Atlanta has long been a destination possessing a penchant for luxury, with the world’s best hotel brands such as the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Four Seasons establishing themselves decades ago.
Home to a swathe of Fortune 500 companies, glittering music and film industries, as well as a tech sector rivaling Silicon Valley in percentage growth, there’s never been a shortage of business travelers checking in to Atlanta’s best luxury hotels. However, business is not Atlanta’s only draw. A rich history; a cultural scene incorporating everything from hip hop and street art to world-leading museums; stadiums aplenty and an abundance of green space are just some of the strings to Atlanta’s bow.
With Lonely Planet naming Atlanta as one of its top five cities in the world to visit in 2022, a string of tastemakers and glossy travel publications have followed. The Michelin Guide’s arrival in the fall of 2023, along with a procession of international fashion houses opening in the up-scale neighborhood of Buckhead (Givenchy being the latest) has affirmed Atlanta’s rise to becoming one of the south’s most desired destinations.
“Between Atlanta’s thriving dining scene and [the] influx of international business, people are choosing to visit the city for many reasons,” Guntrum Merl, general manager at The St. Regis Atlanta tells us. “Buckhead’s continued growth as Atlanta’s most sought-after neighborhood, with its luxury shopping and high-end restaurants, has brought luminaries to [The St. Regis] for the last 15 years [since opening].”
To sample the best of the city, we’ve curated a list of our favorite luxury hotels in Atlanta delivering five-star comfort fused with Southern hospitality. Well placed to be in easy reach of the city’s top shopping and dining spots, as well as key attractions, many of the hotels we’ve selected feature in Elite Traveler’s World’s Finest Suites which recognizes the very best in service, amenities and experience.
[See also: The 8 Best Restaurants In Atlanta]
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The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
It doesn’t get any more central than The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta which marks its 40th anniversary this year. Perfectly positioned in the middle of Downtown on famed Peachtree Street, a short stroll will take you to the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Make your way to the hotel’s Lumen Lounge on Thursdays through Saturdays for live jazz whilst sipping on artfully mixed cocktails (order the new French 84, crafted with Cranberry Gin liqueur), and tuck into seasonal all-American fare amongst the leather booths and vintage photographs of AG Steakhouse.
Top suite to book: Top-tier service and some of the best luxury suites in the city make The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta Downtown’s most sought-after offering, but The Ritz-Carlton Suite is the creme de la creme. Spanning nearly 1,000 sq-ft and offering panoramic skyline views and integrated technology, the one-bedroom suite is a true city sanctuary for business and leisure travelers alike.
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The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead
Despite being nestled in the heart of it all, walking into The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead has an instantly soothing effect. A contemporary interpretation of Georgian style and grace, the lobby draws inspiration from a traditional southern front porch, whilst the inviting Hearth Lounge is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of champagne in front of the fire under the glow of a vintage chandelier.
Pampering is a priority, with an entire floor dedicated to the spa which features a Himalayan salt room, CBD-infused treatments and medical-grade facials, whilst the hotel’s 507 rooms and suites feature luxe marble bathrooms with swish amenities by Swedish beauty brand Byredo.
Top suite to book: The jewel in the crown is the Whitley Suite, complete with grand piano and views over Atlanta through wraparound windows.
[See also: The Best Luxury Hotels in Tampa]
The St. Regis Atlanta
A favorite amongst Hollywood’s elite when in town for filming, The St. Regis is one of Atlanta’s best luxury hotels.
Though the hotel marks its 15th birthday this year, it exudes the glamor of an older grande dame thanks to its lavish interiors, signature in-suite butler service, Italian-inspired courtyard pool and fanciful Afternoon Tea beneath the frescoed ceiling at Astor Court.
An exceptional collection of 20th-century modern art lines the walls of fine dining restaurant Atlas, which was recently awarded a Michelin star under the leadership of a young British chef whose training includes a stint at three-star Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in London. Guests can also expect to revel in nightly champagne toasts à la the time-honored St. Regis tradition of sabrage.
The sixth-floor spa is one of the city’s finest and prides itself on customizable treatments, utilizing products such as Omorovizca’s Blue Diamond Collection.
