Arrival/Check-In: I traveled to Atlanta with GT publisher and CEO Francis X. Gallagher for meetings, and the lobby was abuzz when we arrived. Despite a short line, check-in was quick, even with the front desk attendant looking up my loyalty program information for me and adding it to my reservation. I thought it was a nice touch that she wrote her first name on my keycard holder so I could ask for her by name if I had any questions.

Guest Quarters: I was excited to learn I was booked in a Wellness Level deluxe room. The special guestrooms are dedicated to health, wellness and well-being and include PURE air purification, the iHome Zenergy light and sound therapy machine, healthy snacks and drinks in the minibar, a Wellness App Directory for in-room meditation and workouts, a yoga mat, a foam roller and a stability ball. Guests also enjoy complimentary daily access to Resolution Fitness at 191 and complimentary transportation to local gyms. I definitely made use of the amenities.

In total, the hotel offers 444 guestrooms and suites. My room opened into a short hallway, with an entry table and stool that doubled as a vanity and a closet to the right and the bathroom to the left. I did find the bathroom a bit in need of a refresh. The room opened up, with a credenza and TV to the right and the comfortable king-sized bed, flanked by two nightstands, to the left. The desk and in-room wellness amenities sat by the windows, which afforded a city view.

Services/Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta’s AG is a recently re-imagined steakhouse. My colleague and I enjoyed dinner there one night of our stay; I was a fan of my Brussels sprouts and filet Oscar. We also met the next morning for breakfast and chatted with the friendly bartender, hostess and sommelier. AG takes craft cocktails seriously, and the process was fun to watch. The renovated interior includes unique décor touches. At Lumen Bar, which we also visited for a cocktail, live music is offered Tuesdays through Sundays. Jittery Joe’s and in-room dining round out the culinary offerings.

The property also boasts more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space and both on- and off-site fitness facilities. We did notice, however, the valet service took a bit of time, so plan accordingly.

TOP TAKEAWAYS:

◆ My favorite in-room amenity was a Peloton bike. As a regular spin class attendee, I was happy not to miss my weekly session, and I loved the 1990s-themed class I virtually attended from the comfort of my guestroom.

◆ Staying downtown allowed us to easily commute to and from our meetings near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and helped us avoid some of the recent traffic congestion and confusion plaguing the city.

◆ The concierge made an excellent dinner recommendation, South City Kitchen, in the Midtown neighborhood. We arranged for the house car to drive us to and from dinner and were pleased to learn our driver had been with the hotel for 20-plus years.

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

181 Peachtree St., N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
tel 404 659 0400
ritzcarlton.com