Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

After staying near the Atlanta airport our first night before visiting an awesome aviation museum (SEE: 3 reasons why the Delta Flight Museum is an avgeek must-see), my son and I grabbed an early dinner and then hopped on the metro toward downtown. We’d stay at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown for our next two nights in Georgia’s largest city.

Arriving at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown

Stepping off at Peachtree Center, we walked the few blocks to The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown. There are several reasonable hotel options in different major chains in downtown Atlanta. Given that I have a good number of Hilton points and award rates were good, I’d picked this one based on the location and reviews. I burnt 70,000 Hilton points for our two nights, getting an average 0.51 cents each. The hotel is technically in the DoubleTree brand, even though that isn’t apparent in the name.

The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown is very close to Centennial Olympic Park, and the location provides great access to downtown Atlanta attractions. This can be said about a fair number of Atlanta hotels, however, so it isn’t especially unique in that regard. What may be unique is that the front entrance is decorated with a car.

a car parked in front of a building

We entered into a nice lobby that is modern but still holds some of the features and look of a historic hotel. The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown is designed in a “pop retro style”, incorporating elements of past decades but also remaining modern.

a room with a piano and a couch

The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown has a great history. Originally opened in 1962, it was the first “integrated” hotel in Atlanta (read: not segregated). The hotel was originally owned by Dr. Marvin Goldstein, a dentist who saw Dr. King’s kids as patients. The hotel has undergone a $16 million renovation, adding a modern feel but keeping nostalgic touches from the mid-1900s.

Check in was quick at the front desk, but we had one funny moment. The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown has some themed suites, including one of James Bond. While making the reservation, I added a note on a whim that said “please place a signed photo of James Bond on the nightstand.” This was my first time ever adding a silly request like this, and I wanted to see if the hotel would come through.

I could tell the lady was reading my note right after she pulled up our reservation. She chuckled and said that they had a suite with a Bond theme and she’d see if it was available. I could tell they’d failed the photo, so I’m 0/1. But maybe this would score an upgrade? This was honestly not at all my intent.

a bottle of water on a table

We were (of course) sent off with the “famous” DoubleTree cookie. Fine, I’ll admit it. This is the real reason I booked The American. 😉

Our Sweet Suite Upgrade

She wasn’t kidding about the upgrade. We were bumped up from a standard room to a very nicely appointed suite with a truly separate living area from bedroom. Room 759, to be exact.

a couch and a lamp in a room

Note the picture above the wall. At least they picked the original (and arguably best) James Bond from the silver screen.

a wooden cabinet with a shelf and a picture on top

I’m not a huge Bond fan, but I’ve seen a few of the movies and thought it was cool that The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown has a few themed suites like this. While the car out front might slightly resemble James Bond’s Aston Martin, the model in the room was the real deal.

a silver car in a glass case

There is the man himself. Let’s hope the gun is just a model. It would be slightly disconcerting to have a real firearm available to anyone who entered the hotel room. Theming the room with a character from the 60s and 70s fits right in with the rest of the retro feel of the hotel.

a framed picture of a gun and a man holding a gun

Even the modern mini-fridge had a totally retro look. I’m always pleased when I find nicer hotels that still provide these to guests. My wife and I found they aren’t always standard in Europe (or you have a minibar instead), which can be a pain when generally buy perishable food you plan to store.

a red box with a handle

We had been given a king suite, which was the same as the original room type I’d booked (it was 3,000 points per night cheaper). I’d planned to ask for a room with two beds, but having a sofa-bed in the other room would work well enough.

american hotel atlanta downtown

Or would it? Even though we had a perfectly good sofa-bed available, my son refused to sleep on it. He made this instead.

a chair and a blanket on the floor

Yeah. That looks comfy. But when you’re seven, you can sleep anywhere. Which is why I make normally make him sleep on the sofa-bed anyway. Somehow he slept just fine here.

