A Romantic Getaway in Downtown Memphis

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of River Inn at Harbor Town, Jay Atkins & Brittany Bell.

It was love at first sight when I visited the River Inn of Harbor Town in downtown Memphis in May 2008!

The inn is located in the picturesque community of Harbor Town on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Looney Ricks Kiss, a firm known for “creating and preserving that small-town feel,” the River Inn is a 28-room boutique hotel that opened its doors on October 29, 2008. The $9 million 32,000-square-foot hotel is located between two buildings at Harbor Town Square and Harbor Town Circle.

The inn’s local owners traveled far and wide sampling small luxury hotels. They returned to Memphis, where they applied their newfound knowledge to create the best of the best small boutique hotel.

According to Karl W. Friedrich, a native of Austria, who was chosen to serve as General Manager of the River Inn, “nothing like the River Inn exists in Memphis nor in Tennessee. It brings back an historic kind of luxury although it is a hotel with specialized individual service, and the décor and architecture are a mixture of Europe and New Orleans.”

Friedrich brings to the inn many years of experience in the luxury hotel and resort industry. He has been General Manager of the River Inn for 12 years.

Picture a small Provencal-style inn with window boxes brimming with colorful flowers; Bevola New Orleans-style gas lanterns; and narrow streets in Harbor Town reminiscent of Europe.

The hotel has a strong European influence from the intimate library on each floor to the Port wine and chocolate truffle served at turn-down.

Upon check-in a smiling desk clerk offers guests a complimentary glass of wine or champagne.

The charming lobby is furnished with antiques and Persian rugs hearkening back to the days when cotton or “white gold” was King. A fireplace with an 1800s New Orleans mantel keeps the chill at bay in the winter months, and the sofa beckons you to sit a spell, as we say in the South. A sparkling chandelier is suspended over hardwood floors that were reclaimed from a Virginia textile mill that was being razed. River-themed and Southern oil paintings by Matthew Hasty of Memphis adorn the lobby walls.

Little Bar at Paulette’s

Walk into the coziest little bar in Memphis, and you’ll instantly fall in love. Walk in twice, and the friendly bartender will likely remember your name and your drink even before you sit down. The Little Bar was specially designed to offer a cozy, joyful atmosphere where friends may visit over fine spirits and appetizers and enjoy the baby grand piano music of Jim Johnson, a well-known Memphis pianist, from 6pm-9pm Monday through Saturday.

The wine list is recognized annually with the Award of Excellence from “Wine Spectator” magazine. Specialty drinks: Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Vodka or Gin Martini.

Little Bar Hours Daily: 11am-2pm and 4pm-9 pm. Happy Hour: 4pm-6:30 pm daily in both the Little Bar and Lobby.

As one guest recently said, “There’s nothing about this place that I don’t like.”

Paulette’s Restaurant: A Memphis Favorite For Over 40 Years

Combine guests’ favorite recipes of 40 years as a revered Memphis dining establishment with extraordinary chef-created offerings, and you have the popular, award-winning Paulette’s Restaurant at the River Inn.

Through the years, Paulette’s has been known as a very special place for gatherings with family or friends, business meetings, romantic dinners, and banquets of all kinds—especially wedding events. The superb food, professional service, and warm atmosphere are consistent and unsurpassed. Tender steaks, fresh fish, Sunday Brunch that begins with Paulette’s signature hot popovers and strawberry butter (served every night at dinner and at brunch on Saturday and Sunday and pre-ordered for wedding receptions), and amazing desserts have given the restaurant national fame.

According to George Falls, founder of Paulette’s, Grilled Filet Paulette, an au poivre beef filet; a New Orleans-style sautéed redfish and crabmeat dish; rack of New Zealand lamb; and Kahlua Mocha Parfait Pie (or K-pie) are among the most popular dishes at Paulette’s, which specializes in American Continental cuisine.

As one food critic stated, “Paulette’s is a Memphis institution and for a very good reason.”

Paulette’s is known as Memphis’ most charming and attractive restaurant with an unparalleled ambiance and “the” most appealing river setting. It is open daily for breakfast from 7am-10am, lunch from 11am- 2 pm, and dinner service is from 5pm-9pm. It is now open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Candlelight, a rose on every table, rich red upholstered chairs, and original watercolors by Marvin Yates set the tone for elegant dining.

Rooftop Terrace

The rooftop area where umbrella tables were previously, now has wrap-around windows opened accordion-style on pretty days. The colorful Bridge Lights are very visible from the Terrace. The menu features small plates plus 3 or 4 regular entrees. There’s a popular fully stocked bar that hosts a Champagne night on Thursdays, and currently, Whiskey Night on Wednesdays. Many business and bride-related events take place at lunch time.

Weddings may take place on the Terrace before 3 p.m. The Terrace will accommodate a maximum of 60 people. It is perfect for a Bridesmaid Luncheon, Bridal Shower or a day wedding.

Heart-of-pine floorboards in the lobby were cut from 1700s original-stand timber, once used as support beams in an old mill.

On my last overnight visit the elevator whisked me up to the Natchez penthouse suite, which overlooks the Mississippi River. (How appropriate considering that Natchez, MS is what I call “my second home.”). The suite was charming with casement windows facing the river; attractive, comfortable furniture; elegant French paintings; and a fireplace. Beside a wet bar is a framed Natchez riverboat scene. A four-poster bed, luxuriously draped with Frette linens, is the focal point beside a walnut armoire, and the bathroom has a garden tub and a shower with Gilchrist and Soames bath amenities.

The suite has a 40” flat screen HDTV with DVD, high-speed wireless internet access, and a CD/iPod dock/radio alarm clock, and a corner desk.

There are 28 beautiful guest rooms and suites, draped in rich Southern and European décor.

Wedding Events

For decades, Paulette’s has been the popular choice for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers and luncheons. Paulette’s combines fabulous menus with professional service and a breathtaking view of the river that you won’t find anywhere else in Memphis.

For receptions and rehearsal dinners, Paulette’s offers five private spaces that can seat from 10 to 65 including the year-round rooftop Terrace for luncheons.

Outside, the Courtyard can seat up to 100, tented or open-air; or space for up to 200 at stand-up receptions. Completing the Courtyard is an attractive wrought iron gazebo, where some of Memphis’ happiest couples have exchanged vows. “The Courtyard may be covered attractively with a clear or opaque tent,” said Paula Davis, Banquet & Events Manager of the River Inn.

The River Hall, which holds 80 people for a sit-down banquet or a buffet, and The Terrace are both perfect spots for all your wedding festivities, “says Davis/ Email: events@riverinnmemphis.com. Website: riverhallmemphis.net

“The big wedding date coming up is 10-10-2020,” stated Davis. “Our Terrace is booked for the afternoon, and some weddings are booked in River Hall. October will be a busy month for us!”

“Business is good,” said Friedrich, who is delighted that the River Inn at Harbor Town was recently named the South’s #1 Hotel by “Conde Nast Traveler.” Other awards include Number One in Memphis by Trip Advisor, Top 100 in the World by “Travel & Leisure Magazine” and Number One in Memphis by “U.S. News & World Report.”

What to Know

River Inn of Harbor Town
50 Harbor Town Square, Memphis, TN 38103
(901) 260-3333
www.RiverInnMemphis.com
Social Media: Trip Advisor, Facebook & Instagram
Room Rates: Standard Room: $179-$265.
Penthouse Suite: $570
Packages: The Winter Package ends on February 23, 2020. Inquire at the Front Desk for more information.