
Big Cypress Lodge
Best for families and guests who want attractions and activities inside one building (bowling, Sky High Ride, indoor swamp) without leaving the property.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Big Cypress Lodge is a rustic, themed five-star lodge built inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid, good for families and travelers who want attractions on-site. The Westin Memphis Beale Street is an upscale, 4-star Beale Street entertainment-district hotel for visitors who want straightforward access to nightlife, music venues, and FedExForum.
Updated · about 0.9 km apart

Best for families and guests who want attractions and activities inside one building (bowling, Sky High Ride, indoor swamp) without leaving the property.

Best for travelers who prioritize walkable access to Beale Street nightlife, music museums, and event venues like FedExForum.
When Big Cypress Lodge wins: choose Big Cypress if you want an experience-focused stay inside the Pyramid — unique rooms (treehouses and duck lodges), on-site entertainment (bowling, Sky High Ride, indoor swamp), and family-oriented facilities.
When The Westin Memphis Beale Street wins: choose the Westin if you want a conventional upscale downtown hotel with immediate, walkable access to Beale Street, multiple meeting rooms, and a location tailored to concerts, games, and nightlife.
Bottom line: pick Big Cypress Lodge for a distinctive, attraction-heavy stay and family groups; pick The Westin for location-first travel that puts Beale Street and central Memphis nightlife at your doorstep.
| Category | Big Cypress Lodge | The Westin Memphis Beale Street |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Rustic, themed lodge inside a retail/attraction Pyramid | Upscale, business- and entertainment-district hotel |
| Location (to Beale Street & riverfront) | Inside Bass Pro Pyramid near riverfront; shuttle to Beale Street; a short drive to downtown | On/steps from Beale Street and a short walk to FedExForum and riverfront |
| Size / rooms | 103 individually decorated guestrooms (duck lodges, treehouses, Governor's Suite) | 203 guestrooms (Traditional Room, 2 Queen Beds; Traditional Room, 1 King Bed; others as listed) |
| Ages / policy | Family-friendly; children welcome; lead guest must be 21+ to check in | All ages welcome; check-in minimum age reported as 21 |
| Pools / water features | No swimming pool; overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem with alligators and ponds | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | 2 restaurants and 3 bars (The Lookout at the Pyramid, Wahlburgers Wild, The Fishbowl, Mississippi Terrace, The Den) | 1 restaurant, 2 bars/lounges; in-room dining and coffee shop/cafe available |
| Spa & fitness | Big Cypress Spa by Gould's (paid treatments; limited hours) and 24-hour fitness center included | Spa services Not published; 24-hour fitness facilities available |
| On-site entertainment / highlights | Sky High Ride (glass elevator/observation deck), bowling alley (13 lanes), archery, Bass Pro Shops retail complex | Immediate Beale Street access; proximity to Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, Orpheum, FedExForum |
| Meetings & events | Multiple event spaces, meeting rooms and wedding venues (capacity up to several hundred when combined) | Conference center with 14 meeting rooms and ballroom |
| Parking & transport | Valet and self-parking (required parking fee per night), complimentary downtown shuttle (on-demand app) | Covered/secured parking, valet parking (surcharge), bus station shuttle (surcharge) |
Big Cypress Lodge sits inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid at 1 Bass Pro Drive, a short drive or shuttle ride from central Beale Street and riverfront attractions.
Choose Big Cypress if you want to stay inside a Memphis landmark with its own attractions; plan a short shuttle or rideshare for some downtown stops.
The Westin Memphis Beale Street is located at 170 Lt Geo W Lee Ave, steps from Beale Street and within easy walking distance of music museums and venues.
Choose the Westin if you want to be in the middle of Beale Street’s nightlife and music scene with minimal ground transportation.
Big Cypress Lodge offers 103 individually decorated rooms with rustic, outdoors-inspired themes and specialty suites.
Big Cypress is for travelers who want a distinctive, themed room that ties into the Pyramid experience.
The Westin offers standard, upscale hotel rooms across a larger inventory focused on comfort and consistent Westin amenities.
The Westin is a predictable, comfortable downtown hotel product for travelers who want a conventional room near nightlife and venues.
Big Cypress has several distinct F&B venues spread through the Pyramid, from a top-floor steakhouse to a bowling‑alley bar.
Big Cypress offers multiple themed on-site dining and drinking options — good when you want to eat and be entertained without leaving the building.
The Westin provides a single on-site restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe, and two bars/lounges focused on downtown service and early breakfasts.
The Westin is practical for quick breakfasts and evenings out on Beale Street; expect fewer on-site novelty dining choices than the Pyramid.
Rather than a swimming pool, Big Cypress centers the stay on the indoor bayou/swamp, Sky High Ride, bowling, and Bass Pro Shops.
Big Cypress’s signature draw is the Pyramid attractions and indoor nature features rather than traditional pool recreation.
The Westin’s signature advantage is its position directly on Beale Street and proximity to downtown venues rather than an attraction-filled building.
The Westin’s main amenity is location: you go out to the entertainment district rather than rely on on-site attractions.
Big Cypress provides a spa with set hours plus a 24-hour fitness center; nightlife is mostly on-site or a shuttle away.
Big Cypress covers basic wellness needs and provides in-house evening entertainment; verify spa availability in advance.
The Westin lists 24-hour fitness facilities and places you directly into Memphis’s evening music and bar scene.
Choose the Westin when you want immediate access to Memphis nightlife and a full-service hotel fitness option.

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

The Westin — steps from Beale Street, music museums, and FedExForum for concerts and games.

Big Cypress — staying inside the Pyramid with themed rooms and indoor swamp is a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Westin — larger room count and a conference center with 14 meeting rooms and ballroom space make it meeting-friendly.
The Westin Memphis Beale Street is steps from Beale Street; Big Cypress Lodge sits in the Pyramid and is a short shuttle or drive from Beale Street.
No — Big Cypress Lodge does not have a swimming pool; it overlooks an indoor bayou/swamp ecosystem instead.
Big Cypress Lodge has Big Cypress Spa by Gould's with published hours; The Westin’s supplier listing does not publish an on-site spa detail.
The Westin has a conference center and 14 meeting rooms; Big Cypress also offers flexible event spaces and larger combined capacities but in a very different, themed setting — choose based on whether you want a traditional meeting environment or a distinctive venue.
Explore how Big Cypress Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·