The Whitley Buckhead: What to Know About This Luxury Atlanta Hotel

The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s best-known luxury hotels, especially for travelers who want to be in the heart of Buckhead’s shopping, dining, and business district. Whether you live in Atlanta and need a high-end staycation spot, or you’re visiting and deciding where to book, it helps to understand what this hotel actually offers, where it fits in the city, and how it compares to other options nearby.

Where The Whitley Is in Atlanta

The Whitley is located in Buckhead, one of Atlanta’s major upscale neighborhoods, known for luxury retail, high-rise offices, and some of the city’s priciest residential areas.

  • Neighborhood: Buckhead
  • General area: Near the intersection of Peachtree Road and Lenox Road
  • Nearby landmarks: Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, Buckhead MARTA station, Peachtree Road corridor

If you’re planning shopping-heavy or business-focused time in Atlanta, this location is the main reason people choose The Whitley:

  • You can walk to Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.
  • You’re within a short drive of Buckhead Village District boutiques and restaurants.
  • You have relatively quick MARTA and highway access to Midtown, Downtown, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

What Kind of Hotel The Whitley Is

The Whitley is part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, which typically focuses on:

  • Higher-end finishes and décor
  • Full-service amenities (spa, pool, restaurant, bar, event spaces)
  • Business and meeting capabilities
  • A more traditional, polished atmosphere vs. trendy or boutique casual

For Atlanta specifically, The Whitley fits into the “classic Buckhead luxury” category:

  • Style: Southern-influenced, polished, business-friendly, not overly flashy
  • Typical guests: Business travelers, convention attendees, wedding parties, families on shopping trips, Atlantans booking a staycation or hosting out-of-town guests
  • Atmosphere: Professional during weekdays, more leisure-oriented on weekends, especially during event and holiday seasons

If you’re looking for ultra-modern, artsy, or nightlife-focused lodging, you might lean more toward Midtown hotels. If you want traditional luxury right in Buckhead’s commercial core, The Whitley is one of the central names.

Rooms and Suites: What to Expect

Room sizes, layouts, and exact features can vary, but in general:

Common Room Features

Most rooms at The Whitley are designed with:

  • Plush beds (often king or two queens)
  • High-end linens and pillows
  • Work desk and seating area, oriented toward business and leisure use
  • Marble or upgraded bathrooms, frequently with separate tub and shower in higher room categories
  • Large windows with city or Buckhead skyline views on higher floors

For someone familiar with typical Atlanta hotels, The Whitley’s rooms are usually positioned above standard full-service hotels in finish and feel, but with a traditional design rather than minimalist or boutique.

Suites and Upgraded Options

If you’re visiting Atlanta for a special occasion or hosting guests:

  • Suites generally offer:
    • Separate living area and bedroom
    • More spacious bathrooms
    • Better views and more seating
  • Club-level or premium rooms (when available) can offer:
    • Access to an exclusive lounge area
    • Additional snacks, light breakfast offerings, or workspace-style seating
    • A quieter, more private feel

For Atlanta locals, suites at The Whitley are often used for:

  • Wedding weekends and bridal suites
  • Milestone birthdays or anniversaries
  • “Home base” for family visiting from out of town

If you’re planning an event at a nearby Buckhead venue, booking a suite here can simplify logistics with plenty of room for getting ready, photos, and small gatherings.

Amenities at The Whitley

As a Buckhead luxury hotel, The Whitley offers amenities that matter both to business travelers and leisure guests.

Spa and Wellness

The Whitley typically features:

  • On-site spa services with treatment rooms for massages and facials
  • Fitness center with cardio equipment and weights
  • Indoor pool (a key perk in Atlanta’s hot summers and cooler winters when outdoor pools are less comfortable)

For Atlantans, this can make The Whitley appealing for:

  • Day spa visits when paired with a meal or Buckhead shopping
  • Couples’ weekend staycations combining spa time and dining
  • Wellness-focused travel days when you still want to be in a busy, urban area

If access to a pool and fitness center is a priority for your Atlanta stay, it’s worth confirming opening hours and any reservation requirements, as these can change.

Dining and Drinks

The Whitley typically hosts:

  • A full-service restaurant with a focus on American or Southern-influenced menus, often appealing to both hotel guests and local professionals
  • Lobby bar or lounge that serves cocktails, wine, and small plates, especially busy during weekday evenings and event nights

From a local perspective, the bar and dining spaces can work for:

  • Business meetings near Buckhead offices
  • Pre-dinner drinks before heading to Buckhead Village District or other nearby restaurants
  • Post-shopping bites after a day at Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza

While Buckhead has many standout independent restaurants, having a solid in-hotel dining option can be convenient if you’re tired from travel, conferences, or shopping.

