attract in-the-know archi-tourists by the thousands. At the Indigo, expect a bright lobby and clean-lined rooms with mid-century details such as Bertoia chairs and George Nelson bubble lamps.
• 400 Brown Street, Columbus, Indiana, 0871 942 9242, ihg.com. Doubles from $150
Nestle Inn, Indianapolis
In the historic Chatham Arch neighbourhood – east of downtown and close to the restaurants on Massachusetts Avenue – this Victorian house from the mid-1800s is home to a charming inn with a focus on food. Owners Robert and Leesa Smith, who took over the inn two years ago, bring in local chefs for cooking classes. Weekend breakfast is a small-plates affair with Nestle signatures: stuffed waffles, egg lasagne and homemade pastries, home-cooked on-site. Choose from tasteful, no-fuss standard guestrooms, king suites with sitting rooms, and a third-floor suite that feels more like an apartment with its living room, kitchen and view of the city.
• 637 North East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, +1 317 610 5200, nestleindy.com. Doubles from $135
The Villa Inn, Indianapolis
Formerly a mansion with architecture that crosses a medieval castle with Mediterranean flair, The Villa has been operating as an inn for more than 20 years. Comfy guestrooms offer carved four-poster beds, plush sofas and corner whirlpool baths, while the inn's kitchen turns out a daily selection of homemade brunch standards such as quiche and pancakes. Afterwards visit the full-service day spa or request an in-room massage. It's a five-minute drive from many of Indy's best music spots.
• 1456 North Delaware Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, +1 317 916 8500, thevillainn.com. Doubles from $130
The 21C, Louisville
Louisville's 21C Museum Hotel opened five years ago, but the cutting-edge art hotel seems to get increasingly more relevant and interesting. Designed by architect Deborah Berke, it's the only museum hotel in the country. And the exhibits, largely comprising works from owners Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown's personal collection, change regularly. The 90 guestrooms are spare and serene. One of the star amenities is a 21C "Pip" mobile: a Lincoln Towne Car covered entirely with shiny red glass by Louisvillian Monica Mahoney. The galleries are worth setting aside a couple hours to explore, and the restaurant, Proof on Main, serves a fantastic brunch with southern-inspired goodies, such as fried oysters and grits, or quail with hot pepper, root beer, succotash, bacon and pecans.
• 700 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, + 1 502 217 6300, 21Cmuseumhotels.com. Doubles from $229
The Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, Mississippi
Perhaps the coolest, most-storied place you'll stay along the route – if you're looking for an authentic Mississippi Delta experience, that is. In the "heart of the land where Blues began", The Shack Up Inn is a former working plantation tucked into the expanse of the cotton fields, just a mile and a half from the "Crossroads". Their cheeky byline is "The ritz we ain't", and in case there's any confusion, that's meant in the best possible way. The old sharecropper shacks, an original cotton gin and seed houses make an appropriate home base for exploring the back roads of the Mississippi Delta and the legends of Sam Cooke, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and Charlie Patton. Don't miss Clarksdale's Delta Blues Museum and, if you're lucky, time it with Shack Up's five-day guitar and bass camp, which offers a full-immersion, all-levels experience in the Blues.
• 001 Commissary Circle, Clarksdale, Mississippi, + 1 662 624 8329, shackupinn.com. Doubles from $75 (two-night minimum)
Union Station Hotel, Nashville
A restored 19th-century railroad station, this historic hotel is adored for its barrel-vaulted lobby ceiling with gold-leaf medallions, original Luminous Prism stained glass and bas relief panels depicting a steam locomotive and horse-drawn chariot. With 125 rooms decked out in contemporary furnishings, it's an elevated option for Nashville's gritty reputation as Music City. Walk down Broadway to get a lively, if not mainstream, dose of the venues and western outfitters, and don't miss Hatch Show Print for its seminal collection of historic and current concert posters.
• 1001 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, + 1 615 726 1001, unionstationhotelnashville.com. Doubles from $169
Top O'Woodland, Nashville
Investment adviser, opera singer and triathlon competitor Belinda Leslie bought the inn – built in 1898 – 12 years ago and filled it with a mix of salvage and inherited family belongings. Her mother's lace wedding dress from the 1950s hangs on the wall above one of the guest beds, and her great grandmother's leather lace-up boots sit next to a Stetson that belonged to her great-great-grandfather, who put himself through dentistry school by secretly playing the piano at a speakeasy. There's a story behind everything. The huge, mahogany four-poster bed in the master bedroom came from a thrift store. If you're allergic to cats, ask for Mr Greene's cottage out back. Spend downtime relaxing on the wrap-around front porch or sprawling back patio.
• 1603 Woodland Street, Nashville, Tennessee, + 1 615 228 3868, topofwoodland.com. Doubles from $150
Talbot Heirs, Memphis
A block and a half from the famous Beale Street, where delta blues, jazz, rock'n'roll, R&B and gospel spill from clubs and restaurants, the Talbot Heirs is a contemporary guesthouse with an arty, eccentric spin. Checkerboard floors, bright purple walls and a gothic iron bed are a few of the hallmarks that differentiate the seven spacious suites. What they have in common: comfy furniture, kilim rugs and a down-to-earth cosiness. For a head start on the music front, send a grocery list before arrival, and the staff will stock your in-room fridge.
• 99 South 2nd Street, Memphis, Tennessee, +1 901 527 9772, talbothouse.com. Doubles from $130
Heartbreak Hotel, Memphis
Sure, it's a little tired, but the Heartbreak Hotel, across the street from Graceland, is a tribute to the life and times of Elvis Presley. Beyond the 124 standard guestrooms, four themed suites pay over-the-top homage to the King and his accomplishments, including the Burning Love suite and the Hollywood Suite, which is all about art-deco grandeur. There's a diminutive Graceland suite and, possibly the most audacious, the Gold and Platinum suite, which is kitted out with mirrored walls and gold lamé sofas.
• 3677 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, +1 901 332 1000, elvis.com/graceland/heartbreak_hotel. Doubles from $115
Note: prices do not include local tax
Meghan McEwen writes for the design and travel blog designtripper.com
• For more information on holidays in the USA, visit DiscoverAmerica.com