The Oliver Hotel
Historic Southern boutique with a modern edge. Crown moldings and plantation shutters sit alongside Thomas O'Brien lighting and gilded mid-century furnishings. The vibe is warm and literary, not stuffy.
The Peter Kern Library rotating password is posted on the merch counter in the hotel lobby if you don't want to hunt for clues on their Instagram (@peterkernlibrary).
Why It Matters
The only boutique hotel on Market Square. The building dates to 1876, rooms were fully refreshed in 2019, and the on-site Peter Kern Library is arguably the best bar in Knoxville — a legit speakeasy with a rotating monthly password and cocktails named after literary characters.
The Oliver Hotel lives inside the 1876 Peter Kern Bakery building — a handsome four-story structure on the edge of Market Square that has housed an ice cream parlor, a drugstore, and a dancing hall over its long life. Today it's a tight 28-room boutique hotel with a password-protected speakeasy behind a sliding door in the lobby. Small enough to feel personal, polished enough to feel like a genuine splurge.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Double Queen Room (ADA Accessible)
The best room in the house for groups of friends or families traveling together. 450 SF with stately upholstered headboards, plantation shutters, and cozy club chairs. Fully ADA compliant with roll-in showers and compliant vanity and bathroom fixtures. Sleeps 4.
2 Queens
King Room
The go-to romantic option at 300-350 SF. Luxe fabrics and bespoke furnishings are paired with classic crown moldings, plantation shutters, and designer lighting. A clear step up from the Queen in both size and feel. Sleeps 2.
1 King
King Suite
Ranging 475-600 SF, the King Suites have a separate bedroom and a living room with a queen sleeper sofa. Polished woods and gilded finishes give these an eclectic, modern edge that feels more design-forward than the standard rooms. Sleeps 4.
1 King + Queen Sleeper Sofa
Market Suite
The largest standard suite at 675 SF. The bedroom looks directly over Market Square, and the separate living room has a queen sleeper sofa. Crown moldings, a tufted headboard, and mid-century modern furnishings strike a refined tone. Good choice if you want the square view without booking the flagship Oliver Suite. Sleeps 4.
1 King + Queen Sleeper SofaOliver Suite
The top room in the house. Soaring 17-foot ceilings, plantation shutters, and Thomas O'Brien lighting set this corner suite apart from everything else in Knoxville. It looks out over both Market Square and Krutch Park simultaneously. There's a living room with a queen sleeper sofa, making it work for small groups as well as couples. This is the one to book for a special occasion. Sleeps 4.
1 King + Queen Sleeper Sofa
Queen Room
The smallest room in the house at 200-300 SF, but don't let that put you off. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a plush upholstered headboard, and custom artwork make the space feel considered rather than cramped. Sleeps 2.
1 QueenThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Hotel bicycles available for guests to explore downtown Knoxville and beyond.
Every Saturday morning, the Market Square Farmers Market happens directly outside the hotel's front door — spring through fall. Zero transportation required.
Hunt down the monthly password (posted on @peterkernlibrary Instagram or on the lobby merch counter), find the sliding door behind the front desk, and step into Knoxville's only speakeasy. The bartenders will build you a custom cocktail based on your flavor preferences if you're feeling adventurous.
The hotel hosts intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and private dining in Oliver Royale and Peter Kern Library. The photogenic interiors are also popular for film shoots and photoshoots (location fees may apply).
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Hotel bikes available for guests to tour the city.
Oliver Royale available for private events (up to 63 seated, 80 reception-style). Peter Kern Library available for intimate private events up to 30 guests.
Business center on-site for corporate travelers.
High-speed WiFi throughout the property and in all rooms, included with every stay.
Room service available directly from Oliver Royale. Service fees apply.
Each room comes with a mini fridge and in-room snacks and drinks, including the hotel's own barrel-aged Blanton's Bourbon.
Pet-friendly property — dogs welcome.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available for guests.
Concierge service available to guests including local recommendations and itinerary guidance.
Guests consistently report being offered complimentary champagne at check-in — a small touch that repeatedly appears in reviews.
Valet parking offered at the Union Avenue entrance. Self-parking also available nearby at the Market Square Garage off Wall Avenue and Walnut Street.
On-site fitness room available to guests. Some sources suggest YMCA guest passes are also available at the front desk for additional options.
BUILD YOUR THE OLIVER HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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