Ritz Buckhead (Atlanta) closing
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LA
Programs: AAdvantage, CK, 4 MM; Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 310
Ritz Buckhead (Atlanta) closing
I was at the RC Buckhead, Atlanta earlier this week. I love staying at this Ritz given its surroundings -- nice restaurants, shopping, etc. Just found out during my recent stay that this property will be closing according to the employees. Furthermore, it will not be a Marriott-affiliated property. Therefore, only choice moving forward will be the Ritz in downtown ATL. Unfortunately, nothing much to do after business hours.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
I was at the RC Buckhead, Atlanta earlier this week. I love staying at this Ritz given its surroundings -- nice restaurants, shopping, etc. Just found out during my recent stay that this property will be closing according to the employees. Furthermore, it will not be a Marriott-affiliated property. Therefore, only choice moving forward will be the Ritz in downtown ATL. Unfortunately, nothing much to do after business hours.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
one website says rumors of sale
and hilton (curio/waldorf)
might be blackstone?
but marriott also has autograph, tribute, luxury collection
current owner is public company >
hosthotels.com/properties/domestic/georgia/the-ritz-carlton-buckhead
dont forget st regis buckhead
and hilton (curio/waldorf)
might be blackstone?
but marriott also has autograph, tribute, luxury collection
current owner is public company >
hosthotels.com/properties/domestic/georgia/the-ritz-carlton-buckhead
dont forget st regis buckhead
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Good article on the hotel's potential sale and reflagging: http://www.tonetoatl.com/2017/05/exc...ead-to-be.html
Excerpts from the article:
"The 510 room Ritz Buckhead is in dire need of room renovations, but the company has elected to instead dedicate its precious resources to renovation of other parts of the hotel. . . .
In 2012, the company spent nearly $4 million to renovate the lobby, ballrooms, meeting space, restrooms, fitness area and pool area. It was during this renovation that the hotel started to lose sight of its core clientele: older, educated, wealthy and classy individuals.
The hotel sold off much of its finest art and furniture and replaced it with cheap, generic alternatives that looked like they could have come from the home section of ROSS Dress For Less.
. . .
The hotel is currently in the midst of a restaurant and bar renovation that will reportedly cost about $5 million. The project, which continues the questionable moves made during the lobby renovations, will remove, among other things, the hugely popular and classic lobby fireplace."
- Atlanta Tomorrow's News Today
Excerpts from the article:
"The 510 room Ritz Buckhead is in dire need of room renovations, but the company has elected to instead dedicate its precious resources to renovation of other parts of the hotel. . . .
In 2012, the company spent nearly $4 million to renovate the lobby, ballrooms, meeting space, restrooms, fitness area and pool area. It was during this renovation that the hotel started to lose sight of its core clientele: older, educated, wealthy and classy individuals.
The hotel sold off much of its finest art and furniture and replaced it with cheap, generic alternatives that looked like they could have come from the home section of ROSS Dress For Less.
. . .
The hotel is currently in the midst of a restaurant and bar renovation that will reportedly cost about $5 million. The project, which continues the questionable moves made during the lobby renovations, will remove, among other things, the hugely popular and classic lobby fireplace."
- Atlanta Tomorrow's News Today
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
owner host has been selling hotels, and dropping luxury management even when renovating
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
What a pity! I haven't stayed there in a very long time, but I have very happy memories of the service at this hotel back near the end of the last century.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
It sounds like the owner is having financial and management difficulties.
However, did the Waldorf Astoria and Rosewood in Buckhead also close? There used to be quite a collection of luxury hotel choices for a suburban office area. Is the only remaining luxury choice the StR, which is fairly far from shopping and restaurants (except for the grocery store and wine store)?
However, did the Waldorf Astoria and Rosewood in Buckhead also close? There used to be quite a collection of luxury hotel choices for a suburban office area. Is the only remaining luxury choice the StR, which is fairly far from shopping and restaurants (except for the grocery store and wine store)?
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
no difficulties, just choices, market is good for selling hotels
rosewood became MO in 2012 after being sold(auctioned) in 2010
construction hasnt even started yet >
atlanta.curbed.com/2016/12/15/13964442/waldorf-astoria-atlanta-residences-midtown-opus-place
rosewood became MO in 2012 after being sold(auctioned) in 2010
construction hasnt even started yet >
atlanta.curbed.com/2016/12/15/13964442/waldorf-astoria-atlanta-residences-midtown-opus-place
While developers were at one point in discussions with Waldorf Astoria, these talks ended in June 2016
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
I didn't know all the backstory but this seems a bit surprising in the sense that even though I agree the rooms are quite a bit out of date, demand seems to stay pretty strong. St. Regis seems to be full quite often and isn't walkable to most offices. I'm curious to see what takes its place.
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
It sounds like the owner is having financial and management difficulties.
However, did the Waldorf Astoria and Rosewood in Buckhead also close? There used to be quite a collection of luxury hotel choices for a suburban office area. Is the only remaining luxury choice the StR, which is fairly far from shopping and restaurants (except for the grocery store and wine store)?
However, did the Waldorf Astoria and Rosewood in Buckhead also close? There used to be quite a collection of luxury hotel choices for a suburban office area. Is the only remaining luxury choice the StR, which is fairly far from shopping and restaurants (except for the grocery store and wine store)?
I never thought ATL could support these brands. I thought it was strange that the four seasons built in midtown.
The city has always tried to market this area as the "Beverly Hills of the South" but it never took off.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
#12
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
UPDATE: The Ritz Buckhead will flip to "The Luxury Collection" property this fall
Confirmation came earlier today that the Ritz in Buckhead will be reglagged as "The Whitley," an independent hotel under Starwood (now Marriott's) The Luxury Collection umbrella. As of now there are no The Luxury Collection hotels in Atlanta although there is one under the "Autograph Collection" umbrella, "The Glenn Hotel" in downtown Atlanta.
http://www.tonetoatl.com/2017/09/The-Ritz-Carlton-Buckhead-To-Be-Reflagged-As-The-Whitley.html
http://www.tonetoatl.com/2017/09/The-Ritz-Carlton-Buckhead-To-Be-Reflagged-As-The-Whitley.html
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,114
Welcome to Flyertalk & thanks for the update!
Cheers.
Cheers.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502