
Big Cypress Lodge
Best for families and visitors who want a stay that doubles as an attraction (bowling, Sky High Ride, indoor swamp views).
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Big Cypress Lodge is a themed, family-friendly lodge inside the Memphis Pyramid with rustic rooms and Pyramid attractions; read this if you want a stay that’s part hotel, part indoor attraction. Embassy Suites by Hilton Memphis East Germantown Area is an all-suite Hilton-brand hotel that suits travelers who prefer predictable, roomier suites for families or business stays.
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Best for families and visitors who want a stay that doubles as an attraction (bowling, Sky High Ride, indoor swamp views).

Best for travelers who want a predictable Hilton all-suite layout, a weekday cooked-to-order breakfast, meeting space, and an indoor pool.
When Big Cypress Lodge wins: choose Big Cypress if you want a distinctive Memphis stay inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid — unique themed rooms, on-site activities (Sky High Ride, bowling, aquarium/fish feedings), rooftop Lookout restaurant, and an on-site spa make it an experience as much as a hotel.
When Embassy Suites wins: pick Embassy Suites if you want consistent, functional two-room suites under a major chain, weekday cooked-to-order breakfast, an indoor pool and more traditional conference/banquet facilities for business or family stays.
Bottom line: both hotels work for families and longer stays in Memphis. Big Cypress is the choice for a one-of-a-kind, attraction-oriented stay downtown; Embassy Suites is the practical pick for space, conference amenities, and a trusted brand experience.
| Category | Big Cypress Lodge | Embassy Suites |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Rustic, themed lodge inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid with indoor swamp views and attraction-style public spaces. | Clean, practical Hilton all-suite hotel in a business/residential area east of central Memphis. |
| Location (city) | 1 Bass Pro Drive, Memphis — inside the Pyramid, minutes from Beale Street and the riverfront. | 1022 S Shady Grove Rd, Memphis — in the East Germantown/business district, a drive from downtown. |
| Size (rooms) | 103 individually decorated guestrooms. | 220 rooms (all suites). |
| Who can stay / check-in age | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 21+ to check in. | All ages welcome; standard check-in age is 21 (property requires ID; supplier notes min age 21). |
| Pools | No swimming pool — overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem instead. | Indoor pool (number of indoor pools listed as 1). |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site options including The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl, Mississippi Terrace, and The Den. | On-site restaurant (Grissini's) and 1 bar/lounge; complimentary reception and weekday cooked-to-order breakfast. |
| Spa & wellness | Big Cypress Spa by Gould’s (massages, facials, manicures/pedicures), hours and reservations published; treatments extra. | Not published |
| Known for | Staying inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid: Sky High Ride, indoor swamp, bowling, on-site retail. | Spacious two-room suites and Hilton-brand meeting/conference facilities with a complimentary reception and cooked-to-order breakfast. |
| Meeting & event space | Multiple event rooms and terraces; meeting capacities and several named venues (Ducks Unlimited Gallery, Mississippi Terrace). | Conference space ~4232 sq ft with meeting rooms and banquet facilities. |
| Parking & transport | Valet and self-parking with a required overnight parking fee; complimentary downtown shuttle (app-based) for guests. | Self parking (surcharge); car recommended for transport; no accessible shuttle published. |
Big Cypress Lodge sits inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid at 1 Bass Pro Drive, steps from riverfront attractions and minutes from Beale Street.
Best if you want to be in the heart of downtown attractions and inside a landmark building.
Embassy Suites is in the East Germantown/business district of Memphis, convenient to the Memphis Botanic Garden and University of Memphis by car.
Best if you want a quiet, business-district base with straightforward driving access to parts of Memphis.
Big Cypress Lodge has 103 individually decorated rooms — cabins, treehouses, duck lodges and the Governor's Suite.
Choose Big Cypress for character-driven, themed rooms and distinctive views tied to the Pyramid.
Embassy Suites is an all-suite hotel with two-room layouts designed for space and flexibility.
Choose Embassy Suites if you prioritize separate living/sleeping areas, microwaves and predictable suite layouts.
Big Cypress Lodge offers several on-site venues from a rooftop steakhouse to Wahlburgers Wild and casual bars.
Better if you want memorable, varied dining anchored by a rooftop restaurant and themed casual outlets.
Embassy Suites provides a single on-site restaurant and a bar, plus a complimentary evening reception and weekday cooked-to-order breakfast.
Better if you want the reliability of included breakfast and a standard hotel dining setup.
Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; its signature amenities are the indoor swamp ecosystem, Sky High Ride, and a 13-lane bowling alley.
Pick Big Cypress for unique indoor attractions rather than pool time.
Embassy Suites features recreational facilities including an indoor pool and a fitness center.
Pick Embassy Suites if an indoor pool is important to your stay.
Big Cypress Lodge includes Big Cypress Spa by Gould’s and several on-site bars and a live-music terrace seasonally.
Good balance of spa services and lively, themed evening venues tied to the Pyramid atmosphere.
Embassy Suites provides a fitness center and a lounge/bar; no spa is published in the supplier listing.
Choose Embassy Suites if you want straightforward fitness and evening reception features; confirm spa needs in advance.

Big Cypress Lodge — stay inside the Pyramid with attractions, themed rooms and the Sky High Ride.

Embassy Suites — two-room suites, microwaves/refrigerators, and family suite options under a Hilton brand.

Embassy Suites — indoor pool and wheelchair-accessible pool facilities.

Big Cypress Lodge — The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, multiple bars and a terrace with live music.
Big Cypress Lodge — the Pyramid attractions (bowling, fish feedings, Sky High Ride) and themed rooms are more child-focused, though both welcome families.
Embassy Suites publishes a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast (weekday times listed). Big Cypress Lodge offers breakfast for purchase rather than as part of the room rate.
Embassy Suites lists an indoor pool. Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; it overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp.
Big Cypress Lodge publishes an on-site Big Cypress Spa by Gould’s with hours and treatments; a spa is not published in the Embassy Suites supplier listing — confirm directly with the hotel if spa services are required.
Explore how Big Cypress Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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