Hermitage Hotel

The Ultimate Guide to Hermitage Hotel Nashville

History of the Attraction

Hermitage Hotel Nashville has long been known as the top hotel in Tennessee and one of the best in the country. Nashville’s only Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond hotel landmark in this city of music opened in 1910. The historic charm mixed with modern amenities makes this a timeless hotel of luxurious magnitude. With its blend of both classical Italian and French Renaissance architecture and the brilliance of a painted skylight in the lobby, The Hermitage provides a welcoming environment. A Tennessee Native, James Carpenter, who later went on to become a renowned New York designer, had a masterful hand in the creation of The Hermitage. Construction on the hotel began in 1908. The first million-dollar hotel in Nashville all started with a campaign from locals who were able to raise over $300,000 to help finance the building. Providing sparkling marble, running ice water, phones and private baths, this was always going to be a prestigious establishment.

In the basement, there was a Grill Room (today’s Capitol Grille) and next to it was today’s Oak Bar (complete with a bourbon library for testing.) The hotel created Double H Farms in nearby White Bluffs, Tennessee in order to locally source their food. The initial hotel had a men’s barbershop, a small exercise room and showers. It was equipped with a ‘ladies’ entrance’, reading and parlor rooms and an entire floor dedicated to traveling salesmen. The pinnacle of luxury with silver trays and white gloved service – The Hermitage dazzled. The spot has been graced by many greats. Music legends Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash stayed here as well as entertainment and sporting greats such as Charlie Chaplin and Babe Ruth.

The Hermitage Hotel has had a longstanding relationship with politics and activism. Many Presidents such as, Taft, Wilson, Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Clinton and Bush have visited the hotel. Honors have been given to many military heroes here. Politicians have met here to work, deal, meet and even to reside. The Hermitage housed both the pro and anti-suffrage headquarters at the penultimate of the women’s suffrage movement in 1920 and the 75th anniversary was later held in the same spot.

From the 1960s through the early 2000s, the Hermitage saw an unfortunate decline. Closures, sales, re-openings, changes in ownership and difficulties graced the grounds of this historic landmark. Since its renovations in 2002/2003, the boutique hotel stands aloft again as a welcoming beacon of luxury, class and hospitality in Music City.

Tips for Visiting

The Hermitage Hotel Nashville welcomes visitors and guests year ‘round and offers a variety of packages for those who wish to stay the night. Patrons can choose from the Signature Five-Star, ‘Step back in time’ History package or the Five-Star Luxe. Active and retired military (with ID) receive 10% off deluxe room rates with a minimum two-night stay. The hotel is pet friendly and even offers a Pampered Paw program providing such gifts as in-room pet amenities like special beds and massage services, treats, in-room dining, walking services and leashes and collars available for use. Contact the concierge for questions during your stay.

Must-See Parts

The Hermitage has been an icon in Nashville for more than a century. Renovations and ownership swaps have never changed the intense luxury that exudes from the moment you step inside. The Four-Diamond restaurant and bar is a not miss. Spend an hour or spend a day at the serenity of The Hermitage spa and shop till your heart’s content in the fabulous boutique. Feel free to contact their event specialists to check out any of their five varied event spaces for your next spectacular occasion. Leave yourself some time to check out the lobby and the grand staircase. Take your family for a meal at the stunning Capitol Grille or take in an afternoon with the over 21-year-olds in your crowd checking out the bourbon library selection at the Oak Bar.

Things to do Nearby

On your visit to Nashville, Hatch Show Print, one of the country’s oldest working letterpress shops is a must. What began in 1879 is now a four-room design space able to accommodate all of the needs of the shop, owners and customers. Watch posters ‘roll off the presses’ in the giant print shop. Glance, peruse and shop the more than 100 posters created by Hatch Show Print. Check out the gallery space showcasing historic posters and classic wood blocks. Or settle into the print space and learn the wiles and wonders of the world of letterpress printing through the eyes of the Hatch Show Print shop as they teach you their craft through hands-on demonstrations and programming. Wander through downtown’s Broadway for kitschy shopping while you meander in and out of cafes to take in the sounds of newcomers and regulars singing their hearts out. Spend an entire day at the Country Music Hall of Fame discovering costumes, music, history, legends, stories, awards and more as you walk through the lives of country music legends. Spend an evening being a guest at a show at the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry where legends meet amateurs all on the very same stage. Take in a game at Nissan Stadium, home to the Tennessee Titans. Spend some time at the Johnny Cash Museum or wander along the riverfront. Check out the campus of Vanderbilt University or take pictures at Nashville’s very own ‘Parthenon‘ and ‘statue of Athena’. Nashville provides – enjoy it all.