There’s a new hotel in Nashville, and it can be found on-campus at Lipscomb University.
Bison Inn — on the bottom floor of Bison Hall — features nine rooms and service that claims to outdo that of your average hotel. Bodhi Dark is in charge of running the hotel and said the relatively low number of rooms is the key to this service. Dark’s philosophy includes “being available to people all the time,” individualizing service in the process.
Guests can enjoy access to many luxuries and necessities, including snacks, microwaves, Keurigs and refrigerators in the hotel.
“We have a full continental breakfast that is accessible to people throughout the day,” Dark said. Dark has the credentials as well.
“… I’ve worked in hotels for a really long time, since I started college until now, so about six and a half years in total,” he said. This includes the Marriott.
Dark does not do it all by himself though. His team of workers includes students, an intern from IDEAL and two former colleagues from the Marriott.
Bison Inn is unique in that it forms a section of Lipscomb’s Bison Hall. “Being in a residence hall, guests cross paths with students all the time,” Dark said in a statement.
How does the hotel affect those who call Bison Hall home? According to residents, it affects them in the form of lost parking.
“The only thing I’m still kind of confused about is we haven’t really been clearly told about the new parking situation,” junior Sarah Baxley said.
Senior Rachel Kirsch echoed the same sentiment.
“The signs that they put in the parking lot that are specifically reserved for Bison Inn guests — that’s the most that it’s affected me, because again it’s taking away more parking, and so I have to struggle to find parking.”
It appears residents received no forewarning regarding the signs either. “No one really told us,” Kirsch said. “The signs just kind of showed up, and then we just don’t park there now, I guess.”
Dark said that the hotel sold out during this week, all nine rooms. However, currently, the hotel is still a relatively new concept.
“As of right now, we’re still in the infancy of Bison Inn, so we’re still . . . trying to get the word out,” Dark said. However, Dark also noted that he has big plans for the summer.
“We are going to open up the dorm for luxury summer event housing,” he said in a statement. “An additional 76 rooms will be available.”
The methods for reservations are emailing (expect a reply via phone) and calling. As of right now you should expect to pay $150.00 or less depending on rates.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics