Luxury Hotels in Atlanta, Buckhead to Downtown
Luxury in Atlanta splits between two districts. Buckhead, north of the centre, is the upscale shopping and dining area around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, and it is home to the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, the top-rated hotel here at 9.5, and The Whitley, a Luxury Collection hotel with a spa and indoor heated pool. Downtown puts you within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium and State Farm Arena, where Twelve Downtown and the Glenn Hotel offer rooftop pools and lounges. The Tess, Autograph Collection, adds balconies and a rooftop pool. Hotels are ranked by guest rating.
Atlanta is the largest city in Georgia and the home of Coca-Cola, CNN and the world's busiest airport. It is a green, spread-out city of tree-lined neighbourhoods linked by Peachtree Street, with a long civil rights history and a lively restaurant scene that ranges from Southern cooking to fine dining.
Buckhead spas or downtown rooftops
Choosing a luxury hotel in Atlanta is mostly a choice of neighbourhood. Buckhead gives you full-service spas, indoor pools and designer shopping within a short walk, with a MARTA station nearby for trips into town. Downtown hotels trade some of that calm for easy access to the city's big attractions, arenas and the convention district.
The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is the highest-rated luxury hotel on this list, with a 9.5 score from guests and five-star service. Its spa is the most complete in the selection, with an indoor swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness room, and rooms come with minibars and flat-screen TVs. The restaurant serves American and Asian dishes, and breakfast is available each morning. Buckhead's main shopping streets, including Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, are close by, so it is easy to spend a day between treatments, lunch and boutiques without needing a car or a long trip into central Atlanta.
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is the other big Buckhead address. It is a five-star hotel with a luxury spa, an indoor heated pool and an on-site restaurant, and it sits within walking distance of Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the Buckhead MARTA station. That rail link is a real advantage: trains run south through Midtown to downtown and on to Hartsfield-Jackson airport, so you can skip Atlanta's traffic for some trips. Guests rate it 8.7 from nearly 300 reviews, and selected suites offer extra space, which makes it a sensible luxury option for families or longer business stays in the city.
The Tess, Autograph Collection, rated 9.0 from more than 160 reviews, is a five-star hotel built around outdoor space. Rooms have balconies with city views, and the rooftop swimming pool and sun terrace are the main draw on warm Georgia afternoons, which arrive early in spring and last well into autumn. A fitness centre, restaurant and bar are on site, and the hotel accepts pets, which is useful for travellers on a longer road trip through the South. It suits couples and visitors who would rather spend an evening on a terrace above the city than in a hotel spa or indoor pool area.
Downtown, Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection, occupies a high-rise with spacious suites and fully equipped kitchens, plus a rooftop pool. It is close to Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola, and its 8.8 rating from more than 470 reviews is the strongest track record on the list. The Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection, is a smaller option within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium, State Farm Arena and the CNN Center area. Its rooftop sky lounge is a popular spot for a drink with views over the skyline, and a 24-hour gym and business centre cover the practical side of a work trip.
A traveler's perspectiveFor a luxury weekend in Atlanta, I would choose the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. Its 9.5 guest rating is the best on the list, the spa covers everything from sauna to indoor pool, and Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza are close enough to walk. My advice for a game or concert at State Farm Arena is the Glenn Hotel, a short walk away downtown.
Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
Atlanta
79 reviews
Luxury retreat in Buckhead with a full-service spa and indoor pool
Check availabilityWhy guests love itWaldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead is a five-star hotel in the Buckhead district where families get an indoor pool for the children and a full spa with a sauna, hot tub and treatments for the parents. Rooms come with bathrobes, minibars and flat-screen TVs, and the restaurant serves American and Asian cuisine with several breakfast options, which helps with picky eaters. Guests rate it 9.5 from 79 reviews.
The Tess, Autograph Collection
Atlanta
165 reviews
Luxury rooms with city views, a rooftop pool, and spa wellness
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would pick The Tess for an Atlanta stay that wants a rooftop pool and some polish. Rooms have private balconies and expansive city views, and guests rate the hotel 9.0, though 165 reviews is a modest base. The rooftop pool comes with a sun terrace, and a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center are on site. Rooms are air-conditioned with free WiFi, and pets are welcome.
Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection
Atlanta
473 reviews
Luxury high-rise suites with a rooftop pool in downtown Atlanta
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would choose Twelve Downtown for an Atlanta stay that wants space and a rooftop pool. It is a high-rise hotel with spacious suites, each with a fully equipped kitchen, and guests rate it 8.8 across 473 reviews. The rooftop pool gives city views, an American restaurant is in the building, and pets are welcome. Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola are easy to reach, which suits families and longer stays.
The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead
Atlanta
296 reviews
Luxury spa and indoor pool in the heart of Buckhead
Check availabilityWhy guests love itAn indoor heated pool is the feature I would put first for families at The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead: it works in any season. Parents get a luxury spa and an on-site restaurant, and Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and the Buckhead MARTA station are within walking distance, which makes trips into the city easy without a car. Select suites have panoramic city views. It is a polished, upscale hotel. Guests rate it 8.7 out of 10 over 296 reviews.
Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection
Atlanta
178 reviews
Luxury stay with a rooftop lounge and city views near Atlanta's top attractions
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and State Farm Arena are all within walking distance of the Glenn Hotel, so a family day downtown can be done on foot. Rooms are spacious by city standards, with a minibar and free Wi-Fi, and the on-site restaurant keeps dinner simple after a long day. The rooftop lounge is more of an adult evening spot, and I would book it for families with older children rather than toddlers.
Local tips
- 1Stay in Buckhead for spas and shopping, and downtown for the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and arena events.
- 2The MARTA Red and Gold lines link Buckhead, Midtown, downtown and Hartsfield-Jackson airport without the road traffic.
- 3Atlanta traffic is heavy at rush hour; plan airport transfers outside 7-9am and 4-7pm when you can.
- 4Rooftop pools are at their best from May to September, when Atlanta afternoons are hot and humid.
- 5Book spa treatments when you reserve the room, as weekend slots in Buckhead hotels fill quickly.
- 6Check parking costs: most luxury hotels in Buckhead and downtown charge for valet parking.