magsdave

I'm Staying in Atlanta for a few days And I can get a good rate at westin Hotels.I dont Know What Hotel is better. Can anyone help? Plus can I get to Turner Field On MARTA from Buckhead?

Presocia

I stayed at the Westin downtown last August. Luckily, I was on the 55th floor and had an eyecatching view of the city. Another perk was being able to go up to the Sundial restaurant/lounge without having to pay a fee. It's a great place for a panoramic view as it slowly rotates (similar to the space needle). Buckhead is simply a different area. If you'd rather be closer to high-end shopping, then that's a good location. Both locations are close to MARTA stations, so getting where you want to be won't be a big problem. For the experience, I'd choose the downtown location (above the 29th floor), but for the area and surrounding environs, I'd choose Buckhead.

magsdave

Thanks Atlanta seems like a fun place. I just heard that Westin Peachtree was run down. but for $49 I'll take a chance.

sk84fungirl

It's all relative.

Several months ago I volunteered for the National figure skating championships and spent quite a bit of time in the downtown Westin. It is not a run down hotel. It not a 5* either.

Westin Buckhead is an area where you will find shopping, nightlife, etc.

There is some of that in downtown ATL, just not nearly as much as Buckhead. As a previous poster mentioned, you can always hop on the train for $1.75 to get around. Peachtree Center station is across the street from the hotel.

You can get to Turner Field from either location. You will have to catch the train and then transfer to a bus at Five Points station.

Have fun in ATL.

magsdave

thanks

hmmm

Buckhead has far better nightlife, dining and shopping. It's normally safe to stroll around Peachtree and Piedmont Roads in Buckhead. Wouldn't venture off Peachtree Street downtown after dark, when the shutters appear. Don't need to cross Peachtree Street from Peachtree Plaza to get to Marta: there's a station entrance just south near the library. Wouldn't stay downtown just to be near Turner Field, unless you're going every day, though it's a relatively long train ride from Buckhead to Five Points, the main station. From there you hop a bus or transfer to the east line one station and walk.

BBEAR

We are going to Atlanta July 1-7 for the Tae Kwon Do Jr. Olympics (held at the Georgia Dome). We are staying at the Westin Peachtree for convenience. There will be approx 6000 children competing, so there will be many families in the area - I'm still concerned about safety?! How far is it from the Westin to the Georgia Dome? Is it walkable or should we take MARTA. Also wondering about any sightseeing in the area (already plan on World of Coke and CNN). Thinking about renting a car for a day or 2 to go to Stone Mtn - do I need to go to the airport to rent one or are there places downtown? Should we avoid Stone Mtn July 3? Thanks for your help!

sk84fungirl

I would advise that you take the same precautions you would take in any other city. I work downtown and am often there after business hours. I have no fear walking to a resturant for dinner. Are there many things to do for Children outside of Coke and centennial par? NO. However, you have access to the MLK historical site, locals museums in the midtown area, etc.

I am not an Atlanta native but have been here 19 years and take offense to folks always mentioning how it's best to leave after dark. I work downtown and have NEVER had any problems. Walk wherever I need to go, including after the sun sets. Interesting enough, the crime that makes the national headlines happens in Buckhead, hmmmm

sk84fungirl

bbear,

you could take a chance on ST MTN on 7/3. Definitely avoid 7/4. Park has an awesome fireworks display, but typically closes early because of capacity. The overflow spills out into the surrounding neighborhoods.

Have not used rental car agencies downtown, only airport. Easily accessible using Marta and larger selection.

GoTravel

I've spent a lot of time in downtown Atlanta and have never had a problem.

The Hyatt, MarriottM, and Ritz-Carlton are attached by indoor walkways to Peachtree Center which is sort of a mall and subway station.

I like staying downtown better than Buckhead because you must have a car in Buckhead. You don't need a car downtown.

I haven't been to the Westin downtown but it looks beautiful from the outside.

Dailey's is my favorite place downtown for a Martini. Across the side street from Peachtree Center down the street from Hard Rock.

Buckhead does have much better shopping and dining.

BBEAR

Thanks everyone for your help! My son (age 15) actually competes on the 4th, so we'll be in the Georgia Dome all day and probably in to the evening; Stone Mtn is definitely out that day. Also, not much into shopping or fine dining; although we may be tempted by the rest. at the Westin!
Basically, just looking for a few sightseeing areas when teammates aren't competing. Dailey's has been recommended a few times, so we plan to go there.
We'll have so many black belts in our group that I'll feel fairly safe!
Can we walk from the Westin to Georgia Dome or is it better to take MARTA?

hmmm

The Dome is a few blocks west-one Marta stop, from the Westin. The path to and from the Dome and Centennial Olympic Park should be fine while there is a well attended event going on. Naturally, one is safer in a large group, trained or not in self defense. And, as I wrote earlier, Peachtree Street in that vicinity is relatively safe, but, stray off the beaten path west or east or north or south after dark and you've got the potential for unwelcome excitement. Peachtree Center (one block north of the Westin) is a self-contained miniature city with elevated walkways, restricted access and high level security after dark. I had offices downtown for many years (including P'tree Center) and go downtown very frequently in my profession. Pretend as we might, it is not safer than Buckhead, though crime in the latter gets more attention, precisely because it's a toney area and those things are supposed to be zoned out. I personally know two women who were victims of violent crime downtown (and dozens of property crime victims), one attacked by the security guard who escorted her to her car. Pretend as we might, Atlanta has a very high crime rate.

lvk

BBear,
My daughter is also competing (on the 5th), and we are also staying at the Westin. I topped my previous post titled "Atlanta, 4th of July, no car", so you can read the suggestions there.

