Spotlight On: Dee Patel, Managing Director, The Hermitage Hotel

Spotlight On: Dee Patel, Managing Director, The Hermitage Hotel

2022-12-21T12:46:56-05:00December 21st, 2022|Nashville, Spotlight On, Tourism & Hospitality|

2 min read December 2022 — In an interview with Invest:, Dee Patel, managing director of The Hermitage Hotel, discussed the hotel’s recent completion of its hotel-wide renovation and the current landscape of travel as international travel picks up. “Nashville is an amazing city, recognized for its culture, music, and genuine Southern hospitality. It’s an incredible time to visit Nashville, with this period of growth. Nashville continues to prosper and is taking its place on the world stage in many regards,” said Patel.  

What has the recently completed renovation added to the hotel? 

The renovation and redesign have not only restored a treasured Nashville landmark but also positioned the hotel for a new era. The level of accommodations, dining and public spaces are truly world-class, yet welcoming for both a seasoned world traveler and our Nashville neighbors, who look to The Hermitage Hotel as their gathering place. 

This multi-year project included the redesign of our public spaces which added a sense of flexibility in how the space can be utilized. Our guest rooms and suites have also undergone comfortable, modern updates and the results are stunning. We were able to fold in thoughtful details through design, color, art, choices of amenities, and luxurious appointments including world-class Duxiana Beds, all to create a curated guest experience. We also partnered with Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, to serve as the hotel’s culinary collaborator overseeing two brand-new restaurants, Drusie & Darr and The Pink Hermit. 

Alongside the hotel’s design refresh, we partnered with Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle brand Draper James to design a spirited, new staff wardrobe exclusively for the hotel. The collaboration is celebrated with a special “Spillin’ Tea with Draper James” afternoon tea service each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, featuring classic Southern delights inspired by Witherspoon’s cookbook, Whiskey in a Teacup.

We are passionate and committed to serving as stewards of our historic property. Our goal was to accentuate the architecture while ushering in the 21st century luxurious, comfortable furnishings and details to create a calming residential feel. It has been wonderful to see how well these changes have been received by guests and hear the compliments from all different types of visitors, our repeat guests and locals alike.  

The Hermitage is the only historic hotel in Nashville. It is the jewel and pride of the city, a National Historic Landmark that speaks to the city’s storied past. The redesign was our commitment to preserve the hotel’s unique history and make it accessible to a new generation of guests while modernizing in ways to remain a luxury destination and world-class establishment that is very much in step with the times. The Hermitage Hotel is independently owned and operated with just 122 rooms. That enables our owners to continually invest in the hotel and do things other hotels might not.

Has hybrid work impacted guest trends?

We are all hybrid in so many ways now because remote work is becoming more and more accepted and almost necessary. As a result, now leisure and business travel are more blended and hotel stays are being extended as people can go where they please and still be able to accomplish their work. 

Leisure travel is back and stronger than ever, as people are making up for time and experiences lost to COVID. We do anticipate that more business travelers will return, as companies place a value on in-person relationship-building and selling.

Is there any technology that has been implemented into the hotel to improve guest experience? 

The pandemic has accelerated how we use technology and how hotels communicate to their guests. People can choose contactless check-in and keyless entry if they prefer, but we always have the option of a more personal, human connection at check-in available too. We continue to expand our Wi-Fi bandwidth as well. 

We also updated our HVAC system and partnered with the Meharry Medical College very early on for guidance on our COVID precautions, ensuring health & safety measures were up to par while finding ways to continue to serve the guest at a high level.

As markets open globally for travel, how is that impacting local hotel demand?

The pandemic has changed how we all work and think. As human beings, everyone has shifted in how they feel about a lot of things, and travel is one of them. Travel had such pent-up demand last year and the fear of international travel contributed to a boom in domestic travel. With COVID restrictions relaxing, international travel has come back both inbound and outbound. 

What is your perspective on Nashville’s Downtown? 

The development in Nashville is booming! With growth comes a variety of opportunities such as infrastructure, public transportation, affordable housing, safety and security while continuing to grow.  

As Nashville continues to grow, it allows Nashville to be perceived as a gateway city. More luxury inventory in the city makes Nashville a more luxurious destination, and I’m a person who believes that a rising tide lifts all boats. 

What are some reasons that Nashville is a great tourist destination? 

There is a sense of culture and community here. We are centrally located which makes doing business in Nashville easy, the cost of living has increased but still approachable, and the flavor and culture that is Music City. The music industry and legacy will always be a part of the fabric of Nashville and will continue to drive people here. We have a community here that cares about Nashville. It’s a city that has retained its sense of genuine warmth — the Southern hospitality is real here. 

There is a heartbeat in the city that comes from our community and makes the city a great place for business, family, and entertainment. It’s an incredible time to visit Nashville, with this period of growth. Nashville continues to prosper and is taking its place on the world stage in many regards. 

For more information, visit: 

https://www.thehermitagehotel.com/ 

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