If you walk into the basement of a five-star hotel and see a crowd of women gathered around the entrance of a men’s restroom, you might think something is wrong. At The Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, it’s just a Tuesday. People aren't there for the lobby's Italian marble or the ornate ceilings, though those are stunning. They’re there for the Hermitage Hotel Nashville bathroom.
It’s weird. I know. Why are we talking about a place where people wash their hands? Because this specific Art Deco masterpiece has won "America’s Best Restroom" and serves as a bizarrely beautiful time capsule of 1930s masculinity. It’s arguably the most photographed spot in the entire state of Tennessee.
The Green and Black Time Machine
Most people expect a luxury hotel bathroom to be all white marble and gold fixtures. This isn't that. When you descend the stairs, you're hit with a high-contrast explosion of lime green and jet black leaded glass tiles. It’s bold. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a bit jarring until your eyes adjust to the sheer craft of it.
The history here is thick. Built in 1910, The Hermitage was Nashville’s first truly elite hotel, but the basement restroom—the one everyone freaks out about—was part of a 1930s renovation. It was the era of the "men’s smoking lounge." You can almost smell the ghost of expensive cigars and political deals being struck over the terrazzo flooring. Back then, this wasn't just a bathroom; it was a boardroom with plumbing.
The glass tiles aren't just painted. They are Vitrolite. If you aren't a construction nerd, Vitrolite is a brand of structural glass that was huge in the early 20th century but is incredibly hard to find or repair today. That’s why the preservation here is so impressive. They didn't "modernize" it in the 70s with shag carpet or in the 90s with beige granite. They kept the grime-free, glossy edge of the Depression-era aesthetic perfectly intact.
Why Women Keep Sneaking In
For decades, the ladies' room at The Hermitage was, frankly, boring. It was nice, sure, but it lacked the soul of the men’s room. This created a weird social phenomenon where female guests would wait for the "all clear" and scurry into the men’s room to take photos. Eventually, the hotel staff just gave up and started offering guided tours or letting people peek in when it was empty.
It’s the Art Deco details that pull people in. The fixtures are heavy. The mirrors are framed in that same striking black glass. Even the shoe-shine station—a two-seat setup that looks like it belongs in a black-and-white movie—remains a functional part of the room. You can actually sit there and get your boots buffed while staring at a rotary phone that looks like it hasn't moved since 1939.
In 2021, the hotel finally decided to give the women a fair shake. They brought in designer C.W. Stockwell to renovate the ladies' room. They used a "Pasadena Rose" theme with pink marble and floral wallpaper. It’s gorgeous. It’s feminine. It’s very "Instagrammable." But let’s be real: it still hasn't topped the cult status of the green and black men’s room. There’s something about that specific shade of vintage green that feels like authentic Nashville history.
More Than Just a Photo Op
The Hermitage Hotel Nashville bathroom is a survivor. Think about everything that has happened in that building. The "War of the Roses" during the 19th Amendment ratification happened upstairs. Every U.S. President from Taft to LBJ stayed here. Legends like Gene Autry and Bette Davis walked these halls.
When you stand in that basement restroom, you’re standing where those people stood. It’s a physical connection to the "Athens of the South" before it became "Nashvegas."
The room has a specific geometry. The lines are sharp. The lighting is intentionally moody. It reflects a time when public spaces were designed to be monumental, even the ones meant for private business. The terrazzo floors are a mix of quartz, granite, and marble chips, polished to a shine that makes you feel like you should be wearing a tuxedo just to wash your face.
The Practical Side of the Hype
If you're planning to visit, don't just run in and snap a photo. That's amateur hour. Go to the Oak Bar first. It’s right next door. Grab a drink—the whiskey selection is exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier Tennessee establishment—and soak in the atmosphere. The transition from the dark, wood-paneled bar to the bright, geometric bathroom is part of the experience.
Is it weird to travel for a bathroom? Maybe. But in a world where every hotel is starting to look like a minimalist IKEA showroom, the Hermitage Hotel Nashville bathroom stands out because it refuses to be normal. It’s a reminder that style doesn't have an expiration date.
Actually, the "Best Restroom in America" award (which they won in 2008) wasn't just about the tiles. It was about the fact that the hotel treats the space like a museum gallery. The brass is polished daily. The grout is spotless. They understand that this 200-square-foot room is as much a part of their brand as the 122 luxury guest rooms upstairs.
How to Visit Without Being "That Person"
Look, the staff is used to it. They know why you're there. But there is an etiquette to visiting a world-famous toilet.
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- Timing is everything. If you go during the middle of a massive wedding reception, you’re going to be in the way. Aim for the "lull" hours—late morning or mid-afternoon.
- Check the coast. If you aren't a guy, ask a staff member if it's okay to peek in. They are almost always happy to oblige if the coast is clear.
- Actually look at the Vitrolite. Seriously, get close to the walls. You don't see glasswork like that anymore. It’s thick, opaque, and has a depth that modern ceramic tiles can’t touch.
- Don't ignore the rest of the hotel. The lobby's skylight is a feat of engineering, and the ballroom is where the real history happened.
The Hermitage isn't just a place to sleep; it’s a landmark. And while it might seem funny that a bathroom is the star of the show, it makes sense once you’re there. It represents a level of detail and "over-the-top" design that defined Nashville's golden age. It’s grand, it’s slightly eccentric, and it’s impeccably maintained.
Instead of just checking it off your list, take a second to appreciate the preservation. In a city that is tearing down old buildings every week to make room for glass condos, The Hermitage kept its green tiles. That alone makes it worth the trip down the stairs.
Walk through the lobby, find the stairs near the Oak Bar, and go see it for yourself. Just remember to put your phone away if someone is actually trying to use the sink. Respect the history, but also respect the privacy. Once you see that lime green glow, you’ll get why people have been talking about this place for nearly a century.