Top suite to book: The 3,000-sq-ft Empire Suite, with its grand living room, impressive stone fireplaces and marble inlay flooring, makes for a warm welcome to your glamorous Southern home away from home.
Nobu Hotel Atlanta
Located just next door to the likes of Dior and Cartier at high-end Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, Nobu Hotel Atlanta is the latest luxury hotel to open its doors in this exclusive part of town. Such a stylish destination calls for a stylish ride, with hotel guests offered exclusive access to Nobu’s electric Porsche Taycan and Porsche Cayenne house cars, complete with driver.
Nobu’s signature minimalist design aesthetic is unmistakable, with subtle Japanese influences everywhere, from ikebana floral arrangements to light-filled suites with walnut-slatted wood paneling and hand-painted paper wall coverings reminiscent of shoji screens.
Naturally, food plays an important role. The restaurant attracts a fashionable crowd, with chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s menu inspired by Japanese and South American flavors.
Top suite to book: For the most luxurious accommodation option, look to The Nobu Villa, found on the exclusive ninth floor The unique stay features an expansive living space with a custom-painted piano, a media lounge, a Japanese-inspired bedroom with a spa-like ensuite and direct access to the rooftop terrace and pool.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
Occupying the first 19 floors of a 53-story neoclassical-inspired skyscraper in Midtown, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta is situated in easy reach of both Downtown and Buckhead, as well as some of the city’s best restaurants and the iconic Piedmont Park.
Guests are welcomed by a palatial atrium lobby featuring an impressive marble staircase and 500-crystal chandelier, whilst the hotel’s 244 plush rooms and suites exude a residential feel, adorned in soothing tones and local contemporary artworks.
A newly unveiled spa has been transformed into a state-of-the-art sanctuary by renowned interiors firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, whose other recent projects include The OWO Residence by Raffles in London and One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai.
The family-friendly luxury hotel is perfectly prepped for younger guests with offerings including mini-sized slippers and robes, play tents, welcome cookies and the option of child-proofed rooms.
Top suite to book: The luxurious Presidential Suite offers more than 2,000 sq-ft of space with separate living, dining, and sleeping areas, complemented by stunning city views.
Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead
Fresh from a head-to-toe makeover of all 127 guest rooms and suites, the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead revealed a sophisticated makeover last year, fusing deco design with whimsical touches that draw on Atlanta’s moniker as “a city in the forest”.
Housed in a 42-story tower designed by renowned American architect Robert A.M Stern, the property’s revamp includes the addition of two new Astoria Suites and a striking redesign of the property’s 2,340 sq ft Presidential Suite.
The new signature restaurant, Brassica serves French brasserie-style dishes created with locally-sourced produce. Don’t miss pre-dinner cocktails at the retro-inspired marble-top bar.
Top suite to book: The Presidential Suite offers 2,340 sq-ft of luxury and seclusion, with one bedroom and one bathroom as well as an impressive space for everyday living and in-suite dining.
hilton.com/waldorf-astoria-atlanta-buckhead
[See also: The Best Luxury Hotels in San Francisco]
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
A little past the edge of Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee acts as a dreamy lakefront haven, transporting busy city types, couples and multigenerational families to another world along 30 acres of shoreline beneath towering pines.
From a freshly unveiled 27,000 sq-ft spa to five championship golf courses and 11 delectable dining options, lakeside living has never been this luxurious. Summer centers around the land and lake with kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fishing on offer. In true Ritz-Carlton style, there’s also an infinity pool lined by chic cabanas. Winter is equally magical – think ice skating and fireside s’mores.
Top suite to book: Each of the one-of-a-kind cottages comes with exclusive access to a Cottage Concierge and is charmingly named after local flora – such as our favorite, the two-bedroom waterfront Wisteria. The luxury resort’s most coveted key card belongs to The Lake House, a three-story, four-bedroom, lake-side residence hidden away from the main hotel and cocooned by mature gardens for the ultimate privacy.
[See also: The Best Luxury Hotels in Scottsdale]