Business and Events

The Whitley is a frequent choice for:

  • Corporate meetings and conferences
  • Association events and seminars
  • Weddings and social gatherings

Common features include:

  • Ballrooms and multi-purpose event spaces
  • Breakout rooms for smaller sessions or private meetings
  • On-site event coordination and catering

If you’re planning an event in Atlanta:

  • The Buckhead location often appeals to attendees driving in from metro Atlanta suburbs due to convenient access via GA-400 and I-85.
  • Visitors flying into Hartsfield–Jackson can take MARTA or rideshare directly to Buckhead without needing a car.

Getting To and From The Whitley in Atlanta

One of the hotel’s biggest advantages is the transportation flexibility within the metro area.

MARTA Access

If you’re trying to avoid Atlanta traffic as much as possible:

  • The Whitley is located within a reasonable walking or short rideshare distance of the Buckhead MARTA station (Red Line).
  • From the Airport station, you can ride MARTA’s Red Line directly toward North Springs and exit at Buckhead.
  • This allows car-free access between Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown, including stops near attractions like:
    • Arts Center (High Museum of Art)
    • Peachtree Center (Downtown office and hotel core)

This can be especially useful during large events, game days, or heavy traffic periods.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving:

  • Buckhead is accessible from GA-400, I-85, and major surface roads like Peachtree Road and Lenox Road.
  • The area around The Whitley can experience significant traffic, especially:
    • Weekday rush hours
    • Holiday shopping seasons
    • Weekends with major events

Parking is typically on-site or adjacent, with a mix of valet and sometimes self-parking options. Costs, if any, are worth verifying directly with the hotel before arrival, particularly for longer stays or group bookings.

How The Whitley Fits into the Atlanta Hotel Landscape

If you’re unfamiliar with Atlanta, it helps to see where The Whitley sits compared to other areas:

AreaWhat It’s Known ForWhy Choose It Over The Whitley?
BuckheadLuxury retail, high-end restaurants, officesYou want shopping and a polished, upscale scene
MidtownArts, nightlife, Piedmont ParkYou prefer walkability, arts, and more nightlife
DowntownBig attractions (Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)You want easy access to major attractions/events
PerimeterOffices, malls, more suburban feelYou need to be near corporate campuses or suburbs

You’d typically choose The Whitley if:

  • You’re planning a shopping or business-focused trip centered in Buckhead.
  • You’re an Atlanta local using it as a base for family gatherings, weddings, or corporate meetings.
  • You want a traditional luxury hotel environment rather than a boutique or lifestyle property.

When The Whitley Works Especially Well

For Atlanta Residents

The Whitley can be a good fit if you:

  • Want a Buckhead staycation with spa access, pool, and proximity to shopping.
  • Are hosting out-of-town guests who want to be near Lenox and Phipps.
  • Need a venue for weddings, rehearsal dinners, or milestone events, with lodging in the same building.

Locals often appreciate being able to:

  • Avoid airport hotel zones but still get a “travel” feel.
  • Combine a hotel stay with dinners in Buckhead Village or spa appointments without crossing town.

For Visitors to Atlanta

The Whitley is often convenient if:

  • Your meetings are in Buckhead office towers along Peachtree Road and Lenox Road.
  • You’re planning a shopping-heavy trip that focuses on Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, and nearby boutiques.
  • You’re comfortable using MARTA or rideshare to get to Midtown museums or Downtown attractions, rather than staying directly in those neighborhoods.

If you’re attending large events at places like Mercedes-Benz Stadium or the Georgia World Congress Center, staying Downtown or Midtown may cut commute time. For a balance of upscale comfort and easy access to multiple areas, Buckhead and The Whitley remain strong options.

Practical Tips for Staying at The Whitley

A few Atlanta-specific considerations:

  • Traffic timing: If you have flights or important meetings, plan extra time when traveling during weekday morning (7–9 a.m.) or evening (4–7 p.m.) rush hours, especially along Peachtree, GA-400, and I-85.
  • Event and holiday seasons: Rates and availability often tighten during:
    • Major conferences in Buckhead
    • Holiday shopping season (especially November–December)
    • Weekends with large citywide events or home games
  • Car vs. MARTA:
    • If your trip is mostly Buckhead-based with occasional outings, rideshare and MARTA can be simpler than renting a car.
    • If you plan to explore outlying areas like Stone Mountain, Marietta, or suburban offices, having a car can be more practical.

How to Decide if The Whitley Is Right for Your Atlanta Stay

Consider The Whitley if you:

  • Prefer classic, full-service luxury over trendy or minimalist styles.
  • Want to be right in Buckhead’s urban core, next to premier shopping and major office towers.
  • Need on-site spa, pool, dining, and business/event facilities.

You might look elsewhere if you:

  • Want to walk out your hotel door into Midtown nightlife, arts venues, or Piedmont Park.
  • Want to be steps from Downtown attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or State Farm Arena.

For many Atlanta trips—especially those focused on Buckhead business, shopping, or upscale social events—The Whitley is one of the more established luxury hotel choices in the city, offering a convenient, polished base in one of Atlanta’s signature neighborhoods.