Arrival/Check-in: Sometimes you’re the attendee and sometimes you’re the spouse. This time I was the latter as my husband and I went to Atlanta for a conference. We arrived at the hotel by limo, courtesy of a conference sponsor, and took the elevator to the lobby level for check-in. Although we had requested a guestroom with one king bed, we were given a standard double. The front desk representative told us to check back later to ask for a room change, but he didn’t sound hopeful. We checked later — twice — and received a “no” both times. But third time’s the charm. Around dinnertime, Fay at the front desk found us a king. Thank you, Fay. (17/20)

Guest Quarters: Our standard double was fine, with a 12th-floor view of the city and a little slice of Centennial Olympic Park. But the king room — a handicapped-accessible room that the hotel assured me would not be required during our stay — was bigger and more comfortable. It had a balcony overlooking the atrium from which I could watch the crowds lining up for tours of CNN’s studios. Guestrooms are done in soothing shades of gold with ruby accents, and the beds plumped with assorted satin- and velvet-covered throw pillows. Wireless Internet access is available in the guestrooms for a fee, but the fee is waived for Omni Select Guest members. (I’d signed us up for free online the day before we arrived.) Select Guest members also get complimentary newspapers and room-service coffee, tea or juice in the mornings. (13/15)

Services/Amenities: The hotel is attached to CNN Center and Philips Arena, and is adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center. The spa, where I had a pleasant massage, is run by regional chain NB Natural Body. Guests have 24-hour keycard access to the fitness center. (The locker room and sauna were not as clean as they should have been.) There’s also a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, a restaurant, a bar and a snack café. Plus lots and lots of meeting and function space. (40/45)

The Experience: I was impressed by the friendliness of the hotel staff and indeed the friendliness of Atlantans overall. The hotel staff seemed to be everywhere — in the lobby (see photo above), the elevators, the meeting rooms. They make a vast space — two full towers of guestrooms — feel comfortable and welcoming. This hotel does a brisk business in conferences and it’s easy to understand why. (19/20)

Total Score: (89/100)

OMNI HOTEL AT CNN CENTER
100 CNN Center Atlanta, Ga. 30303
tel 404 659 0000
http://www.omnihotels.com