The land of the rising phoenix is ever evolving and reinventing itself. Today's Atlanta is a Mecca for entertainment, fine dining, professional and college sports and shopping. In addition, Atlanta is one of the largest convention cities in the country. For those reasons and others, there is always something new on the horizon in terms of construction and development. From a new retro clothing store to a restaurant opened by an internationally recognized chef, Atlanta is home to an ever changing, ever improving list of things to do and places to stay. Here's a smattering of what has recently come on line in Atlanta and some things that are on the verge of being birthed.
Accommodations
Despite the mad decline in convention business following 9/11, developers continue to construct and renovate hotels in Hotlanta as if we were preparing to host another Olympic Games. Atlanta is preparing for its first Inter-Continental hotel and its first five-star hotel since 1992 as Six Continents Hotels, Inc. plans to build a new hotel tower in Buckhead. The tower will be build across Peachtree Road from the Grand Hyatt Atlanta. Scheduled to open in 2004, the new facility and its 421 rooms will focus on service for business travelers.
With renovations of the Presidential Suite, Governor's Suite and Swiss Executive Club Lounge complete, guests at Swissotel Atlanta, 3391 Peachtree Rd. NE, (tel. 404/365-0065; www.swissotelatlanta.com), can enjoy their stay in enhanced luxury, though it was pretty luxurious before the renovations. The Swiss Executive Club Lounge now includes an updated food display of a European continental breakfast, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, aperitifs, cordials and afternoon tea. In addition, Swissotel announced a new $2.7 million renovation of its Grand Ballroom, the largest ballroom in Buckhead.
The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel, located in the heart of downtown at 210 Peachtree St. NW (tel. 404/589-7424; www.starwood.com/westin), recently unveiled an entirely new look upon completion of a $30 million renovation. The comprehensive project included improvements to al the hotel's guestrooms, meeting facilities, restaurants and public spaces. A new dining facility, The Café, serves a buffet breakfast with action stations for freshly prepared omelets and other breakfast items.
Atlanta Marriott Northwest, 200 Interstate North Pkwy. (tel. 770/952-7900; www.marriotthotels.com) and Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, 246 Perimeter Center Pkwy. NE, (tel. 770/394-6500; www.marriotthotels.com), are spending $2.5 million each on renovations to improve the stay and sleep experience for their guests. To each room will be added hypoallergenic bedding, a 7-inch thick Jamison quilted mattress and down comforters, and a "One Touch at Your Service," one call feature providing instant access to a hotel associate who can handle everything from housekeeping to concierge services.
R&R at a Wonderful B&B in Atlanta: Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast
This property is about as delightful as they come, with a host to match. Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast is actually two individual houses -- Dudley House and Agnew House -- both perched high above the street. Named for the laurel that grows wild on the property, the venture is the result of a lot of hard work. Innkeeper Dave Hinman lived in one of the homes for about 15 years. When his neighbor passed away, he chose to purchase her home -- a mirror image of his own -- and renovate both English Tudors to create a unique concept in B&B operations.
In addition to revamping the two warm and inviting homes, Hinman created a wonderful outdoor environment on the hill rising behind the B&B. Here, a winding path leads you up through the property to the jewel in the crown: a hot tub perched on the property's highest point, providing an eagle eye view of the lovely Lake Claire historic neighborhood.
Hinman's partner in Laurel Hill has 20 years of restaurant experience, and does the cooking. Breakfast may include a delicious quiche, accompanied by fruit, yogurt and a variety of pastries. An evening snack is set out each night and sometimes the chef can even be coaxed into whipping up a special dinner for guests. The dining environment is relaxing and enjoyable, and Dave seems to have a knack for knowing when you'd like to chat and when you just want to enjoy some time alone or with your traveling companion.
Eight rooms are available between the two houses, including two suites with huge bathrooms. Luxuriously soft Ralph Lauren linens can be found everywhere from the bed sheets to the towels. Fresh flowers and beautiful antiques add to the relaxing atmosphere. Lake Claire is in a central location, so there are many attractions and restaurants to explore in the area. Or you can just linger around Laurel Hill and enjoy.
Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast is located at 1992 McClendon Street. You can check out the property at www.laurelhillbedandbreakfast.com or contact Dave at tel. 404/377-3217 or via e-mail at dhinman@bellsouth.net. Rates run between $80 and $150 and include a full breakfast and free parking. American Express, Master Card, and Visa are accepted.
Dining
Atlanta is quickly moving into its new role as a fine dining city. The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which lays claim to the notorious culinary ventures of Pricci, Pano's and Paul's and Bluepointe, has now brought fine Greek dining to Atlanta's table. Kyma, 3085 Piedmont Rd. (tel. 404/262-0702), is a contemporary Greek seafood tavern unlike any other. Kyma offers a unique presentation of authentic Greek food and wines that are flavorful and surprisingly healthy. Design elements are both dramatic and subtle, featuring solid marble columns, a ceiling lit by twinkling starts, a broken plate wall mosaic and a fountain cascading over a marble display of iced fresh fish.
