June 2021: For Brits thinking ahead and planning an adventure in the American South, the state of Georgia has a selection of new and intriguing accommodation available.
There are new immersive hotels opening across the state in locations including Atlanta where historic buildings have been transformed into stylish new accommodation offerings, a new riverside property in the city of Columbus, and an oceanfront dual-branded hotel on Jekyll Island in Georgia’s picturesque Golden Isles.
Old Meets New in Atlanta
This year, Atlanta is gaining two new hotel properties through the renovation of existing sites that create an ever-evolving destination for visitors.
Standing poised between skyscrapers and tree-canopied estates, The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel has transformed a historic 1950s residential building into a boutique 217-room hotel. Located in the lively Buckhead neighbourhood, often dubbed ‘The Beverly Hills of the South,’ the property is a boutique enclave that blends mid-century style with modern-chic design. Its supper club-style restaurant The Betty serves a contemporary take on continental American classics, while Willow Bar is a lush secret garden tucked behind the hotel which offers a calming oasis away from the Buckhead buzz. For panoramic city views, head to St. Julep, the rooftop lounge on the ninth floor – it’s a great spot for cocktails.
Set on Ponce De Leon Avenue, the 111-room Wylie Hotel, opened in May in the city’s Old Fourth Ward and is located within the original 551 Ponce building which dates back to the 1920s. Styled to have a ‘home-away-from-home’ feel for guests, the boutique hotel boasts views of Ponce City Market and easy access to the Atlanta Beltline. When hunger comes calling, Mrs P’s Bar & Kitchen offers a dignified but approachable dining lounge serving southern eats and inventive drinks.
New Options for Georgia Road Trips
For the first time in 100 years there is a hotel in historic downtown Thomasville, a city in the far southwest of Georgia that’s been named a Great American Main Street and recognised by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The new 107-room Courtyard Thomasville Downtown has opened in the heart of the historic area, bringing a great new addition to the quaint community. The four-storey hotel – an $18 million investment – has room views that overlook downtown Thomasville sites, including church steeples, the courthouse cupola, water tower, the unique businesses of local craft makers, and picturesque street scenes. Celebrating Thomasville’s artist community, local and original artwork is displayed on the walls throughout the first floor in conjunction with the Center for the Arts.
Further north in the city of Columbus – famous for its white water rafting opportunities on the Chattahoochee River – rest and relax with a stay at the new Hotel Indigo Columbus at Riverfront Place. Built to reflect the neighbourhood’s story, its design is focused on all things local to pay tribute to the community it serves. The hotel sits right on the Chattahoochee River, standing seven storeys tall with 107 guest rooms. The hotel features Denim & Oak, a ‘farm-to-table’ riverfront restaurant that serves local handpicked produce, and Eighteen 85 Rooftop Bar + Kitchen which boasts 180-degree views of the city and is the perfect spot for twilight craft cocktails and regionally influenced local beers. Conveniently part of Uptown Columbus, there are many restaurants, shops, and outdoor recreation activities that are within walking distance.
Across the state on the coast in Georgia’s Golden Isles, Jekyll Island has a new oceanfront Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott. Located on what was a vacant lot for more than 15 years, it is now once again welcoming guests back to a beautiful beachfront setting. The new dual-branded Marriott embodies the Island’s goal of repurposing previously developed land within a similar footprint. The 209-room beach resort opened in early June and features 120 Residence Inn by Marriott rooms and 89 Courtyard by Marriott rooms. The hotel has an all-day indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar Shore which serves American favourites with a local flair, and it also features Jekyll’s largest heated, fresh-water, oceanfront pool, including a hot tub and splash pad making it a great choice for families.
For more information on Georgia, visit: www.exploregeorgia.org.
For hi-res imagery of the hotel, click here.
More details on accommodation options throughout the state can be found at: www.exploregeorgia.org/places-to-stay.