Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead

Shod was my main valet during my visit with the Waldorf. He was phenomenal. Very attentive to all questions and very accommodating to whatever I needed. Pleasant personality and good energy. These are the types of employees that make good properties great properties.

Shod and the bellman staff were amazing! They went over and beyond helping us retrieve items we left in our car. They brought the items to our room for us! The hotel is nice and the bar is my favorite, cozy and great cocktails! Accommodations are excellent.

I had the pleasure of enjoying a massage at the Waldorf Astoria this week, and it was truly a five-star experience from start to finish. Andrea, my masseuse, was absolutely incredible—one of the best I’ve ever had. She was warm, attentive, and highly skilled, tailoring the massage to my needs with just the right pressure and technique. I left feeling deeply relaxed and refreshed, with noticeable relief in areas of tension I didn’t even realize I had. The spa itself was serene and luxurious, offering a peaceful escape from the bustle of everyday life. Every detail, from the calming ambiance to the attentive staff, made the experience feel extra special. I wouldn’t hesitate to return and will definitely be requesting Andrea again. Highly recommend!

The polished and professional staff of the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta evince genuine warmth and good cheer, sometimes in stark contrast to the grim countenances of some (but certainly not all) of my fellow guests. Perhaps the staff bonhomie during my stay was partially inspired by the giant toy soldiers at the front door and inexplicable festooned Christmas trees still present throughout the property in late January. Regardless, you’d have a hard heart not to be impressed by their alacrity and willingness to be on the guest’s side. A special shoutout to the bartender who kept the bar open late to offer me an end-of-the-road whisky following a long odyssey that started the day in Barcelona and involved multiple modes of transit to the property involving planes and trains (but no automobiles due to the unavailability of taxis, Ubers and Lyfts at the ATL airport due to snow and ice on the road). I could have retired to my room to the well-stocked minibar but appreciated the sympathetic ear as much as the drink itself. My assigned room was well designed for both rest and work, very quiet, commodious, well-appointed and… surprisingly shabby. This storied 42-story property designed by starchitect Robert A.M. Stern Architects is the 12th tallest building in Atlanta and one of the tallest residential high-rises in the US. The hotel has been through a few previous incarnations, launching as a Rosewood Mansion project at the nadir of the hospitality industry during the 2008 financial crisis. It quickly fell into foreclosure in 2010 and was rebadged as a Mandarin Oriental hotel in 2012. Subsequently, the property transitioned to the Waldorf Astoria brand in 2018. I don’t know if my room was previously renovated as part of these transitions. If so, perhaps I simply had the bad luck to be assigned a room whose immediate previous occupant was a barbarian (or group of barbarians). If, however, the condition of my room is representative of the rest of the hotel, these guestrooms have seen some hard living over the years and are overdue for a refresh to meet the customary standards of Hilton’s flagship brand. One of the wall sconces flanking the bed had its switch perilously dangling and was entirely inoperable. The closet door hinges were ripping away from the frame, requiring a shove of the shoulder to right it back square each time I closed it. The carpet has been trampled by countless feet into a gray mash obscuring its original pattern. Baseboards and sills bear the scars and gouges (painted over) of countless roller bags and room service trolleys. One of the interior seals in the window appeared to be separating from the frame. I sent photos of these maintenance issues to the Guest Services text mailbox and showed them to the front desk but never heard a word in response or saw any maintenance staff following up. The public areas of the hotel are beautifully-designed and appointed, although the dining room can become a bit overwhelmed during the breakfast rush. When they run out of available tables, hungry guests have to cool their heels, spilling out to wait in the lobby. One hostess seemed to wilt a bit under the pressure and remarked to me she thought she was going to lose her mind. I assured her that no breakfast patron was worth losing one’s mind over and that everything was going to be A-ok. And admittedly, the pace of service could be charitably characterized as “Southern Hospitality,” moving a bit more slowly than, say, a New York diner. One morning I arrived at the restaurant at 9:20 AM. Coffee, water and juice arrived almost instantly, but at 9:50, eggs were still nowhere in sight. I finally had to abandon ship eggless for a 10:00 meeting. In the staff’s defense, some of the diners were a bit precious. The gentleman seated next to me insisted on placing his order while wearing enormous headphones, causing the server to have to shout to confirm his very particular order: two pancakes (he emphatically wanted the third pancake that comes standard with the order removed before the plate was presented to him), two egg whites, two strips of bacon, etc. Maybe two was his lucky number, maybe he lacked the self-control to avoid gobbling the third cake or maybe he just wanted two and only two pancakes. I resisted the urge to suggest he might be happier at the Ritz Carlton Maldives where pancakes by default come two to an order. I encountered the apologetic restaurant manager later in the day and explained it was not my intention to ghost them before my eggs arrived but that I had simply run out of time. When I returned later for lunch, I was treated royally to prompt five star service. I encourage guests to read the menu closely. I ordered the “Little Gems Salad” thinking Little Gems = Little Gem lettuce. Nope. As it clearly says on the menu, the little gems are in fact local lettuces akin to ubiquitous “spring mix” bin found at every Whole Foods and its ilk. I may be the only person in America to loathe this unpalatable and largely indigestible concatenation of frisee chicory and assorted dandelion weed-like leaves but consider yourself forewarned. The fitness center is voluminous and has just about every workout option imaginable. I didn’t encounter more than a couple of other guests at any time during my stay and I was often the only one in the expansive facility. If your level of fitness drops over the course of your stay, that’s on you, not the Waldorf Astoria. There’s also a beautiful large indoor pool for laps and recreational splashing. Owing to the frigid 15-degree temperature, no one used the outdoor hot tub during my stay, but it looked tempting for more temperate times. This is a comfortable, luxurious, friendly hotel. I look forward to returning… after they apply a fresh coat of paint and fix the hinges and sconces.

I spent one evening here while in the area on personal business. The hotel, especially the room, was lovely. I spent a peaceful night enjoying my luxurious space. The room was quite large with an amazing bathroom. The bedding was fluffy and cozy. Though I was alone, there was plenty of space for two to spread out. Once I closed the door, it was very quiet. The room was well maintained and showing no signs of wear. I enjoyed my breakfast in the dining room -- as a Hilton Diamond member, that was essentially free -- though the hours were shorter than what the app stated. Confirm with the staff if you want to be sure not to miss it. One thing to note: the indoor pool is lovely, but there is no whirlpool, just FYI. I was surprised that when I first arrived, there was no one to greet me in the lobby or direct me to the small front desk. There was also no one at the front desk, which was okay as I had checked in on the app. Later, when I returned to the hotel, the front desk attendant seemed kind of suspicious and I had to explain I was a guest who had checked in on the app and been to my room earlier. The next morning, I had to wander around to find the restaurant, which also lacked a greeter. It just seemed strange for a luxury hotel. Overall, a very positive experience in a fantastic room.