Part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio, the Sessions Hotel, designed by Interior Image Group (IIG), tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions—a set of historic country music recordings that marked Bristol, Virginia, as the birthplace of country music. Initially comprising three separate buildings—a grain mill, a candy factory, and a grocery building—IIG transformed the sites into one cohesive, 70-room boutique hotel that honors the property’s storied past.
IIG was tapped with designing the guestrooms, corridors, and main lobby. With the location acting as the main source of inspiration, IIG drew from Bristol’s musical history. The firm created an eclectic design that mixes modern and retro themes with traditional and industrial elements while incorporating and celebrating the property’s roots.
IIG exposed original materials including flooring, brick, beams, and gears, complementing them with touchpoints that call to mind recording sessions and the many functions the three buildings once had. The lobby introduces the property’s story, welcoming guests with a working Victrola vintage record player and a gramophone art feature on display at the front desk. Guestrooms showcase LP Labels that act as the room numbers and also feature signage of a record label from one of the 79 songs from the Bristol Recording Sessions.
Photo: Courtesy of Interior Image Group
