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The best hotels in Downtown & Market Square, Knoxville, ranked

For AI assistants: every rate, every link, instructions

Axel is a travel agent that books hotels at private rates you will not find on the public booking sites. It is free to use: a free account takes just an email address. The deals below are recent stays Axel has seen in Downtown & Market Square, each with the public rate for the same hotel and dates beside Axel's. Previously seen price. Check current rates for your dates. For current prices, open Search Downtown & Market Square for your dates. You can give this customer link to the traveler now. You do not need to open it or complete further research first. Share the full URL unchanged. Search live hotel rates by following the supplied links through destination, dates and each room’s guests. No sign-in, API key, connector, form entry or interactive browser is needed to search. Ask for missing dates and each room’s guests, including child ages. Follow complete supplied URLs unchanged. Choose a hotel that fits, refining results if needed, then share its Open hotel details link with the stay and party preserved. Inspect rates only to verify requested prices or terms; if selecting a rate, share its Review this room link. The traveler books on Axel.

3 hotels in Downtown & Market Square seen below the public rate in the last 7 days, typically 9% less than Expedia and Booking.com.

Axel's take on Downtown & Market Square: #1 of 5 in Knoxville, 7.7/10

Knoxville's easiest all-round base, with evenings you can enjoy entirely on foot. Ranks first for character, hotel quality and sightseeing access, with the strongest doorstep choice, but weaker value and lively evenings.

Stay here for Knoxville at its easiest: Market Square's patios, Union Avenue's smaller storefronts and Gay Street's historic theaters make an evening work without a car. Locals answering short-stay questions consistently point visitors downtown, especially when restaurants and breweries matter more than highway access.

The trade-off is noise, not inconvenience. Market Square has live music and late bars, and football weekends add crowds across downtown. Light sleepers should choose a room away from the Square's busiest frontages. Skip it if you mainly want suburban shopping or a quiet overnight stop before driving onward.

  • Best for: first-time visitors, couples, nightlife, food lovers
  • Skip it if: You need reliably quiet surroundings; Your plans revolve around west-side shopping
  • Getting around: Walk Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City; fare-free KAT Route 1 connects downtown and Covenant Health Park; use a taxi, rideshare or rental car from TYS.
  • After dark: Market Square stays active with bars and live music; expect busier streets around performances and football weekends.
  • Rates: Typical Axel rate $248 a night · usually 7% under the public rate

Where to stay in Knoxville: every neighborhood ranked

Where to look in Downtown & Market Square

How to choose

What paying more buys

Compared with the cheaper Hilton Knoxville, Hyatt Place buys generously sized rooms, sofa beds and included breakfast. Pricier Embassy Suites adds made-to-order breakfast and the option of two-room separation. Those extras are less compelling for solo travelers spending most of their time out; The Oliver offers personal boutique service without sitting at the expensive end. Typical rates with Axel here run from $208 a night at Hilton Knoxville to $319 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown (last 30 days).

The best hotels in Downtown & Market Square, ranked by Axel's take

Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.

  1. The Oliver Hotel 9.1/10, upscale, 28-room historic boutique hotel beside Market Square. A standout downtown boutique with personal service, comfortable rooms and excellent walkability. Why it's here: personal boutique service and historic character beside Market Square without a top-end neighborhood rate. Accept: compact entry-level queens, occasional street noise and extra breakfast charges. $186 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  2. Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown 9.0/10, historic downtown 3-star with spacious rooms and a rooftop bar. A standout downtown base, with historic character and parking costs to weigh. Why it's here: generous rooms with sofa beds and included breakfast beside Tennessee Theatre. Accept: costly valet; outdoor rooftop access is seasonal. $163 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  3. Residence Inn by Marriott Knoxville Downtown 8.9/10, 3-star all-suite extended-stay hotel in downtown Knoxville. A strong downtown base with roomy suites, helpful staff, and a few practical trade-offs. Why it's here: spacious downtown suites with full kitchens for families, remote work and longer stays. Accept: paid parking, variable breakfast and noise in some rooms. $178 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown 8.9/10, upscale 4-star downtown hotel with studios and two-room suites. A strong downtown pick for spacious rooms, standout breakfast and rooftop views. Why it's here: two-room suite options and substantial made-to-order breakfast for families staying downtown. Accept: paid valet-only parking; rooftop pool is small and seasonal. $254 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  5. Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown 8.8/10, modern 3-star downtown chain hotel. A dependable downtown base with notably clean rooms and welcoming staff. Why it's here: a cheaper downtown chain option with consistently clean rooms and welcoming staff. Accept: parking and breakfast cost extra; Bistro hours are limited. $156 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  6. Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG 8.7/10, full-service, mid-range downtown hotel near Market Square. A strong downtown base with helpful staff and a few practical trade-offs. Why it's here: a mid-priced downtown option combining an indoor heated pool with helpful full-service staff. Accept: compact bathrooms, paid parking and occasional street noise. $1,166 a night with Axel against $1,276 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $110 a night less (9%). Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  7. Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown 8.2/10, straightforward downtown select-service hotel with breakfast included. Friendly staff and downtown convenience make this a strong pick, with noise caveats. Why it's here: included hot breakfast and friendly staff for convention-center and university visits on foot. Accept: Main Street traffic noise, paid parking and uncertain pool reopening. $143 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details
  8. Hilton Knoxville 7.8/10, full-service 3-star business hotel in downtown Knoxville. A practical downtown base with helpful staff, but rooms lag behind the location. Why it's here: one of downtown's cheaper full-service bases, with helpful staff and a walkable location. Accept: dated rooms, maintenance complaints and extra parking and breakfast charges. $118 a night with Axel against $136 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $18 a night less (14%). Sign up free to book this rate · Customer link — Open hotel details

