Hotel Review: The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta
Before the UAE began to dominate the skyscraper scene, the U.S. had many of the world's tallest buildings. One grand example of a U.S.-based hotel skyscraper is The Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, Georgia. It is 723 ft tall and features 73 floors, with the uppermost floor being a revolving restaurant. In 1977, however, The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel was overtaken by the Detroit Plaza Hotel as the tallest hotel skyscraper in the world - despite that, it is currently still the fourth tallest hotel in the Western Hemisphere. Intrigued by its history, I chose to stay at The Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel when I visited Atlanta for a wedding. Here is my review of The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Atlanta:
The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel is located at 210 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of three Free Night Awards after spending $1,000 in three months, each covering up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 105,000 points offer worth $840. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
The location of the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel makes it especially convenient for travelers. Being right in the middle of downtown Atlanta, it is just a short walk away from the Peachtree Plaza Station on the Martha subway train if coming in from the airport, making the hotel ideal for business and conference purposes. In addition, plenty of tourist attractions, such as the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium, are within walking distance or a short Uber ride away.
Lobby & Check-In Review
I entered the hotel from one of its side entrances, and the hotel’s massive square footage was evident because I immediately got lost in search of the front desk. The lobby was full of Christmas spirit, decorated with Christmas trees and holiday-themed objects.
The festive spirit filled the lobby, which was elaborately decorated with lush Christmas trees and merry decorations.
Along with gift shops and a FedEx store, the hotel had a workspace called Tangent, which could be booked by the hour for up to four hours.
You will need to make a reservation at the front desk to use this private conference room.
The workspace was a modern conference room with computers and a whiteboard, and it even had a basket full of snacks.
The conference room had everything a modern team needs to collaborate efficiently—white boards, monitors and the atmosphere of an exclusive workspace.
For a gigantic hotel, it was a shame that there was only one shared workspace, and I’d love to see more of these inclusive conference rooms at other hotels. I finally located the front desk, and at least four receptionists were accommodating multiple guests at once.
With a fast-lane for elite members, my check-in process was seamless.
After checking in, I was delighted to discover that my stay had been upgraded to an Executive Suite on the 45th floor. Since there were no rooms higher than the 72nd level, it gave me chills just imagining how astonishing the view would be.
With architecture rapidly evolving, the question remains whether traditional futuristic designs from hotels still hold value in today's world.
With my Titanium Elite status, I expected breakfast to be complimentary, but instead, it would’ve cost $28 per person if we wished to partake.
The hotel’s in-house restaurant was located adjacent to the bar.
Although it would be convenient to have breakfast at the hotel, I couldn’t justify the price assuming that the quality of the breakfast buffet would be similar to the one found at the Grand Westin in Seattle. I put aside my disappointment and went up to the 45th floor, where my suite was located.
The towering columns in the hotel lobby set a new standard for high ceilings.
Living Room & Bedroom Review
Reaching my suite on the 45th floor of this cylindrical hotel was a breeze, thanks to its lightning-fast elevator. Because of the building's unique shape, finding your room is simple; you can just keep walking forward, and you'll eventually get there. The entire suite was carpeted, and the room began with a small kitchenette with a small sink and mini-fridge.
This mini-fridge did not provide the desired cooling power required to keep beverages refreshingly chilled.
The fridge didn’t have any in-room beverages for purchase, but it didn’t operate well as it failed to keep my water cool. Then the living space opened up with a sizable sectional, paired with very traditional wood furniture.
The living room was decorated in an antiquated style that lacked the modern flair I desired.
The coffee table in the middle of the room had seen better days as its surface was all scratched up. I found a welcome amenity on the coffee table, and the box contained a collection of sweets—chocolate-covered blueberries, trail mix, and lemon and raspberry-flavored pome frais from Torn Ranch.
For an ideal evening cap, the mixed nuts provided a delectable accompaniment to a late-night beer.
The presentation was great, and I munched on them on my flight back to Austin. Since it is never guaranteed to receive a welcome amenity, I never fully anticipate receiving it at any hotel, so I much appreciate it when hotels recognize my loyalty to the brand. The media console matched the coffee table’s old-fashioned design, and a flat-screen TV was sitting on top.
Unfortunately, the living room's media setup appeared to be stuck in a previous era—with furniture and technology that had seen far better days.
I was slightly disappointed that the TV wasn’t a smart TV, but it made sense, given the hotel’s age. In the corner was a lonely lounge chair with a unique foldable side table.
Outdated living room furniture was in desperate need of a modern touch.
The highlight of the living room was the panoramic view of downtown Atlanta. I wasn’t even on the hotel’s top floor, but I could see almost every building from above, and I even temporarily experienced vertigo.
