Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel is much more than just a grand hotel, it has an incredibly rich history. When it opened in 1910, the Hermitage was Nashville’s first “million-dollar hotel” with many luxuries and modern conveniences. It was designed by J. Edwin Carpenter in the Beaux Arts style and draws influence from old French and Italian Renaissance architecture. Carpenter also designed Nashville’s Stahlman Building as well as the Joint Universities Library at Vanderbilt. His main practice was in New York City, but as a native of Tennessee, he kept a Nashville office for several years. He went on to become a leading architect in New York, designing many large and luxurious apartment buildings on Park Avenue, and he won AIA’s Gold Medal in 1916 and 1926.

Originally equipped with 250 guest rooms, the building now has 122 spacious rooms, each with a private bath. In addition, there are several meeting rooms and ballrooms for events ranging from 10 to 300 people. Visitors will take a step back in time when they enter the building and ascend the stairs to see the historically preserved details of the main lobby and the stained glass ceiling. Equally impressive are the fine dining and drink options at the bottom of the stairs. The Capitol Grille is open for reservations or you can visit the nearly-hidden Oak Bar, both original to the hotel.

The very curious can go find the men’s restroom, famous for its decor and elegance. Although it remains a men’s restroom, the hotel allows women to go and have a look, as long as it’s empty. Inside, you will find a 1930s Art Deco inspired mint green and black color scheme. The walls are made with leaded-glass tiles, and the bathroom still boasts the original terrazzo floors and a shoeshine station. The bathroom won Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Contest in 2008. 

The Hermitage Hotel served as the headquarters for both sides of the Woman’s Suffrage debate in the summer of 1920. During those pivotal weeks, the hotel buzzed with women and men who supported the Nineteenth Amendment wearing yellow roses, and opponents of woman’s suffrage wearing red roses. If you want to learn more about Tennessee’s role in passing the amendment, take our Woman’s Suffrage Tour. The Hermitage Hotel is also on the Food for Thought and several other tours on Nashville Sites.

Follow Sixth Ave back to the corner and turn RIGHT on Union Street. Cross Fifth Ave North and turn RIGHT to reach the Fifth Avenue Historic District. Continue down Fifth Ave North to the marked crosswalk. On your left you’ll see a green awning labeled “ARCADE.” If open, walk through the Arcade until you reach Fourth Ave North. If closed go back to Union Street and turn RIGHT. Walk down Union Street and turn RIGHT onto Fourth Ave North. Walk down Fourth Ave North until you reach the green awning labeled “ARCADE” which marks its Fourth Ave North entrance.