Highlights: The Hermitage Hotel

•Located across from the state capitol and in Nashville’s downtown business district

•A $19 million renovation captures the original charm and style created in the early 1900s

•Tiffany glass ceiling in the two-story lobby, with Italian sienna marble columns and arches, is most impressive and adds to the elegance of this historical property

•Ample meeting space for corporate meetings and retreats

•Delicious Southern-inspired cuisine served at the Mobil Four-Star Capitol Grille

•Shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and professional sports located nearby

Amenities: The Hermitage Hotel

• 122 rooms, 10 story. Pets accepted; fee. Check-in 4 pm, check-out 11 am. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, sets the tone for a luxurious and elegant experience with its astonishing two-story lobby. The Tiffany glass ceiling, marble columns, and sprawling dimensions all combine to leave a striking first impression as you arrive for your stay. Guests can also enjoy this setting by participating in the hotel’s afternoon tea.

The further you venture into the hotel, you’ll find rooms sparkling with charm and style, thanks to a $19 million renovation. Built in 1910, this hotel is the only remaining commercial Beaux Arts structure in Tennessee, and has played host to six US presidents and numerous celebrities and entertainers. The renovations sought to preserve this history while updating the amenities and décor of the guest rooms and suites. The khaki walls and cream trim allow the rooms to look modern, yet preserve the original character of the hotel’s historic origins. Many little details are taken care of just like home, including robes draped on the beds, slippers on the floor, and cookies and water placed on the nightstand.

A gourmet take on Southern cuisine can be found at the hotel’s main restaurant, the Capitol Grille. Cocktails and light fare are served in the relaxing atmosphere of the Oak bar.

This is an ideal place for getaway travelers because of the hotel’s downtown location and nearby attractions. Within walking distance are the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, featuring fine art and current traveling art exhibits, the impressive state-of-the-art Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the historic Ryman Auditorium. For sports enthusiasts, the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League play at the Nashville Arena, and LP Stadium is the home of the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. About 10 miles from The Hermitage is the famous Grand Ole Opry, which has performances every Friday and Saturday night.

Travelers with children will be impressed that the hotel caters to even its youngest guests. A children’s menu is available for room service, child-care services can be arranged on-site, and milk and cookies can be placed bedside, just like at home. Even the family dog is welcome to come along and sleep in its own plush bed, eat room-service pet food prepared by the chef, and be walked and groomed by select area providers.

Romantic travelers can take advantage of the hotel’s relaxing spa with many soothing treatments and a bath concierge service available in every room. If you make arrangements beforehand, a personal concierge can help arrange for special details, like a rose petal turndown, or a surprise gift wrapped and waiting for your beloved.

Business travelers will find a business center with full amenities, and opulent function rooms for larger meetings or retreats. A trained convention services staff can even help you plan that important gathering, including audio/visual support and arrangements for off-site attractions.

For country music fans, watch for recording star Josh Turner’s “Your Man” music video -- The Hermitage is featured as the video’s setting and backdrop.

(+) Extensive restoration in 2000 brought this elegant hotel back to its classic glory
(+) Equally caters to all types of travelers, even the family dog

Guest Services: The Hermitage Hotel

Numerous services are designed to pamper guests at The Hermitage, and the staff carries it a step further with its Southern hospitality. A bath concierge will make sure your bath is prepared at the desired water temperature with aromatic bath salts and bath gels, and you’ll find a neck roll, candles, and fresh spring water and seasonal fruit at your reach. A shopping concierge will help you get your personal shopping done if you’re too busy or just want to sit back and take it easy. The Concierge will give children tips on etiquette in a light-hearted class that concludes with an afternoon tea. Even the family dog will be treated like a king or queen, with a special bed and room service pet food prepared by the hotel’s chefs.

I wasn’t able to try all the services available, but my visit was memorable thanks to hotel employees who sincerely attempted to offer the best in service and Southern hospitality. The reservation agent was well informed and gave a brief synopsis of what to expect at the newly renovated hotel. She offered me the “First Timers Package,” good for a $25 voucher toward food and beverages, and asked if reservations could be made for dinner and a massage during my stay.

The staff was most congenial, even when they told me my room wasn’t ready, as I had arrived prior to the 3 pm check-in time. Once in my room, the bellman pleasantly pointed out the DVD player, high-speed Internet access, thermostat, and dimmer switch on the bathroom light.

The concierge politely answered my questions and provided me with directions to the Grand Ole Opry. She gave me her card in case I needed additional information, but I was surprised that she didn’t mention anything about tickets.

