I’ve been to the Hermitage Hotel many, many times and enjoyed its annual Gingerbread Tea more than once. Certain places have a way of calling you back time and time again. The Hermitage Hotel is one of them. Elegant yet welcoming, steeped in tradition yet full of surprises, it’s the kind of destination that lingers long after your last sip.
As December invites us to slow down, this month’s Tea and Tidbits is less about a current visit and more about revisiting a favorite experience with my dear friend Leslie that I had two Christmases ago. One that reminds me how tea, storytelling, and even history can intertwine in the most unexpected and FUN ways.
Wrapped In Holiday Splendor
Part of what makes a visit to the Hermitage Hotel so special, especially during the holidays, is the way the entire space feels thoughtfully dressed for the season. The grand lobby alone is worth the visit. Soaring ceilings, marble floors, and gilded details are softened by twinkling lights, lush greenery, and a towering Christmas tree that feels both stately and inviting. It’s festive without being fussy, elegant without feeling untouchable.
Every corner seems to offer something to admire. Garlands winding gracefully along stair rails, warm lighting reflecting off polished surfaces, and thoughtfully placed seasonal arrangements that invite you to linger just a little longer. The hotel manages to strike that rare balance of feeling celebratory yet serene and creates an atmosphere that encourages conversation, reflection, and unhurried moments.
Even beyond the lobby, the beauty continues. From intimate seating areas perfect for quiet conversation to hallways that feel like galleries of architectural detail, the Hermitage feels less like a hotel and more like a living piece of Nashville history. It’s the kind of place where simply wandering becomes part of the experience.
A Few Sips, A Few Bites Tea at the Hermitage – specifically the holiday Gingerbread Tea – unfolds with the same care and intention as its surroundings. Our hostess presented a beautifully curated box of teas from classic black teas like Earl Grey and Darjeeling First Flush to the bright Thunder Dragon Green and delicate herbal options such as Linden. As we sipped and savored, a tiered tray arrived filled with classic finger sandwiches, sweet and savory scones served with Devonshire cream, and an assortment of festive desserts. Each tea came with a story: its origin, its tradition, and its unique character, turning the experience into more than a meal. It became a quiet lesson in culture and history, shared one cup at a time.
An Unexpected Detour
During one of my much earlier visits, I also discovered that even the restrooms at the Hermitage Hotel are part of its legend. The original showstopper is the historic men’s Art Deco restroom – an emerald-green, black-tiled time capsule that once earned the title of America’s Best Restroom. In 2019, it gained renewed fame as one of the world’s most Instagrammable bathrooms, and it still draws curious visitors today. And yes, I’ll admit it….. I took a peek. In fact, whenever I bring a friend to the Hermitage Hotel, I insist we do the same. It’s become a bit of a tradition and an instant conversation starter and there is always a lot of laughter and fun.Over the years, this iconic space has attracted its fair share of famous visitors. Alan Jackson, one of my all-time favorite country music artists, once did a photo shoot here, and musicians like Jack White and The Raconteurs have left their mark as well (including a green-vinyl record cover shot right in the restroom). Kathie Lee and Hoda famously broadcast a live Today Show segment from the men’s room, and Reese Witherspoon even stopped by and shared the moment. The space has also appeared on screen in projects celebrating the lives of Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, with scenes filmed not only here, but throughout the hotel’s lobby and grand ballroom.
The women’s restroom is equally memorable, glowing with blush marble, soft lighting, and thoughtful design details that make it one of the most photographed corners of the property. That’s me in the fabulous pink restroom at the top of this article! Together, these spaces perfectly capture the Hermitage’s blend of classic grandeur and modern flair and provide proof that history can be elegant, surprising, and a little fun.
For those who want to dive deeper into the fascinating backstory behind these iconic spaces, the Hermitage Hotel shares the full history online. You can explore more about the legendary restrooms and their place in American design history here:
Tidbit: When Women’s History Was Steeped Right Here
So what’s my tidbit this time? In 1920, as the nation debated the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, all eyes turned to Tennessee which was the final state needed to decide its fate. When the governor called a special legislative session, suffrage leaders, opponents, journalists, and special interest groups descended upon Nashville from across the country. Many of those conversations, strategies, and debates unfolded at the Hermitage Hotel, which became an unofficial headquarters during those pivotal days. With a fundamental right at stake, one woman had been advocating for since 1848, the hotel found itself at the very center of a defining moment in American history. It’s a powerful reminder that history doesn’t only live in textbooks or museums. It happens in real places, among real people – sometimes in grand hallways, sometimes over quiet conversations, and sometimes over cups of tea.
A Lasting Impression
That’s the magic of places like the Hermitage Hotel. Whether you’re admiring a beautifully decorated lobby, savoring a thoughtfully prepared tea, discovering an unexpected design detour, or learning a powerful piece of women’s history, the experience stays with you. Much like tea itself, it’s the combination of warmth, story, and intention that makes the moment meaningful and worth revisiting, year after year.
Enjoy the journey, the tea, and the amazing friendships in your life!
Tea and happiness always,
Finding Tearooms
As a Nashville native and one who has resided in middle Tennessee all my life, I am starting local with my adventures shared through our new Tea and Tidbits column. Still, I also want to share great resources to find your local spots for tea so that wherever you find yourself, you can track down a lovely tearoom and take a moment for yourself. Check out the websites below and enjoy wherever your journey may take you! You might also find tea service in places other than a traditional tearoom, like what I discovered in a local bakery.
Below are several resources to help you find tearooms in the United States:
- Destination Tea: This online resource offers a directory of tearooms by state, allowing you to browse and find venues that provide cream tea, afternoon tea, high tea, or tea ceremonies. You can explore their website www.destinationtea.com.
- Great Tearooms of America: This growing directory lists over two thousand tea rooms nationwide. You can search by name or zip code to find tearooms near you. Check out their directory at www.greattearoomsofamerica.com.
- AfternoonTeaing: This site lists the best places for afternoon tea in the USA, including elegant hotels and cozy tea rooms. You can find more information on the website at https://afternoonteaing.com/.
- TeaMap.com: This site is an online directory dedicated to helping tea lovers discover tearooms across the United States. The site, created by Adagio Teas, allows visitors to search by state or ZIP code and browse detailed listings that include descriptions, user reviews, and style categories ranging from Victorian to modern. Readers exploring the site can expect an easy way to find nearby tearooms, learn what each one offers, and even contribute their own reviews to help other tea enthusiasts. It’s a practical starting point for anyone looking to experience local tea culture while traveling or close to home. https://www.teamap.com/.
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