Scene
A sleek, cool luxury hotel with a museum vibe
The Thompson Buckhead dropped its specific cool blend of sleek design and high-end hospitality in Atlanta’s trendiest neighborhood. The lobby’s art collection is a tone-setter and features locals like artist and metal fabricator Huelani Mei of Hue Designs. Her small metal foxes are scattered throughout the property, including the lobby, behind the bar and at the restaurant’s host stand. The atrium next to the elevators features “Dissipate,” a wood and graphite sculpture of a floating figure from local artist Justin W. Archer.
Beyond the art, the minimalist lobby has plenty of light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and is filled with tufted leather couches, palm plants, amber chandeliers and seated vignettes. The booths are flush in jewel and desert tones and are outlet enabled so you can set up with your laptop or devices. Glass walls separate the check-in area from the lobby and from the bar and restaurant, which give the spaces distinction and quasi-privacy while also establishing a different design style.
Location
While in the heart of bustling Buckhead, there’s a calmer energy here
The Thompson Buckhead is in a quiet stretch of the neighborhood, a few blocks from everything a traveler might want. Public transportation is not far away, should you want to go into downtown Atlanta, and the hotel will offer an area car service in the coming months. But with that said, this area is not pedestrian friendly, so be cautious. Cars come flying down East Paces Ferry. If you plan on walking to your destinations, cross only at intersections.
The many places close to the hotel include:
- The Atlanta History Center and Swan House is the perfect primer for visitors, highlighting every element of the city’s past. The campus has historic buildings, including the Swan House, a 1920s home that was used for filming “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” There’s also a bookstore with regional titles, a coffee shop and a restaurant selling soups and sandwiches.
- The Buckhead Village District is home to the city’s best luxury shopping, dining and a celeb-spotting area.
- Fantasyland Records is like stepping back in time, with band posters and photos covering every inch of the pastel-hued walls. Open since 1976, the store’s selection is broad, including genres from the 1950s to now. They stock new and used LPs, CDs and tapes that make it a favorite of touring musicians and vinyl geeks.
- If your visit coincides with a performance at the Buckhead Theatre, you’re in luck. The former 1930s movie venue now hosts nationally recognized music and comedy acts.
- Frankie Allen Park is one of the handful of green spaces in this commercial district, also ideal for pets. It has baseball fields, tennis courts, a playground and a historic cemetery from its former residential neighborhood.
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Rooms
Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of the city
The modern Art Deco guest rooms of the crescent-shaped hotel are spread across 10 floors, all with views of Buckhead’s landmark buildings. There are 201 in total, including 40 suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows. Some suites also have balconies. Thompson Buckhead is also pet-friendly, and no fee or deposit is required. Crushed velvet headboards highlight the design theme, with plentiful USB outlets next to the bed.
All come with 400-thread count Sferra linens, a Chromecast-enabled television, D.S. & Durga bath products and Thompson’s signature slippers and robes. The work desk is spacious if you need to “rise and grind.” The room has a Nespresso machine with ceramic coffee cups, along with a minibar with top-shelf spirits and curated local snacks like Xocolatl chocolate. The ice bucket and wine glasses allow you to entertain in your room, with a Tivoli Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite tunes.
Thompson Buckhead’s room types include:
- King Bed Room: These rooms have king beds and views of either the city or neighborhood views. Some also have bathtubs, but all have a marble vanity and a rainfall shower.
- 2 Queen Room: These rooms have the same features of the king bed rooms, but with two beds and a slightly larger footprint.
- King Bed Room with Rooftop Lounge Access: Also with a queen version, these rooms have all of the perks of the other rooms but with the added benefit of entry into the soon-to-open private club on the rooftop level.
- Parlor Suite: While the same size as the standard rooms, these suites have added seating areas and access to the rooftop.
- King Suite: These suites are nearly twice as big, with balconies and an open-concept living and dining area.
- Junior Suite: These rooms also have an additional entertaining area.
- Thompson Suite: The signature penthouse room has a spacious kitchen, a glass-enclosed dining room, a steam shower and a soaking tub, along with rooftop access.
Amenities
You won’t need a guest pass to the trendy Buckhead gyms
Complimentary Wi-Fi and daily newspapers are just two of the standard amenities at the hotel. In the morning, grab free coffee from Batdorf & Bronson, a local roaster. Valet parking is $36 per night, but you may be able to find street parking nearby.
Thanks to the 24-hour fitness center with Technogym ellipticals and treadmills, free weights and the essential Peloton bikes, complete with login details.
This part of town is home to some of Atlanta’s best restaurants, though on-site is Dirty Rascal, the hotel’s Italian American restaurant from chef Todd Ginsberg. The hotel has a lobby bar (opens at 5 p.m.) and the rooftop pool opens in the spring. The pool has fantastic skyline views and plush chairs. If you get access to Tesserae, the private club on the roof, which is available with some of the suites, you can sip on your glass of wine while taking in the views from the balcony.
