Sure, we hotel people love to talk thread count, but we love to dish a good lobby makeover even more. The Ritz Carlton in Atlanta, GA,  just completed a renovation in honor of their 25th anniversary. It’s all so pretty and chic, now I’m looking for a reason to visit the Glorious South in the near future!

There wasn’t anything wrong with the old decor, but after 25 years they were ready for a little refreshing. Many of the Ritz properties have an older, classic feel that is nice, but slightly reminiscent of the set of Dallas. A lot of dark wood antiques and heavy, brocade fabrics, if you get my meaning.

But not the Hotlanta Ritz! They’ve done a complete redesign which included the lobby and lobby bar, Lumen, club level lounge and rooms. Now it’s a smoking hot modern hotel!

Here, I’ll show you with before and after pictures. Let’s start with the Ritz Carlton Suite, before:

BEFORE: Ritz Carlton suite Atlanta, GA

And here is the after, so much lighter and modern!

AFTER: The Ritz Carlton Suite, Atlanta, GA

The Club Lounge before:

BEFORE: The Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA Club Lounge was a bit formal...

Now the Club Lounge is so welcoming people will be camping out for hours!

AFTER: The bright, welcoming Club Lounge at Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA

Check out the transformation of the bar, from the (wow, that’s a lotta) red before:

BEFORE: the lobby lounge at the Ritz Carlton, Atlanta GA

And now it’s Lumen, the sophisticated lobby bar with glowing crystal chandeliers, seven-foot tall midnight blue mohair settees, and tables custom designed by Brad Oldham. Yes, Todd’s brother. He’s cool, too.

AFTER: Lumen, the lobby bar at Ritz Carlton, Atlanta, GA

If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was an LA bar, right? Okay, so who’s ready to make a trip to Atlanta to try the art themed signature cocktails at Lumen?

Photos: Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

Atlanta Skyline

Quick, quick! Atlanta, Georgia’s beautiful JW Marriott in Buckhead has tossed out a truly too-good-to-ignore deal: an Advance Purchase Rate on rooms for $109 plus tax! You have to stay on either August 21, 22, 28 or 29. You have to reserve your room at least one full day ahead of time, and once you reserve, you have to fork over all of your money right there, and there are NO refunds. But, come on, would you really cancel?
Rooms here normally start at around $200/night. You’ll enjoy large, comfy rooms (LOVE the sheets at Marriott hotels), a nice exercise rooms, a big indoor pool, a number of bars and the yummy Lenox Grille. You’ll be close to Lenox Square Mall, too (the hotel is actually connected to the mall!), where you can shop till you drop (just don’t drop dead of a heart attack when you see the prices at the stores.)

I like the bathrooms at this hotel – check them out and you’ll see why. Marble counter tops, separate showers and baths, fuzzy bath robes. I often judge a hotel room by the quality of the bathroom, because that element plays a big part in how much I feel at home.

Just put down the “ADP” promotion code when promoted in the box. Then you’re off to enjoy a really nice hotel at a very small price.

Photo Credit: Coka Koehler