The best hotels in Atlanta

The classics never go out of style, and there’s no more classic hotel in Atlanta than the Georgian Terrace, which is in the National Register of Historic Places but still manages to maintain a glamorous flair of modernity. Having hosted the official gala for Gone With the Wind (whose author Margaret Mitchell grew up just one block north), the style and charm of this early 20th-century hotel remains intact through impeccably cleaned marble flooring, a scenic rooftop pool, a penthouse-level workout center, the two-story Livingston Restaurant + Bar, and the subterranean Edgar’s Proof & Provision cocktail lounge—get daily bartender offerings like a barrel-aged mixed drink or punch concoction among arched exposed brick walls. The ability to cross the street and see a show at the Fox Theatre, or take a brisk walk eastward to Ponce City Market or any other Midtown attractions is a major bonus.

Bed-and-breakfasts aren’t as popular in Atlanta as in other large cities, but the elegant Stonehurst Place ranks highly based upon location and the fact that it’s a 19th-entury mansion, furnished with contemporary décor and modern, original museum quality artwork from Andy Warhol and glass artist Dave Chihuly – all from the owner’s personal collection. Three of the six rooms are suites, and all rooms feature eco-friendly amenities like solar-heated water and organic bath products. You also receive complimentary Wi-Fi and high-speed internet, free parking, plus daily beverages and breakfast provided at no added charge.

Paces Ferry, which is home to the Governor’s Mansion, Pace Academy and various mega homes that symbolize old-money Atlanta, is not a place where people with money need to prove anything. The AAA Five Diamond St. Regis falls in line with the community mindset, with its upper-crust service standards that include the St. Regis Butler (a personal liaison who will arrange the entire day based on your personal shopping, sightseeing, dining and entertainment preferences) and 24-hour private dining. Be there at 6pm for the nightly champagne sabering on the fourth floor, and take every minute available to lounge at the 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza, which gives you the choice of relaxing in the Jacuzzi, sharpening your aim in the billiards room or being served from the poolside bar as you sink into peppermint-striped seating. If nothing else, it is a testament to the quiet power and style of true wealth over flash.

Starting at $150 per night, it’s hard to beat the Ellis’ value and proximity to the revitalized Downtown area. Whole floors of the hotel are dedicated to separate guests’ experiences. Allergies are a big challenge in Atlanta, particularly during the spring, so hit the Fresh Air Floor, which has air-purified rooms and an always-running air-filtering machine in the hallway. There’s a Pet-Friendly Floor for owners of cats and dogs under 30 pounds, and there’s even a Women’s Only Floor, where female guests pay an extra $20 nightly fee to receive a gift bag of L’Occitane toiletries, a miniature replica of a painting, and access to luxury pampering rooms.

Bellyard was one of a string of new luxury hotels which opened in Atlanta in 2021, and is a tribute to the past of the West Midtown, but with a modern twist. The boutique hotel is home to 161 suites, all with TVs, minibars, and both à la carte and American breakfast options. There’s also a terrace, as well as a range of fantastic communal spaces, including a courtyard and a cocktail bar with a view of Atlanta’s skyline. 

This stylish 42-floor spot used to be the five-star Mandarin Oriental Hotel, but in 2018 it was refurbished to become Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. Claiming the title of ‘the Beverly Hills of the South’, you’re greeted with a personal concierge and led through private English gardens when you arrive. Waldorf also has its own spa with an indoor pool, and you can choose from a king, superior king or deluxe suite, complete with room service and a streaming TV. 

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The property that is home to The Candler is an elegant, Beaux Arts building built by Coca-Cola founder Asa Griggs Candler. It’s in an excellent location near attractions like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and World of Coca-Cola, but the historic details of this hotel are an attraction on their own. The sweeping marble staircase and colorful Tiffany windows in the lobby set the scene for a fabulous stay. It’s a timeless gem that’s bursting with architectural details to pore over. Meticulously restored interiors evoke a sense of grandeur, featuring opulent furnishings and sophisticated décor. With upscale dining options, chic bars and impeccable service, the Candler Hotel promises an unforgettable experience.

In January 2020, the Wingate became the Burgess Hotel, and underwent a load of refurbishment. Now, thanks to its Asian owners Burges and Freny Jokhi, who have travelled the world, it’s got 102 rooms all with rich and colourful interiors and spectacular design. There’s even eight suites with themes of different countries, as well as a huge outdoor pool, a cocktail bar and a rather good restaurant. 

The impressive quality and sophisticated appeal of the Downtown Ritz-Carlton has proven more than resilient against the changing backdrop of Atlanta’s Downtown district. You barely step outside the hotel to enter the north/south MARTA train line, and ground transportation will get you to the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia World Congress Center and other convention-centric nearby landmarks in less than five minutes. The impeccably maintained wood and marble accents remind you of the brand’s well-known commitment to excellence, whether you’re enjoying the standard rain showerhead and Nespresso® coffee in your Deluxe Room, or tinkering with the grand piano inside your 1,320-square-foot suite while staring out into the dramatic view of the skyline.

Built right in the middle of Midtown, Loews arrived in Atlanta in 2010 with a super-modern design that gave the neighborhood a taste of New York, Los Angeles and other more heavily populated metropolitan cities, without losing sight of its location. The hotel’s 26 floors accommodate guests as well as major annual events; an outdoor patio places you in the middle of multiple mirrored-glass buildings for an awe-inspiring view. Dine on small plates of cured meats at Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar, and enjoy a variety of local craft beers or classic cocktails from sazeracs to the Maynard Side Car, named for the former Atlanta mayor.