I recently wrote about the Clermont Hotel for Garden & Gun after three years living in Atlanta and three years visiting this “amusement park of sorts.” My story is all nostalgia, you can read it here.
And so I thought instead of just linking to my recently published article, why not also share a few things that make this property so special? If you’ve been, I don’t have to tell you. But if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat when you do.
The food and cocktails at the Clermont’s bar and restaurant are ACTUALLY good. So often hotel food falls short. I’m happy to report that even if you’re not spending the night, even if you’re a local looking for a great meal, even if you are visiting and staying somewhere else, you should book dinner at Tiny Lou’s once or twice. You won't regret the steak frites, the risotto, the bread, the dessert, the bubbles or any of the drinks, TBH.
Like I said before, there’s something for everyone here. Want to grab a drink with a date or catch up with a friend? Head to the rooftop. As long as it’s not raining, the rooftop at the Clermont opens at noon on Saturday/Sunday and 5:30 p.m. the rest of the week. It’s one of the best places in the city to catch a sunset. You can also visit the Lounge, which is known for being an inclusive strip club (~gasp~) where everything is cash only including the cover fee.
The branding is so strong. If you’re a fan of good design, you’ll love the mini body lotions, the shampoo bottles, the menus and plates in the restaurant, the candles for sale in the lobby. I showed them to my friend Karina who said they have a hand-drawn Wes Anderson feel, or on second thought they remind her of a (more cheerful) Edward Gorey.
A stellar location. If you want to be in the thick of it, there is nowhere better than Ponce De Leon Ave. You can walk (or scoot) to Ponce City Market or Whole Foods, Piedmont Park or the Wylie Hotel. There are multiple gyms and shops and restaurants and parks and bars all within walking distance. It’s wonderful for anyone who likes to use their legs.
Oliver Hospitality, the hotel’s parent company, has 5 other boutique-style hotels (and growing) in cities like Nashville, Knoxville, South Lake Tahoe, Oxford (MS) and Marshall (CA). Spending time at the Clermont makes me want to explore them all. It’s not the same style, but reminds me a bit of Shelter Social Club, a hospitality group in California that I love SO MUCH—the owners buy old inns/motels and revamp them (they’re all different in perfectly wonderful ways: midcentury, western, Spanish, Mexican).