Traveling to Atlanta 5/05 for conference (hotels are scarce during my travel dates). Can anyone confirm whether or not Ritz Carlton (downtown) a favorable hotel and is Ritz within walking distance to CNN Center? Thanks and Happy New Year....

The Ritz is a favorable hotel, and you can walk to CNN Center. It's the downtown hotel that I would select (I live in Atl).

The Omni hotel is adjacent to CNN Center but that may be booked already.

The downtown Ritz is a lovely hotel with the wonderful Ritz service that you might expect. Its formal restaurant, The Dining Room, is often ranked among Atlanta's best. It was the first time I'd ever seen a sommelier!

The highly rated Dining Room restaurant is at the Buckhead Ritz, not the downtown one. We have two Ritz Carltons in Atlanta. I personally prefer the Buckhead location but if your conference is at CNN Center the other Ritz is more convenient. Downtown is not a place to just walk around at night. It's primarily a business district and not much more. Buckhead. Should you change your mind and decide to stay in B'head, know that it's a quick 15 min. ride on MARTA.

Oh, one more thing--MARTA takes you w/in a half a block of CNN Center...

My proofreading is an abomination...My original post should have read that Buckhead is a nicer area and not just say "Buckhead." Sorry!

Downtown ATL RC is very nice. Restaurant and bars are posh. Just don't wander around after dark without a purpose.

Thanks to all who replied - very reassuring! Haven't stayed in Atlanta for decades (PeachTree Plaza)and appreciate posters' firsthand info.
PS: padams421: Omni is already booked.
OneWandering: Buckhead sounds grand and will save this area for a future visit - thanks for posting.