The historic Hermitage Hotel is a AAA Five Diamond property located in downtown Nashville. Opened in 1910, the Beaux Arts-style structure maintains many of its original Italian and French Renaissance architectural features. The stunning lobby, ballrooms, grand staircase, veranda and mezzanine were designed by J.E.R. Carpenter, whose high-rise apartments can be seen on New York City’s Park and Fifth avenues.

The valet took our luggage and we were immediately checked into our deluxe room with two traditional, raised, queen-sized beds. The 490-square-foot room, with butter-colored walls and an abundance of crown molding, provided an unobstructed view of the Tennessee State Capitol building. In one corner, an inviting grouping of upholstered chairs sat beside a small table with a bottle of wine available for purchase. We placed our laptop on the desk and quickly connected to the complimentary WiFi. A bathrobe, slippers and Nespresso machine made getting comfortable easy. The large bathroom with a television embedded in the mirror elevated the amenities a notch higher than most hotels. Custom-made Molton Brown London toiletries sat on the marble vanity. The hotel administers a range of services from shoe shines and dry cleaning to babysitting and limos. Of course, there’s a 24-hour concierge, business center, fitness center and a spa.

We spent the morning at the Nashville Farmers’ Market enjoying live music, a garden center, restaurants and more than 150 local farmers and merchants. During the afternoon, we strolled the grounds of Cheekwood — a 55-acre botanical garden and art museum.  Originally built in 1929 as a country estate, Cheekwood is one of the city’s most visited cultural attractions.

Dining at the hotel is a must. The Capitol Grille is a AAA Four Diamond restaurant serving seasonal Southern fare. Snagging a reservation was impossible on the weekend we visited.  On a whim, we popped into the adjacent Oak Bar and reviewed the hearty food menu. Both establishments utilize local ingredients from the 250-acre Double H Farms. Boasting the largest collection of bourbons in the city, the cozy and historic Oak Bar seating quickly became crowded. After selecting cocktails, we ordered the Double H Farms sliders — a trio of mouth-watering burgers on homemade buns and an order of truffle sweet potato tater tots.

The luxurious Hermitage Hotel emits the grandeur of the past while providing guests with modern amenities and friendly — never stuffy — Southern hospitality.

The Hermitage Hotel

231 6th Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37219
tel 615 244 3121
thehermitagehotel.com