Glenn Hotel, Autograph Collection
"Set the scene for us.When it was built in 1923, the 10-story Glenn Building—now Glenn Hotel—was considered a skyscraper. Its name was a nod to former Atlanta Mayor Thomas Kearney Glenn, and its straight lines, limestone facade, and terra cotta detailing make it a solid example of Modern Classic architecture. The historic building is a rarity in this bustling downtown corridor, home to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Philips Arena, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium, and CNN Center. In the lobby, history takes a backseat to modernity: Contemporary light fixtures, abstract art, and leather couches accented with bright-orange pillows give the place a polished, clubby vibe. You’ll find occasional nods to the past, such as an old U.S. Postal Service letterbox adhered to a wall, but the overall feel is decidedly contemporary. Nice. What are the other guests like?Sports fans in town for a game, young professionals, girls on a getaway. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Small but comfortable, my Superior King room had a full-sized desk and chair and a bed with crisp white linens. When I open the flowing orange curtains, I was greeted by views of CNN Center. Overall, the room is pretty standard except for one glaring oddity: Inside the shower stall, a large peekaboo window looks into the bedroom, obscured only by a curtain of metal beads. Kind of awkward if you’re traveling with your mother-in-law. Any little details we should know about?Not only is the Wi-Fi complimentary (hooray!), but the desk is quite large and the HermanMiller chair is ergonomic. Which means I basically have no excuse to ditch my work. Sigh. What should we order via room service?Little nibbles such as bacon-wrapped dates are delicious, and the Tuscan kale salad with blue cheese and Georgia apples makes a delightful and healthy little meal. What else is going on at the hotel?The Glenn’s claim to fame is SkyLounge, the year-round rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the city. Order the Glenntini, made with vodka, cucumber, mint, lime, and sugar, and watch the nearby Skyview carousel circle ’round and ’round. Like most hotel restaurants in Atlanta, the one at the Glenn (Glenn’s Kitchen) is only worth trying if you’re pressed for time. The shrimp and grits are fine enough, but in this food-focused city, this restaurant isn’t really a place you want to waste a meal on. Bottom line: worth it, and why?If convenience and a cool building are your priorities, this is a great choice. If rooms and restaurants are more your thing, skip it." - Allison Weiss Entrekin
