Atlanta Has a Slow Side. This Hotel Is Where You Find It.

Mid-mod design that earns an exhale

Photo: The Tess

I dropped my bags and stood at the door of my King Guest Room for a second, taking it all in. Not because the room felt over-the-top luxurious but because it felt so intentional. The room was furnished in the midcentury modern style with dark green accents, and every detail — from the lighting, bedside lounge, and wall decor to the tiles in the walk-in shower — encouraged relaxation. I hadn’t unpacked yet, and I felt myself taking a full exhale.

Rooms at The Tess range from 312-square-foot King Guest Rooms to a 1,048-square-foot Presidential Suite, with rates from around $200 to almost $1,500 per night. Available through the end of June 2026, you can also book the limited-time Female Founders’ Suite. The suite was created in partnership with Shanita Miller, the founder of Black Girl’s Guide to Atlanta, a platform spotlighting Black- and women-owned businesses in the city. A two-night stay includes a rooftop dinner at Tesserae (more on this later), a Founder’s Playbook of insights from participating entrepreneurs, and curated gifts from women-owned brands.

A rooftop pool, a fashion collab, and a vinyl library

Photo: The Tess

The Tess’s partnerships say as much about the hotel’s character as the design does. The Female Founders’ Suite is one example; another is a collaboration with the fashion brand Rails. Though not yet launched when I was there, the hotel is running a complimentary program that lets guests borrow vegan leather purses from a custom six-piece collection for the duration of their stay. And if you find a bag that you want to make part of your personal collection, the Rails store on Buckhead Avenue Northeast is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Walkability is one of The Tess’s greatest perks. The hotel sits at the edge of the Buckhead Village District, a shopping and dining enclave that spans several blocks. But there are plenty of reasons to stay on the property, too, even for something as simple as thumbing through the hotel’s library of books and vinyl. One of my favorite spaces was the rooftop pool deck. One of the only rooftop pools in the city, the space gives you a front-row seat (your choice of lounger or cabana) to watch downtown Atlanta’s bustle while keeping you removed from the hustle.

When you’re ready for a bit more activity without leaving the property, The Tess’s fitness center is outfitted with more than just the basics (think Peloton bikes and a rowing machine) while morning wellness programming rotates between yoga, Pilates, and sound bathing.

After working up an appetite, Tesserae, the hotel’s 10th-floor restaurant, serves a sophisticated menu with dinner options ranging from caviar and oysters to pork cheek agnolotti and wild mushroom and black truffle farro. (Tesserae is also open for breakfast and lunch.)

Wine bars, dolphin shows, and more that’s nearby

Photo: The Tess

There’s no shortage of great dining within walking distance of The Tess. Dinner at the Middle Eastern restaurant Delbar felt more like an experience than a meal. My group ordered a whole spread. The salmon kabobs and sabzi polo (Persian herbed rice that Delbar serves with saffron and a crispy layer called tahdig) were among my favorite bites, but the standout for me was the Turkamisu, a tiramisu-inspired dessert with a Turkish-coffee-soaked cake and a Turkish coffee dusting.

A few minutes down Peachtree Road Northeast, Lucian Books and Wine is perfect for happy hour before heading back to the hotel for dinner at Tesserae. A bookstore-meets-wine-bar concept, Lucian has a wine list so robust it almost reads like one of the coffee table books lining the establishment’s walls. Lucian’s readable collection favors large-format art, design, architecture, food, wine, cooking, and photography titles while the edible collection ranges from aperitifs and digestifs to reds, whites, and sparklings by the glass or bottle. There’s also a dinner menu featuring bites like oysters with rhubarb, shiso, and champagne and mains like Wagyu Denver steak with ramps, romesco, and chimichurri.

Beyond mealtime in Buckhead, The Tess is an easy drive from some of Atlanta’s top attractions, including the neighboring World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium. The dolphin show at the aquarium was a particular highlight of my trip (and is included with a general admission ticket). In-room guide books at The Tess can help you plan your itinerary while Experience Curators, the hotel’s take on concierges, can help you secure reservations and recommend interesting things to do that you might not stumble upon in print.

Getting to The Tess

Photo: Alexey Fedorenko/Shutterstock

The Tess is conveniently located about 30 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) depending on traffic, but you’ll want to budget more time if you land during peak hours. If you’re not planning to drive during your stay, MARTA’s Red Line runs directly from the airport to Buckhead Station, about a mile from the hotel.