Housekeeping was conducted in a professional and discreet manner so as not to interrupt my visit. Turndown service was on schedule, washcloths were in a fanlike shape, and rolled towels and my toiletries were neatly arranged on a display cloth. It was quite soothing to find a classical CD playing in my room as part of the final evening’s turndown service.

(+) Polished staff pampers with sincere service and Southern hospitality
(-) Concierge was helpful, but could have gone the extra step to anticipate my needs

Guest Rooms: The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel has always been stunningly beautiful, and an extensive $19 million renovation has made some of its original charm and style shine brighter in all of its 123 guest rooms and suites.

The khaki walls and cream trim look modern, with gold and burgundy fabrics and upholstery throughout. The large plush beds are dressed in refined linens and down-filled duvet covers, and overstuffed sofas with a table and chairs are strategically placed to create a cozy sitting area to the side. If you don’t feel like watching the 27-inch TV, you can listen to music on the DVD/CD player. The marble bathroom is also modern yet elegant, with its double vanities, deep soaking tub and separate shower, and enclosed water closet

The rooms average 475 square feet, which is a good size for an almost 100-year-old building. But those who prefer more spacious accommodations can choose the Presidential Suite. All the bells and whistles decorate this 2,000-square-foot suite, including a 42-inch plasma TV, formal dining room for eight, and two bedrooms and two marble bathrooms.

My room was decorated in soothing color tones with classic, antique-style furniture. Despite this intimate feel, the room was actually quite large, and featured a sitting area and writing desk. The marble bathroom was also more than large enough to accommodate two adults, and featured an array of Molton Brown bath products.

(+) Large yet intimate guest rooms with luxurious amenities

Facilities & Activities: The Hermitage Hotel

Despite being an older building, The Hermitage Hotel does its best to provide ample recreational activities.

The fitness center, although small, is equipped with adequate equipment for a good workout. Treadmills, cross-training machines, and stationary bikes each have personal televisions at each station to keep you entertained while you work out. Individual strength training equipment can help you mix up your routine, or a personal trainer can give you some pointers -- just make arrangements ahead of time. Showers are available and are stocked with towels, shampoo, and shower gel.

The Spa at The Hermitage is the place to go after your workout, or to decompress any stress that happened to come with you on vacation. A wide variety of massages, scrubs, wraps, stones, and aromatherapy treatments are available. The two treatment rooms on the Mezzanine Level features a cozy, relaxing setting to help you get in the right frame of mind.

Shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and professional sports are conveniently located minutes from The Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville. Within walking distance of the hotel you can visit the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Along North Second Avenue and Broadway are many of the best local music venues, including the Wildhorse Saloon, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Hard Rock Café, Roberts Western Wear, The Stage, the Legends Corner, and Tootsies Orchid Lounge.

A short drive will get you to other Nashville attractions, including the Parthenon, the Grand Ole Opry, and Belle Meade Mansion. For shopping, try Opry Mills, next to the Grand Ole Opry House, and Green Hills Mall, plus the many other fashionable boutiques in the area.

(+) Multitude of musical, historical, and entertaining places to see nearby

Dining & Lounge: The Hermitage Hotel

Due to its location and consistent quality, the Mobil Four-Star Capitol Grille is one of the most popular restaurants in Nashville. Southern cuisine is featured along with standard fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dining is formal, which is reflected in the ambiance of the restaurant, with rich dark woods and vaulted ceilings.

The Oak Bar is the perfect place to enjoy cocktail hour or to just get a quick bite to eat. With dignified leather chairs and wood-paneled walls, the Oak Bar is an austere setting to unwind after a long day. History buffs should take note of the historical plaque located outside the lounge’s restrooms for some fun and interesting reading.

The hotel also offers wonderful 24-hour room service from the Capitol Grille.

(+) Formal dining in an elegant setting and lounging in the study-like bar area

Business Services: The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel is an ideal meeting place for business -- a professional planner can help arrange the details for any size gathering, whether it’s a small group meeting or large formal conference (up to 5,271 square feet of space). You can choose between the Executive Board Room, with its stately long wooden table, high black leather chairs and oil paintings, and a few other standard meeting areas. The Veranda’s high-arch ceiling and graceful French doors are best used for a cocktail hour.

The Grand Ballroom matches the hotel’s elegant atmosphere and can be divided into smaller rooms for meetings or conferences.

The business center, although in a limited space, is adequately equipped with a computer, printer, and a house phone to help you get work done if your room isn’t enough. For larger projects, the concierge can arrange whatever secretarial services you might need.

(+) Ample meeting space and amenities can easily accommodate business travelers