A RENOVATION OF THE HISTORIC CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO.

THE HOTEL CHALET

Scope: Interior Design; Developer & Owner: Trestle Studio.

Set on the campus of the iconic 19th-century Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal, The Hotel Chalet draws its inspiration from the history of Railway travel, and the nostalgic chalet lodgings that emerged along the mountainous Appalachian terrain of the United States. Of notoriety, the property’s terminal station was once owned and operated by the Southern Railway, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel includes 127 guest rooms, twenty-five of which are in restored 1920s and 1960s era Pullman train carriages. The Train Carriage Guestrooms are designed to respect the heritage of the original structure’s stylistic references.

The Victorian train carriages are highlighted with pinch-pleat curtains, bentwood dining chairs, and coral-hued Tiffany Glass pendants refurbished from the original train cars—all design elements characteristic of the era. A Missoni-print textile drapes the headboard wall, in a motif reminiscent of the surrounding mountainous landscape. The Mid Century Mod train carriages take a slightly more eccentric approach, with bold hues of rose, lilac, and lime, complemented by retro cantilever breakfast chairs, and a custom 60s-era inspired wallcovering (peek closely for the local daisy motif, found in the surrounding landscape). In both typologies wall-to-wall carpeting pays homage to the historic houndstooth carpeting found in 19th century passenger train cars, complemented by modern furnishings—scalloped king beds and plush pullout sleeper sofas—that play off the architecture of the train car structures.

A processional of indoor and outdoor gathering spaces transport guests from the Lobby to the Train Carriages, with gardens that embrace the French Nouveau landscaping influence of the original Terminal Station Gardens. These spaces include the hotel’s lush courtyard, a warm lit oasis flanked by a restored Caboose, fire pits and an alpine-surrounded pool. The Lobby, Ballroom, Meeting Spaces, and fitness center are all housed in a structure that was erected in 1973 on an adjacent plot to the Terminal Station. The vision for the campus was to welcome guests to experience a modern interpretation of the first golden age of railway travel. The fusion of historic elements with modern upgrades creates an inviting and captivating atmosphere for train enthusiasts, sophisticated travelers and adventurers looking for a warm oasis to explore the foothills of Appalachia,