Molly and Robert Hardie, owners of Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia, and The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, have been honored with the 2024 Historic Hotels of America Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award celebrates their dedication to historic preservation and hospitality excellence.
Keswick Hall, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, is renowned for its classics charm and expansive 600-acre estate. A recent renovation overseen by Molly Hardie thoughtfully combines Keswick Hall’s historic character with updated amenities, including an 18-hole Pete Dye golf course, a spa, and fine dining at Marigold restaurant. The resort also boasts European Red Clay tennis courts, newly opened pickleball courts, and more than 30,000 square feet of versatile event space.
Meanwhile, The Hermitage Hotel, a National Historic Landmark central to the Women’s Suffrage Movement, has been carefully restored to preserve its legacy, blending elegant design with modern comforts.
“Through their creative vision, Molly and Robert have created spaces that respect and honor the past while offering a sophisticated and welcoming experience that connects guests to each hotel’s unique story,” says Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “Their approach has turned these historic sites into vibrant icons that continue to enrich their communities culturally and economically.”
- Photos courtesy Keswick Hall
- Photos courtesy Keswick Hall
- Photos courtesy Keswick Hall
- Photos courtesy Keswick Hall