Atlanta's BEST Hotel Near the Battery? Sonesta Select Review!
Sonesta Select Atlanta at The Battery: My Soul-Searching Staycation (and a Few Minor Gripes)
Okay, so, deep breath. Trying to be objective here, but honestly? This review of the Sonesta Select Atlanta at The Battery is shaping up to be a bit of a rollercoaster. Mostly positive, mind you, but with those little bumps and dips that make life – and hotel stays – interesting. You see, I went in expecting a standard, functional hotel experience. What I got was… well, a little more than that. And maybe just a tiny bit less. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up.
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Bad, Not Brilliant
Right, so the location. Brilliant. Straight up, if you're coming to Atlanta for a Braves game or to soak up the Battery's vibe, you’re basically there. The hotel sits smack-dab in the middle of the action. Super convenient.
Accessibility-wise, it’s… okay. The entrance is generally accessible, I think. Can't 100% confirm that. There's an elevator and the public areas seem designed with wheelchair users in mind. Good. Solid. But nothing that wowed me. Felt like a tick-box exercise, ya know? "Did we include ramps? Check!" The front desk is 24-hour, which is handy. Contactless check-in/out is a nice touch, especially post-pandemic.
Rooms & Comforts: A Mixed Bag of Yay and… Meh
Let's talk about the room. Okay, the air conditioning was a godsend. Atlanta summers are brutal, lemme tell ya. And thank god for the blackout curtains. Slept like a baby. Well, almost. More on that later.
The bed? Surprisingly comfy. That deserves a gold star. I also appreciated the free Wi-Fi in all rooms (praise be!), the desk for my laptop, and the coffee/tea maker. Basic needs covered. But… the bathroom? Bit cramped. And the toiletries were… well, they weren't exactly luxury-brand stuff. I’m a sucker for fancy hotel shampoo.
Side note, the Wi-Fi… it was a little spotty at times. Definitely not as robust as I needed. Maybe the Internet access – LAN would have been more reliable, but who even uses LAN anymore? Old.
Also, the room was pretty clean, which is a MAJOR plus. Daily housekeeping was a lifesaver, always coming to freshen things up.
The Food Scene: Battery Bites & Beyond (but Mostly Battery Bites)
The Battery itself is a foodie paradise. So, the restaurants in the hotel are there, but you're really out there. You have the obligatory bar, naturally, and a poolside bar, but the real action is steps away. This is where the convenience shines. I ate at so many places! I had breakfast in room one day, nothing to write home about, I did eat at a restaurant at the Battery, and it was great!
Food Delivery is available.
The Relaxing Stuff: Spa Dreams vs. Reality
Okay, here’s where things get interesting. The hotel claims to have a fitness center. I saw it. Barely used it, so what I saw looked good. A few treadmills, some weights, the usual suspects. I did not see a spa? Really wanted to find one.
Was there a sauna? Nope. Steamroom? Nope. Massage? Dream on, buttercup. So, relaxation options are limited to a lukewarm dip in the swimming pool [outdoor], which, to be fair, did look pretty inviting on a scorching afternoon. The pool with a view was… well, a view of the other buildings.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe-ish
On the safety front, things felt pretty solid. Staff trained in safety protocol, CCTV in common areas, and security [24-hour]. Comforting. There were smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher, as expected. They also had anti-viral cleaning products and did daily disinfection in common areas. I will say, though, I didn't see any professional-grade sanitizing services, which is kinda what's expected nowdays.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Occasionally Clumsy
Laundry service was quick and efficient. The luggage storage was appreciated because they let me check in early. The concierge was friendly, but not particularly helpful. I asked for a recommendation for a really good local BBQ place, and they just directed me to Google Maps. Oh well. There wasn’t a doctor/nurse on call. The convenience store was handy for grabbing snacks and essentials.
For The Kids
I didn't bring the kids, but the hotel seemed fairly family-friendly with space.
Check-in/out [express] was easy-peasy.
But here's the thing that really got my attention, for good and bad:
My Personal Sonesta Story (and Some Quirky Annoyances)
Right, so I'm trying to work here, and I'm right at the desk, and outside is the sun… It was hot that day and the elevator was hot… I think it was a hot day for the elevator guy too, I had to take the elevator to the top of the tower to take a peek at my room…
Then that's when is started to fall, and I said, "I need coffee NOW!".
