
Big Cypress Lodge
Best for families and first-time Memphis visitors who want a distinctive Pyramid setting and lots of on-site entertainment.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Big Cypress Lodge is a thematic, family-friendly lodge inside the Memphis Pyramid with an indoor cypress swamp, observation ride and on-site entertainment. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis is a full-service Hilton-brand hotel in East Memphis aimed at business and leisure travelers who prefer established chains.
Updated

Best for families and first-time Memphis visitors who want a distinctive Pyramid setting and lots of on-site entertainment.

Best for business travelers and guests who want predictable Hilton-brand amenities, meeting space and indoor/outdoor pools.
When Big Cypress Lodge wins: Choose Big Cypress Lodge if you want a unique stay inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid — indoor swamp views, Sky High Ride observation deck, bowling and family-focused activities make it a memorable option for families and visitors looking for something different from a standard hotel.
When DoubleTree wins: Choose DoubleTree if you need a conventional, dependable full-service hotel with larger meeting space, both indoor and outdoor pools, complimentary scheduled airport transport at certain times, and room types that include mobility-accessible options.
Bottom line: Both are full-service Memphis hotels but serve different needs — Big Cypress Lodge sells an experience centered on the Pyramid and on-site attractions; DoubleTree sells a familiar Hilton-style stay with event facilities and pool options.
| Category | Big Cypress Lodge | DoubleTree |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Rustic lodge inside a retail/attraction Pyramid; themed cabins, treehouses and lodge décor. | Traditional, full-service Hilton hotel with straightforward business/leisure amenities. |
| Location | 1 Bass Pro Drive (inside Bass Pro Shops Pyramid), close to downtown riverfront and Beale Street. | 5069 Sanderlin Ave in East Memphis, a drive from downtown attractions. |
| Size (rooms) | 103 individually decorated guestrooms. | 264 guestrooms. |
| Minimum check-in age | Lead guest must be 21 to check in. | |
| Pools | No swimming pool; views overlook an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem. | Indoor pool and outdoor pool (listed by the property). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues including The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl, The Den, Mississippi Terrace. | On-site restaurant (Erling Jensen Small Bites) and a bar/lounge; room service available during limited hours. |
| Spa & fitness | Big Cypress Spa by Gould’s (appointments and paid treatments); 24-hour fitness center included. | Fitness facilities listed; spa not published in the supplier listing. |
| Known for | Indoor cypress swamp, Sky High Ride observation deck, bowling alley and Bass Pro Shops setting. | Hilton-brand consistency, meeting and conference space, airport shuttle at scheduled times. |
| Event & meeting space | Multiple themed event spaces and terraces; capacity up to several hundred when combined. | About 5,000 sq ft (465 m²) of conference space and multiple meeting rooms. |
Big Cypress Lodge sits inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid at 1 Bass Pro Drive, minutes from downtown riverfront attractions.
Choose Big Cypress for immediate access to downtown attractions and the Pyramid experience.
DoubleTree is located in East Memphis and is positioned for guests who plan to be based outside the downtown core.
Choose DoubleTree if you prefer a hotel in East Memphis with straightforward driving access and an airport shuttle at scheduled times.
Big Cypress Lodge’s 103 rooms are individually themed (cabins, treehouses, duck lodges) and focus on views of the indoor swamp or downtown.
Expect characterful, themed rooms — good for families and guests wanting a unique stay.
DoubleTree offers a larger inventory of conventional guest rooms and suites with mobility-accessible options.
Choose DoubleTree for more conventional room choices and explicit accessibility options.
Big Cypress Lodge offers several on-site dining and drinking options tied to the Pyramid experience.
Big Cypress is better if you want variety and themed dining without leaving the property.
DoubleTree has one main on-site restaurant and a bar/lounge, with daily breakfast available for a fee.
DoubleTree offers reliable, traditional hotel dining but fewer on-site venue choices than Big Cypress.
Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; its signature amenity is the indoor cypress swamp and Pyramid attractions.
The property sells an attractions-driven experience rather than typical pool recreation.
DoubleTree lists both an indoor and an outdoor pool and positions itself with practical meeting amenities.
DoubleTree is the better pick if having hotel pools and conference facilities matters to you.
Big Cypress Lodge provides an on-site spa, a 24-hour fitness center and several evening bars with a lodge atmosphere.
If you want a lodge-style evening with live music and a themed bar scene, Big Cypress fits that need.
DoubleTree highlights fitness facilities and a quieter bar/lounge rather than destination nightlife.
Choose DoubleTree for straightforward wellness basics and a quieter evening environment.

Big Cypress Lodge — on-site bowling, aquarium feedings, Sky High Ride and family-friendly themed rooms.

DoubleTree — larger room count, substantial conference space (about 5,000 sq ft) and ballroom facilities.

Big Cypress Lodge — the Pyramid setting, indoor swamp and rooftop Lookout restaurant are unique to Memphis.

DoubleTree — mobility-accessible room inventory, indoor/outdoor pools and familiar Hilton-brand services.
Big Cypress Lodge — it offers family activities (bowling, aquarium feedings, Sky High Ride) and themed rooms; note the lead guest must be 21 to check in.
DoubleTree — it offers about 5,000 sq ft of conference space, meeting rooms and ballroom facilities geared toward events.
No — Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; it overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem instead.
DoubleTree lists a complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle at scheduled times; check the hotel for current shuttle schedules.
Explore how Big Cypress Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·