Commissioned by 250 Nashville residents in 1908, the luxury five-star Hermitage Hotel is the most famous – and certainly most beloved – in the city. It was Nashville’s first ‘Million Dollar hotel’, opening in 1910 and named after seventh President Andrew Jackson’s nearby estate, The Hermitage.
Just two blocks from the State Capitol, it’s ideally located for all of the main attractions the compact city has to offer, and the service experienced throughout our stay certainly rivals some of the best hotels around the world. Not to mention the Beaux-Arts lobby, which has to be one of the most impressive and beautiful I have ever seen.
Check-in Experience
As soon as we pulled up outside the hotel in our car, the doorman welcomed us and took our bags from the trunk while I handed the keys to the valet. It was a simple and effortless process, and in seconds we were standing in the lobby staring up in awe at the painted glass ceiling and stunning masterpiece before us.
The jaw-dropping Beaux-Arts lobby is an old-world blend of classical Italian and French Renaissance features, and even if you’re not staying in the hotel, we encourage you to visit just to see it for yourself. Check-in was as swift as our entrance, and we soon had the keys to our spacious twin room.
The Room at The Hermitage Hotel
We were staying in a beautiful twin Deluxe room, and despite being in an entry-level room the room felt huge. Unlike many other historical hotels the rooms didn’t feel tired and dated, and although they had retained their classical design everything felt very fresh and luxurious. The beautiful room included a sitting area with a sofa, chair, and coffee table, as well as a desk and separate television unit. There is also a small bar trolley, and a spacious wardrobe area in the entrance hallway.
A large marble bathroom with his and hers sinks, Molton Brown amenities, a separate shower, deep luxurious soaking bath, and separate toilet completes the room. You truly don’t need anything more when you’re just using the hotel to sleep in – Nashville is far too exciting to spend all your time in a hotel.
We had an exceptionally comfortable stay, mostly due to the custom-made cashmere and cotton mattress which is made locally in Nashville, the 600-thread count Frette linens, and beautifully soft pillows (there is a pillow menu if you prefer a harder pillow), and we both enjoyed three nights of incredible sleep.
Presidential Suite
On our last day the staff very kindly showed us the Presidential Suite, which overlooks the State Capitol. We’d spied Christian Louboutin himself in the lobby the previous day, and it turned out that he was staying in the suite – hence we couldn’t take a peek until he had left.
The suite is essentially a 1,500 square feet two-bedroom apartment with; a separate king bedroom, formal living room area, marble powder room, butler’s pantry, full dining table, full marble bathroom, and the option to add on a connecting guest suite.
Food Offering at The Hermitage
We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the Capitol Grille, with Banana French Toast the size of a brick, and a moreish Belgium Malted Waffle with a delightful blackberry and elderflower jam, and lemon whipped ricotta. We also heard from other guests that Capitol Grille is well-known in the city for their steaks which are all sourced from local farms, so make sure you don’t make the same mistake we did, and book for dinner one evening!
In addition to Capitol Grille there is also the Oak Bar, just next door to the restaurant; it’s a traditional American bar with Oak wood panelling and sports on the television, and men drinking whisky. We recommend you stop by for a drink before heading to Nashville’s Honky Tonk’s on Broadway.
The Famous Men’s Restroom
Yes, The Hermitage Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in the United States. But did you also know that they are famous for their men’s restroom? Their public men’s restroom right next door to the Oak Bar is open to both men and women to take a peek – but maybe ask a male companion to go in first to check that there is no one *ahem* relieving themselves at the urinals.
The restroom has been in numerous music videos, as it not only contains a two-seat shoe-shine station, but was built in 1939 and is Art Deco-style with impressive terrazzo flooring, mint-green-and-black leaded glass tiles, and mint-green fixtures. There’s even a telephone that connects to the front desk!
We adored our stay at The Hermitage and can’t wait to visit again! Nowhere else in Tennessee will you find such a luxurious hotel with first-class service, a fantastic food offering, and so much to see and do around it.
Book a stay at The Hermitage Hotel.
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Catherine Lux is a food and travel contributor at AGLAIA, and a luxury lifestyle blogger documenting her life on her blog, Lux Life London. With Lux Life London having a large focus on travel and food, she loves nothing more than long-haul flights, excellent restaurants, and relaxing with friends in the coolest places in town.
