Four Seasons Atlanta: a very nice stay with great service and weak wifi
Introduction I had to be in Atlanta for 1 night before starting an official visit to the University of Georgia. I wanted to visit Georgia Tech, Spelman & Morehouse Colleges, and Clark Atlanta University, as well, so the Four Seasons was a particularly convenient choice with its Mid-town location only a mile or two away from Georgia Tech. It is a rare moment, indeed, when I might choose a Four Seasons over a St Regis, but the St Regis Atlanta's location in Buckhead was more appropriate for the weekend following my UGA visit. I found a wonderful $430 rate for a Mid-town Premier king room at the Four Seasons, much cheaper than the $550 rates for the St Regis, as well. Overall, the Four Seasons is a very nice, modern, and corporate feeling business luxury hotel. On entry, you see the sweeping staircase that made me feel like I might be in a Silicon Valley corporate research park:That table might look good with the floral arrangements, but it took up too much space and made passing it fairly awkward when walking up and down the otherwise spacious stairway--especially when others were doing the same! #baddesignOn either side were seating areas:Reception was to the left (with the concierge desk around the corner):To the right was an area reserved for the Four Seasons Residences:The elevators were behind the sweeping staircase:My room was on the 16th floor. The hallways definitely looked fresh and inviting:My corner room was on the left at the end of a small hallway: Check In Check in was brisk and courteous. The FD agent didn't mention anything about an upgrade, so I asked. The hotel was sold out, so my room was as good as it was going to get. Room I very much liked my Midtown Premier room. It had a corner location and lots of natural light (though the curtains had already been drawn for turndown even by my arrival at 6 pm). I very much appreciated the spaciousness and modern decor of the room, as well.To the right immediately on entry was a niche--which seemed like a missed opportunity for a mini-bar or something!Next to the niche was a small closet with safe:Just beyond the closet was a full length mirror--I know my mother would appreciate that!On the left side of the hall was the spacious bathroom:The bedroom itself was rich, plush, and spacious:The TV was located in a curious location inside the cabinet. It was a bit awkward IMO.The views were nothing to speak much of, but the windows did allow a lot of natural light.The air conditioning worked perfectly, bringing the room down to 65 F in less than a few hours.The complimentary wifi, however, was pitifully slow at 2-3 Mbps, up and down. I was pretty surprised, so I called to see it that was a mistake or whether that was standard. Learning that was standard was a shocking disappoinment! Fortunately, the hotel upgraded me to the premium wifi (normally $20--a rip!) for free. The premium wifi was advertised as being 4-5x as fast, but it was 18-19 Mbps up and down--closer to 10x faster. I think their standard wifi is wholly inadequate. The TV oddly had some problems with some stations:But I just watched some other stations. Still, very odd!Overall, I really liked the room. It was very comfortable, spacious, masculine in decor, and had all the details I might like. The bed was very comfortable and perhaps a little soft for me, but I slept like a baby. The TV and wifi issues were strangely disappointing, but the free wifi upgrade made that a non-issue. Service Service was quite good.I had forgotten my razor, and the front desk was quick to offer a shaving kit on arrival:My complaint about the ridiculously slow complimentary wifi had a quick call back offering me premium wifi at no charge.I also took advantage of the house car service--with a Tesla! (I own a Tesla, so this was a joy.) The hotel graciously not only allowed me use of the car service to get me to Georgia Tech, but also to come pick me up from Georgia Tech with my carry on suitcase (so I didn't have to bring it with me for my GaTech tour) and also transport me from Georgia Tech to Spelman College. I was asked to pay the driver $20 to serve as my suitcase courierk which I found very reasonable and fair. Room service was also gracious and prompt.Overall, I found service to be excellent at the FS Atlanta. Dining As I was only on premises for a single nightm, I only had the chance to have room service breakfast at the hotel. It was brought promptly and tasted very good! Location While I prefer the Buckhead location of the St Regis Atlanta for my personal and other business endeavors in Atlanta, the Four Seasons was perfectly located for my Midtown business with Georgia Tech and Spelman/Morehouse/Clark the next day. It was a 40 min drive during some rush hour traffic from the Atlanta airport. Overall Overall, I enjoyed my stay at the Four Seasons Atlanta and would gladly return were I to have business in the Midtown area. I stayed at the St Regis Atlanta for the following weekend and had the opportunity to compare and contrast the two hotels. There is no question that the FS feels more modern, more corporate and business-like, while the St Regis feels more traditional, more residential, and far more appropriate for a leisure stay. Though I had some service faux pas issues with check in and housekeeping at the St Regis, as well as an air con issue, the overall ambience of the St Regis was far more luxurious and distinctly and obviously Southern--a far better sense of place, to be sure. The Atlas restaurant and high tea at the St Regis were remarakably good, and the Buckhead location of the St Regis is tough to beat. But the reliable service standard at the Four Seasons was overall a bit better for this trip.