Room: The room was a nice size; it featured an armoire for the television and minibar, a desk with internet access, a sitting area, and a very nice bathroom with double sinks, a glass-enclosed shower, nice-size bathtub, and the commode area was enclosed. The bath products – soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and gel – were from Molton Brown (we liked the Molton Brown shampoo so much that we bought a bottle of it from the shop downstairs). The room’s overall decor was very nice, and very comfortable. Robes were provided. Our room rate included the cost of breakfast the next morning. It was a **great** value. The Hermitage is Tennessee’s only AAA 5* hotel recipient.
Lobby: The lobby is absolutely ***beautiful***. People have weddings here all the time, and for good reason. Amazing! More pics of the lobby below.
Service: The service was Fantastic. The bellman, Frederick, took us on a little tour, and made it a point to let us know what he suggested to have for supper, what the hours were of the little shop (but also said that since we were guests of the hotel that no matter what time it was, we could have anything we wanted), and that we would be 100% taken care of the whole time we were at the property. Turn-down service included cookies, ice, slippers, and bottles of water. The check-in was nice, the concierge let us know that he would arrange anything in the world we wanted, and when we left the valet was prompt and let us know just how much they appreciated us coming for a visit, and to come again soon. Hermitage, you have my heart.
Food: Av had a drink after we checked in at The Oak Bar and had a really nice time. The on-site restaurant, the Capitol Grille, was voted one of the best new restaurants in the US by Esquire magazine, and is one of two 5* restaurants in Nashville. Pics of the supper we had there are below. I have to say that supper was good (the crab cakes were Amazing and the best we’ve ever had) but on the whole not up to the expectations we had for it.
Extra: The hotel is downtown, so it makes for a great location, especially for people on government business. Everything about the hotel is top-notch.
Our experience is this: From now on, as long as there are rooms available at the Hermitage, we’re not staying anywhere else in Nashville. We used to stay at the Opryland Hotel quite a bit, and especially enjoyed the balcony rooms, but there is absolutely NO comparison between the two hotels. In fact, I’m listing The Hermitage as my new #1 hotel pick, moving the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans to #2.
This was my Caesar salad. The dressing was on the bottom. Very good.
This is a not-so-great pic of Av’s steak. It was better than average but not amazing.
This was my chicken & thyme sandwich on foccacia, with potato salad. I wasn’t especially wild about either.
This was my cheesecake dome. Average.
This was Av’s chocolate cake. Super-rich. I *think* it had an ingredient in it that originated in Lynchburg.
skylight: