Which Starwood hotel in Atlanta?
#166
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
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Posts: 307
It's in an awkward location far from the shopping and restaurants in Buckhead, although it would be great for someone using a car (but IIRC I think they only have expensive valet parking even though it's a suburban property). It's also far from the subway/light rail lines, but the hotel offers local transportation, including to the station on a direct line to the airport.
Let's put it this way, locals head to the area around the St. Regis. Tourists head to the mall in "Buckhead" (really, just the location of the high rises), which is where the Westin/W/Intercontinental are.
#167
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I actually strongly disagree with this re the location of the St. Regis. It is located far away from the mall (Lenox/Phipps) and from the restaurants located in hotel lobbies. But it is MUCH better located for high end shopping and good restaurants. The new Shops of ATL district is walking distance (2 blocks) and contains all of the high end shops (Tom Ford, Louboutin, etc.). Some of the best restaurants are also walking distance, Chops, Umi, American Cut, etc. The restaurant at the St. Regis, Atlas, has just been redone and has been receiving excellent reviews. And the bar scene at the St. Regis is second to none.
Let's put it this way, locals head to the area around the St. Regis. Tourists head to the mall in "Buckhead" (really, just the location of the high rises), which is where the Westin/W/Intercontinental are.
Let's put it this way, locals head to the area around the St. Regis. Tourists head to the mall in "Buckhead" (really, just the location of the high rises), which is where the Westin/W/Intercontinental are.
Plenty of local residents head to Lenox/Phipps.
I've asked several times, via the proper channels, hopefully this thread, along with the threads listed below can be merged into ONE master thread. These additional threads may be helpful to the OP and other FTers.
Which Starwood hotel in Atlanta?
What is the nicest SPG hotel in Atlanta
Best Atlanta property for sightseeing?
#168
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: SPG, DL
Posts: 307
I don't disagree. But when someone mentions "shopping" when they travel and stay somewhere, they usually mean "destination shopping," i.e. shops you can only find in a few places. Lenox/Phipps are pretty typical malls which you can find in any large city in America (albeit nice malls). The shops near the StR are "destination shopping."
And we don't know what OP is looking to do. The things near the StR are very much high end. The places surrounding the W and Westin in Buckhead are more middle to upper-middle class in price point and style. And midtown is great if OP wants to experience more ATL culture (Piedmont park, VaHi, Westside, Beltline, etc.).
And we don't know what OP is looking to do. The things near the StR are very much high end. The places surrounding the W and Westin in Buckhead are more middle to upper-middle class in price point and style. And midtown is great if OP wants to experience more ATL culture (Piedmont park, VaHi, Westside, Beltline, etc.).
#169
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Location: New York, NY
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I don't disagree. But when someone mentions "shopping" when they travel and stay somewhere, they usually mean "destination shopping," i.e. shops you can only find in a few places. Lenox/Phipps are pretty typical malls which you can find in any large city in America (albeit nice malls). The shops near the StR are "destination shopping."
And we don't know what OP is looking to do. The things near the StR are very much high end. The places surrounding the W and Westin in Buckhead are more middle to upper-middle class in price point and style. And midtown is great if OP wants to experience more ATL culture (Piedmont park, VaHi, Westside, Beltline, etc.).
And we don't know what OP is looking to do. The things near the StR are very much high end. The places surrounding the W and Westin in Buckhead are more middle to upper-middle class in price point and style. And midtown is great if OP wants to experience more ATL culture (Piedmont park, VaHi, Westside, Beltline, etc.).
#170
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've stayed at every property listed, some many times. I'd only recommend St. Regis and IC. The DT W and Ritz are very nice as well. I think midtown and Buckhead W's are dumps. Buckhead Ritz is older and not memorable reminds me of STL Ritz. It's a hike but the Le Meridien is nice with plenty of suites and club lounge. MARTA train from airport is faster to Buckhead than driving in rush hour. When I'm staying in buckhead I take train from airport and Uber wherever else as I find parking expensive and an annoyance. The sushi place next to St Regis is one of my all time favorites.
