InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta

Occupying a tall tower in the heart of Buckhead, this luxury hotel looks grand from the outside, with its mix of dark reflective glass and pale sandstone-hued siding. Inside, the lobby features polished marble floors, a domed ceiling, and lots of tall potted plants, plus rounded-off windows on one side that let in plenty of light to the casually elegant space. The hotel caters primarily to business travelers and conference goers, though it's a good choice for people who like to travel with their dogs. Pets weighting up to 25 pounds are welcome for a hefty fee (calculated per stay rather than per night), and the hotel provides water bowls. 

This hotel is located right in Buckhead, an upscale neighborhood north of downtown Atlanta. It's situated right where Peachtree Road and the T. Harvey Mathis Parkway intersect, about a five-minute walk from the Buckhead MARTA station. The area is full of malls, restaurants, shops, and commercial buildings, with a smattering of mid-range and high-end business chain hotels in the general vicinity. It's a three-minute drive to Phillips Plaza, where there's a movie theater and lots of high-end shops, and a six-minute drive to the Atlanta History Center, a 32-acre space with gardens, trails, a historic farm and mansion, and a museum. The Atlanta Botanical Garden, the High Museum of Art, World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Dome, and the CNN Center are all within around a 15-minute drive of the hotel, traffic permitting. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport takes around a half-hour to reach by car.

This property offers a wide variety of rooms and suites with stand-out amenities, even in the entry-level Deluxe Rooms. All units come with 47-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and CD players. Decor is consistent across categories. Expect peach-hued walls paired with loudly printed carpets, a mix of dark-wood and beige-upholstered furniture with cobalt-blue throw cushions, and monochrome sketch prints on the wall. Bathrooms are spacious and sleek, with lots of marble and separate vanity areas with magnifying mirrors. All come with walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. Hairdryers, robes, slippers, scales, and Agraria-brand toiletries are provided. Evening turndown service is a luxurious touch. 

Club Rooms include free access to the Club Lounge, which comes with perks such as free breakfast and evening cocktails plus a DVD lending library. Executive Suites add separate sitting areas, while the Grand Suite adds a second bathroom and Club Lounge access. There's also a Royal/Ambassador Suite with hardwood floors and a jetted tub. The Presidential Suite adds all sorts of extras including a dual-sided gas fireplace and a pantry.

This hotel offers excellent amenities for business travelers and vacationers alike. There's a heated outdoor saltwater pool flanked with red padded lounge chairs and an adjacent hot tub. While the pool is on the small side, it's long enough to swim laps. Back inside, there's a fitness center with weight-training and cardio equipment plus a luxury spa, Jurlique, which offers massages and facials and stays open well into the evening. The big draw for many people who stay here, however, is the large amount of event space. The property can accommodate up to 1,500 guests and offers a mix of ballrooms and boardrooms for business meetings and weddings. Parking is expensive, but there is a free area shuttle for guests who want to be dropped at nearby restaurants or points of interest.

Dining consists of a restaurant and two bars, along with 24-hour room service. The restaurant, Southern Art, is open for all three meals, including Sunday brunch. The food is influenced by Southern cuisine, with things like fried green tomatoes and grits on the menu, though you'll also find more standard fare, such as club sandwiches and salads. Ham Bar features charcuterie and all sorts of regional hams, while Bourbon Bar puts a focus on local bourbons and American whiskeys --- there are some 70 on offer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Pets are welcome for a per-stay fee that includes water bowls.