Atlanta has long been a destination with a penchant for luxury, with the world’s best hotel brands such as the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Four Seasons establishing themselves decades ago.
Atlanta is home to a host of Fortune 500 companies, a gleaming music and film industry, and a technology sector that rivals Silicon Valley in percentage growth. There has never been a shortage of business travelers checking into the finest luxury hotels. But Atlanta is attractive for more than just its business community. A rich history, a cultural scene that includes everything from hip-hop and street art to world-leading museums, numerous stadiums, and plenty of green space are just some of Atlanta’s strengths.
With Lonely Planet Atlanta was named one of the top five cities in the world to visit in 2022, followed by a slew of tastemakers and glossy travel magazines. The arrival of the Michelin Guide in fall 2023, as well as the opening of a number of international fashion houses in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood (Givenchy is the latest), have confirmed Atlanta’s rise as one of the South’s most desirable destinations.
“With Atlanta’s thriving dining scene and the influx of international companies, people choose to visit the city for many reasons,” Guntrum Merl, General Manager of the St. Regis Atlanta, tells us. “Buckhead’s continued growth as Atlanta’s most desirable neighborhood, with its luxury shopping and high-end restaurants, has brought celebrities to the St. Regis over the past 15 years (since opening).”
To experience the best of the city, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite luxury hotels in Atlanta that combine five-star comfort with Southern hospitality. Many of the hotels we’ve selected are well located for easy access to the city’s best shopping and dining, as well as top attractions. Elite travelers “World’s Finest Suites” recognizes the very best service, the very best amenities and the very best experience.
(See also: The 8 Best Restaurants in Atlanta)
The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
It doesn’t get more central than the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.th anniversary this year. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown on the famous Peachtree Street, a short walk takes you to the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Head to the hotel’s Lumen Lounge Thursday through Saturday for live jazz and artfully crafted cocktails (order the new French 84, made with cranberry gin liqueur) and seasonal, all-American fare among the leather seating and vintage photographs of AG Steakhouse.
Top suite to book: World-class service and some of the city’s finest luxury suites make the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Downtown the most coveted downtown offering, but the Ritz-Carlton Suite is the cream of the crop. Featuring panoramic skyline views and integrated technology, the one-bedroom suite is a true sanctuary for business and leisure travelers alike.
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ritzcarlton.com/the-ritz-carlton-atlanta
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead
Despite being in the heart of the action, The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead has an immediately calming effect. A contemporary take on Georgian style and elegance, the lobby is inspired by a traditional Southern porch, while the inviting Hearth Lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of champagne in front of the fire under the glow of a vintage chandelier.
Pampering is a top priority: an entire floor is dedicated to the spa, which offers a Himalayan salt room, CBD treatments and medical-grade facials, while the hotel’s 507 rooms and suites feature luxurious marble bathrooms with chic toiletries from Swedish beauty brand Byredo.
Top suite to book: The crown jewel is the Whitley Suite, complete with grand piano and views of Atlanta through wraparound windows.
www.thewhitleyhotel.com
(See also: The best luxury hotels in Tampa)
The St. Regis Atlanta
The St. Regis is one of the best luxury hotels in Atlanta and is one of the most popular hotels for Hollywood’s elite when they are in town for filming.
Although the hotel celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, it exudes the glamour of an older grande dame, thanks to its lavish interiors, unique in-suite butler service, Italian-inspired courtyard pool and imaginative afternoon tea under the frescoed ceiling in Astor Court.
An exceptional collection of 20th century modern art adorns the walls of the fine dining restaurant Atlas, which was recently awarded a Michelin star under the direction of a young British chef who has worked at the three-star Alain Ducasse restaurant at the Dorchester in London, among other places. Guests can also look forward to evening champagne toasts. a la the time-honored St. Regis tradition of sabrage.
The sixth-floor spa is one of the best in the city and prides itself on customizable treatments using products such as Omorovizca’s Blue Diamond Collection.