#171
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I've stayed at every property listed, some many times. I'd only recommend St. Regis and IC. The DT W and Ritz are very nice as well. I think midtown and Buckhead W's are dumps. Buckhead Ritz is older and not memorable reminds me of STL Ritz. It's a hike but the Le Meridien is nice with plenty of suites and club lounge. MARTA train from airport is faster to Buckhead than driving in rush hour. When I'm staying in buckhead I take train from airport and Uber wherever else as I find parking expensive and an annoyance. The sushi place next to St Regis is one of my all time favorites.
The St. Regis is the best SPG Luxury property. The Westin Buckhead is the best full service property. Better than the Westin Peachtree (convention hotel ground zero).
I think the IC and Mandarin Oriental are better than the either of the ATL Ritz-Carlton properties.
The W Midtown has always been a great spot for me (even when it was a Sheraton) I've always been upgraded to nice suites.
I've also been treated very well at the W Downtown
I recently had a great stay a the Westin Peachtree and would return. My only issue was sub par wifi and when you're on high floors you get terrible mobile phone reception.
It really depends on what you need in a property and due to Atlanta's horrible traffic where you want and need to be. Marta from the Airport to Downtown, Midtown or Buckhead is the way to go if you're going to be centered and not stray from those areas.
I've never stayed at the Loews Midtown but have been to the restaurant, which is very nice. I've had close friends (two different people on two occasions) stay there and were not impressed. The hotel is in a great location and on paper it's comparable to the Buckhead Westin or IC, but in person the staff and service is terrible.
#172
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 4
Thanks for the replies so far everyone. I'm kind of shocked several people have recommended the InterContinental over the other properties. I guess I just assumed from looking at the photos and price ($149. per night compared to ~$300 for the others) that it would not be as nice. If I book the IC through AMEX FHR I can get $100 food credit which would basically make the hotel cost me $49 which is a great deal. I am actually local to metro Atlanta and am very familiar with whats around the hotels. Price isn't so much of a concern to me because all of the hotels are relatively close to the same price give or take $75. I'm really just looking for the best bang for my buck.
#173
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Thanks for the replies so far everyone. I'm kind of shocked several people have recommended the InterContinental over the other properties. I guess I just assumed from looking at the photos and price ($149. per night compared to ~$300 for the others) that it would not be as nice. If I book the IC through AMEX FHR I can get $100 food credit which would basically make the hotel cost me $49 which is a great deal. I am actually local to metro Atlanta and am very familiar with whats around the hotels. Price isn't so much of a concern to me because all of the hotels are relatively close to the same price give or take $75. I'm really just looking for the best bang for my buck.
If price isn't a concern, choose what you think is the best property for your needs.
#174
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: AAdvantage, Rapid Rewards, AMEX Platinum, Marriott Rewards, Delta Sky Miles, SPG
Posts: 7
I'll be staying in Atlanta this weekend and am looking for SPG property recommendations (or properties outside of SPG if they are better). The Midtown area would be ideal but the W Midtown seems to get very mediocre reviews.
I have an AMEX Platinum and SPG card so I could use FHR to get added benefits on some of the properties.
I've narrowed it down to the following properties (SPG and others):
Midtown:
W Midtown
Loews
Hyatt Midtown
Buckhead:
St. Regis
Ritz Carlton
W Buckhead
InterContinental Buckhead
Thoughts?
I have an AMEX Platinum and SPG card so I could use FHR to get added benefits on some of the properties.
I've narrowed it down to the following properties (SPG and others):
Midtown:
W Midtown
Loews
Hyatt Midtown
Buckhead:
St. Regis
Ritz Carlton
W Buckhead
InterContinental Buckhead
Thoughts?