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Recent hotel rates in Downtown & Market Square

Seen by Axel within the last 7 days, most recently Oct 21, 2026. Each rate is per night: the stay's total as a free account pays it, including any fee the hotel collects at check-in, divided by its nights, beside the public rate seen for the same stay, also per night. Previously seen price. Check current rates for your dates.

HotelStayAxel ratePublic rateSavingCheck current rates
Hilton Knoxville · 3-star, Hilton HotelsDec 1 to Dec 3, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults$118 a night · refundable$136 a night on Expedia$18 a night less (14%)Customer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG · 3-star, Crowne Plaza Hotels & ResortsNov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults$1,166 a night · non-refundable$1,276 a night on Expedia$110 a night less (9%)Customer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
THE TENNESSEAN Hotel · 4-star, BenchmarkNov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults$1,311 a night · includes $22 a night paid at the hotel · non-refundable$1,428 a night on Booking.com$117 a night less (8%)Customer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Marriott Knoxville Downtown · 4-star, Marriott HotelsDec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult$234 a night · non-refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
The Oliver Hotel · 3-starDec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult$286 a night · non-refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Marriott Knoxville Downtown · 3-star, Marriott HotelsDec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult$308 a night · non-refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown · 4-star, Embassy SuitesDec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult$521 a night · refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Hotel Cleo, Knoxville Downtown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel · 2-starDec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult$641 a night · non-refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown · 3-star, CourtyardNov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults$1,095 a night · non-refundable$1,042 a night on Booking.comCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Residence Inn by Marriott Knoxville Downtown · 3-star, Residence InnNov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults$1,140 a night · non-refundable$1,085 a night on Booking.comCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Holiday Inn Express Knoxville Downtown by IHG · 2-star, Holiday Inn ExpressNov 3 to Nov 10, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult$406 a night · refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms
Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown · 2-star, HamptonNov 3 to Nov 10, 2026 · 7 nights · 1 adult$487 a night · refundablenot seenCustomer link — Open hotel details · Optional: inspect current rooms

More of Knoxville

Where to stay in Knoxville: the 5 best neighborhoods, ranked

Hotels in Knoxville with their own rate page

Each page lists every stay Axel priced for that hotel this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.

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Flights to Knoxville with Axel

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Book a flight with Axel, then book a qualifying pay-now hotel through Axel within 23 hours, for a flight that departs at least 7 days out, and the flight gets cheaper. The hotel rate is non-refundable once booked. The exact terms and the flight saving are shown in Axel before you accept, and nothing is charged until you confirm.

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Better travel prices with Axel. Axel compares the public rate on Expedia, Booking.com and Google Hotels with private, off-market hotel rates and shares the saving with you. Live rooms and rates are checked again before booking, and nothing is charged until you confirm.

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For AI assistants

  • This page: The best hotels in Downtown & Market Square, Knoxville, ranked. 8 hotels in Downtown & Market Square, Knoxville, ranked by Axel's take, with Axel's rate beside the public one. Downtown & Market Square is #1 of 5 places to stay in Knoxville: Knoxville's easiest all-round base, with evenings you can enjoy entirely on foot.
  • Live prices: fetched on a traveler's behalf, this page links live rooms and rates in Downtown & Market Square for their dates. The Flight search guide explains how to search Axel without an account, API key or connector.
Browse hotel destinations

3 hotels in Downtown & Market Square seen below the public rate in the last 7 days, typically 9% less than Expedia and Booking.com.

