W Atlanta - Downtown

"Set the scene.I wish I could say I arrived at the W Atlanta - Downtown by helicopter; alas, I am not Christian Grey. However, if I had such a mode of transport at my disposal, I would have instructed the pilot to land it on the hotel’s helipad—something you don’t often find in Atlanta. The wow factor continues in the soaring lobby, where a light fixture made of a thousand metal fragments shimmers above an undulating walnut wall. The design is trendy-meets-earthy, with city-center energy. So who actually stays here?Business travelers, convention-goers, Falcons or Hawks fans in town for a game. Give us the run down on the rooms. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, you can feel the pulse of downtown just by opening your blinds. Macassar ebony furnishings are dressed up with purple velvet pillows and chairs, and beds have pillowtop mattresses, 350-thread-count sheets, and goose-down duvets. Ask for a room with views of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the city’s retractable-roof sports and entertainment venue. Any nice touches? Things we need to know?Forget Uber—if you need to go somewhere within two miles (and folks, there’s a lot within two miles of this downtown hotel), a driver will take you to and from your destination at no charge. Unless you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest, wireless high-speed Internet access costs $14.95 a day in your room. Boo. Drivers, be warned: It’s $40 per day to valet your car. Anything stand out about other services and features?Don’t miss the zero-edge rooftop pool with views of the skyline. Partially covered, it’s open rain or shine and features a bar serving drinks on weekends. The W Kitchen restaurant is only open for breakfast and lunch, offering a Southern-influenced menu. Indulge if you’re short on time; otherwise, you’re better off walking four blocks to top-notch White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. The onsite Bliss Spa has a nail lounge, steam showers, and saunas. After your “blissage,” sample a chocolate brownie from the brownie buffet. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Great services (hello, complimentary transportation) and an affordable price tag make this a hip downtown choice worth a stay." - Allison Weiss Entrekin