I would recommend staying in Buckhead at the InterContinental or Ritz. Another hotel outside of Marriott/SPG is the Mandarin Oriental, it is a beautiful property.
#175
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I stayed at the W Midtown for a conference, and I will not be a paying guest anytime soon. In my opinion, they are trying to be too hard to be trendy. I really didn't enjoy the box of condoms they left in my room, as well as a bar stocked as well as the bar in the lobby.
I would recommend staying in Buckhead at the InterContinental or Ritz. Another hotel outside of Marriott/SPG is the Mandarin Oriental, it is a beautiful property.
I would recommend staying in Buckhead at the InterContinental or Ritz. Another hotel outside of Marriott/SPG is the Mandarin Oriental, it is a beautiful property.
W properties, like them or not, were a part of the "trendy boutique hotel" brands, right after Kimpton.
#176
Join Date: Jun 2017
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Posts: 7
Are you saying the property left you a specific box of condoms or are you describing the "intimacy kit" that W properties provide?? We're the condoms they left you not the right size/style or brand? Hey...I couldn't resist! LOL
W properties, like them or not, were a part of the "trendy boutique hotel" brands, right after Kimpton.
W properties, like them or not, were a part of the "trendy boutique hotel" brands, right after Kimpton.
#177
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#178
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
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I think they are all at different levels. The W's - in ATL - are party hotels. Period, full stop!
The St. Regis is the best SPG Luxury property. The Westin Buckhead is the best full service property. Better than the Westin Peachtree (convention hotel ground zero).
I think the IC and Mandarin Oriental are better than the either of the ATL Ritz-Carlton properties.
The W Midtown has always been a great spot for me (even when it was a Sheraton) I've always been upgraded to nice suites.
W Atlanta - Midtown - Wow Suite - YouTube
I've also been treated very well at the W Downtown
W Atlanta - Downtown - Mega Suite - YouTube
The elevators are annoying and in summer the pool area is over run by no guest partiers.
I recently had a great stay a the Westin Peachtree and would return. My only issue was sub par wifi and when you're on high floors you get terrible mobile phone reception.
It really depends on what you need in a property and due to Atlanta's horrible traffic where you want and need to be. Marta from the Airport to Downtown, Midtown or Buckhead is the way to go if you're going to be centered and not stray from those areas.
I've never stayed at the Loews Midtown but have been to the restaurant, which is very nice. I've had close friends (two different people on two occasions) stay there and were not impressed. The hotel is in a great location and on paper it's comparable to the Buckhead Westin or IC, but in person the staff and service is terrible.
The St. Regis is the best SPG Luxury property. The Westin Buckhead is the best full service property. Better than the Westin Peachtree (convention hotel ground zero).
I think the IC and Mandarin Oriental are better than the either of the ATL Ritz-Carlton properties.
The W Midtown has always been a great spot for me (even when it was a Sheraton) I've always been upgraded to nice suites.
W Atlanta - Midtown - Wow Suite - YouTube
I've also been treated very well at the W Downtown
W Atlanta - Downtown - Mega Suite - YouTube
The elevators are annoying and in summer the pool area is over run by no guest partiers.
I recently had a great stay a the Westin Peachtree and would return. My only issue was sub par wifi and when you're on high floors you get terrible mobile phone reception.
It really depends on what you need in a property and due to Atlanta's horrible traffic where you want and need to be. Marta from the Airport to Downtown, Midtown or Buckhead is the way to go if you're going to be centered and not stray from those areas.
I've never stayed at the Loews Midtown but have been to the restaurant, which is very nice. I've had close friends (two different people on two occasions) stay there and were not impressed. The hotel is in a great location and on paper it's comparable to the Buckhead Westin or IC, but in person the staff and service is terrible.
#179
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Something nice about the W Buckhead is that it's not a typical W in style and in particular doesn't have all the dark colors, but I think the same is true of the downtown W too. I've never stayed in W midtown so it might be dark or not.
#180
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I would never recommend that property.