Aloft Atlanta Downtown

Staying true to the modern aesthetic that characterizes the Aloft hotels brand, this Atlanta outpost of the chain is all about splashes of color and funky furnishings. The large lobby and bar area, bright with pendant ceiling lamps and recessed lighting, is a geometric blend of blocky leather couches and cube-shaped tables, while concrete pillars and exposed ductwork add industrial touches to the contemporary-cool setting. Bold teals, purples, oranges and yellows feature in the reception seating and continue throughout the property, from the electric blue lighting in the elevators to the playful striped carpeting in the fitness center. With guests milling around the ground floor’s “Remix Lounge” -- which also includes a carved wood pool table as its centerpiece -- and lots of music coming from the bar near the lobby, the hotel can get too loud for families with young children and older guests, but provides a cheerful vibe for its primary clientele of younger tourists looking for a vibrant Atlanta experience.  

Situated in the core of Atlanta’s bustling Downtown, this Aloft stands among several other hotels, corporate buildings, and plenty of shopping and eateries, but the area can feel deserted after restaurants and businesses close in the evenings. The hotel's central location also places it within walking distance of several tourist hot spots. The World of Coca Cola museum, the record-holding Georgia Aquarium, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights are all less than a 10-minute walk away, while the headquarters of CNN is 12 minutes away on foot. Other attractions, like Piedmont Park or the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, are about 30 minutes away using MARTA, with the closest train station being a seven-minute walk from the hotel. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is a 25-minute ride away with MARTA, while a taxi or car will take an average of 15 minutes. 

Sleek and modern, rooms at the Aloft Atlanta Downtown are muted versions of the color-happy common areas. Still, bolster pillows and blinds in a pixilated print keep things trendy, and urban prints in a bright lemon hue brighten the spaces. Streamlined wood-laminate furniture -- include desks, bed frames and closets -- and soft gray walls allow the smallish spaces to feel roomier than they really are (standard Aloft King and Double Queen rooms are 321 square feet). Bathrooms are also simple and contemporary, featuring walk-in showers with fixed steel showerheads and hairdryers. Bliss brand toiletries are a plus, though guests might find it odd that mini-fridges are underneath the sinks.All rooms also come with 42-inch LCD TVs, free bottled water, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, safes, and free Wi-Fi. At 642 square feet, the spunkier Savvy Suites include separate living areas and two TVs. Separate, accessible guest rooms are also available in both the King and Double Queen varieties. 

The Aloft Atlanta has a noticeable lack of sit-down restaurants on-site, and like all Alofts, has no room service. However, the ground floor’s Re:fuel by Aloft, an overblown self-serve snack bar, offers light grab-and-go meals 24 hours a day, and morning breakfast buffets for an extra fee. Free coffee and fruit is also provided all day in the reception area. With the Re:mix lounge’s pool table, plus cocktails, music, and live performances at the Aloft chain’s signature W XYZ bar, there are plenty of on-site leisure and entertainment options. Corporate and social events are also held in the five meeting rooms, all of which include plasma TVs and audiovisual equipment. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. For active guests, the hotel’s well-equipped, 24-hour fitness center has a good selection of up-to-date cardio and weight-lifting equipment in an attractive, sunny space. There's also a small outdoor pool, which opens to city views. The hotel prioritizes both security and the environment, requiring key cards for elevator access, and offering meal vouchers and additional incentives for guests who limit their housekeeping requirements. Pets are allowed under specific weight requirements. Any travelers coming with cars should be prepared for hefty parking fees.