From the bedroom, I could see the Candler Hotel and the Ritz Carlton Atlanta from the room—both phenomenal options if you’re visiting Atlanta.
The living space continued to the bedroom without any doors. I could enjoy an identical panoramic view of downtown Atlanta from the bedroom.
From the top of my suite, I was able to take in sweeping views of downtown Atlanta that made up for any lack of modern amenities.
The king bed featured a solid headboard integrated with four small recessed lights, which I used as reading lights at night. The mattress was quite stiff, and it felt as if I was sleeping on a marginally comfortable version of a box spring.
Unfortunately I found the mattress for my bed to be far from ideal, providing a stiffness that was undeniably uncomfortable.
Each bedside had a matching nightstand and a bedside lamp. The nightstand had a pullout tray—a brilliant way to expand a countertop space without sacrificing other areas of the room.
This nightstand featured a genius pullout tray, allowing maximum countertop space without compromising the room's aesthetics.
The hotel provided the room with an aromatherapy balm that was infused with essential oils of lavender and chamomile. Most Westin properties offer it, but if you are looking for a phenomenal sleep spray, I highly suggest you get one from ThisWorks. Across from the bed was another flat-screen TV, a newer version than the one in the living room, but it still didn’t feature functions that you’d normally associate with smart TVs.
Guests at the hotel had access to a range of digital in-room exercise routines; unfortunately, no yoga mats were available for use.
The TV remote was ancient, and it was interesting to see that the TV offered a home workout program where you could access simple exercise instructions that required no equipment at your convenience.
The antiquated remote controller in the bedroom instantly highlighted the need for a modern upgrade.
However, I wish the hotel supplied a yoga mat for active guests because the floor was carpeted. The media console housed another mini-fridge and a small bench, which I used to unfold my luggage. The remaining room was for a work desk, and I didn’t use it as the surface was crowded with a wired phone and a basic CV1 coffee machine, which came with Starbucks-branded coffee and Tazo teas.
Despite my best efforts to make good use of the work desk, I found it far too cluttered with other items.
Since my room was an Executive Suite, I wished the room had at least a K-cup machine, but my disappointment ensued.
An upgrade to a capsule coffee machine could be a great way to elevate in-room amenities.
Both the living room and the bedroom were outdated. The heavy use of brown and dark tones in the wood furniture and the uninviting carpet design diminished the overall impression of the suite. When the property first opened decades ago, I’m sure it was a popular luxury destination. However, competitors emerged, and its selling point as “one of the tallest hotel skyscrapers in the world” would no longer appeal to savvy consumers if the lodging experience and amenities inside the room could keep up with the trend.
Although most items in the room were showing their age, the chair stood out as particularly tattered and needing replacement.
The suite was in desperate need of renovation, and while it was undoubtedly captivating to overlook downtown Atlanta from the 45th floor, it was, unfortunately, the only attractive element in the suite.
Bathroom Review
I was left underwhelmed by the executive suite's bathroom, which was accessible from the bedroom.
In order to further illuminate the bathroom, additional lighting was considered necessary.
A single-sink vanity with a backlit mirror wasn’t bright enough; however, the modern rainfall shower and handheld option offered some respite from my disappointment.
In the midst of a lackluster bathroom, a rainfall showerhead provided a small glimpse of hope.
The communal toiletries were by Heavenly by Westin Spa, which used white tea with aloe extract as a primary active ingredient. I instantly noticed that a body wash bottle was missing from the wall, and the conditioner was from North 39 Degree—inconsistent with the overall Westin brand.
Uncoordinated and absent toiletries could be a sign of trouble—particularly in a suite.
As with the rest of the suite, the bathroom showed clear signs of age. For instance, outlet covers were antiquated to the point that they were brown, and bathroom tiles were older styles without character. Moreover, a section of the ceiling seemed to have previously sustained water damage, which critically required a new paint job. While the Westin brand had its heyday, many of their older properties lacked inspiration, something that was readily apparent in this bathroom.
Gym & Pool Review
The gym was on the 10th floor, and I honestly didn’t have high hope for the facility based on my underwhelming experience with my room. As soon as I entered the gym, I was thankful that the hotel had proved me wrong because the gym was fantastic. A row of ellipticals immediately welcomed me.
When I peeked inside the gym, much to my surprise it was not outdated as I had expected—a pleasant discovery indeed.
The gym had to be substantial to handle many guests staying at the hotel, so another area for cardio equipment appeared around the corner.
Working out at the gym was made easy with a selection of cardio machines.
At the deepest end of the gym, the fitness center managed to fit three Peloton bikes.
If you want to ride a Peloton bike, you can find them towards the back of the gym.
On the other side of the gym was an open floor full of strength exercise machines. It was as if I was transported to a commercial gym with machines for every muscle group.
