"The reopening at long last restores grand luxury to this historic hotel, making it a world-class destination point for visitors and residents alike," said Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, who held his wedding reception at The Hermitage Hotel.

The hotel, which will hold its invitation-only grand opening celebration on the evening of February 25, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the only remaining commercial Beaux Arts structure in Tennessee.  Located in downtown Nashville, directly opposite the State Capitol, it has hosted six presidents, housed the pro- and anti-suffrage forces in the 1920s, and held a place in the hearts of city residents since it was commissioned by 250 of them in 1908.

As well as 24-hour room and concierge service, the hotel now offers a number of superior services unique to the Nashville area.  They include: personalized storage trunks for frequent guests, DVD players and complimentary high-speed Internet access in every room, afternoon tea in the lobby and butler service upon request.

"The Hermitage will be the hotel of choice for those who simply want the best," says Prem Devadas, the hotel's managing partner.  "Guests will encounter a level of service and quality of materials never before seen in Tennessee and the surrounding region."

The hotel's owner, Historic Hotels Nashville, LLC, has already successfully renovated and transformed The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, VA.  It elevated that hotel, built in 1895, from a AAA Three Diamond property into one of the 23 hotels that carry both the AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five-Star ratings.  In 2001, Forbes FYI designated The Jefferson as the "Best Hotel in America."  In March 2004, The Hermitage's other sister property -- Kiawah Island Golf Resort near Charleston, SC., will open The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, an ultra-luxury oceanfront hotel and spa, at a cost of $125 million.

The average size of a guestroom is now 475 square feet -- large even for a luxury hotel.  The interior walls on the guest floors were removed allowing the creation of completely new rooms.  This was essential, says Devadas, for the hotel to fulfill its mission of offering a true luxury experience.

Prior to the renovation, the hotel had been an all-suite property.  Now, there are 112 oversized guestrooms, a 2,000-square-foot presidential suite, three executive suites and seven junior suites.  Each room is decorated with fine furnishings and fabrics.  Only linens with fine thread counts and down-filled duvets have been used, while every bathroom includes marble soaking tubs, double vanities, a separate shower and enclosed water closet.  In addition, each suite has a Jacuzzi.  Room rates begin at $210 per night and rise to $1,500 per night for the presidential suite.

The facade of the hotel, including the original terra cotta, has been cleaned and restored, while a climate-controlled porte-cochere was added to reflect the design of a historic hotel.  Inside the doors, a foyer and gift shop have been created, while local artisans, specializing in historic paint restoration, have repainted every feature in the ceiling of the hotel's famous lobby.  The renowned glass ceiling has also been carefully restored.  The Grand Ballroom's paneled walls, made from Circassian walnut imported from Russia, have been cleaned and restored to their original luster.  A Capitol view fitness room has also been added on the mezzanine level, along with marble locker rooms and massage treatment rooms.

Below the lobby, the hotel's renowned art deco men's room has been upgraded, but the green and black glass decor has been retained.  The renowned Capitol Grille restaurant has also undergone a complete facelift, including new furniture, chandeliers and a grand new entrance.  The restaurant, which was home to the Francis Craig Orchestra and a national radio show for several years, also has a new menu and executive chef, Sean Brock -- who moved from Lemaire, The Jefferson Hotel's AAA Five Diamond restaurant.  The new menu features creative interpretations of southern cuisine with an emphasis on the freshest and best available local products.  It also includes a la carte components, with regionally and historically matched side dishes.

The Hermitage Hotel is a member of both Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and Historic Hotels of America.