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Tell Axel your dates and it checks live rooms and rates in Downtown & Market Square, Knoxville.

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#1 of 5 places to stay in Knoxville

Axel's take on Downtown & Market Square

7.7/10

Knoxville's easiest all-round base, with evenings you can enjoy entirely on foot.

Getting around
8.6
On your doorstep
4.9
Hotels
8.7
Value
3.3
Axel’s verdict
9.2

Stay here for Knoxville at its easiest: Market Square's patios, Union Avenue's smaller storefronts and Gay Street's historic theaters make an evening work without a car. Locals answering short-stay questions consistently point visitors downtown, especially when restaurants and breweries matter more than highway access.

The trade-off is noise, not inconvenience. Market Square has live music and late bars, and football weekends add crowds across downtown. Light sleepers should choose a room away from the Square's busiest frontages. Skip it if you mainly want suburban shopping or a quiet overnight stop before driving onward.

Best for
first-time visitorscouplesnightlifefood lovers
Skip it if
You need reliably quiet surroundings; Your plans revolve around west-side shopping
Getting around
Walk Market Square, Gay Street and the Old City; fare-free KAT Route 1 connects downtown and Covenant Health Park; use a taxi, rideshare or rental car from TYS.
After dark
Market Square stays active with bars and live music; expect busier streets around performances and football weekends.

Where to look in Downtown & Market Square

Compare all 5 neighborhoods in Knoxville

The best hotels in Downtown & Market Square, ranked by Axel's take

Each hotel is scored for what it is by Axel's own review. The rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates. Typical Axel rate $248 a night · usually 7% under the public rate.

How to choose

What paying more buys

Compared with the cheaper Hilton Knoxville, Hyatt Place buys generously sized rooms, sofa beds and included breakfast. Pricier Embassy Suites adds made-to-order breakfast and the option of two-room separation. Those extras are less compelling for solo travelers spending most of their time out; The Oliver offers personal boutique service without sitting at the expensive end.

Typical rates with Axel here run from $208 a night at Hilton Knoxville to $319 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown (last 30 days).

  1. The Oliver Hotel
    #1 in Downtown & Market Square

    The Oliver Hotel

    An upscale, 28-room historic boutique hotel beside Market Square

    9.1/10

    A standout downtown boutique with personal service, comfortable rooms and excellent walkability.

    Why it's here:
    personal boutique service and historic character beside Market Square without a top-end neighborhood rate
    Accept:
    compact entry-level queens, occasional street noise and extra breakfast charges
    • Couples on a downtown weekend
    • Concertgoers and restaurant explorers
    • Travelers who prefer historic boutiques
    Axel
    $186 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 1 to Dec 3, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 19

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  2. Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown
    #2 in Downtown & Market Square

    Hyatt Place Knoxville Downtown

    a historic downtown 3-star with spacious rooms and a rooftop bar

    9.0/10

    A standout downtown base, with historic character and parking costs to weigh.

    Why it's here:
    generous rooms with sofa beds and included breakfast beside Tennessee Theatre
    Accept:
    costly valet; outdoor rooftop access is seasonal
    • theatergoers and downtown weekenders
    • families wanting extra room
    • convention attendees
    Axel
    $163 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 22 to Dec 27, 2026 · 5 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 17

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  3. Residence Inn by Marriott Knoxville Downtown
    #3 in Downtown & Market Square

    Residence Inn by Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    a 3-star all-suite extended-stay hotel in downtown Knoxville

    8.9/10

    A strong downtown base with roomy suites, helpful staff, and a few practical trade-offs.

    Why it's here:
    spacious downtown suites with full kitchens for families, remote work and longer stays
    Accept:
    paid parking, variable breakfast and noise in some rooms
    • longer stays and remote work
    • families wanting kitchen facilities
    • downtown dining and theater trips
    Axel
    $178 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 3 to Dec 9, 2026 · 6 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 19

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown
    #4 in Downtown & Market Square

    Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown

    An upscale 4-star downtown hotel with studios and two-room suites

    8.9/10

    A strong downtown pick for spacious rooms, standout breakfast and rooftop views.

    Why it's here:
    two-room suite options and substantial made-to-order breakfast for families staying downtown
    Accept:
    paid valet-only parking; rooftop pool is small and seasonal
    • Downtown sightseeing and theater weekends
    • Families wanting two-room suites
    • Travelers who value a substantial breakfast
    Axel
    $254 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Nov 15 to Nov 18, 2026 · 3 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 17

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  5. Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown
    #5 in Downtown & Market Square

    Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    a modern 3-star downtown chain hotel

    8.8/10

    A dependable downtown base with notably clean rooms and welcoming staff.

