My new absolute favorite hotel in downtown Atlanta is the Ritz-Carlton. I go to the Gift Show every January at the AmericasMart downtown and have stayed in a variety of downtown hotels. For the few dollars more per night than the other places I've stayed Downtown it is totally worth it (keeping in mind I get a show-rate -- while it's not cheap, it is better than the ridiculous prices they usually get ).

The proximity to the Mart is enough to make it worth it - the only thing closer is the Westin that is actually connected by an indoor bridge to the Mart and the Westin is across the street from the Ritz. You only have to be outside in the January cold less than 3 minutes if the light to cross is against you - less than 1 minute if not!

Check-in was smooth - my room was even ready (had never happened in any other hotel in all the years I've been going to Atlanta) and I was offered a beverage while checking in.

The room was very nice, but I wouldn't say there was much that set it apart from any of the nicer hotels I've stayed, room-wise (besides a live orchid in the bathroom and a couple things I'll mention below). What really set the hotel apart (for me) is the top-notch, courteous service - everyone from the maids to the desk to any employee you crossed paths with greeted you with a smile and asked how your day was going and wished you a good day. Not an askance service attitude anywhere - not even once.

The coolest thing (this is silly, but it was cool to me) was when I got back to my room after dinner the first night, turn-down service had been there, the lighting in the room was subdued, the TV was on a relaxing music channel and chocolates on the pillow - but here's the cool part - I called down to leave my wake-up call time and also asked where the ice on my floor was located. I hung up, picked up the ice bucket and found that there was already ice in it!

There were also little bottles of complimentary water all over the room as well as a reasonable, well-stocked mini-bar and a tea and coffee caddy full of a variety of teas and coffee choices with a one-cup water heater. I had read the room amenities online before I'd left home and saw that there was a CD player in the room, so I brought a classical CD with me and enjoyed very much having that playing when I returned to the room at night and while I dressed in the morning. Very relaxing. If I hadn't brought a CD with me, I could have listened to the "romantic piano" CD that was provided. I didn't use it, but there was a Hi-speed access connection at the desk in the room and a cordless phone.

I ordered room service breakfast and coffee the night prior and it was delivered exactly on time and my wake-up calls were right on time each morning as well. I dined at the Atlanta Grille with friends - the restaurant in the Ritz - and found the service and food to be perfect. The lobby and lobby bar were lovely and the elevators are key-access only. When I saw that the fitness center was located across the hall from my room (409), I was concerned with early morning noise, but it was no bother at all (it looks like any other room door and is also key-access; I meant to have a look, but never did).

There were only a couple minor problems - the light on the magnifying make-up mirror blew out the first morning and I called to the desk for it to be replaced and it wasn't. And the air conditioner in the room had an occasional funny whirring noise like a loud CD spinning up in a player. I was either too tired to notice it at night or it only did it in the early hours of the morning. If I'd been staying there longer, I would have tried harder to fix that or something.

The Gift Show is a grueling experience and a little pampering at the end of the day is very welcome. I will certainly plan to stay there again and hope my next experience is just as nice.

I stayed at the Ritz in downtown Atlanta for a business trip, and this hotel is top notch. The customer service is excellent, and all of the little things that the hotel does makes a great choice for a business traveler. The fitness room is superb with clean and up to date workout equipment. Room service was fantastic and the food was wonderful. I truly enjoyed my stay at the Ritz!

I have no idea how they slapped the Ritz Carlton name on this place. We stayed here for a wedding and left the next morning to stay elsewhere.

The overall feeling coudl be termed "Laura Ashley Goes Ghetto."

The whole place is completely dated. Room was unclean, musty, furnishings tired and loaded with scratches, dings, stains. Stains on the carpets, stains on the drapes, wallpaper and an overall dirty feeling. Tiny TV circa 1985, broken clock radio, absurdly small bathroom (also not clean) with dated fixtures, no water pressure and not enough space to turn around.

Come on Ritz Carlton -- this place is a very poor reflection on your brand.

Nice staff, but obvious they were working from a script and pretty uninspired to be working in such a dump.

The Ritz was wonderful! Helpful staff that treated myself, husband, and ten month old baby like royalty. We had champagne and strawberries in our room when we arrived as well as a bag of goodies for our son! The bed was very comfortable and the room was very nice. We wished they had a hot tub, but the fitness center is nice. The Atlanta Grill is excellent and we enjoyed our room service breakfast. I cannot say enough good things about the hotel and will stay at any Ritz Carleton in the future!