The Westin Buckhead Atlanta: Atlanta's Luxurious Business Hotel

The Westin Buckhead Atlanta is located in Buckhead, Atlanta's upscale shopping, residential and business district, on Peachtree Street, the city's legendary main thoroughfare. The hotel is immediately accessible from Georgia Highway 400. MARTA, Atlanta's public transit system, has a train station directly across the street from the hotel. Within walking distance are the city's two most exclusive malls, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, which offer Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue along with numerous designer boutiques.

Westin took over this hotel in 2004 and has made it into one the most luxurious business-class hotels in Buckhead. The hotel's 365 rooms and 11 suites feature wireless, high-speed Internet access, a deluxe bed and bath, a 32-inch flat-screen television and access to the pool and health club. Executive Club Level rooms offer exclusive access to the Executive Club Lounge with complimentary beverages and Internet access. Another option at the Westin is the WestinWORKOUT room, which features a treadmill or stationary cycle, exercise DVDs, small free weights, a fitness library, maps for runners and bottled water.

Indeed, Westin promotes health throughout the hotel. In addition to the WestinWORKOUT rooms, the hotel offers a state-of-the-art fitness center that provides equipment for all types of exercise. RunWestin is a program led by a running concierge that provides guided runs several days a week for guests. The SuperFoodsRX breakfast offers natural foods that are high in fiber, antioxidants and low-fat protein. The entire hotel is smoke-free so guests do not have to worry about avoiding smokers or smoking rooms. Spa treatments are offered in-room for the ultimate in relaxation. A sauna and indoor heated pool round out the wellness features of the hotel.

Dining options at the Westin include The Palm Restaurant, billed as a "classic American steakhouse'' which also offers seafood and Italian selections, and the Palm Two Bar, which features a wide variety of cocktails. Dycor is fun and dress is business casual at both establishments.

The Westin Buckhead is one of the best business hotels in that part of the city. It offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom and 23 separate rooms that can be combined in a number of ways for maximum flexibility. The Grand Ballroom can hold up to 1,200 people in a reception or 680 for banquet seating. The Grand Ballroom can also accommodate 72 8' x 10' exhibit booths. All meetings have use of the hotel's standard audio/visual equipment, and the hotel will cater everything from coffee breaks and lunch sacks at informal meetings to sit-down banquets at weddings. An outdoor terrace, which holds up to 50 guests, is a popular location for cocktail parties.

Reviews of the Westin Buckhead Atlanta on a well-known travel website are 73 percent favorable, rating the hotel either "Excellent'' or "Very Good.'' Reviewers are pleased with the location, especially the proximity to the two nearby malls. Most think the service is very good and that the hotel is a good value. This guest says, "I have stayed at some swanky hotels, but this hotel beats the lot due to its value for money, attention to detail and fantastic bed and beautiful room. I cannot recommend this hotel enough.'' Several negative comments had to do with food service, either in-room or in the dining room. All in all, both business and leisure travelers seem to enjoy the hotel's amenities without the prices of some of Buckhead's other luxury hotels.