BOUTIQUE HOTEL

📍 BRISTOL, VA

The Sessions Hotel, Tribute Portfolio

LYRICAL. HISTORIC. INSPIRED.

Inspired by the pioneers of country music, The Sessions Hotel serves as an authentic experience in thoughtfully repurposed historic buildings, where rustic meets contemporary.

IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel

90%

ROOM
OCCUPANCY

6

COLLABORATIVE
PARTNERS

2

AWARDS

IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel

HISTORY REIMAGINED

The Session Hotel’s ambitious renovation combined a Service Mill Building, Candy Factory & Grocery Building into a 70-room boutique hotel steeped in history.

Taking these three historic buildings, we created a unified story that celebrated Bristol's musical roots and each building's individual past. Due to recording sessions that took place in Bristol in 1927, Bristol is famed as the Birthplace of Country Music and the true inspiration behind the hotel's name. Since 76 songs were recorded during those sessions, and there are 70 rooms in the hotel, we thought it would be interesting to give each room its own song and story. We created a modern and eclectic design that also feels luxurious, warm, and welcoming for guests. To create a feeling rather than a theme, we wanted all facets to be brought to life. Each room tells a slightly different story and provides guests the opportunity to experience something different each time they visit.

IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel 
A local artist created artwork for over the beds, featuring each musician from the Recordings in Bristol.
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel

ALL IN THE DETAILS

The details are what truly brings each story to life. With so much rich history to embrace, no detail was left untouched. Some of the unique aspects you can find at The Sessions Hotel:

  • A palette of paper bags were left in the building and we used them to create custom pillows for the beds in the vein of a grain sack. The backs of the pillows even feature the recipe from the back of the bag.

  • L.C. King — a local denim producer in Bristol — supplied their denim to create an added layer of texture and color and gave the rooms a touch of the local community.

  • Exposed ceilings, restored wood floors, and exposed brick are all original elements of the buildings.

  • Suites feature their own sitting areas with vintage record players for listening to music.

  • Carpet design in corridor is reminiscent of the chords and strings on a guitar, acknowledging the area's rich musical history.

  • Room signage is all unique to look like a record and each label features a different song that was recorded during 'The Sessions' recordings. Once in the room, there’s also sheet music for that song with the lyrics, tying those together.

  • Victrola clock radios in each room are a modern day recognition of the Victrolas that were used to play the records that were ultimately created from the Victor Talking Machine, used to record the music of 'The Sessions' musicians.

 
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel 
The Mill building rooms are located within the restored grain silos themselves, adding a unique wood texture to the walls.
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel 
Copper lighting reminiscent of the copper kettles used to make candy is a sweet and subtle nod to the historic candy factory.
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel

COLLABORATION IS KEY


The field verification of historic elements and existing conditions was crucial and we leaned heavily on our vendors, contractors, and purchasing team to work together to make sure everything fit like a glove. We also had historic tax credits to achieve, which meant more built-in elements needed to be provided. This made the verifications of the conditions even more crucial to the success.

 
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel
 
 
The original recipes were even kept in tact on the repurposed sack-cloth pillows.
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED


From our satisfied client right down to the very guests enjoying their stay, we strive to make every interaction a meaningful one.

The original industrial barn door remains to pay homage to the building’s original use.
 
 

Testimonials

 

“They absolutely deliver on meeting expectations. They are my first choice and consistent recommendation to other owners and property developers. They take pride in their work, but leave ego completely out of the process, which is incredibly refreshing.”

Kimberly Christner
President & CEO, Cornerstone Hospitality

"The Sessions Hotel has my heart! The property is really unique and beautiful. Mixing luxury with the original aspects of the buildings is just so cool and really works for this property."

C. Wilson
Guest, 5-star review on Trip Advisor

“Architectural Partners has had a working partnership with IIG for over 7 years. As a full-service architectural firm, AP interacts with consultants, designers, engineers, contractors, and many other teams in the service industry. The hospitality projects that we've completed have truly been a team approach.”

Mark Smith
Principal of Architectural Partners

 
 
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel 
Vintage microphones turned to decorative light pendants in each room pay homage to a vintage record player cabinet.
 
 
IIG Design - The Sessions Hotel