The Hermitage Hotel

Just 10 years after its opening, The Hermitage Hotel became the war-room setting for impassioned citizens who were arguing both for and against women’s suffrage before lawmakers crossed the street to the state capitol and cast the final deciding votes to ratify the 19th Amendment. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2020 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, it is the only remaining Tennessee example of the Beaux-Arts style. ForrestPerkins orchestrated a significant restoration in the early Aughts, which helped The Hermitage, a member of Historic Hotels of America, become Tennessee’s only Forbes 5-Star hotel. A redesign 20 years later introduced modern finishes while preserving the original stained-glass skylight, Tennessee marble floors, walnut paneling, and ornate plaster ceilings. This update included revitalizing the Grand Lobby and Ballroom, enhancing guest corridors with curated art, and transforming typical rooms and suites, including the Hermitage Suite. Enhancements added a new bar for cocktails, refreshed guest rooms with bespoke furnishings, and suite bathrooms with marble vanities, and transformed the Hermitage Suite into a lavish penthouse with a library dining room and an elegant bathroom. The phrase “Meet me at The Hermitage” captures its timeless appeal, while its careful preservation and renovations ensure that its legacy will continue for future generations.