There is no one quite as familiar with visiting The Hermitage Hotel than Illinois native Dennis Bailey. Over the last three years, he has accumulated more than 200 stays at The Hermitage Hotel. More specifically, in his home away from home, Room 904.

As vice president of strategic business development for Cardinal Health—a supplier for large hospitals whose biggest headquarter companies are in Nashville—Dennis travels to Nashville for business nearly every week and always stay at The Hermitage Hotel. He enjoys staying at The Hermitage so much that he makes the commute from downtown Nashville to Cool Springs, where the majority of his work takes place.

“For me, coming to The Hermitage is like coming home or going to a friend’s house,” said Dennis. “When you travel as much as I do, it’s nice to walk into the lobby, be greeted by your first name and treated like you’re part of the family. It’s the people that make all the difference.”

It’s the outstanding customer service and impeccable attention to every detail that keeps Dennis coming back. He recounts several instances in which the staff has catered to his every need, such as always finding handwritten thank you notes after every stay; knowing that his bartender always remembers exactly what he wants to drink; requesting off-the-menu meals and never being turned down; the hotel inviting him and his wife to the 100th anniversary celebration; and a staff member going to the pharmacy to fill his prescription and sending chicken soup to his room while he was sick with the flu.

“There is no other hotel like this in the country, and I have stayed in a lot of hotels! I have hosted the COO of my company and many business members at The Hermitage and they all say it was the best experience and service they have ever had,” recalls Mr. Bailey. “I have given up another hotel membership in order to continue staying at The Hermitage.”

Dennis knows that coming to the hotel means first-class, personal treatment along with warm smiles and friendly gestures from every staff member.

“The kind staff truly feels like old friends and family members. I can’t say enough good things about this extraordinary hotel, and the wonderful people and service I experience time after time,” said Dennis.

From the hotel’s perspective, having fans like Dennis Bailey is a goal they set for every guest that comes through the door. “For us, Dennis embodies the experience we strive to create for all of our guests. The idea is that they become more than guests, they become our friends.” said Janet Kurtz, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. “We work hard to get to know each of our guests and it is genuine. This isn’t something that comes out of a training manual, or is a calculated ‘best practice,’ we just take the approach that our guests are real people and we genuinely care about them and their needs.”

Though Mr. Bailey has certainly visited The Hermitage Hotel the most, he represents hundreds of other guests who call the hotel home when visiting Nashville.

Creative Director and Designer Bob Delevante’s use of Hatch Show Print’s distinctive style and typography garnered a Gold ADDY for the Hermitage Hotel luncheon menu in the sales promotion category. Additionally, the pair received a Silver ADDY for the hotel menu system in the sales presentation campaign category and another Silver ADDY for the Hermitage Hotel 100th anniversary luncheon invitation in the special event material campaign.

Check out the winning materials below.

Warmest regards,
Janet Kurtz
Director of Sales and Marketing
The Hermitage Hotel

Hermitage Hotel 100th Anniversary Lunch Menu

Hermitage Hotel's menu system

100th Anniversary Luncheon Invite

Admirers of another century-old institution will recognize the uniquely Nashville look of Hatch Show Print. Both The Hermitage Hotel and Hatch preserve the craftsmanship and cultural heritage that make Nashville what it is.

Take a moment to visit out the new site and, while you’re there, take a peek at our Glen Leven page to see what we’ve been doing in the garden. Hungry? Go to the Capitol Grille’s website and review our new Spring 2011 menu while you’re there.

We can’t wait to see you at The Hermitage!

Warmest regards,
Janet Kurtz
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Hermitage Hotel

I love January. It’s full of optimism and possibility for the year that lay ahead. The quote above makes me want to buy a new journal, turn the crisp pages and begin filling them up with all my hopes and dreams for this year.

If you follow our Facebook page or our Twitter handle, you’ve seen the accolades for which we’ve linked, tweeted and thanked countless reporters and local media folk. 2010 was a whirlwind year for us but it was a successful and thrilling one to boot!

