Atlanta Accommodations
WHICH ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
BUCKHEAD would be my first choice for most Lipstick Getaways readers. You might also consider Midtown or Downtown. I’ll tell you a little bit more about each below.
ABOUT BUCKHEAD
This affluent business, commercial, and residential community located about 6 miles north of downtown, boasts several features which make it appealing for big city fun for women:
- Upscale shopping, including the legendary Lenox Mall and luxurious Phipps Plaza, as well as several cool independent neighborhood boutiques, home decor shops, and art galleries.
- Superlative dining.
- Plenty of nightlife.
- The Atlanta History Center, well worth visiting.
- Available transportation to Buckhead via the subway (MARTA), and around Buckhead via the free community shuttle (The Buc), and complimentary transportation provided by most area hotels.
ABOUT BUCKHEAD TRANSPORTATION:
The MARTA (subway) is terrific for getting to Buckhead from the airport, downtown, or midtown, but getting around Buckhead can be challenging. Much of Buckhead is not pedestrian-friendly. Streets are wide and traffic-congested. With construction everywhere, the sidewalks are torn up, and streets are closed and re-routed.
That’s why the complimentary transportation withing a 2- or 3-mile radius offered by most Buckhead hotels is a necessity!
RECOMMENDED BUCKHEAD ACCOMMODATIONS
Clicking on the links will open a separate window and take you to the hotel’s website.
SPLURGE
I cannot recommend a true “splurge” hotel in Buckhead. The closest would be the club level rooms at the Ritz-Carlton, but reviews are mixed, so I hesitate to recommend it. Anyone have a comment?
LOVELY FOUR-STAR FAVORITES
(rates vary, could stray into Splurge category for many of us!)
Grand Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead
Generally has the lowest rates of the 4-star favorites, and is just a notch below them in terms of luxury and service. But it’s a very nice property, and I enjoyed my stay here. The hotel is a couple long blocks from the MARTA - Buckhead station.
Intercontinental Atlanta Buckhead
The newest Buckhead luxury hotel, opened in 2004. Consistently positive reviews for comfort, elegance, and service. A lively hotel bar scene, which may or may not appeal to you. For a quieter evening option, consider booking a Club Level room, where you can enjoy evening cocktails, as well as a buffet breakfast and other amenities. Less than a block from the MARTA - Buckhead station.
JW Marriott
The best location for serious shoppers — actually connected to Lenox Square Mall! The MARTA station (Lenox) is across the street. Can be awfully pricey; I recommend it if you are in Atlanta mostly for shopping and you get a good rate.
Westin Buckhead Atlanta
Another great location, right next to Lenox Mall, two blocks from Phipps Plaza. Clean, soothing decor; great views; indoor pool and sauna. The Palm Restaurant, one of Buckhead’s top dining destinations, is here. Less than a block from the MARTA (Lenox) station.
**SPECIAL VALUE 3-STAR FAVORITE**
Wingate Atlanta Buckhead
Currently voted #1 on TripAdvisor’s Popularity Index for all Atlanta hotels. Reasonable rates, spacious rooms and suites, superior service, and tons of extras you won’t find elsewhere: refrigerator, microwave, complimentary high-speed internet access. Complimentary full American breakfast. Heated outdoor pool and hot tub, fitness center. Full service bar. Free parking.
So what’s the catch? Location. The Wingate is 1.5 miles from the Buckhead MARTA station. However, the hotel’s complimentary limo service will take you to and from anywhere within a 3 mile radius. And if you take the MARTA from the airport or downtown — just call from the Buckhead MARTA station, and they will send a driver for you.
ABOUT MIDTOWN
Choose Midtown — just north of Downtown and south of Buckhead — for proximity to arts, culture, and theater (Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum of Art, Center for Puppetry Arts, Fox Theatre, and more); plenty of excellent dining; Piedmont Park and the Atlanta Botanical Garden; plus easy subway access to the airport, downtown, and Buckhead.
Recommended Midtown Hotels listing coming soon.
ABOUT DOWNTOWN
You’ll wind up downtown mostly for conventions or business, or if you are particularly interested in the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Studio Tour, Centennial Olympic Park, and World of Coca-Cola. Atlanta’s downtown is not what you’d call thriving, and there is not much to do here after dark.
However, there is easy subway access to the airport, midtown, and Buckhead. So if you need to stay downtown for business, or if you just find a great deal on accommodations, you’ll still be able to get to midtown attractions and Buckhead shopping.
Recommended Downtown Hotels listing coming soon.
For More Info:
For more information on accommodations in Atlanta, visit the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.Atlanta.net. And of course you’ll find plenty of info at any of the major travel websites, such as Tripadvisor (I love this one for the unbiased travelers’ reviews), Expedia, Orbitz, Fodors, or Frommers.
