The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta

"Want to stay in downtown Atlanta? This may be one of the priciest options, but it's among the best. The Ritz is near it all: a short walk to the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The lobby sets a mod-glam mood, where contemporary art hangs above white leather chairs. Tuesdays through Saturdays, live music spills out of Lumen, the lobby bar, and there’s always a line for espresso at Jittery Joe’s, Atlanta’s only outpost of the beloved Georgia coffee company, located near the front desk. Deluxe Rooms are the standard room category, with a marble foyer that leads to one or two beds covered in 400-thread-count Fritte linens. The 30-page-long room-service menu has build-your-own salads (toppings include shaved fennel and local goat cheese), steak tartare, and vanilla bean crème brulee. Which means there’s absolutely no reason to go to bed hungry here. Beautifully designed, with top-notch service and terrific food and drinks, this hotel is worth the splurge." - Allison Weiss Entrekin

"If you're dressed up for a show, you’ll stand out at Margaritaville. So march your suede steppers into Atlanta Grill, the signature restaurant at Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking down at Peachtree Street from your patio table or sitting in the dark, leather-boothed dining room, you’ll be greeted with formal salutations and presented with five water options. An assortment of seafood and satisfying sides (including a skillet mac and cheese we’d consider staying overnight to try again) are available, but the headliners are the steaks, ranging from skirt to a 36-ounce tomahawk so tender the meat falls into the chimichurri sauce on its own." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder

"If you're dressed up for a show, you’ll stand out at Margaritaville. So march your suede steppers into Atlanta Grill, the signature restaurant at Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking down at Peachtree Street from your patio table or sitting in the dark, leather-boothed dining room, you’ll be greeted with formal salutations and presented with five water options. An assortment of seafood and satisfying sides (including a skillet mac and cheese we’d consider staying overnight to try again) are available, but the headliners are the steaks, ranging from skirt to a 36-ounce tomahawk so tender the meat falls into the chimichurri sauce on its own." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder

"Located just a few blocks from Centennial Park, in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Ritz-Carlton is a solid choice for travelers seeking luxury in a convenient location. Standard rooms feature feather beds and Frette linens, while club-floor accommodations come with a dedicated concierge, curated treats throughout the day, and a weekly cocktail hour. On the wellness level, air-purified rooms are outfitted with workout equipment (several have Peloton bikes), sound- and light-therapy machines, and healthy snacks, though guests can also use the on-site gym or get passes to classes at Resolution Fitness in the adjoining tower. When hunger strikes, head to the wrought-iron veranda overlooking Peachtree Street at clubby AG steakhouse, then take in live music at the lobby bar. Early birds will appreciate a coffee break at Jittery Joe’s, the only outpost outside of the Athens, Georgia, roastery. Just be sure to leave the car behind: Valet parking is pricey, and the hotel offers shuttle service to anything not within walking distance."

"What are your first impressions?On Peachtree Street in the center of downtown, the Ritz-Carlton is near it all: a short walk to the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The lobby sets a mod-meets-glam tone, where contemporary art hangs above white leather chairs and drum pendants encircle glittering chandeliers. Tuesdays through Saturdays, live music spills out of Lumen, the lobby bar, and there’s always a line for espresso at Jittery Joe’s, Atlanta’s only outpost of the beloved Georgia coffee company, located near the front desk. So, who's staying here?Business travelers during the week, families on the weekends What can you tell us about the rooms?Deluxe Rooms are the standard room category, with a marble foyer that leads to one or two beds covered in 400-thread-count Fritte linens. The neutral colors and staid furnishings didn’t wow me, but the extraordinary views of the downtown skyline did. Any special touches in your room?I love an in-room Nespresso machine, so between that and Jittery Joe’s downstairs, I’m more than a little caffeinated. It's late and we're hungry—what can we order to the room?The 30-page-long room-service menu has build-your-own salads (toppings include shaved fennel and local goat cheese), steak tartare, and vanilla bean crème brulee. Which means there’s absolutely no reason to go to bed hungry here. Anything stand out about other services and features? Thoughtful touches are found throughout the hotel: In the lobby, a kids’ station offers a coloring book with crayons and a self-guided hotel scavenger hunt. The once-stuffy on-site restaurant recently reopened as AG, a retro-chic steakhouse with a focus on local purveyors and classic cocktails. Order a smoky Old Fashioned—which is literally lit on fire before you—or a Georgia peach bellini, alongside the New York strip, served with steak sauce made by Atlanta-based Preserving Place and a side of duck-fat potatoes. (They’re worth every last calorie.) Newly expanded and updated, the 24-hour fitness center is equipped with Peloton bikes (and accompanying live-stream classes), TechnoGym equipment, and a Movement Studio with a wide variety of virtual classes available on demand. Drivers be warned: There is no self-parking and valet costs $50/day. Why should we book a room here?Want to stay in downtown Atlanta? This may be one of the priciest options, but it's among the best. Beautifully designed, with top-notch service and terrific food and drinks, this hotel is worth the splurge." - Allison Weiss Entrekin