Hot Opening: InterContinental Buckhead, Atlanta

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 4/1/2007

April 26, 2005 -- InterContinental Hotels Group has opened its $115 million InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, the first newly built luxury hotel to enter the Atlanta market since 1991. The 21-story high-rise offers 401 guest rooms and 21 suites. This includes a Presidential Suite which is approximately 2,000 square feet and features a double-sided fireplace in the master bedroom and bath, as well as a breathtaking view of the downtown skyline.

With the opening of the hotel, comes the introduction of the first U.S. location of the popular Parisian brasserie, Au Pied de Cochon. Open 24-hours, diners enjoy seafood platters featuring oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels, lobster and stone crabs, flown in daily from around the world. While the menu also offers such fare as steak pomme frites and escargot, the signature dish is the famous roasted pig's foot with béarnaise sauce.

Both the restaurant and bar—named XO Bar—have an open air terrace, which offers wireless Internet access and a convenient entrance from Peachtree Road. XO Bar, Buckhead's only cognac bar, features an impressive, 20-foot long bar made of pewter and also has live entertainment nightly.

The hotel has 31,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including two ballrooms, smaller meeting rooms and two intimate boardrooms. The entire meeting space is equipped with the latest amenities, including high-speed wired and wireless Internet access. Additionally, the 25,000 square-foot Windsor Garden, featuring native Georgian plants, serves as a location for outdoor events. The Windsor Ballroom, which is just under 12,000 square-feet, is the largest ballroom in Buckhead.

Australian company Jurlique has launched its first-ever U.S. venture at the InterContinental Buckhead, managing a spa, fitness center and pool. The health club also has a limited number of memberships available to local residents and professionals looking for a convenient, workout facility within the Buckhead area.

Finally, the Buckhead hotel will host a permanent art collection, featuring 25 works by 15 regionally, nationally and internationally prominent artists. In addition, all guest rooms feature original works by Rocio Rodriguez, a Cuban born artist who now lives, works and teaches in Atlanta.