There’s a feeling that accompanies a weekend trip—a quick getaway that inspires and reenergizes but doesn’t require extra planning.
Atlanta is the apex of Southern charm, artistry, and diversity, and I hadn’t been in a while. For the weekend, my partner and I base ourselves at the new Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, an overhaul of a luxury residential building built in 1952 in the verdant Buckhead neighborhood. Our first night in, we opt for room service courtesy of the hotel’s premier restaurant, The Betty, a wink to mid-century supper clubs. Chef Brandon Chavannes’s exquisite menu transports guests back to an era of indulgent dinners and classic cocktails.
The next morning, we sleep in and stay hotel-side for breakfast, featuring fresh juice, croissants, and French omelets. We talk plans for the day—a stop at the High Museum for its Calder-Picasso exhibit, perusing books with a glass at the nearby Lucian Books and Wine—but are lured poolside first. In concert with the hotel’s mid-mod aesthetic, the pool has a vintage feel, with lounges and tropical plants intermixed with ancient oak trees and other native flora. An hour becomes two, then three, and we let go of the need to move. The day stretches over us as our thoughts turn to evening—pre-dinner drinks at Willow Bar, followed by a reservation for more delights at The Betty, topped off by a nightcap on the roof at St. Julep.
Coming inside, we pass social hour in the lobby, a Kimpton tradition. I grab a glass of wine and say a quick hello to fellow guests before hopping on the elevator. Down before our dinner reservation, we take a peek at the hotel’s garden-themed Willow Bar, offering plant-based bites and botanical-inspired drinks.
En route to dinner at The Betty, we take in the hotel’s chic lobby, smartly appointed with Scandinavian-style furniture and abstract art, a balance of neutral tones and colorful paintings. We also spy the complimentary bikes on offer, which we vow to utilize in the morning ahead of checkout. (Another hallmark of Kimpton hotels: they are pet friendly, but we left our fur baby at home.)
Dinner is a highlight of the weekend. Settling into a gorgeous banquette, we survey the full dining room buzzing with patrons and confident servers, a vibe of unpretentious sophistication. We start with oysters and strong martinis, perfectly chilled. Chef Chavannes’s menu is a modern riff on decadent continental cuisine; a standout is the lasagna rotolo with mushroom, aged balsamic, and pecorino fondue. We cap our meal with a chocolate dessert, artful as a modern canvas, alongside The Betty Old Fashioned, a sultry take on the classic, featuring smoky Scotch with a splash of rum, coffee bitters, and demerara sugar.
To end the night, we head up nine floors to St. Julep, the hotel’s vibrant rooftop lounge, for stellar stargazing. A buoyant crowd enjoys tropical cocktails, creative small bites, and crafty takes on soft serve, while the weekend DJ keeps the party lively. Against the Atlanta skyline, we feel content in our decision to make the most of this faceted hotel.
When a stay is this accommodating, eye-catching, and pleasurable, that should be the case. The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel is a reflection of its home city, with inspiration and artful juxtapositions around every corner.
Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, 374 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA. (877) 984-6548, thesylvanhotel.com