Much to the delight of Atlantans and regular visitors to the city, Dante's Down the Hatch, 3380 Peachtree Rd. NE (tel. 404/266-1600; www.dantesdownthehatch.com), has reopened and is serving specialty fondue dinners and the ultimate sweet tooth fantasy -- chocolate fondue -- for dessert. The Paul Mitchell Jazz Trio and the John Robertson Trio play live jazz aboard the restaurant's home -- a fantasy 18th century ship -- every evening except Monday.
For those traveling with children or just in search of lighter fare, Jake's Ice Cream & Sorbets, located in historic Inman Park at 970 Piedmont Rd. (tel. 404/685-3101; www.jakesicecream.com), offers their famous flavors in a cozy atmosphere with high ceilings, exposed brick and a view of the spectacular Atlanta skyline. Try chocolate slap yo' mama, brown sugar vanilla, cinnamon apple pie or honey fig. In addition to the amazing ice cream, Jake's recently added fresh sandwiches, salads and soups to the menu and most recently a weekend brunch.
To check out the latest on the Atlanta restaurant scene, visit www.atlantacuisine.com.
Attractions
The Coca-Cola Company has donated land across from Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta for the Georgia Aquarium and a new World of Coca-Cola (tel. 404/676-5151; www.woccatlanta.com) -- creating a major entertainment destination in Atlanta's convention corridor. The five million gallon Georgia Aquarium, slated to open its doors to the public in 2005 along with the new World of Coca-Cola, is expected to make the northwest section of downtown Atlanta -- already occupied by a half dozen major site-seeing offerings -- the turnkey tourist attraction. Additionally, the plans should help create a 24-hour atmosphere in the area around Centennial Olympic Park, much like it was during the 1996 Olympics.
Stone Mountain Park (tel. 800/317-2006; www.stonemountainpark.org) recently completed its largest expansion ever, with the opening of two fun-filled family attractions. Now open, the Great Barn is Atlanta's newest and largest children's attraction. Children can explore Southern farm life of the 1800s through interactive adventures. Inside the Barn, kids will find a gigantic climbing structure with rope nets, mazes, interactive games and a 40-foot ultimate super slide. The second attraction, Crossroads, is a significant addition to family entertainment in Atlanta. The new attraction recaptures a small Georgia town from the 1870s and brings to life the story, people and craft-makers of the south. Guests are able to immerse in the Southern culture and heritage as the townspeople are dressed in period costumes and invite visitors to experience the past. The town features Thompson's Grist Mill and Bakery, a blacksmith shop, Tweedle's Candle Shop, glass blowing demonstrations, Miss Katie's Sideboard and the Tall Tales 4-D Theater, among other activities.
The Atlantic Station project is a 140-acre environmental redevelopment and reclamation of the former Atlantic Steel Mill in Midtown. Once complete, the development will include 12 million square feet of retail, office, residential and hotel spaces as well as 11 acres of public parks. The grand opening of this $2 billion venture is scheduled for fall of 2003. Schedules and details are available online at www.atlanticstation.com.
The Georgia World Congress Center's (no phone; www.gwcc.com) Phase IV expansion will add 75,000 square fee of meeting space and 420,000 square foot of exhibit space, and will maintain the center's rank as one of the top five largest convention centers in the nation. It is estimated to generate $1 billion in economic impact, $53 million in new tax revenue and 400,000 additional out-of-state visitors to the Atlanta area.
The CNN Studio Tour (tel. 404/827-2300; www.cnn.com/studiotour) now offers a better-than-ever overview of the art, science and technology of news reporting. Tour-goers can now look back at CNN's history making coverage of news events and get a behind the scenes look at the state-of-the-art studios where events are reported daily to more than one billion people.
Celebrating 35 seasons in Atlanta, Six Flags over Georgia (tel. 770/948-9290; www.sixflags.com) opened an astonishing, next-generation roller coaster in 2002. Superman -- Ultimate Flight is the south's only flying roller coaster. Passengers tilt face-first into flying position, before climbing the 115-foot hill with a bird's-eye view below and entering a series of sharp dives, high-banked curves and spirals designed to enhance the flying experience. The signature feature comes as riders sail through the first-ever 78-foot pretzel shaped inverted loop.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (tel. 404/733-5000; www.atlantasymphony.org) announced that it was developing a new facility and would break ground in 2005. The $240 million new home of the symphony will sit on 6 acres at Peachtree and 14th streets. Plans include a live, work, lay and learning environment with two 30-plus story mixed-use residential/hotel and restaurant towers, green space and retail space.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for 2003 on a $130 million project to turn the Woodruff Arts Center and the HIGH Museum of Art (tel. 404/733-HIGH; www.woodruffcenter.org) into world-class cultural destinations. The expansion will add 177,000 square feet to the museum -- more than doubling the size of the facility. It's scheduled to open in spring 2005.
AtlanTIX the South's first day-of-show, half-price ticket booth, now includes full-price online ticket sales. The site, www.atlantaperforms.com, now provides consumers with a user-friendly, online box office with tickets to shows and cultural arts events throughout greater Atlanta. The new online service compliments the existing day-of-show, half-price ticket booth walk up service located at Underground Atlanta.
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