Hermitage Hotel - Nashville, Tennessee

For 122 years, the Hermitage Hotel has served as one of Nashville's premier lodging establishments hosting numerous public events and social gatherings for Nashville's elite residents and important visitors. Through periodic restorations and building upgrades, this heritage hotel has become a landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has earned many commendations from time to time including listings as an AAA Five Diamond Rated Hotel and a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award Hotel. With a prime location, a commitment to continued improvements, and a downtown revitalization effort underway, the Hermitage Hotel is well positioned to continue flourishing as one of the centerpieces of Nashville's economic growth.

Location and History

The Hermitage is located on Nashville’s Capitol Hill close to the State Capitol Building and across the street from the War Memorial Building and the Nashville Parthenon built in 1897 as a replica of the Athens original. It is also a ten-minute walk from the country music halls of Broadway and the revitalized city riverfront. This location has long made the hotel a central gathering place for political and social events in the community over the past century. 

When construction began at the hotel in 1908, the developers and the local Board of Trade were determined to make a statement that Nashville was becoming a modern city.  Spending over one million dollars and using a renowned architect, they built a ten-story structure with ornate woodwork, marble and chandeliers throughout the public areas and the guest rooms which became widely known for luxury and comfort.  In subsequent years, eight Presidents and many other dignitaries stayed at the Hermitage or attended events there.  The hotel also held many musical events in its ballrooms and clubs featuring nationally known artists.

After undergoing a slow but steady decline starting in the late 1960s, the hotel was closed, reopened, and sold several times until being purchased by an independent group, Historic Hotel of Nashville in 2000. They have upgraded the entire structure through a series of renovations which continue today.

Design and Rooms 

The Hermitage describes its distinctive architecture as a “Beaux-Arts style with an old-world blend of classical Italian and French Renaissance features.” One of the interesting features is the formal vaulted lobby with a stained-glass ceiling, white and gray marble floors, and sculpted plaster walls.  This area is complimented by the stunning veranda located above the lobby with glass walls and a cloud painted high ceiling. The veranda is sometimes used for breakfast dining or private functions and is reminiscent of the “White City” structures built at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. The wood paneled Grand Ballroom nearby is similarly impressive with its stylish carpet and mahogany woodwork.  When combined with the elegant design of the Capitol Grille dining room on the ground floor and the adjacent Oak Bar, the public areas are upscale but not so formal as to make contemporary visitors wearing country club casual clothes uncomfortable.  One special feature of the hotel is the huge Art Deco men’s room. It features black and green striped tiles and was named one of America’s best bathrooms. 

There are 123 guest rooms and suites in the hotel with a comfortable average size of 500 square feet.  The furnishings are traditional but there is ample space for relaxing, working and changing in the rooms. Modern amenities include specialized bedding and pillows, free Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs, robes, and completely remodeled bathrooms with both shower and bathtubs.  

Amenities

The compact size of the Hermitage somewhat limits the range of amenities available to guests. However, there are five unique event rooms available for conferences and meetings which provide up to 5427 square feet of space. These range from the Grand Ballroom and the Veranda to eclectic meeting rooms with names such as the Governor’s Salon, the State Room, and the Performing Arts Suite.  Other services offered at the Hermitage include a fitness room, spa treatments, a small boutique, a tiny business center, and safe valet parking. 

Dining

The Hermitage has enjoyed a strong reputation for fine dining and casual dining.  The Capitol Grille has achieved a Four-Star rating from Forbes and is known for classic Southern cuisine and farm to table choices from its own country farm. The Oak Room and lobby also offer tasty selections. Since the entire ground floor kitchen and the main restaurant area was under construction during our visit, the breakfast and dining menus were limited, and service was available only in the lobby and the veranda.  Nevertheless, our meals in both locations were good and guests can expect a return to expanded selections and excellent service soon when all the dining venues are reopened.  

Summary

The Hermitage remains a sound choice for couples, businesspeople, and retirees seeking a centrally located and safe alternative to the many national chain hotels available in the downtown area.  Nashville is an upbeat place to visit so being able to have a quiet place to relax, have a good meal, get a good sleep, and enjoy the ambiance of a heritage hotel provides a certain balance to a visit here. The hotel is appropriately priced and reinstating full dining services will allow it to maintain its reputation for refined lodging in the heart of Nashville.