Top suite to book: The 3,000-square-foot Empire Suite, with its large living room, impressive stone fireplaces and marble inlaid floors, ensures a warm welcome to your glamorous Southern-style home away from home.
marriott.com/st-regis-atlanta
Nobu Hotel Atlanta
Located right next to Dior and Cartier in Buckhead’s exclusive Phipps Plaza, Nobu Hotel Atlanta is the latest luxury hotel to open its doors in this exclusive part of town. A destination as stylish as this calls for a stylish ride, and hotel guests are offered exclusive access to Nobu’s electric Porsche Taycan and Porsche Cayenne house cars, complete with chauffeur.
Nobu’s signature minimalist design aesthetic is unmistakable, with subtle Japanese influences everywhere, from Ikebana floral arrangements to light-filled suites with walnut paneling and hand-painted wallpaper reminiscent of shoji room dividers.
Of course, food plays an important role. The restaurant attracts a fashion-conscious crowd, as chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s menu is inspired by Japanese and South American flavors.
Top suite to book: The most luxurious accommodation option is the Nobu Villa on the exclusive ninth floor. The unique accommodation features a spacious living area with a custom-painted piano, a media lounge, a Japanese-style bedroom with its own spa-like bathroom and direct access to the rooftop terrace and pool.
nobuhotels.com/atlanta
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
Occupying the first 19 floors of a 53-story neoclassical skyscraper in Midtown, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta offers easy access to both Downtown and Buckhead, some of the city’s best restaurants and the famous Piedmont Park.
Guests are greeted by a palatial atrium lobby with an impressive marble staircase and a chandelier made of 500 crystals, while the hotel’s 244 elegant rooms and suites exude a residential atmosphere with their decor in soft tones and local contemporary art.
A newly opened spa has been transformed into a state-of-the-art retreat by renowned interior design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, whose other recent projects include the OWO Residence by Raffles in London and One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai.
The family-friendly luxury hotel is perfectly prepared for its younger guests with amenities such as mini slippers and bathrobes, play tents, welcome biscuits and the option of child-safe rooms.
Top suite to book: The luxurious Presidential Suite offers more than 185 square meters of space with separate living, dining and sleeping areas as well as breathtaking views of the city.
fourseasons.com/atlanta
Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead unveiled a comprehensive renovation of all 127 guest rooms and suites last year and now features a sophisticated makeover that combines Art Deco design with playful details that nod to Atlanta’s nickname, “City in the Woods.”
The hotel is housed in a 42-story tower designed by renowned American architect Robert AM Stern. The renovation included the addition of two new Astoria Suites and a striking redesign of the 220-square-meter Presidential Suite.
The new signature restaurant, Brassica, serves French brasserie-style dishes prepared with locally sourced produce. Don’t miss pre-dinner cocktails at the retro-style marble-topped bar.
Top suite to book: The Presidential Suite offers 218 sqm of luxury and seclusion, with one bedroom and one bathroom as well as an impressive space for daily living and dining in the suite.
hilton.com/waldorf-astoria-atlanta-buckhead
(See also: The best luxury hotels in San Francisco)
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Just across the border from Atlanta, the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee serves as a dreamy lakefront oasis that transports busy city dwellers, couples and multigenerational families to another world on 30 acres of waterfront beneath towering pines.
From a newly opened 25,000-square-foot spa to five championship golf courses and 11 delicious dining options, lakeside living has never been more luxurious. Summer is all about land and lake, with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing available. In true Ritz-Carlton style, there’s also an infinity pool lined with chic cabanas. Winter is just as magical – think ice skating and s’mores by the fire.
Top suite to book: Each of the unique cottages comes with exclusive access to a cottage concierge and is charmingly named after local flora—such as our favorite, the two-bedroom waterfront Wisteria Cottage. The luxury resort’s most coveted key card belongs to the Lake House, a three-story, four-bedroom lakefront residence tucked away from the main hotel and surrounded by lush gardens for ultimate privacy.
ritzcarlton.com/lake-oconee
(See also: The best luxury hotels in Scottsdale)
