Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

The Four Seasons Atlanta is a five-star hotel, restaurant, and spa, and a great place to enjoy Atlanta, just not by the pool on weekends. I keep hearing this happens regularly: hotel guests invite their kids' friends over for pool parties, and the pool seems to have become a destination for children's parties. I've seen as many as 12 kids running, screaming, and jumping in the hot tub while spa clients were trying to relax. The accommodations and food are always great, and the spa is relaxing, but I'd avoid the pool, especially on weekends.

We won't return, and we'll be telling local friends and family about this. Across booking, the stay, and checkout, too many things went wrong. I came away feeling that Four Seasons doesn't value the customer experience when money is involved. I booked on the website nearly three to four weeks ahead. A week before, my plans changed because my wife's father was in the hospital. I tried to cancel, then learned the special rate couldn't be cancelled. I hadn't realized that when booking, and the reservation manager I asked to contact me never did. We found a way to go because I didn't want to lose $1100. At arrival, valet was $60 for guests. That might make some sense for a restaurant or spa visit, but after paying over $1000 for one night it felt like a slap in the face, so I parked in the deck next door for $40. The room was nice, but not worth what we paid. Whenever a neighbor used water, an excruciatingly loud siren-like sound woke us several times. It was my worst hotel sleep, worse than at a Motel 6. After checkout, I saw a $60 valet charge even though I hadn't used it. I called and got it removed. They said another guest's room must have been mixed up, which was insulting and unacceptable. It made me feel the hotel might be trying to take advantage of guests, and I still feel that way. I also added a charcuterie board and prosecco for my wife's birthday when booking. The bill labeled it “In room dining dinner,” which was unclear, so I had to call and check that nothing else was wrong. It was the items we'd ordered, but guests shouldn't have to spend time figuring out a bill. Better itemization would fix that. The whole experience felt unprofessional, confusing, and like overcharges might go unnoticed, and the room details weren't handled well enough for a relaxing stay. If you're looking for a top-tier hotel in Atlanta, this is NOT it.

We loved the spacious, elegant room, its spotless condition, the city views, and the bed that felt like a cloud. The marble bathroom, plush robes, and upscale amenities made it hard to leave. At Bar Margot, we had some of the best cocktails and food we've had in Atlanta, and brunch the next morning was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The spa and pool felt like a peaceful oasis, the massage was phenomenal, and the relaxation lounge left us recharged. Midtown was a great base near Piedmont Park, restaurants, and the High Museum of Art, though we barely needed to leave. From check-in through valet, every part of the stay felt seamless. Staff greeted us by name and went out of their way to make our weekend memorable. The Four Seasons Atlanta gave us a warm, polished five-star experience, and we're eager to return.

After long days at work, it was such a relief to return here. I had a wonderful four-night stay, with no complaints, and the staff, service, and amenities made it feel special, even though hotels in the US often leave me underwhelmed. The bed was the most comfortable I've slept in, and the hotel bar and in-room dining were both great. A small touch I loved was that staff zip-tied my charging cables during turndown.