Suffice it to say, we would not have had the year or century that we had without every one of you, dear readers and followers. We are made better thanks to your loyalty, your reviews and your friendship.

In 2011, we’ll keep on keeping on with what makes our hearts sing. Thanks for being there with us every step of the way.

Happy 2011, Everyone! May this year be your best one yet!
Janet Kurtz
Director of Sales and Marketing
The Hermitage Hotel

The most challenging part was working on the historic building’s restoration in a delicate way so as to ensure that the façade looked like we hadn’t been there at all. The goal of the project was not to completely rebuild a then-90 year old building, but to enhance its best attributes and ensure its preservation.

Tell us about the interior restoration.

About five or six people from the architecture firm worked on site daily. They put in thousands of hours of work. Everything that a guest sees and touches was worked on by the firm and restored in a very careful manner.

In the ceiling of the lobby there are 28 separate paint colors that were meticulously chosen by an entire team to best enhance the architectural features of the space while remaining as faithful to its history as possible. We brought in a lighting consultant from Washington to consult on how to light what was essentially a very dark, huge space. All the fixtures were custom made. A lot of restoration work went on in the ballroom. We carefully stripped away the old, dark finish and revealed the gleaming burled walnut that you see today.

The central floor is made of three Tennessee marbles found in Knox, Blount and Sevier counties in East Tennessee. The pink marble in the entryway that leads up the stairs to the lobby could never be replicated. Even if it was harvested from the same quarry, 90 years have passed and the marble is different now than it was then. We harvested the Tennessee marble from what materials we could find and then rearranged the existing marble until we found a pattern that we all liked.

The result of the months of hard and dedicated work was magnificent. We remained true to the hotel’s historic Beaux Arts style and were able to restore many of the hotel’s original features.

Additional information about the 2003 restoration can be found in Ridley Wills’ book “The Hermitage at 100.” Interviews with Ron Gobbell can be arranged by contacting the Bradford Group at 615-515-4888.

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Well, for what must have been an historic moment in my life, I was not interested in shopping at that time. I was much more interested in getting down to the serious business of lying by the pool.  But I had to admit that another reason kept me out of the gift shop that day: Even though I was at one time counted as a top customer of Rachel’s Gifts at The Hermitage Hotel’s gift shop – because they carry so many cute clothes – I still harbored a bit of a stigma toward gift shops at other hotels.  I mean, these are the places that are tucked away in small rooms because the hotel could not think of anything else to do with the space, right?  They sell Rolaids, toothpaste, and stuffed animals for frazzled business travelers to take home to the kids.  (The stuffed animals, not the Rolaids and toothpaste).  Needless to say, I was not very sold.

That said, the next day, after soaking up all of the sun I could take, I wandered to the hotel gift shop – where my mind was changed about hotel gift shops! I was thrilled to find not just one dress, but two entire walls South Beach dining and club scene worthy clothes.  A couple hours later, I emerged from this shop with the dress I wanted, plus shoes and jewelry to complement the outfit. 

If I had been watching closely during the tours of The Hermitage Hotel I give regularly, I would have realized that gift shops in luxury hotels hold great appeal to many people.  So many times, my tour of our hotel is ultimately delayed by a “peak” in Rachel’s Gifts. 

As downtown residents and employees have come to love The Hermitage Hotel, so have they found a love for Rachel’s Gifts.  Our clothing can add a fun, flirty look to any wardrobe.  The jewelry comes from local boutiques and it often accessorizes wonderfully with something already in your wardrobe.  We also offer the luxurious products that guests enjoy in our rooms, such as Molton Brown beauty products, high thread count bedding and even our extremely popular makeup and shaving mirror.  Also, no need to “help” our luxurious Frette bath sheets escape from the hotel. We have plenty available in Rachel’s Gifts.

Finally, for our guests in August,  in honor of shopping and refreshing your wardrobe, we are offering all of our in-house guests a 15% discount on all clothing, home items, and jewelry select items from Rachel’s Gifts. Basically, this discount applies to anything but the sundries, such as Tylenol, Rolaids, toothpaste, etc.

