Our recent adventure trip to Atlanta, Georgia was coupled with downtown accommodations and relaxed, southern dining. Hyatt Place Atlanta Downtown, located in central Atlanta, is within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium and countless restaurants to match everyone’s taste buds. After a day of hot air ballooning, biplane flying, and whale shark swimming, there is nothing better than a tasty meal and a full night’s rest.
Hyatt Place Atlanta Downtown offered complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast, wireless internet access, a laptop-compatible safe, a local newspaper, and a coffee/tea maker. Our king-sized bed came with signature bedding, triple sheeting, and a down comforter. In addition to a complimentary newspaper and safe, we had a 42-inch plasma television, fridge, and microwave. A full-length partition wall divided the sitting area and the bed, allowing us to sit in a lit area while the bedroom area, where Athena slept, remained shaded.
The reception area was lively and the staff joked with us as if we were old family friends. The front-desk clerk asked us about our weekend plans and she actually remembered to ask how everything went when we returned the next day. It was personable service at its best.
Upon entering the room, we were greeted with a welcome basket of goodies including snacks and drinks and a hand-written note from the staff. Darren opened the pretzels immediately and I went for the potato chips. The carbonated drink was a surprise to Darren and we quickly learned where tissue and paper towel could be found as it spilled over the floor after a good shaking.
Although the Georgia Aquarium is within half a mile of the hotel, we took advantage of the complementary shuttle service. After a day of adventures, starting with a sunrise hot air balloon flight, we were wiped by the time we finished swimming with the whale sharks. All we needed to do was call the shuttle number and the driver arrived almost instantly. Opening the door and lifting Athena’s stroller from the van, the driver was both friendly and helpful. He gave us tips on the best places to visit and family restaurants to enjoy. We followed his suggestion of Max’s Lager located next to the hotel for our dinner plans.
Located at the corner of Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street, Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery restaurant is at the epicenter of the hotel district. Service and quality merged during our dinner at Max’s to create an exquisite dining experience. Our waiter prided himself on professional service, friendliness, and a quick “refill” turn-around time. My thirst must have been obvious after downing the first soda and my glass was never empty. It reminded me of the Irish saying, “May your glass be ever full, / May the roof over your head be always strong.” The circa 1913 building, with its bricks and beams, was certainly strong and our glasses were always full.
We shared our favorite memories from the day as excitement bubbled from us like an erupting volcano. It seemed like only seconds before our food arrived, but that could have had something to do with our non-stop conversation. I ordered the Turkey Meatloaf Burger. For $10, it included hardwood grilled turkey meatloaf, applewood bacon, grilled red onion, and tomato jam on an onion roll. It was served on a house made bun with hand cut french fries. With complimentary refills, a great price, unbelievable, friendly service, and good company, our dinner was as wonderful as the rest of our day.
Hyatt Place Atlanta Downtown and Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery made our weekend in Atlanta, Georgia complete. We can’t wait to return to Atlanta to experience more of the adventures it has to offer. While the adventures will change on our next visit, the hotel and the restaurant will remain constant. Every day is a new adventure in Atlanta, Georgia and we want to start and end it right with an amazing hotel and delicious dining.
Swimming with whale sharks!! How freakin cool! I would love to do that.
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I’ll post about that experience shortly; stay tuned 😉
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You do Life amazingly well.
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Love visiting my mom in Atlanta… This summer with a side trip to lovely Charleston. In Atlanta, we finally did the coke museum. It’s actually very interesting. The tasting room literally sticky, fascinating, and belly ache producing. We loved the coke commercial reels.
Next time you are there, you might check out the restaurant Empire State South, it’s a good one.
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We enjoyed Charleston last month. It has a charm all of its own. 🙂
As for Atlanta, we’ll have to return because there was too much to do in one trip.
Thanks for the suggestion; I’ll have to keep it in mind for the next visit.
🙂
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Welcome to my home town! I do love it here as well. The aquarium is amazing and the experience swimming with the whale sharks is well worth it. If you come to visit again I would recommend meeting the beluga whales! It is more intimate and they have the personality of puppies! I am so happy for you two and the adventures you share. It is very inspiring.
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Welcome to the ATL!
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Love your blog,makes me want to do everything!
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The only reason I want to go to Atlanta is because my friend who just got married works at the puppet museum down there. I just thought it was the most random place to get a job after college!
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learn something new everyday.. did not realize the A had a puppet museum.. must look into this.
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It’s called The Center for Puppetry Arts. Apparently they’ve got an exhibit devoted to Jim Henson and the Muppets. Which is cool if you are into that sort of thing (I’m terrified of the muppets). If you ever go, let me know so I can give you my friend’s name!
