Let us introduce you to a unique venue that is perfectly curated for hosting your next corporate event with flair! Get ready to book those flights to Kentucky, as tucked in the heart of Bardstown, the newly opened Trail Hotel is where Southern charm meets bourbon brilliance.
The former Holiday Inn Bardstown has been completely reimagined by the team at Joseph & Joseph Architects, transforming the 1970s structure into a 95-room love letter to bourbon culture, with high design, warm hospitality, and just the right amount of surprises. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it now offers business travellers and event planners a rare combination: heritage, hedonism, and hi-spec MICE facilities, all under one very stylish roof. There are 8 suites available for VIP guests, each appropriately named and featuring bourbon-inspired interiors.
At The Trail Hotel, bourbon isn’t just served on the menu, it’s a lifestyle. Whether you’re a long term aficionado or just developing your taste, there’s an experience tailored for everyone. One of the main draws to this unique venue is the Bourbon Butler – not only do they have one of the coolest job titles of all time, but they also act as your personal concierge to the finest Bardstown has to offer. Through this service, delegates will be provided VIP access to 11 nearby distilleries (with three daily rotating tours), private barrel tastings and rare bourbon flight pairings, golf and farm excursions curated to suit each individual group and dinner reservations, tasting menus, and local bourbon legends on speed dial.
Guests can even take home a piece of the experience: The Trail Hotel will soon launch its own private-label bourbon and rye, exclusively available on-property and for delivery to guests’ homes. There’s also a unique “Par & Pour” Golf Simulator, located in a private bar, which can fit private groups of up to 22, making it an fun idea for any incentive group. Wellness has not been forgotten either, the hotel features a Rejuvenation Room, complete with an oxygen bar, cryotherapy, IV hydration and a built in sauna.
Whilst the bourbon takes centre stage, the food scene is also rising above the rest. Chef Marvin Woods has created a menu that fuses classic Kentucky heritage with bold, modern twists. The main restaurant, Oak & Ember, offers a refined yet approachable Southern dining experience with a bourbon list that deserves its own spotlight, and seating for up to 110 guests. Also on offer is Embers, a lobby bar with space for over 60 guest, which is perfect to welcome arrivals or for a night cap.
Event planners will be spoilt for choice with the selection of spaces on offer. For something a little more private, The Bourbon Vault is a speakeasy-style hideaway tucked behind a discreet entrance, or there is also the option of hosting an intimate tasting in the quiet, wood-panelled Bourbon Lounge. If you’re looking to make the most of the great outdoors, there’s Bourbon Alley and the Swim Club Bar, serving up seasonal cocktails by the pool or firepit. The Reserve Room is available for up to 60 delegates and is perfect for private dining or breakout sessions.
Whether you’re planning a full buyout or looking to add a splash of Kentucky character to your next event, The Trail Hotel serves up something truly distinctive and memorable. Equal parts luxury hideaway and bourbon playground, it’s a venue designed to surprise and spoil its guests.