All aboard on this getaway train of luxury lodging and dining at the new Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel Chalet.
Have you ever wanted to sleep in an old railway car? Or enjoy an exquisite 4 course meal of French cuisine and specialty cocktails? What if I told you that you can enjoy all this and more right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga? Keep reading to learn more about the new Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel Chalet and cocktail bar Elsie’s Daughter.
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History of the Chattanooga Choo Choo
America’s railroad era of 1830-1950 helped shape the nation’s development, economy, and architecture. Trains were the main form of transportation for both freight and people. Chattanooga quickly became a prominent railroad hub due to its geographical location with the Tennessee River and the mountain range to the East.
By 1905, Chattanooga’s influx of train passengers outgrew many local train stations. A larger station had to be built and that was the Terminal Station. Donn Barber is the architect who designed Terminal Station in downtown Chattanooga. He studied in Paris and used a French architectural style in his design of Terminal Station.
In 1941, the Glenn Miller Orchestra made the award-winning song, “Chattanooga Choo Choo” popular due to its presence in a musical film. This song shares the train ride from New York to Chattanooga, specifically Terminal Station. As time went on, transportation demands shifted and soon railroads became an outdated choice. In 1970 the last passenger train rolled out of Terminal Station.
In 1972, some local businesses got together to make a plan to save the Terminal Station from destruction. The idea was to create a new way for locals and visitors alike to enjoy this once busy train station in the heart of Chattanooga. A hotel, shops, and restaurants were the main focus now. And they decided to name it the Chattanooga Choo Choo after the famous song.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Today
Multiple restaurants and bars, a gym, gift shops, and a hotel are what call the Chattanooga Choo Choo home today. After decades of being Chattanooga’s nationally famous train station, the memories live on through the restoration projects of the various owners of the property’s buildings.
Preserve Chattanooga works to keep the astounding 82-foot tall Terminal Dome preserved, as this building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Meanwhile two other companies own the Terminal Building, Glenn Miller Gardens, and the hotel property. All three work together to preserve the history of this famous location and create a wonderful experience for local and out of town visitors alike.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and Hotel Chalet
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel was one of the first alterations the retired train station saw. Old Pullman train cars were transformed into stationary hotel rooms. Since these train cars were already sleeper cars when pulled by train, it was a logical transition. Due to their well-insulated design, the interior is perfectly quiet even if it’s extremely loud outside. Overall, the Pullman train cars make a unique and perfect hotel room.
After decades of enjoyment, the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel became quite outdated and was in dire need of renovation. Today, it has been rebranded as the Hotel Chalet. Not only have all the rooms been updated to meet modern expectations of luxury, but the property has been redesigned as well. The Pullman train cars were rearranged for the new accommodations with the leftover cars being donated to the TVRR museum. A heated, outdoor swimming pool has been added and of course, Elsie’s Daughter and courtyard which all flow together harmoniously with the new look and feel of Hotel Chalet.
The Hotel Chalet Accommodations
Pictured above is the Sleeper Deluxe. This room fills half of a Pullman train car and offers sleeping accommodations for 4 people with the pull-out trundle sofa. The restrooms are spacious as well and even feature heated tile floors.
Pictured below is the Chalet King hotel room in the main hotel building. Every room (including the Pullman train cars) is dressed in luxury with a 55” smart TV, Italian linens and towels, high-speed wifi, bedside charging stations, and in-room bluetooth speakers. The main hotel building also has the Chalet Double Queen and Chalet Suite as additional room options. And hotel guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries in the hotel lobby.
What Is Elsie’s Daughter?
Elsie’s Daughter is the newest cocktail bar addition to the Chattanooga food and drink scene. The name is derived from the architect who designed Terminal Station, today’s Chattanooga Choo Choo. Elsie was a name passed down for 3 generations through his family. Thus, Elsie’s Daughter was the chosen name for this restaurant and bar. A tribute to the history of this landmark and a personal touch.
The owners, Ryan Smith and Chloe Wright, started with The Rosecomb, another cocktail bar, 2 years ago in Northshore. Ryan is originally from Mississippi so the food and drinks there are inspired by those roots. Whereas Chloe is from the Appalachian region and Elsie’s Daughter focuses more on her roots. French-Belgian cuisine is tied into Elsie’s Daughter as well in honor of the French style architecture of the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
The Food and Drinks at Elsie’s Daughter
The menu at Elsie’s Daughter is designed like a French restaurant. All dishes are hors d’oeuvres that you can build upon to make a light meal, such as a 3 course or 5 course dinner. The food at Elsie’s Daughter is always made fresh and the head chef chooses as many local products as possible. From the meat and cheeses, to the produce, Elsie’s Daughter is bringing locally made food right to your table.
When I first went, I tried the Smoked Trout Dip to start out. It’s the perfect appetizer dish of smoked trout creme fraiche topped with wasabi roe and served with seasoned crisps. After this I tried the Beef Carpaccio. This dish is served cold and consists of finely sliced, rare beef topped olives and cheese, drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil, and a horseradish soubise to add a French flare to this classic Italian hor d’oeuvre.
For drinks I tried the Mary Cassat which is a twist on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail with calvados (fermented fruit cider) and black tea added. Next I tried the Edmonia which has plum, ginger, and grapefruit for a lighter and not-too-sweet, fruity cocktail. Both drinks are very different from each other and both are excellent. The cocktail menu at Elsie’s Daughter is a balanced mix of old world spirits and newer, local liquors and bitters. Which is perfect for a place that melds classic French cuisine with modern-day dishes.
In Closing
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel Chalet has revived new life into this historical landmark of Chattanooga. And Elsie’s Daughter plays right into the theme of this new era of hospitality for the Chattanooga Choo Choo. If you are looking for somewhere unique to stay that’s actually in downtown Chattanooga, look no further.
Explore More in Downtown Chattanooga:
- One Day in Downtown Chattanooga
- Mostly Free Activities in Downtown Chattanooga
- Play the Chattanooga Bingo Game
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