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Looks like a great place to stay
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You’ll have to come back again to check out Mary Mac’s Tea Room, Stone Mountain, and plenty more! 🙂
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We will be back for sure. We loved Georgia and there is so much more to do that we’ll need to make a list 😉
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My friends and I make an annual trip to Max Lager’s during Dragon*Con. Positively yummy!
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Sounds amazing! Would love to hear more about diving with whale sharks though!!!!
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Stay tuned; I’ll post about the whale sharks this week 🙂
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Thanks for the reblog; I appreciate your support.
May the world be at your doorstep,
Lesley
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Loved reading about your time in Atlanta. Thanks for sharing.
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Great post! I’ve only ever been to the Atlanta Airport – but it looks like your post has given me something to put on my Bucket List! I look forward to reading more of your adventures!
-W
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Please go here http://sixfeetunderatlanta.com/ the next time you are in Atlanta. Great atmosphere, food, and drinks.
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Hey Lesley, you were almost in my neighborhood…I live about 20 miles west of Altanta. So glad you were treated with some good down home Southern Hospitality, “Ya’ll come back now, you hear!”
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Wow…ATL has changed quite a bit since I went to college there! Thanks for updating me!
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I dig how you see beauty in all things 🙂 its a gift from God 🙂 enjoy!
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Hey.. You were among the first view to visit my blog.. I like reading your blog and have passed along the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ to you. Congratulations!
For more info visit: http://cookcookandcook.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/my-first-award-one-lovely-blog/
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Very interesting to read as I will spend a week of work near ATL in october. I’m still looking for some places to do landscape photography after office…
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Friendly staff at a hotel makes all the difference. I vaguely remember getting drunk with the manager of a hotel in Bremen. Copious amounts of Schnapps and Becks
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Man. One of the many places that I want to stay in forever. (or atleast if I find the perfect home) great photis !!
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You are close to Texas – grab your cowgirl boots and come on down to Montgomery County! Prettiest country anywhere and The Red Man would love to have you visit…:)
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It really sounds like your weekend was great!
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Thanks for these recommendations. I frequently attend the Atlanta Gift Mart and I’m always looking for new places to stay and eat! These sound good. http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
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Hey that’s the place where I live! Glad you guys had a decent time. I’, on my last day in New York and will be boarding the Bus to DC and from there back to the “A” as they say.
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Very nice blog. Interesting read.
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Turkey meatloaf burger sounds wonderful. Glad you had a good time in Atlanta, it’s an interesting place.
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Thanks for sharing your wonderful experiences.
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Hotels can ge be great… If you’re on the right side of the check-in counter!
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Why am I always reading this blog when my tummy’s juuust beginning to grumble for lunch?
I love Hyatt Place – we stayed in one on our wedding night and it was wonderful. 🙂
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Haven’t stayed at the Hyatt but have been to Atlanta several times. Don’t you just love the way the people in Atlanta drive? I thought NY and NJ was crazy LOL! Glad your trip was exciting (as usual). 😀
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LOL… i must agree.. (even though this was not directed at me)
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I have lived in Atlanta for 3 years and still have not done this much! This is a sign that I need to go out and make use of the city.
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Looks like a great place to go for a relaxing vacation full of adventure, I will have to remember that for a year when I can just take off and go. Great pics by the way.
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I’m sorry I didn’t stay there when I was in Atlanta. Next time. 😉
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Sounds like a great day and looks like you two had a super terrific day. Hugs
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Really roughing it in Atlanta, eh. Looks like you had a great time.
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There do seem to be some interesting things in Atlanta. That hotel looks fabulous. I must go check out Max Lager’s sometime. There is a relatively new baby panda at the zoo.. or so the news keeps saying. 🙂
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You make me want to take a trip 5o Atlanta. I’ve been there several times but never looked at it in such an adventuresome way. Thanks for liking my blog and congrats on your new baby
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I love Atlanta. I’ve stayed in the Marriott right next door.
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That is my hometown. I lived in Atlanta for 18 years and Georgia most of my life (more than 40 years).
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Glad that you liked Atlanta. I like it, I live here 🙂
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I love these city blogs. After growing up near San Francisco, I love Atlanta and enjoy visiting!
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You had a better time in Atlanta than I have ever had. The place reminds me of what a wag said about South Carolina in 1860-1861: too small to be a republic and too large to be an asylum.
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I have to join in many of your other comments here and say “swimming with whale sharks. WOW”. Eagerly awaiting more details!
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Love that you enjoy life. Life is so precious. Love the picture of you two!
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Thanks for sharing this dear 🙂
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Wish that I had known your hotel before my former trip to Atlanta. But I’ll consider it when I have chance to come back there again!
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