Which brings me to…the Wake-up service! Man! I set my alarm, but that morning I realized that the alarm was the opposite of what I needed. I realized I hadn’t turned on the complimentary tea… I had to go back to the desk. AGAIN.
I asked when the breakfast buffet opened, and the lady was like, "We have one, but it's not free". So I asked, "how much, and what is there?”
So, I went back to my room (a few minutes later, which was good!) and finally got my computer set up, and called to order room service, which, mind you, was available 24 hours.
The coffee arrived, and… it was decent. Not life-changing, but did the trick. The breakfast was fine. Not the best I’ve ever had, but perfectly adequate. And there was a bottle of water included.
Finally, I went back downstairs, and I grabbed a bottle of water. So, it’s fine, I guess.
My Verdict: Worth it? Eh, Mostly.
Look, the Sonesta Select at The Battery isn't perfect. It's got its quirks, its minor flaws, and some serious missed opportunities for relaxation. But… the location is killer. The rooms are comfortable enough. And the staff, generally, are friendly and helpful.
Would I stay again? Yeah, probably. Especially if I’m hitting a Braves game or exploring the Battery. Just don’t expect miracles. And pack your own spa kit, just in case. You never know.
Unbelievable Views Await: Conquer Utah's Mount Nebo!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… well, this is my attempt to survive (and hopefully enjoy) a weekend at the Sonesta Select Atlanta Cumberland Galleria Ballpark, and trust me, it's going to be a bumpy ride. And by bumpy, I mean probably involving questionable food choices and me muttering under my breath about overpriced parking.
Sonesta Select Atlanta Cumberland Galleria Ballpark: The "Trying to Be a Fanatic for a Weekend" Edition
Day 1: Arrival, Existential Dread, and the Promise of Bad Pizza
1:00 PM: ARRIVAL. Or, The Moment I Realized My Luggage Choice Was a Mistake. Okay, so the flight was fine. Standard airport chaos, a guy loudly eating a bag of chips next to me (seriously, is that a thing now?), and the usual existential dread of being hurtled through the air in a giant metal tube. But the REAL drama? The luggage. I went with a very stylish, but utterly impractical, carry-on. Think cute, but with zero organization. I'm pretty sure I spent a good ten minutes wrestling with it in the hotel lobby, looking like a confused toddler trying to build a Lego castle. Finally made it to the room, which, thankfully, looks like a standard hotel room. Clean. Bed. TV. Solid.
2:00 PM: Unpacking and the Great Snack Stash Panic. Found the snacks. Phew. (Popcorn, trail mix, and a family sized bag of chips, so I don't have to go outside again to get more snacks).
3:00 PM: Exploring the Galleria Mall… Or, My Rapid Descent into Consumerism. They say retail therapy is a thing. Lord, have mercy. I lasted about five minutes before I started wandering, unsure what to buy or why. I got sidetracked by a shiny baseball bat. Then some jeans. Then… well, let's just say I won't starve.
4:00 PM: The Quest for Non-Hotel Food. AKA: The Pizza Predicament. I was promised incredible pizza in the area. Now I'm scouring Yelp. Everything is, regrettably, chain stuff. After a heated debate with my stomach (which, let's be honest, always wins), I settled on a place that looked "so-so". Wish me luck. I have a feeling this will be a defining moment.
6:00 PM: Pizza: A Review (Or, The Moment I Questioned All My Life Choices). The pizza. Okay, deep breaths. It looked like a pizza, but was it pizza? I'm going to be brutally honest here: it was… fine. Edible. Not actively offensive. But it was not, NOT, the pizza of my dreams. I ate it anyway. I had a bad day already, and I’ll be damned if my terrible pizza ruins the rest of the night. So, the pizza was fine.
7:00 PM: The Hotel TV Marathon. AKA, The Joy of Unadulterated Relaxation. After the pizza experience, I think I earned this one. I think the stress levels could be described as "high". So, the night will be devoted to catching up on my favorite shows.
9:00 PM: Bedtime.
