Dolly Parton’s highly anticipated SongTeller Hotel in downtown Nashville will not open in June as previously expected.
The 245-room hotel, located at 211 Commerce St., has delayed its opening until the fall, according to a spokesperson for the hotel.
“The team wanted to take some additional time to ensure that every detail reflects the spirit and hospitality that guests expect when staying at the SongTeller,” the spokesperson told the Nashville Business Journal.
The delay comes as the hotel continues building out its leadership team ahead of its debut. SongTeller recently announced two key hires: Dolly Chandler as director of programming and entertainment, and Vannesa Bordoy as executive chef.
Chandler, a Nashville native, will oversee programming and entertainment throughout the property. Her responsibilities will include booking live music, songwriter sessions, and special events at the hotel’s onsite venues, Parton’s Live and Jolene’s.
Before joining SongTeller, Chandler worked as a senior talent buyer at Opry Entertainment Group.
“Dolly Chandler brings an exceptional combination of industry expertise, creative vision, and deep Nashville roots to the SongTeller Hotel,” Shannon Foster, general manager of SongTeller, said in a release. “Her leadership will be instrumental in building a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that reflects the spirit and legacy of Dolly Parton.”
Bordoy will lead the hotel’s culinary operations, including menu development, guest experience, and team development. She most recently served as executive chef at White Limozeen, the rooftop restaurant and bar at Nashville’s Graduate Hotel.
A graduate of Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial in Quito, Ecuador, Bordoy has a culinary background that includes Japanese fusion, French and Italian traditions, South American cuisine, sushi, bartending and pastry arts.
“Her international roots and globally informed perspective bring a richness and authenticity that perfectly complement the spirit of Dolly Parton — a brand built on creativity, storytelling and worldwide connection,” Foster said. “Chef Bordoy’s ability to translate diverse cultural influences into meaningful guest experiences makes her an exceptional leader for our culinary program.”
SongTeller Hotel is a partnership between Parton and Georgia-based entertainment company Herschend. The 12-story property will include Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum on the third floor.
The hotel is part of a broader effort to expand Parton’s presence in Music City while adding another major tourism destination near Nashville’s Broadway corridor.
“Broadway has become such a hub of tourism, this felt like the right time to bring something special to all the wonderful activity in Nashville,” Parton said in a previous release. “I’ve always dreamed of being able to create something here in Music City, and I know we’ve found the perfect addition to the city I call home.”