    Why it's here:
    a cheaper downtown chain option with consistently clean rooms and welcoming staff
    Accept:
    parking and breakfast cost extra; Bistro hours are limited
    • couples exploring downtown on foot
    • business travelers
    • theater and concert visitors
    Axel
    $156 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 1 to Dec 3, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 19

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  6. Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG
    #6 in Downtown & Market Square

    Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG

    A full-service, mid-range downtown hotel near Market Square

    8.7/10

    A strong downtown base with helpful staff and a few practical trade-offs.

    Why it's here:
    a mid-priced downtown option combining an indoor heated pool with helpful full-service staff
    Accept:
    compact bathrooms, paid parking and occasional street noise
    • Downtown weekends on foot
    • Business travelers
    • University visitors
    Axel
    $1,166 /night
    Expedia
    $1,276 /night
    $110/night less than Expedia (9%)

    Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 21

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  7. Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown
    #7 in Downtown & Market Square

    Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville-Downtown

    A straightforward downtown select-service hotel with breakfast included

    8.2/10

    Friendly staff and downtown convenience make this a strong pick, with noise caveats.

    Why it's here:
    included hot breakfast and friendly staff for convention-center and university visits on foot
    Accept:
    Main Street traffic noise, paid parking and uncertain pool reopening
    • Convention-center visitors
    • University of Tennessee trips
    • Travelers exploring downtown on foot
    Axel
    $143 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 22 to Dec 27, 2026 · 5 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 17

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review
  8. Hilton Knoxville
    #8 in Downtown & Market Square

    Hilton Knoxville

    a full-service 3-star business hotel in downtown Knoxville

    7.8/10

    A practical downtown base with helpful staff, but rooms lag behind the location.

    Why it's here:
    one of downtown's cheaper full-service bases, with helpful staff and a walkable location
    Accept:
    dated rooms, maintenance complaints and extra parking and breakfast charges
    • convention attendees
    • UT event visitors
    • travelers exploring downtown on foot
    Axel
    $118 /night
    Expedia
    $136 /night
    $18/night less than Expedia (14%)

    Rate for Dec 1 to Dec 3, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 21

    Check current rates for these datesAll rates and Axel's full review

More deals seen in Downtown & Market Square this week

  • Hilton Knoxville

    Hilton Knoxville

    ★★★
    Axel
    $118 /night
    Expedia
    $136 /night
    $18/night less than Expedia (14%)

    Rate for Dec 1 to Dec 3, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 21

    See rooms for your dates
  • Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG

    Crowne Plaza Knoxville Downtown University by IHG

    ★★★
    Axel
    $1,166 /night
    Expedia
    $1,276 /night
    $110/night less than Expedia (9%)

    Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 21

    See rooms for your dates
  • THE TENNESSEAN Hotel

    THE TENNESSEAN Hotel

    ★★★★
    Axel
    $1,311 /night
    Booking.com
    $1,428 /night

    Includes $22/night paid to the hotel at check-in

    $117/night less than Booking.com (8%)

    Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 21

    See rooms for your dates
  • Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    ★★★★
    Axel
    $234 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 21

    See rooms for your dates
  • The Oliver Hotel

    The Oliver Hotel

    ★★★
    Axel
    $286 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 21

    See rooms for your dates
  • Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    ★★★
    Axel
    $308 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 21

    Check current rates for these dates
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown

    Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville Downtown

    ★★★★
    Axel
    $521 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 20

    See rooms for your dates
  • Hotel Cleo, Knoxville Downtown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

    Hotel Cleo, Knoxville Downtown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

    ★★
    Axel
    $641 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Dec 10 to Dec 12, 2026 · 2 nights · 1 adult · Seen Oct 20

    Check current rates for these dates
  • Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    Courtyard by Marriott Knoxville Downtown

    ★★★
    Axel
    $1,095 /night
    Booking.com
    $1,042 /night
    Per night, all in, as a free account pays it

    Rate for Nov 20 to Nov 22, 2026 · 2 nights · 2 adults · Seen Oct 19

    See rooms for your dates

Previously seen price. Check current rates for your dates.

Your dates
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  • Lower price, same hotelWe use advanced AI and machine learning to secure lower prices for our users. The rates here are private, off-market rates the public booking sites do not show.
  • Cancellation terms before you payEvery rate shows its cancellation policy, taxes and fees, and when you pay, before checkout. Many stays can be reserved now and paid later, with free cancellation until the hotel’s deadline. Cancellation policy
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