BBEAR

Ivk,
Thanks- I'm not sure how I missed the other thread - lots of good info! Did your daughter compete in Orlando last year? This will be my son's 2nd year at Jrs.
Are you planning to go to Stone Mtn? If we have a free day, I'd really like to try to get there. I'm sure we'll spend plenty of time indoors during the competition.

lvk

BBear,

My daughter competed at Orlando last year and medaled (bronze) at Minneapolis the year before. At age 11, she's getting to be a veteran. We will be getting into ATL on Friday nt, and leaving on the 6th. Since she competes on the 5th, we only have the 3rd & 4th free. We're not planning on renting a car to go to Stone Mtn. We'll probably just do CNN, Coke and Centennial Park, Maybe MLK. I want her to take it easy and adjust to east coast time (and humidity) before she competes. Best of luck to your son!

amandaamanda

The Westin Buckhead used to be the Swissotel and is very nice. It is perfect for your vacation. The Although you will have to walk a few blocks, but just a few.

BBEAR

We have just returned from our trip to Atlanta and were very impressed! The Westin Peachtree was wonderful (our group rate was $99) and an easy walk to the Georgia Dome. We were on the 60th floor and had great views! The kids loved playing in the fountains in Centennial Park on the walk back to the hotel (even my 15yo DS!). We're from MA and the Red Sox were in town playing the Braves, so we went to the Fri night game - this was the highlight of our trip! It's a beautiful stadium and all the kids really got into doing "the chop" and had to purchase tomahawks! The fireworks display after the game (set to music) was one of the best I've ever seen, and that includes Disney! We also went to Centennial Park for fireworks on the 4th, which were great (then the kids played in the fountains at night!).

We also enjoyed the CNN tour and especially the fantastic food court, which was in walking distance of the Georgia Dome. Went to Stone Mtn Park on Mon 7/5 and it was very crowded. We only had time for a few activities since they close down at 8:00; the laser show begins at 9:30. We were a bit surprised by the laser show - I guesss we expected something more historical, although it did end on a very patriotic note. It also gave us a great feeling of "Southern pride" felt by people living in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee during the show.
The kids loved eating at the Hard Rock - they made a limited edition pin of the Tae Kwon Do Jr. Olympics which sold out quickly. We also had lunch at the Sun Dial rest. at the top of our hotel, as well as after dinner drinks one evening.
World of Coke was a big disappointment after the well-run tour of CNN. Also did a bit of shopping at the Underground; again, nothing special.
We always were in groups of 4 or more at night and always felt comfortable, as far as safety goes. Also, MARTA was convenient, clean and easy to use. I must say thet we enjoyed Atlanta (and southern hospitality) much more than we expected. I would definitely plan to go back some day when we have time to try some other activities.

lvk

Hey BBear,

I'm wondering if we were in the same elevator at the Westin! We did almost everything you did, with the exception of Stone Mountain and the Braves game (even though we are Sox fans)

Also bought the pins at the Hardrock. Stumbled across them while waiting for the parade to start on the 4th. Great memento!

We liked the CNN tour. We also got a DVD of our daughters as "CNN anchorwomen" at the Turner store. Well worth the price in laughs Larry King does the intro, very cute!

We were also disappointed in the World of Coke. DD liked tasting the sodas from all different countries, but that's it. She enjoyed the MARTA ride more than the coke tour.

Watched the fireworks from our beds at the Westin. They were great! Didn't want to be out too late because she competed the next day.
Would have like to have taken in Cyclorama if we had the time. All in all, a nice trip. See you in Minneapolis next year!

BBEAR

Ivk, it sounds like we had a similar experience! My son competed on the 4th, so we missed the parade. He didn't place, but did very well considering this was his first year competing in fighting. How did your daughter do? I much preferred the Georgia Dome over the convention center in Orlando except for the fact that you couldn't bring any food or drinks inside (and most of the food available is inappropriate for atheletes!).
Our instructors got the impression that next year will be back in Orlando, possibly at the Disney sports complex. Personally, I'd prefer Minneapolis since we go to Orlando every Feb, so we'll see what happens. With the restructuring of the USTU government it seems like a lot of things are up in the air.
Glad you had a good experience in Atlanta!

lvk

BBear,

My daughter didn't medal this year (8th out of 30 in poomse, and almost bronze in sparring). I think the new USTU is amazingly more efficient in running things. I was disgusted with the Georgia Dome's food policies. They threw away our fruit, water, powerbars and gatorade so we could buy what? French fries? Coke? $3 small bottles of water?

Our Master seems to think that Minneapolis is a done deal. We were there 2 years ago, and it was fine. The Metrodome experience was similar to Georgia dome. Much better than the nightmare in Orlando.

Oh well, first she has to qualify. She'll be a black belt next year and coming from CA, that's no easy feat!

Glad you had fun in ATL. Sounds like your son will have great memories.