Echoing Atlanta's resurgence over the last few years, the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta has done an $18 million renovation. While boosting the hotel's visual appeal, the upgrade will also help meeting attendees, said spokeswoman Sandra Ryder.
The downtown property has refurbished all 444 guest rooms—including 22 suites—and its club lounge has been redone.
"The scope of our renovation and the polished design will redefine the luxury experience downtown, just as the traditional interiors did when the hotel opened in 1984," said Tod Morrow, general manager. "The city is undergoing its own revitalization, and our renovation perfectly parallels Atlanta's ongoing vitality and renewal."
The openings a few years ago of the Georgia Aquarium and the New World of Coca-Cola gave Atlanta a boost, Morrow said. The launch of those attractions was followed by the debut of upscale eateries and downtown hotels.
Ritz-Carlton's rooms now feature "transitional decor," versus the traditional design of the past, according to Ryder. Among the changes made, dark hickory bachelor's chests adorn each room, as do ostrich-patterned leather headboards, linen and silk throws, crystal block lamps, marble foyers, newly designed baths with granite vanities, and rain showerheads.
The rooms include the Ritz-Carlton suite, 1,320 sf; three presidential suites, 990 sf each; and 18 executive suites, 660 sf each.
In all rooms now, PDAs can be viewed on 37-inch high-definition, flat-panel TVs—"great for reviewing a presentation," Ryder said. Desks have built-in power and data connections and nearby coffeemakers. All rooms have iPod docking stations, and the executive suites now include DVD and CD entertainment systems and 42-inch high-definition, flat-panel televisions.
The club lounge has a media room with high-definition, flat-screen TVs and plush seating; reinvented food and beverage options; and computer workstations offering complimentary wireless web access. The lounge was enhanced by new window treatments, furnishings, and hardwood floors.
The Ritz-Carlton has 18,000 sf of meeting space. Also, the hotel has an exclusive contract to use 3,700 sf of penthouse space in an office building adjacent to the property.
Originally published Feb. 16, 2009