Day 2: Baseball, Beer, and Possibly Regret
9:00 AM: Coffee and the Bitter Truth About Hotel Breakfasts. The hotel breakfast buffet. The holy grail of breakfast. I'm going to be honest, I was hoping for something great. However, it was the usual suspects of eggs (scrambled, and looking very questionable), bacon (which tasted like cardboard), and some sad-looking fruit. But hey, coffee. Coffee is life.
10:00 AM: The Ballpark Pilgrimage. AKA, The Thrill of Getting Rushed by a Crowd. Okay, the REAL reason I booked this trip: baseball. The goal today is to attempt to "get into" the whole fan experience.
11:00 AM: Pre-game Rituals. AKA, The Art of Overpaying for Stuff. Found the merchandise. OMG. So many things. I did what every self-respecting fan does and shelled out way too much cash for a hat. I am now a walking, talking, merchandise-investing cliché. Worth it.
1:00 PM: GAME TIME! The Sound, the Smell, and the Sudden Urge to Yell. Okay, the game started. The stadium is packed. The air is thick with the smell of hot dogs and anticipation. At first I was a bit reserved; I'm not really the "yelling" type. But then, something came over me. I yelled. I cheered. I may or may not have accidentally high-fived a stranger.
3:00 PM: The Hot Dog Debacle. AKA, My Relationship with Stadium Food. The hot dog was bad. Like, really bad. I ate it anyway. It was a stadium hot dog. I expected it.
4:00 PM: The Beer Run. AKA, The Importance of Hydration (Maybe). Okay, so the beer was expensive. But it was cold. And it tasted like, well, beer. It was hot. I was sweating. Hydration is important. I think.
5:00 PM: The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Seventh-Inning Stretch. Seventh Inning Stretch. The crowd started some song. I started shouting along with them. Then I lost my voice.
6:00 PM: Post-Game Debrief. With Myself, Because My Friends Are Probably Sick of Me. AKA, The Emotional Fall-Out. We won! YES! The euphoria! The adrenaline! I may or may not have cried a little. The game was amazing. Seriously, the whole experience. I might just turn into a baseball fan. Maybe.
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Dinner and Drinks (Somewhere). I'll find someplace near the hotel for dinner. Somewhere not too far from the hotel. I am ready. I am ready.
9:00 PM -10:00 PM: Attempt to Plan the Next Day. AKA, The Bitter Truth About Weekend Trips. Okay, I know that tomorrow is the last day. Time to wrap it up.
Day 3: Departure and the Great Hotel Room Purge
10:00 AM: Breakfast and the Final Embrace of the Hotel Room. This is the final breakfast. I'm ready to say goodbye to the hotel room.
11:00 AM: Packing and the Art of Pretending I'm Organized. AKA, The Chaotic Symphony of Leaving. Okay, the moment of truth. The luggage. The packing. The desperate search for the phone charger. It's a mess. A gloriously messy mess.
12:00 PM: Checkout and the Farewell Wave. AKA, Until Next Time, Atlanta (Maybe?). Goodbye, Sonesta Select Atlanta Cumberland Galleria Ballpark. Your pizza may have been a letdown, but your baseball was a win. Until next time, Atlanta. Maybe.
And that, my friends, is my weekend adventure. Messy. Imperfect. And, hopefully, a little bit entertaining. Now, where's that bag of chips…
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Sonesta Select Atlanta at The Battery: The (Mostly) Honest FAQs
Alright, so you're thinking about the Sonesta Select near the Battery, huh? Listen, I've been there. I've wrestled with that hotel, questioned its existence, and ultimately, mostly enjoyed it. Let's get down to brass tacks. Here's the stuff everyone *actually* wants to know, straight from someone who's been there, done that, and probably left a stray sock under the bed.
The Big Questions (and My Rambling Answers)
1. Is this place *actually* near the Battery? Like, can I roll out of bed and be at Truist Park for a Braves game?
Okay, so, "near" is relative. It's *close*. You can absolutely walk. I did it, in my excitement to consume all the ballpark food. It's a manageable stroll, maybe 10-15 minutes, depending on how fast you hoof it and how many people are blocking the sidewalk. You could also take one of those little golf cart things they have zipping around, if you are, you know, feeling extra. I've seen grumpy people waiting for the hotel shuttle too, which is fine. But the absolute truth is, I prefer the walk. Gives you time to psych yourself up for those overpriced hotdogs.
