In my last post, I wrote about the stunning Presidential Suite at InterContinental Atlanta Buckhead. (It won’t win any Pulitzers, but the photos are worth a gander.)

This post is a Part Two of sorts, regarding my time at the hotel, because it was just that darn good.

If I may, I’d like to start with my dinner at The Americano Restaurant and the most unusual drink I’ve recently enjoyed called Peas and Thank You. This martini-ish beverage is a melon-infused vodka drink with a cucumber and snap peas tincture atop a large ice cube. Crisp, refreshing and no lingering vegetable flavor.

For dinner, I decided on lighter fare with a burrata salad and braised Wagyu beef cheeks from the appetizer menu. Both were a bit unexpectedly Southern in taste (again, more peas) but divine!

And finally, for dessert I opted for the Chocolate Tortino, a dish so incredibly rich, I couldn’t finish it. When I asked the bartender to box it up for me so I could secretly enjoy it for breakfast the next morning, he mentioned he had “accidently dropped” my half-eaten dessert (creating air quotes with his fingers as he spoke). Therefore, my to-go box contained a fresh, new, gorgeous Tortino instead. How delightful and fortunate for me!

While The Americano Restaurant from two-time James Beard award-winner Scott Conant is certainly an easy recommendation to make, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give equal time to the latest phase-one renovations recently completed at InterContinental Atlanta Buckhead.

Upon walking in, my eye instantly captured two amazing features in the great hall. The first is the incredible works of art by local mixed media artist Niki Zarrabi. On the main interior walls, her abstract floral murals bring a modern, feminine twist to gentle, Southern style. Painted in soft pastels, the flowers unexpectedly drip and bleed outside the frame. Similar prints are offered in each of the rooms, causing a cohesive feel within the entire hotel.

The second item of note is the rose marble floors. As legend has it, a full pallet of rare, rose marble shattered as hotel construction began, rendering the remainder of the imported marble useless. That is, until someone decided to break all the marble and carefully piece it back together, creating an unforgettable, iconic floor pattern throughout the hotel lobby, elevators and common areas.

Overall, the hotel is fabulous — the décor is easily one of my favorites of the entire year. The blown-glass light fixture, gorgeous green foliage, delightful dog by the fireplace and tonal art in the hallways all seamlessly blend together in exceptional design.

And, of course, nothing beats Chocolate Tortino for breakfast.

— Carrie Cox, account executive