
Big Cypress Lodge
Best for families and visitors who want a dramatic, themed stay inside the Pyramid with on-site activities and landmark views.
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Big Cypress Lodge is a family-friendly, rustic-themed hotel built inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid that leans into spectacle and on-site entertainment. The Memphian, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is an upscale boutique, Marriott-affiliated property in Midtown’s Overton Square for travelers who prefer neighborhood restaurants and a boutique hotel feel.
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Best for families and visitors who want a dramatic, themed stay inside the Pyramid with on-site activities and landmark views.

Best for travelers who want a boutique Marriott experience in Midtown with easy access to Overton Square dining and nightlife.
When Big Cypress Lodge wins: choose Big Cypress Lodge if you want a stay that’s itself an attraction — rooms that look over an indoor cypress swamp, on-site bowling, the Sky High Ride observation deck, and a family-friendly program of activities.
When The Memphian wins: pick The Memphian, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel if you prefer a smaller, design-forward Midtown base (Overton Square) with Marriott recognition, straightforward service, and proximity to the zoo, Rhodes College, and local bars and restaurants.
Bottom line: Both hotels offer personality-driven stays in Memphis; Big Cypress Lodge is the right choice for novelty, family entertainment and riverfront proximity, while The Memphian suits travelers after a quieter, neighborhood boutique stay with Marriott-style consistency.
| Category | Big Cypress Lodge | The Memphian, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Rustic, high-concept lodge inside the Memphis Pyramid; entertainment-focused. | Upscale boutique with contemporary design and Midtown/Overton Square energy. |
| Location (neighborhood) | Downtown/Pyramid on the riverfront (inside Bass Pro Shops Pyramid). | Midtown — Overton Square (local restaurants, theaters, near Memphis Zoo). |
| Size (rooms) | 103 individually decorated guestrooms. | 106 guestrooms. |
| Official rating | 5-star (property positioning per Big Cypress materials). | 3.5-star. |
| Pools | No swimming pool; overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem. | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple venues including The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl, Mississippi Terrace and The Den (2 restaurants, 3 bars/lounges reported). | 2 restaurants, 1 bar/lounge and a coffee shop/cafe. |
| Spa & wellness | On-site Big Cypress Spa by Gould's (massages, facials, manicures/pedicures; separate fee). | Not published |
| Known for | Staying inside the Pyramid with an indoor cypress swamp, Sky High Ride, and family entertainment. | Midtown location (Overton Square) and Tribute Portfolio boutique style with Marriott affiliation. |
| Parking & transport | Valet and self-parking; required overnight parking fee applies; complimentary on-demand downtown shuttle. | Self parking (surcharge) listed; no published shuttle noted in supplier listing. |
| Family policy | Welcomes children of all ages; lead guest must be 21+ to check in. | Children may stay free in parent/guardian room using existing bedding; property not adults-only. |
Big Cypress Lodge sits inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid on the downtown riverfront.
Choose Big Cypress for landmark, riverfront proximity and being inside a major tourist complex.
The Memphian is in Midtown’s Overton Square, a walkable neighborhood with restaurants and theaters.
Choose The Memphian to stay in a neighborhood with local dining and nightlife rather than the downtown tourist strip.
Big Cypress Lodge offers themed, individually decorated rooms modeled on lodges, cabins and treehouses.
Rooms are part of the experience — pick Big Cypress for themed, lodge-style accommodations and distinctive views.
The Memphian offers standard boutique room types with a small number of suites.
The Memphian favors clean, contemporary boutique rooms with reliable in-room amenities and a small-suite option.
Big Cypress concentrates a range of themed dining and bar options under one roof.
If you want on-site variety and themed menus, Big Cypress keeps most dining and nightlife under the same roof.
The Memphian has in-house dining options but is also a short walk to many Midtown restaurants.
Choose The Memphian for a boutique hotel with on-site outlets plus immediate access to Midtown dining.
Big Cypress’s signature amenity is the Pyramid setting and indoor cypress swamp rather than a pool.
Big Cypress’s unique selling point is the Pyramid experience and on-site attractions rather than traditional water facilities.
The Memphian’s selling points are its Midtown placement and boutique hotel services.
The Memphian’s signature amenity is its neighborhood access and boutique service rather than a landmark attraction.
Big Cypress combines a dedicated spa, 24-hour fitness center and multiple evening venues.
Big Cypress is a good fit for guests who want a spa plus on-site evening entertainment without leaving the property.
The Memphian offers fitness facilities and a quieter, neighborhood nightlife outside the hotel.
The Memphian suits travelers who want a fitness option at the hotel and plan to use Midtown’s restaurants and venues for evening plans.

Big Cypress Lodge — on-site bowling, Sky High Ride, aquarium/fish feedings and family-oriented rooms and menus.

The Memphian — stay in Overton Square with immediate access to local restaurants, theaters and bars.

Big Cypress Lodge — staying inside the Pyramid with views of an indoor swamp and the observation deck is the main draw.

The Memphian — a Tribute Portfolio property offering a consistent boutique service level and Marriott affiliation.
Big Cypress Lodge — it has family-focused activities (bowling, fish feedings, on-site attractions) and child-friendly dining; the lead guest checking in must be 21+.
The Memphian — located in Midtown’s Overton Square, it puts you within walking distance of neighborhood restaurants and live venues.
Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; supplier information for The Memphian does not publish pool details.
Big Cypress Lodge is on the downtown riverfront and provides a complimentary on-demand shuttle; The Memphian is a short drive from downtown but places you in Midtown instead of the riverfront tourist strip.
Explore how Big Cypress Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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