ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I flew from Philadelphia to Atlanta and met up with Carrie Cox from our Sarasota office at the airport, where we picked up our rental Mustang convertible for the trip. It was an easy drive from the airport to this lovely area of Buckhead. As we had various appointments around Atlanta and Carrie was taking the car on an extended vacation afterward, a rental proved the best option. As we pulled up to The St. Regis, the team out front was friendly, and the valet parked the car (at New York prices).

Check-in was swift at that late hour, with a friendly front desk team offering water and help with questions. They confirmed we still had time for a bite to eat at The St. Regis Bar, so we decided to drop off our bags in our respective suites and meet in a few minutes.

GUEST QUARTERS: I had a lovely suite (Room 826) with a hallway entrance featuring a closet and built-in dressing area before the entry to the room. The bathroom, also off this hallway, was tastefully appointed with double sinks with white marble counters, a separate tub (with double doors that opened to the room), a separate shower and a room for the toilet. The large bedroom included a king-sized bed and a long credenza on the opposing wall with a huge, flat-screen TV. A self-service minibar sat atop the credenza with half bottles of favorite spirits and attractive glassware. A little sitting area offered a comfortable chair and a round marble-topped table which can double as your work area; I used this setting to conduct a webinar the following morning. A beautiful orchid on the credenza behind this table made for an attractive backdrop. Large windows with heavy drapes to keep out the morning light for late sleepers revealed a cityscape of Buckhead.

The second night I was moved due to a guest above overflowing the bathtub — would they do that at home? I welcomed the upgrade, and The St. Regis team professionally handled the move. It was on the same floor and down the hall, but it afforded me an even larger space, with a separate room for a sofa and second large TV, plus a spectacular patio — large enough to host a 25-person reception overlooking The St. Regis pool.

SERVICES/AMENITIES: The St. Regis takes great pride in its butler service, so I asked to have a pair of shoes shined and a suit pressed while I was having dinner. The staff went in and out of my room like magic, and, all the more, the items were returned perfectly. The St. Regis Bar mirrors the feel of The St. Regis New York, but rather than the painting of Old King Cole, it displays behind the bar a painting of a phoenix rising from the flames to signify Atlanta’s rebirth after the Civil War. We enjoyed meeting the team there for bites and drinks. I also had a power breakfast with my Atlanta bankers to review some financials and discuss pending projects. Location and service are key at The St. Regis, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

• The address cannot be beat, close to many local restaurants like Bones and The Cherokee Club.
• Every evening at 6 p.m. outside of The St. Regis Bar, there is a Sabering of the Champagne ritual, which Carrie accomplished masterfully.

THE ST. REGIS ATLANTA
88 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30305
tel 404 5637900
marriott.com