The gym was a one-stop shop for sweat seekers, with an impressive selection of fitness machines ready to help members reach their goals.
The gym also featured a total body workout zone with a TRX machine, kettlebells, and medicine balls for anyone doing suspension training.
The fitness center provided the perfect environment for members to take their workout routines to a whole new level with its full-body training area.
The free weight area consisted of a standard set of dumbbells and two adjustable benches.
With other lifting machines readily available, you wouldn’t need to wait in line to use these benches.
If anything were missing from the gym, it would be a Smith machine or a squat rack. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t expect a conservative brand like Westin to have those machines. Instead of them, the gym had a standing desk with a treadmill.
I wonder how many people actually use this, but it is a cool amenity nonetheless.
It was certainly my first time seeing one in a hotel gym, and it was undeniably fascinating. I probably appreciated it more than others since my work is 100% remote. However, it was a bit odd to see one inside the gym, and I would’ve preferred to have it in my suite so I could get more steps in, while working in a quiet environment.
The gym had something for everyone with its diverse range of workout options and facilities.
The pool was on the 11th floor; you can access it from either the ninth floor or the gym on the tenth floor. It was an indoor pool with a skylight ceiling, which let in some natural light. Regardless, the ceiling glasses were opaque and didn’t give me the feeling of being outdoors.
Be cautious when venturing into the deep ends of the pool as it descends 8 ft deep, and there is no lifeguard on duty.
There were rows of sunbeds for guests to relax, and the pool itself was a big rectangle divided into two sections by a floaty line. The shallow portion of the pool had a depth of between 2 ft 8 inches and 4 ft 9 inches, while the deep portion of the pool measured 8 ft deep. Be aware that there is no lifeguard by the poolside, so if children want to swim, adult supervision is necessary. The water was lukewarm, and the temperature was perfect for casual swimming. Even though the pool was pretty basic, I enjoyed using it because there wasn’t anyone else using it, making it feel like a private pool.
If the starlight ceiling panels were clearer, they would’ve let in more natural light from the outdoors, creating an inviting ambience at the swimming facility.
Both the gym and pool exceeded my expectation, and I was particularly pleased with the viable workout options in the gym. If you want to use both the pool and gym, note that the gym operates 24/7, but the pool is only open daily between 10:30 AM and 7 PM.
Breakfast Review
To save money, we avoided the hotel’s in-house restaurant, and instead, we chose Starbucks on the first floor. However, when we arrived during peak hour, it became clear that this decision would take much more time than expected due to an incredibly long line.
Visiting Starbucks in the lobby during peak hours was a very time-consuming activity.
As if this weren’t discouraging enough, upon closer inspection of their menu prices, I discovered they had inflated pricing. After already investing close to 20 minutes waiting in line, I decided not to turn away empty-handed and made my order anyways. Fortunately, our pastries came out relatively fast despite all the waiting around, but consider other options for those who value both speed and affordability come morning time.
It wasn’t difficult to grab seats in the lobby for a quick coffee and bagel breakfast in the morning.
If you want to go all out for fancy brunch, head to the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar on the 73rd floor. It is on the uppermost floor of the hotel, and Sun Dial is a restaurant that offers panoramic views of Atlanta. The restaurant has two floors; the top floor completes a full revolution every 30 minutes and the bottom every 60 minutes.
For a romantic night out, consider making a reservation at The Sun Dial, located on the 73rd floor of the hotel.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Contrary to my initial presumption, the gym was impressively equipped and surpassed all expectations. There was no shortage of cardio machines, and strength exercise machines were arranged by targeted muscle groups. The gym featured a TRX suspension system, Peloton bikes, and even a height-adjustable work desk with a treadmill if you needed to burn some calories while responding to emails.
Negatives
My suite was anything but luxurious. The aged furniture and water-stained ceiling made it feel dull and uninviting, while missing amenities left much to be desired. It's clear that this hotel needs an upgrade. The hotel seriously needs to revamp its rooms and amenities.
There was no complimentary breakfast for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elites or higher. I would understand if the hotel was an independent boutique hotel with an affiliation with Marriott, but for a gigantic conference hotel, it was disappointing to discover that my Titanium Elite status doesn’t yield much value.
Summary
The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel had become a relic of its former glory, and it was evident that the property had been lacking in proper maintenance to keep up with the latest design and technological trends. In some areas, such as the gym, there was an obvious attempt to keep up with the times; however, my suite, in particular, lacked modern design and amenities that brought comfort and convenience to guests. With no renovations made despite the passing of years and competition from other hotels in the area, The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel had evidently failed to stand against other lodging options. While I did enjoy certain characteristics, such as scenic views of Atlanta or a fully-equipped gym, these experiences were overshadowed by an overall feeling of discouragement.
