Marriott Rewards - Request: Atlanta Mariott Recommendations

Fellow FTers -

I am currently staying at Renaissance midtown and will be traveling to Atlanta till the end of the year. The reason I choose this is that it is walkable to my clients place and I prefer walking to work rather than driving in Atlanta.

Prior to this I stayed in Mariott, Toronto and Oh boy Renaissance in no way stands up to the service there. Toronto had a complete breakfast buffet with the most decent food choices ranging from continental to made-to-order eggs. Another shortcoming is that there are no decent dinner places around the hotel (I had been to spotted dogs and baraonda a few times now - these are the only 2 that are walkable from here that I know of and yes I tried varsity too :) ).

Either ways, I am seeking your recommendation for a better Marriott option in Atlanta. I don't mind taking marta if the hotel is good enough.

I am a mariott platinum member, so a good concierge service with good options for breakfast and good evening appetizers would be great. The better the concierge the better it is.

Thanks in Advance!

My only experience in Midtown area has been the Marriott Suites, which I did like, very nice breakfast, though the "suite" is just a very small bedroom off the living area with a french door. My personal favorite in Atlanta is the Renaissance Waverly, who has a great breakfast and a fabulous Sunday brunch, but it is out of the way from Midtown, being on the loop on the Northwest side.

Since I live in Atlanta, I have not had any occasion to stay in any of the hotels here so I can't comment on the CL offerings, but I do know the neighborhoods.

The Marriott Midtown Suites is in a good area, about a 3 block walk to the nearest Marta station and quite a few interesting dining options within a few blocks.

The JW Marriott at Lenox is in the Buckhead area and on the property of a huge shopping mall (Lenox Square). It is directly across the street from a Marta station. Tons of dining options around and you can even go to the food court at the mall for cheap eats.

If you love watching planes, go for the Renaissance ATL. Best hotel in the world to do that, and a really nice lounge also!

OP, I think that the "nice breakfast" you got in Canada is NOT getting repeated here so give up on that. The hotels here are "cheap" and there is NO cooked to order in the Concerige lounge.

If by Concerige you mean lounge.. don't expect much here.

I live here too, but did used to stay at Marriotts before I moved. I would go with Keeton's suggestions. The downtown Marriott was rennovated recently and is probably nice, but the others are in what I consider better locations.

If you love watching planes, go for the Renaissance ATL. Best hotel in the world to do that, and a really nice lounge also!

+1. All things being equal, I'd stay nowhere else in ATL. (Unfortunately, my last trip to town, all things weren't equal!)

My last trip, I had to be downtown for an event at the GWCC, and I stayed at the RI Midtown/Historic. Can't give it an unqualified thumbs-up, adult bookstore next door might put off some people and there were a lot of...ahem...party girls loitering in the lobby on weekend nights. The room was what you must expect in a downtown hotel that used to be some other type of building previous. IOW, if you're not looking to entertain, just a place to get free internet and free breakfast, it's right up your alley.

My only experience in Midtown area has been the Marriott Suites, which I did like, very nice breakfast, though the "suite" is just a very small bedroom off the living area with a french door. My personal favorite in Atlanta is the Renaissance Waverly, who has a great breakfast and a fabulous Sunday brunch, but it is out of the way from Midtown, being on the loop on the Northwest side.

DO NOT STAY AT THE WAVERLY. It is a convention hotel. The lobby is huge and open to all rooms and very loud. The rooms all get a lot of collateral noise from the lobby from the people at the convention. We didn't have breakfast there as we fled as early we could, so no comment on that.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Marquis yet. I think if you want to stay downtown, it's as good as it gets (except for the Ritz Carlton). Great architecture (if you are into that) and CL, lots of choices, rooms have been recently redone. If you want to travel a bit then the JW in Buckhead is the ticket - first class Concierge, they will drive you and pick you up from restaurants in the vicinity. I found both the Marriott Downtown and the Renaissance Midtown to be disappointing.

The JW Buckhead. I've have not stayed there recently, but a year ago the breakfast offering was very good. (Probably not up to the Toronto standard, though.) My company had its annual meeting there. Yes, it felt odd staying in a hotel which was under two miles from my house.

You would be a very short MARTA ride to Midtown. You would be attached to a very upscale mall and a short walk to some very good restaurants, another upscale mall and a nice park if you walk back into the neighborhood. The area is a little safer than Midtown, but you don't have as vibrant a street scene nor the cultural diversions you have in Midtown.

Marriott Suites comps breakfast in their restaurant.

Next to Lenox MARTA station; have a conciege lounge and also they provide free shuttle service to anywhere within a 2 mile radius. I stayed there last week and was very impressed. Cocktails in the lobby bar are expensive ($12).

Thanks all for the response!

Going by the response I am going to choose

1. Marriott Downtown Marquis
2. Marriott Midtown Suites &
3. JW Buckhead Marriott

Starting next week.

You guys are fabulous!

Also anyone used the spa in Marriott Marquis? I have never used spas. How is the pricing (per 30 mins / 60 mins, gratuity etc.)?

Thanks!

I'm a little late chiming in, but I travel to Atlanta for conventions quite often, and always stay at the Marquis.

Don't have anything else to compare it to, but I like the Marquis. The CL is decked out w/ nice food.

Overall, one of the best Marriott's I've stayed in.