2. The rooms are... Okay. What's the deal with the beds, the pillows, the whole sleep situation?
This is where things start to get *real*. The beds? Fine. Not the kind you'll write home about, but, ya know, they'll get the job done. The pillows? Okay, here's the truth... I'm a pillow snob. I NEED a fluffy cloud of a pillow to sleep. And… these *aren't* those. They're… functional. You probably won't hate them. You probably won't adore them. Pack your own pillow. Seriously. It'll make a huge difference in your quality of life. One time, I swear I heard the person in the next room groaning about a pillow. I think. Maybe I was sleep drunk. But yeah. Beds, fine. Pillows? Bring your own. You'll thank me for this.
3. Okay, I need coffee. Early. Like, before the sun even thinks about peeking over the horizon. Coffee situation?
Ah, yes. The lifeblood. The survival juice. The Sonesta Select has coffee, thank goodness. They have a little place downstairs, a sad looking coffee maker in-room. But listen, listen. This is the *real* tea of the Battery experience. When the doors open, you run down to that coffee place with the other zombies. You can also get some quick breakfast, which may or may not be of quality. Depends which day you go. Sometimes they're out of everything. And then you start your day. With caffeine. It's key. It's essential.
4. What's the vibe? Is it a party hotel, a family hotel, or just… hotel?
It's a solid "hotel." I've seen families with kids, couples on quick getaways, and business travelers looking serious. It's not a rager, thankfully. But you can usually hear the general excitement from the Battery. Late at night, you'd hear the party goers and the drunk folks. If you want a super relaxing getaway, it might not be the best experience. It really depends what you are looking for. But really, you're there for the Battery. That's where the real action is.
5. Is there a pool? Because sometimes, a pool is essential for survival. Especially in Atlanta.
Yes, there is a pool! It's… fine. It’s not a resort pool, it's not some epic, Instagram-worthy oasis. Think of it as a refreshing rectangle of water. It gets the job done. I saw some kids splashing around, probably the same ones yelling about their ice cream. I did not go in, but it looked refreshing. That said, I’d probably choose to visit the Battery over the pool, unless it’s scorching hot. Which, let's be honest, it probably is in Atlanta.
6. Parking situation? Is it a money-grab? Is it a nightmare? What's the deal?
Parking? Ugh, parking. Okay, here's the deal. Yes, there's parking. Yes, they charge you. It’s not the cheapest, but it is convenient. But it's the Battery, man. Everything in the Battery is $$$$. I would advise to research this stuff before you go. Don't get caught by surprise when you have to pay a fortune to park.
7. The Staff. Are they helpful and friendly? Or are they just… there?
In my experience? Generally, really good! They're pleasant. They are always there, they seem professional. They will help you out with anything you need. That's the truth. No huge complaints.
8. Okay, the *absolute best* thing about this hotel? Spit it out!
Okay, here's the **absolute best** thing. The *proximity*. You are, *so close* to the Battery. You can stumble out of a game and into the hotel. You can have dinner and drinks and then… walk home! This is huge. Really. You don’t have to fight traffic, you don't have to get a rideshare. It's all right there. That is worth a premium, I'd say.
9. The absolute *worst* thing? What's the dealbreaker?
Honestly, it's the price sometimes. Depending on the event at the Battery, prices can fluctuate wildly. And those parking fees? Ouch. It's a perfectly fine hotel that could become expensive. You gotta weigh it all. But hey, if you're going during a busy time, prepare to pay. That's just the reality of it.
10. Bathroom Essentials? Decent? Or bring your own?
The bathroom setup is adequate. The toiletries? Well, they are something. They are not the worst, not the best. Again, bring your own if you’re picky. I am not a fan of the shampoo (it's too thin). But whatever. It's perfectly fine. Just don't forget your toothbrush!
11. Food options - other than the breakfast situation? Are there other dining options?
Beyond the quick breakfast? The beauty of this place's location is the abundance of food options! The Battery is your oyster. From fast food to fancy restaurants, it's all basically a short walk away. I recommend walking around and exploring your options! There is literally something for everyone.Find That Hotel
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