This hotel has the advantage of being nearly new, so almost every surface is clean and gleaming. In fact they were celebrating one year of operation during my stay. The lobby and grounds in general are impeccable, even the carpet (as expected) looks just installed.
Once in the room I was surprised to discover the room was smallish. Certainly average to below average size. Perhaps my room was worse than most but I was dissapointed. Compounding the cramped feel was a tiny tube TV in a large cabinet. Such a new and expensive hotel deserves larger LCD TV's in my opinion.
My mood brightened considerably when I entered the bathroom. Large and well done, with pleasing marble on the floor and shower and dark granite accents all around. The heavy glass shower doors were a bonus and the separte tub a nice touch.
Being a social loser, I ordered room service both nights I was there. I was treated to probably the best room service meals ever. I have stayed in top hotels in Maui, Chicago, and New York, and I would put the food in this hotel up with the best. The second night I indulged in a burger, and although not a gourmet choice it was outstanding, one of the best burgers I have ever had anywhere. Considering the cost of the room I didn't find the food prices to be out of line.
One night after dinner I wandered down to the bar and was greeted by live music which was quite good. Evidentailly this is available every night and is a nice bonus.
A big advantage of this hotel is location. Walk to Lenox and Phipps Plaza, among the best malls in metro Atlanta. The train station (Marta) is only a block and a half away, providing extremely easy access to the airport and other attractions downtown. Finally, you are near Peidmont Ave, home of some excellent resturants within easy walking distance. I would recommend this as one of the best locations in Atlanta.
There were two big negatives which hurt this hotel and took away a top rating. First, the walls are poorly insulated allowing one to hear everything in the room next to you. I was actually awoken by a rather loud snoring next door, and I could clearly hear converstaion in the other room. Whoever built this place as a 5-star hotel should be sued and then keel-hauled for shoddy construction, there is no excuse for this type of noise when the walls in a Hampton Inn are quieter!
Second, I experienced a couple houskeeping missteps. One of the bath towels had a dead spider on it, and another the next day had a long black hair on the outside! This was a white towel, can you please look at the towels prior to hanging?
In sum, a nice place. Bring earplugs, and let's hope the houskeeping manager is fired so we can justify a 5 star mark.
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