The Artmore Hotel: Atlanta's Historic Boutique in Midtown

The Artmore Hotel, a boutique hotel in a vintage apartment building, is located in the Midtown area of Atlanta near many of the city's cultural and arts attractions. The hotel is within walking distance of the Woodruff Arts Center, comprising Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Alliance Theater and the High Museum of Art. Other nearby sites include Atlantic Station, Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Botanical Garden and the Fox Theatre. Both Buckhead, to the north, and downtown Atlanta, to the south, are only minutes away by car or rapid transit. The hotel is immediately accessible from the Interstate 75/85 Downtown Connector. MARTA, Atlanta's public transit system, has a train station directly across the street from the hotel.

The Artmore, which opened in May of 2009, is another addition to the city's growing list of boutique hotels. The property, formerly a chain suite hotel for many years, is a historic apartment building constructed in 1924. The building has a colorful, relaxed Spanish Mediterranean style, with a beautiful open-air courtyard in the middle. According to a representative of the hotel's management company, quoted in Science Letter, "Because the Artmore is such an eclectic building, we have played up its charm throughout the public spaces. We have maintained as many of the fine architectural features as possible like archways, columns, porticoes and balustrades.'' The hotel focuses on personalized service for each guest.

The 102-room Artmore features rooms and suites in a variety of configurations, including standard, deluxe and executive rooms, one- and two-bedroom suites, studio suites and split-level loft suites. All rooms feature complimentary, wireless high-speed Internet access, refrigerators, mini-bars and a work desk. Extended stay suites offer full kitchens. The hotel offers a 24-hour concierge and a small, but fully equipped fitness center, also open 24 hours a day. The only dining option at the Artmore is breakfast, which provides hot food or grab-and-go options. The Studio Bar and Lounge is a hip but understated space with cocktails, wine and limited light fare.

The Artmore has two meeting rooms that together contain 1,800 square feet. The space can accommodate up to 80 seated guests. A reception area is also available on the Club Level that can accommodate up to 150 guests. A variety of high-tech audio/visual equipment is available for use, and the hotel uses an off-site caterer who can provide food and drink for any gathering, social or business.

Reviews of the Artmore on the Internet are mostly positive since its opening in May 2009. (Reviews for the former branded suite hotel on the same property are under the same websites and should be disregarded.) Guests love the building - one noted, "It still has the old charm,'' - as well as the new d,cor, with one person saying, "The accommodations were classy and trendy/modern.'' Some have found the staff to be "friendly and helpful,'' while others think they are "rude'' or "disinterested.'' There are several comments about the quality of the renovation. One person wished for "better carpet and paint ... just more finishing touches to the room.'' Most guests are charmed, however, like this woman, who said, "This will be my hotel from now on when I come to Atlanta!''