The Tess, Autograph Collection Hotel

We were entertaining guests from Tennessee at Tess Hotell, and everyone was thrilled with how the evening went. The atmosphere and hospitality were excellent. Mike, our server, was attentive and friendly, and took great care of us. Jonathan, the supervisor, stepped in too and helped make the night smooth and memorable. We’ll definitely be back, and highly recommend it.

The front desk team and the other hotel staff were excellent, very kind and understanding about the hotel’s other shortcomings. That’s the only reason I’m giving two stars instead of one. On Valentine’s Day evening, with two large private parties and a sold-out hotel, only two valets were working. The line to park was over 20 minutes, and at checkout the next day they spent nearly 10 minutes trying to find my keys. The room was nice, I guess, but the beds weren’t comfortable and the pillows were completely flat with no support. The shower felt like a dark, awkward cavern, and the view left a lot to be desired. Worst was the noise: no soundproofing at all. I heard every little hallway sound, people screaming and knocking loudly at 12:30am, and outside noise came right through the windows. I slept terribly. I’d never stay here again. There are much nicer and more comfortable options nearby in Buckhead, so choose one of those.

Fetch Dog Park a few blocks away was a fun place to end the evening. We went several nights after dinner, met nice dog owners, and saw tons of cute dogs. There’s plenty for people too, with sports on large screens, fun music, string lights, and drinks and cocktails available at the BARk airstream bar. The Tess is also well placed for walking to restaurants and shops, off the main road. We stayed four nights and loved the genuinely friendly, accommodating front desk staff. Breakfast in the hotel restaurant was good, with a beautiful view, and the staff there were great. The lobby had really good coffee each morning. Our room wasn’t huge but was comfortable, with plenty of bedside plugs, great shower pressure, and a separate toilet WC. The only small downside was the adjoining door. Sometimes we could hear the other occupant talking on the phone or sneezing, though my phone fan app for white noise meant it never bothered me. I highly recommend The Tess and would stay again if I’m back in Atlanta.

I celebrated my 60th birthday after-party here when it was still called The Thompson. It’s close to everything in Buckhead, so spa appointments, a stylish lunch, or window shopping are easy to fit in. The Tess, Autograph Collection reopened under Marriott in October 2025 after being reimagined from its former Hyatt branding. It’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection and Peregrine Hospitality’s collection, with a modern Southern hospitality feel, vibrant spaces, and a spot near Buckhead Village. There’s a rooftop restaurant, Tesserae, with 180°+ views, plus an AND bar, fitness center, and very stylish social spaces in the lobby and rooftop areas. This will definitely be our next stay-cation spot!