Best Western Atlanta Cumberland/Galleria Hotel

We keep coming back for the weekly rate, which works well for construction workers staying a week or more. The rooms aren’t vacuumed during your stay, even though there is a vacuum, and they may or may not make the bed when cleaning. Breakfast can be cold. There’s just one microwave and one washer, so you may want to use a nearby laundromat. Also, get into the right lane as early as you can when approaching, or you’ll miss the turn and have to circle around at the light.

We were traveling from NC to GA for a funeral, and despite the circumstances everyone had been in good spirits. My wife booked three rooms on the same floor through Expedia, expecting a Best Western like the ones we often choose. The lobby looked clean, but the trouble started at the elevator. We had to press down to go up to the second floor, and at about 6 pm our room still wasn’t ready. Our kids’ room smelled strongly of Black & Mild smoke. My mother-in-law had no hot water and a clogged toilet for both days we stayed. After our room was finally cleaned, the smoke alarm chirped until maintenance changed its battery. When it got cold, the heater stayed at 60 degrees, or maybe colder, since the panel showed “ERR.” Maintenance couldn’t fix it, gave us a small space heater, and made no further effort. There were also cigarette burns on a blanket, dead water bugs in the hallway, water on the floor without a wet-floor sign, and a dangerous metal piece sticking out from a bed frame. A doorknob hole had gone through a wall with no stopper. The tub base wasn’t clean, there was a smudge in the sink and one on a wall, and the hallway ceiling was peeling from water damage. Phones didn’t work to call the desk, and we could hear everything through the walls and from the hallway. Someone was banging on a door, begging to be let in. The strange elevator moved up, down, and at angles. We tried to find a bright spot, but couldn’t. Expedia contacted the front desk and asked them to move us, but the hotel was full with a cheerleading team. No slight against the team, but we couldn’t go elsewhere, so we endured it. My wife contacted corporate and said this location shouldn’t be associated with Best Western until its problems are fixed. We understood it had been a Red Roof Inn before BW took it over. Housekeeping needs retraining, and maintenance needs the tools to do the job. We’ll probably still stay at other BW hotels because we know their standards, but if this had been our first experience, we’d feel the opposite. The photos also showed the marks, tub, sink, bed frame, wall hole, and water on the hallway floor.

We’ll definitely be back in May. This place felt clean, safe, and healthy, almost like family. We were working in town and spent a lot of time in our room, so having a comfortable place mattered. The room was inviting and clean smelling, with working AC and heat, a comfortable bed, and plenty of hot water. The breakfast was complimentary and had waffles, sausage, juice, bagels, yogurt and granola, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, grits, and turkey links. Tameka, who ran breakfast, was cheerful and welcoming every morning, greeting everyone with a cup of happiness. The front desk staff were warm too, saying hello whenever we went out and returned. Shanita was especially kind and welcoming. There was a little confusion at check-in because the hotel was booked for Valentine’s Day, but they sorted it out in under two minutes. I was in town just before Valentine’s Day for work, and the location had lots of restaurants and stores within about two miles. I really recommend it if you need to stay near the northside perimeter.

The hotel wasn’t what we expected, but Kayla at the front desk was incredibly helpful, patient, and compassionate. She did everything she could to help with the cancellation. I appreciate her efforts more than she knows.