We spent three nights at the luxury 5-star The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville and loved our stay so much I just had to tell you all about it! The hotel’s 1908 Beaux-Arts lobby is just breathtaking and we completely adored the painted glass ceiling and plush, ornate surroundings. 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 and a short walk from Broadway, The Hermitage is 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!
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, I encourage you to visit just to see it for yourself!
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.
Nashville has so many amazing brunch spots we didn’t want to have a hotel breakfast each morning, but on the one morning we did venture to the hotel’s restaurant Capitol Grille for brunch, we LOVED it and were super impressed with the breakfast offering! Clare had the Banana French Toast which was INCRED and the size of a brick, and I had the v moreish Belgium Malted Waffle with a delightful blackberry and elderflower jam, and lemon whipped ricotta.
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 Capitol Grille and 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!
It was really funny because when coming out of Capitol Grille after brunch, we spotted a woman and a man come out of the men’s toilets together, and Clare and I were horrified and thought they’d been *ahem* doing something a little naughty in there…it was only when we had a hotel tour later that day that we realised why the woman had been in there haha!
The restroom has apparently 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 really loved 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!
Catherine Lux is a veteran travel blogger by night and the Head of SEO at Havas Media Group by day. Originally from Surrey, she spent four years living in Australia (2007-2009, and 2016-2018), and now lives in London. An ex-party girl sometimes prone to relapses, she loves nothing more than sharing her fine dining and luxury travel experiences with her loyal readers.
