Anyone familiar with Memphis- help!

[luvflorida]

We are going to be in Memphis from April 18 to April 22. We are staying at the Memphis Marriott East. We chose this hotel because we are familiar with Marriott properties and have never had a problem with them.

This will be our first trip to Memphis, and now I'm a little concerned about the area we are staying in. I just went online to check out what is near the hotel and I came across The Mall of Memphis. I thought, wow, a mall close enough to walk to. But upon further research, I find out that the mall closed a few months ago, and that it was nick-named, The Mall of Murder!

Another article said that it was a popular hangout for local gangs. Is there ANYONE out there on Disboards who can tell me if we chose a bad area of Memphis to stay in?!? Should we change our reservations or do you think the area around the Memphis Marriott East is safe? There is an IHOP within walking distance of the hotel. Good idea to walk or not? Should I be concerned or not?

 

[CarolA]

Now that the mall is closed I doubt the gangs hang out there anymore.

I was in Memphis on business not too long ago and that area just looked DEAD! The hotel looks nice, but it is a few years old.

I used to work at the Mall of Memphis so I find it sad that it has closed.

If I had a choice, I would move either to downtown or to the Wolfchase Galleria area. (I think that is technically Bartlett)>

 

[crazelion]

I post the same question a couple a weeks ago because I'm going to Memphis for a wedding.

Some on the board do not stay in East Memphis because it's the bad part town.

So I decide to looking around for a place stay and or my family decide on the Peabody Hotel because we getting a the group discount rate for the wedding.

I look into staying the around the main tourist district around Beale Street and other places. That is a nice area to stay in. That has plenty hotels to choose from.

Also I would look at tripadvior.com and biddingfortraveling for hotel reviews and place to see and do around the area.

I decide since how to park my in the parking garage. I taking my stero face off my stero and putting it the safe at the hotel. Along with my digital camera.


I have go work now. I will post late on tonight more information I found out about Memphis including links to.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

My parents stayed at a Hampton Inn in Memphis a couple of years ago and the desk clerk did not give my dad his credit card back. By the time they realized what had happened about an hour later there had already been over $5000 charged to the card! Of course, the clerk denied keeping the card. Be very careful as it is a depressed area and crime runs rampant.

 

[want2retire]

This is only my second post to these boards, but I really enjoy "lurking". Since I am a lifelong resident of the Memphis area and work here, I thought I would give you my input. The Marriott property you refer to is in an area with a lot of crime and not one I would choose to walk around in. The mall closed last Christmas Eve and before it closed it was almost a "ghost town". The general public perception was that it was unsafe to shop there. Although this Marriott location is referred to as the "Marriott East", it is not what Memphians would consider "East Memphis" which is considered to be a desirable area for the most part. There are so many nicer areas in the city and in the neighboring communities (Germantown and Wolfchase)If you would like some suggestions, please let me know. And, although you did not mention this in your post, Graceland is a fun and interesting place to visit, but I wouldn't stay in that area, either. Hope you enjoy your visit to Memphis!

 

[nkjzmom]

When we visited Memphis for spring break of last year we stayed at a Fairfield Inn just outside of the city in Southaven. We never had any problems and really enjoyed our visit.

 

[luvflorida]

want2retire- Thanks for replying. Can you recommend any other Marriott properties within 15 miles of Beale Street? I'm seriously considering changing reservations due to what I am hearing. Thanks!

 

[want2retire]

There is a Marriott hotel in downtown Memphis on Main St. I've never stayed there, but can tell you it is approximately one mile from Beale St. and there is a trolley that runs from the hotel to Beale St. I think parking is in a separate structure and there is a charge for that. Location? Downtown Memphis is bordered by the Mississippi River to the west, commerical to the east, and the areas to the north and south are what we would call "bad" neighborhoods. Maybe typical of many downtown areas in various cities? Beale St. is at the opposite end of downtown from the Marriott. There is more activity on the Beale St. end in the evening. Convention center/performing arts center is across the street from the hotel, but events are not necessarilly taking place there on a nightly basis. I wouldn't hesitate to attend any of the events downtown, but it isn't someplace I would go and feel free to just walk around in the evening (the north/ Marriott end). The south end (Beale St./Peabody Hotel/Peabody Place/Orpheum Theater) is more populated and lots of people walking around there on weekends, not sure about week nights. There is a Courtyard by Marriott on Park Ave. that is in a nice area and centrally located which is probably within 15 miles of Beale St. and a Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Germantown which is probably closer to 20-25 miles of Beale St. The Germantown site is a very nice "suburban" location. Hope this helps!

 

[MScott1851]

I live in Memphis...

If you are set on staying near Beale, choose the Hampton Inn and Suites Peabody Place, the Sleep Inn at Court Square, the Wyndham, the Peabody, or the Madison.

Otherwise, I would stay out here where I live, at Wolfchase Galleria in Cordova/Bartlett. You basically can't go wrong out here, and it's only about 20 minutes downtown. Avoid Southeast and North Memphis like the plague. The Marriott you are staying in is okay, but the area is horrible! If you are set on staying in East Memphis, Hilton recently acquired the Park Vista Inn at 240/Poplar, and it is a decent area.. Check it out. Also, the Doubletree and Embassy Suites in East Memphis off Poplar are okay.

 

[Beauty]

We go to Memphis at least twice a month and I'll say it,

THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD STAY THERE! I would have considered it about 10 years ago but now, nope no way, change your reservations!!

Now about 2 years ago we stayed downtown when we were going to an event at the Pyramid and it was okay.

I have to say though that the Wolfchase area, around Bartlett and Germantown is where I would stay. It is a drive to Beale Street from that area but there is so much more to do there. The Wolfchase Galleria is a Huge Mall, there is also an Outlet Mall and a Bass Pro Shop in that area. There are many many little specialty shops and plenty of places to eat. Lets see I know there is a Chilis, a Bahama Breeze (YUM!), Joe's Crab Shack, a Steak House, Olive Garden, Arbys, McDonalds....goodness just tons to choose from in the eating dept.

Downtown you have the Beale St. area and other shops, you have Mud Island which is really neat, of course the Pyramid in itself is a sight to see. The Riverboats that you can take a tour on.

DEFINATLY DO NOT STAY NEAR GRACELAND OR LIBERTYLAND.

Our best friends live in Southhaven and that area, which is about 15 minutes outside Memphis is nice as well.

 

[CarolA]

I just stayed at the Marriott downtown. It was fine. There is a lot of construction so I used the valet which was not cheap, but at least easy.

I walked to the Peabody area and then took the trolley back. Did not have any problem. I was impressed with how much Memphis had improved the downtown area since I lived there. Late at night I would take the Trolley just because it is a little deserted between the tourist area and the Marriott. I would stay there over the Mall of Memphis.

I also stayed at a Springfield Suites at Wolfchase Galleria that is a Marriott. Very new and nice.

 

[luvflorida]

Thanks so much for all the info! We are now in the process of changing our reservations. We definitely do not want to stay at the Marriott East. Too scary!

We're leaning towards the Springfield Suites Wolfchase Galleria or the Marriott Downtown Memphis. Being in downtown Memphis would be convenient, but staying outside Memphis near shopping malls, in a safe area sounds nice, also!

 

[crazelion]

Welcome . I hope enjoy Memphis, TN Beale Street seems to be the place to and Wolf Chase Mall is my type of mall. I am planning on window shopping and hightail out Memphis TN too Chattanooga because Riverbend Festival is going on.