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A Rich History of Hospitality

During the Civil War our corner of East 10th Street was home not to a hotel, but to Fort James, a large stone fort that protected Chattanoogans in those years of strife.

Decades later, during the city’s Dynamo of Dixie boom, German immigrant L.A. Hirtzfield was commissioned to design a 16-bed hotel. The Colonial Hotel opened in 1909, and later became the Stone Fort Inn, harkening back to its historical past.

Story Continued

A Rich History of Hospitality

While the name has changed over the course of a century, the brick-and-limestone structure stood through the Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, Civil Rights movements and Cultural Revolutions, hippies and disco. And, of course, Chattanooga’s struggles and successes and very own renaissance.

As the hotel has changed hands, its face has changed too, along with the furniture, décor, curtains and rugs. What has remained are the spirit and character, the charming quirks and creaky floors. Our mid-century modern reinterpretation of the space has ushered in color and life, with a touch of old Hollywood glam, to playfully mingle and contrast with its historic allure. While we’ve reimagined the old hotel, its foundation is still here, beautifully intact, and we plan to keep it that way.

Meet Our Staff

  • L'Erin Chidester

    HOTEL MANAGER

    Affectionately known as the "house mom," L'Erin oversees all of the operations at The Dwell Hotel and is here to make your stay a memorable one. She has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, including years spent here at the former Stone Fort Inn. L'Erin is an expert event planner and a manager in the truest sense of the word, ensuring that our staff and services exceed the expectations of every guest, every day. This place would not be the same without her love and passion for this business, and specifically this place.

  • Seija Ojanpera

    DESIGNER

    Driven by a profound appreciation for luxurious comfort and functional, beautiful design, she single-handedly reimagined one of Chattanooga's most charming and historic spaces. The result: a hotel, restaurant and cocktail bar that set a new standard for sophisticated hospitality.
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  • Monica Penn

    Bar Manager of Matilda Midnight

    Passionately dedicated to crafting extraordinary cocktails that offer a unique experience. From her dive bar roots, she shifted into bar management at Matilda Midnight in 2017. She doesn't just make cocktails at Matilda, she competes in events such as the Campari Competition as well as other local and regional events. One of her cocktails, the "Divination," is featured on a local prestigious spirits company, Imbibe. "The atmosphere of Matilda Midnight inspires me to experiment with flavors, push boundaries, and give our guests a delightful concoction." We're looking forward to meeting you at Matilda!
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Find Us

120 E. 10th Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402

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