So, stay with us in August for a last trip before Summer ends and enjoy a discount that allows you to take the memories of your trip home with you.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Warm Regards,

Janet Kurtz

Director of Sales & Marketing

P.S. Attention Facebook Fans, remember, by making your reservation on our Facebook Page you receive an additional 15% off of our rates*.  So book today for August and take advantage of this extra special through Rachel’s Gifts. 

*(Restrictions apply)

Tyler, Cole and I picked these and photographed them before sending them to the Capitol Grille

Dear Friends of The Hermitage Hotel and Capitol Grille,

Today we had an amazing press event to announce a new venture for The Hermitage Hotel and Capitol Grille.  We will be talking about this a lot this week but I wanted to give you the basics first.  Of course, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jkurtz@thehermitagehotel.com.  Enjoy!

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 23, 2010 The Hermitage Hotel announced today a unique relationship with the Land Trust for Tennessee that will preserve historic farmland in Nashville’s urban district and provide diners in the hotel’s 4-star Capitol Grille with fresh heirloom vegetables during the growing season.

 In April, the hotel  planted heirloom vegetables on one-acre of the historic farm at Glen Leven.  The property is located on Franklin Road near Father Ryan High School.  Since Glen Leven is only five miles from the hotel’s front door, diners can be assured that the heirloom vegetables they enjoy with their meal were picked the same day they were served. 

 “As a historic landmark now celebrating our 100^th year, The Hermitage Hotel has a particular interest in protecting and preserving what is irreplaceable in our state,” said Janet Kurtz, director of sales and marketing for the hotel. “It was natural for us to work with The Land Trust for Tennessee to fund efforts to protect Tennessee’s beauty.”

 Guests of The Hermitage Hotel – who are given the opportunity to donate $2 per night of their stay – have donated over $100,000.00 to the Land Trust for Tennessee since the hotel established the fund-raising program in July 2008. Thanks to guests’ generosity, The Land Trust has been able to preserve, forever, 1,000 acres of scenic and historic land in Tennessee – an area larger than New York City’s Central Park which is 843 acres.

 The hotel is committed to gardening naturally and promoting sustainability.  “We believe in the use of natural cultivation techniques such as the use of homeopathic pest control remedies verses the over-use of chemical treatments and pesticides,” Kurtz said.  “The extra care and time these methods take are worth it because they will both enhance the land’s natural production and ensure its health as well as the health of our patrons at the Capitol Grille.” 

 In addition to more organic growing methods, the crops grown at Glen Leven will be as historic as the site itself. Chef Tyler Brown of the Capitol Grille has researched seed records to identify and plant heirloom vegetables from the 19^th Century.   Such crops include: butterstick zucchini, zephyr squash, French breakfast radishes, and Cherokee purple tomatoes.  Chef Brown will then create menus specific to the crops that he will harvest each day.

 Glen Leven is no stranger to the hospitality industry.  For years, the farm at Glen Leven provided the produce to the historic Maxwell House Hotel which was located in downtown Nashville before it burned on Christmas night in 1961. 

 “The Hermitage Hotel has provided outstanding support to us in our effort to preserve what we cannot replace – land,” said Jeanne Nelson, president and executive director of The Land Trust of Tennessee. “The hotel’s plans to nurture and use the land at Glen Leven to produce four-star fare are exceptional, and we look forward to witnessing its progress.”

 The Glen Leven Estate is comprised of 66 acres that include the Glen Leven mansion, a smokehouse, carriage house, springhouse and farm office.  Susan M. West bequeathed the property to The Land Trust for Tennessee in 2006. The mansion on the property was built in 1857 and its old brick walls show chips made by bullets fired on the home during the Battle of Nashville.  During battle, the home was used as a hospital by Federal troops. 

 About The Hermitage Hotel

 Opened in 1910, The Hermitage Hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, it was purchased by its current owner, Historic Hotels Nashville Inc., which invested $20 million in restoring the property. When the restored hotel was re-opened on Valentine’s Day 2003, its grand public spaces had been completely restored, 122 luxurious guest rooms and suites had been created and many luxury guest services and amenities new to Nashville were introduced. Today, The Hermitage Hotel is the only Forbes (formerly Mobil) Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel in Tennessee and five contiguous states – Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri and Arkansas. The Hermitage Hotel is also a member of Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotel Group. More information is available online at www.thehermitagehotel.com.