The desk is located in the bedroom section of the suite.

a desk with a lamp and a paper on it

The bathroom was clean, modern and nice and had a great glass shower. I vastly prefer a tiled shower over a shower tub combo.

a bathroom with a mirror and a sink

a tray with towels and toiletries on it

a glass shower with a towel on a rack

The view from our room decent, although the other end of the floor would probably have a view of the park. Still, no complaining here. The upgrade was amazing.

a group of buildings with trees in the background

A note on the coffee table. My son insisted the sling at the end of the table is a seat. Luckily, it went to the floor. He is a bit bigger than a book or magazine and could have broken it.

a boy sitting on a table

All  in all, the suite was fantastic. Given that I no longer hold Hilton Diamond status, it is beyond what the hotel is even obligated to offer, per Hilton policy. Much appreciation to the front desk for this one!

Breakfast

As a Hilton Gold member through holding the Hilton Ascend card (though it’s been canceled for a few months), we were given vouchers each morning for breakfast. The breakfast area is separate from the other hotel restaurant, although both go by the name The Cloak Room.

a room with tables and chairs

I haven’t stayed at too many DoubleTrees (maybe 4?), but it is the nicest breakfast among those at which I’ve stayed. The breakfast is a buffet with a good variety of options, and the presentation is nice.

a tray of pastries and plates

The staff kept everything very clean and tidy, and items were never empty. A very well run breakfast. The restaurant was never busy, though, so I’m sure that helped some.

a kitchen with pans and pans on top of a counter

Overall, it is a very nice buffet.

a tray of fruit on ice

You can also order a la carte, if you wish. This is the menu available in our room for room service. I’m not sure if the same menu is available downstairs, but I’d imagine it is. I’m not sure on the price for the buffet, but given the other prices, I’d guess it’s $15-20.

a menu on a table

Free breakfast is my favorite benefit from maintaining Hilton Gold status, and the primary reason I hang onto a Hilton Ascend American Express card. We end up using this benefit at least a couple times per year, it pretty much pays for itself.

Pool and other facilities

The pool at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown is located on the ground level, same as the lobby and restaurant. If you walk through the lobby past the elevators toward the back, you’ll head straight to it. Having kids has taught me that the pool is the single most important element of any hotel (SEE: “All I want is a swimming pool and a waffle maker”). It doesn’t matter if you have to sleep on the floor…the hotel must have a pool. Otherwise, it’s not worth a nickel.

a pool with chairs and umbrellas

We enjoyed the pool our first night at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown. It’s not very large, but there was hardly anyone else out there during the hour we were swimming. Note the Airstream trailer in the corner.

There is a nice second part of the lobby sandwiched between the pool area and the breakfast restaurant.

a room with a red carpet and chairs

Near the front desk there is a small market in case you’re in need of a drink or a snack.

a refrigerator with drinks and snacks on shelves

Proximity to Atlanta attractions

Although there is no shortage of hotels in close proximity to the major Atlanta attractions clustered around the Centennial Olympic Park, The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown is one of the closest. It’s a two block walk to SkyView Atlanta and the park.

a park with a walkway and a ferris wheel in the background

We spent most of our time in downtown visiting the Aquarium, the World of Coca Cola, and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. The Atlanta Children’s Museum is also super close. We walked everywhere in downtown. More on all we saw and did later.

the american hotel atlanta downtown

Issues with our stay?

Not a one. Our stay at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown was excellent.

The only thing I feel compelled to note is the fact that there is a very large HVAC unit outside the window several stories below. While the noise from this was noticeable, it wasn’t especially loud and didn’t impact our sleep. I’d be a bit more worried if we were several floors down and right next to it.

a air conditioning unit on a roof

Conclusion

Given the location, value for the points, and awesome upgrade, our stay at The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown is one of the best I’ve had within the Hilton chain. We thoroughly enjoyed the proximity to downtown Atlanta attractions and the comfort and character of the hotel. If even in Atlanta again, we’ll be back!


Points With a Crew has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Points With a Crew and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them

User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.

BoardingArea