In the Cvent ranking of the “Top 250 Meeting Hotels in North America in 2026,” three separate Gaylord Hotels properties ranked in the Top 10, and all six Gaylord Hotels ranked in the Top 75. The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, placed ninth; Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, placed fourth; and Gaylord Rockies Resort & Spa in Aurora, Colorado, placed second.
The only other hotel brand with more than one location in the Top 10 was Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, with their Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Arizona and Fairmont Austin in Texas placing sixth and 10th, respectively. But only Gaylord had three in the Top 10, two of which were in the Top 5. Gaylord Rockies Director of Sales and Marketing Michael Kofsky credits their cross-hotel consistency and distinct sense of place as key reasons for these rankings.
“We spend a lot of time talking about consistent service threads throughout our properties,” Kofsky says.
One example of this consistency, Kofsky says, is the “Teal Coats” present at each Gaylord property. Essentially, Teal Coats are event planners and direct points of contact for groups during their time at any Gaylord property. They address any issues and concerns immediately and efficiently. With their universal presence at Gaylord Hotels, Teal Coats offer a consistent measure of quality control, whether you’re staying in Aurora, Colorado; Nashville, Tennessee; or any other Gaylord location.
The Gaylord Hotels were purpose-built with meeting and event groups in mind, notes Marriott International Regional Vice President Johann Krieger. The Gaylord Rockies debuted in 2018, and the first person the property hired was Kofsky, years before the hotel opened its doors. He has seen firsthand how the hotel developed over the years and shaped itself to suit group customers.
Another thing that sets Gaylord properties apart from the pack, Kofsky says, is their distinct sense of place, particularly at the Gaylord Rockies, near Denver.
“You’ve got unbelievable Rocky Mountain views, which not everyone can offer,” Kofsky says. “The whole resort is designed with this Colorado inspiration.”
Colorado isn’t the only place Gaylord properties embrace their surroundings. Krieger says, Gaylord Opryland, the brand’s flagship resort, uses its venue space to showcase Nashville’s country music roots.
“We know each event requires the best, so we continue to invest in great resort experiences, our [employees], and our ability to deliver industry-leading service. We are confident that the future of Gaylord Hotels will continue to deliver extraordinary moments to every event attendee,” Krieger says.
