Hi All!

I will be visiting Atlanta June 26 - 30 and would greatly appreciate some feedback in choosing a hotel. I thought the Westin Peachtree or Marriott Marquis Downtown- what do you think? Should I stay in Buckhead or Mid-town? I did find a super rate at the Renaissance Downtown, but I haven't been able to find that hotel in any guidebooks.What about access to the Marta station from the above hotels? Is that area safe? I have never been to Atlanta so any input is helpful. Thank you so very much!!

I live in Atlanta and don't frequent the hotels, but here's a small blurb on the Renaissance.

http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/2998729

and Westin

http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profil..._tabs_overview

and Marriot Marquis

http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profil..._tabs_overview

I prefer Midtown to downtown. Buckhead is very pricey, but a little safer I imagine. You hear a lot about Buckhead, but but that's not what Atlanta is really about these days. There are a lot more decent restaurants around Midtown and Buckhead than downtown. Depends on what you're looking for.

If you like great restaurants and fun little shops, then Buckhead is the place for you. Very upscale and hopping!

Here's another reasonable overview of the Atlanta Hotel scene:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g6...ia-Hotels.html

Also, don't count on MARTA to get you around too much. It's nothing like the subway systems I've dealt with in other major cities. It has a very limited "reach", so most transportation is by car. Such is the reason for the Atlanta traffic situation. It will do to get you from the airport to a few major spots in the city, but after that it's rent-a-car or taxi.

There's not much to do in downtown at night.
Personally, I wouldn't stay in downtown.

There's more to do in Midtown. As already said, Midtown boasts some of the trendiest/best restaurants and bars in Atlanta.

Buckhead has lost some of its allure, but for action-per-square-mile, there's more "happening" in Buckhead.

I recently stayed in the Sheraton in midtown and it was great. We were very impressed. I had stayed at the Ritz downtown a year or so before and the Sheraton was nicer. I agree that midtown is the place to stay -- there is little to do downtown and there are great places to go out to eat (or just go out) in midtown.

I guess I am one of the few who does like downtown. I love the Westin! You are also close to Peachtree Center which has a MARTA station and it is a quick ride to Buckhead to Lenox Square Mall.

I would only stay in Buckhead if you have a car.

Midtown is also nice.

Whether or not you stay at the Westin, I highly recommend going to the Sundial for drinks. This is the restaurant/lounge at the top of the Westin (73 stories up, I belive). Anyway, it has a revolving bar with great views of Altanta.

The suggestion of the Sheraton is a good one. It is located in Colony Square just across the street from the Arts Center and a Marta station. There are also quite a few nice restaurants in the area. If you want something very upscale The Four Seasons is in the same area.

Downtown does have a tendency to die at sundown, except in the hotels themselves. There is a Hard Rock Cafe on the corner of Peachtree and International in the middle of the hotel district.

Midtown has grown considerably in the last 15 years. Back then there were a few commercial spots right on Peachtree, especially at 14th street (Colony Square). Midtown was very bohemian then, with a large gay contingent, which is what made it unique. In the last 15 years, the big corporations have moved in and priced the locals out of the area. It has lost some (not all) of its appeal. Has the highest concentration of "alternative" bars in Atlanta (maybe Cheshire Bridge is giving it a run for the money). Still, it's the best area of Atlanta and very close to Virginia-Highlands, Little Five Points and Ansley Park.

Buckhead has been high retail for 30 years. Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza anchor north Buckhead and the most expensive hotels of Atlanta are located here. The Paces Ferry/Roswell Road intersection is the traditional heart of Buckhead and has lots of trendy bars and cafes. South Buckhead/Peachtree Battle is beginning to emerge as a destination area, especially Bennett Street area.

Basically, I'd categorize Atlanta this way: Downtown for the corporate traveler, Midtown for the Bohemian traveler, and Buckhead for the sophisticated traveler.

The North Marta line basically follows West Peachtree/Piedmont Road. You can get from Downtown to Lenox Square (and eventually to Perimeter Mall), but anything east or west of the line involves getting on a bus.

Hope this helps instead of confuses you.