 The Hermitage Hotel is also home to the historic Capitol Grille and Oak Bar, Nashville’s only Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. The Hermitage Hotel’s sister properties include The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va., The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Charleston, S.C., and Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

 About the Land Trust for Tennessee

 The Land Trust for Tennessee is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, founded in 1999.  Its mission is to preserve the unique character of Tennessee’s natural and historic landscapes for future generations. The Land Trust works with willing landowners to find ways to preserve forever the historic, scenic and natural values of their land. The organization is supported primarily by financial contributions from individuals. The Land Trust has offices in Nashville, Sewanee/Monteagle, Hickman County and Chattanooga. More information is available at www.landtrusttn.org.

For photos of this amazing spot, visit our Facebook pages at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/hermitagehotelnashville?ref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Nashville-TN/Capitol-Grille/163871721916?ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=12

Or go directly to the album on our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=186867&id=56132912580&l=8c58fbc243

For more information please don’t hesitate to email me at jkurtz@thehermitagehotel.com

Warm Regards,

Janet Kurtz

Director of Sales & Marketing

The Hermitage Hotel

Here are some sample questions.  For answers, scroll down.

1.  What was the final cost after Historic Hotels of Nashville, LLC bought the hotel and land in June 2000, and paid for extensive interior and exterior renovations?

A. $27 million

B. $31 million

C. $36 million

2.  What is interesting about the chandelier fixtures in the Hermitage Hotel’s ballroom?

A. They were temporarily removed when billiards legend Minnesota Fats held pool tournaments.

B. The ornate fixtures are the 1910 originals and are still in use today.

C. President Lyndon Johnson was so impressed with the chandeliers he had a replica placed in the White House library.

3.  The Hermitage’s Francis Craig did what for his beloved Vanderbilt Commodores in 1938?

If that wasn’t enough, we are about to unveil the biggest contest yet.  So if you aren’t a fan, now’s the time!  To join the Hermitage Hotel’s fan page, search “The Hermitage Hotel – Nashville” on Facebook and click the “Become a Fan” tab.

Take care,

Janet Kurtz

Director, Sales & Marketing

The Hermitage Hotel

P.S.—The Hermitage Hotel is on Twitter, too!  For up-to-date information, latest news, contests and giveaways, search @hermitagehotel and send us a tweet!

Answers:

1.  The correct answer is B – The final cost was $31 million—$14 million for the building and .54 acres of land, and $17 million for the renovations.  And worth every penny according to Judy Veeneman’s facebook post.

2.  The correct answer is B – The chandelier fixtures are the 1910 originals and are still in use today.

3. Craig wrote Vanderbilt’s fight song, “Dynamite,” a few days before the Commodore football team was set to take on the University of Tennessee. On Saturday mornings before Vanderbilt games, WSM broadcast a pregame show from the Hermitage Grill that featured the Francis Craig Orchestra playing the fight song.

That said, we do want to reassure you that Nashville, and The Hermitage Hotel, are ready to welcome you to the city. The airport is open, flights are landing, and the roads leading to downtown Nashville are clear. Of course The Hermitage Hotel is open and fully operational, as is the award winning Capitol Grille. To date we have had no damage to any part of the hotel.  Finally, our entertainment venues are still making the music that has made Nashville what it is today.  In fact, venues that were booked with entertainment but have been affected by the flooding have relocated those shows to other venues in the city. Many of them are right across the street from The Hermitage Hotel.

Please let us know how we can make your stay more special. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Warm Regards,
Janet

Janet Kurtz
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Hermitage Hotel
231 Sixth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37219
Direct: 615-345-7120
Fax: 615-242-8715
jkurtz@thehermitagehotel.com
www.thehermitagehotel.com
www.capitolgrillenashville.com
Tennessee’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star award winning hotel.