Right smack dab in the heart of Atlanta’s thriving downtown entertainment district towers the Four Diamond Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center. Overlooking the city’s top attractions, such as the Georgia Aquarium (the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere), World of Coca-Cola museum and Centennial Olympic Park, as well as the city’s newest attractions — the College Football Hall of Fame and the Center for Civil and Human Rights — families will be tugging each other’s arms wondering in what direction to check out next. Beyond the spectacular views from the hotel’s windows, the hotel is also directly attached to another top key attraction: The CNN Center that offers daily tours of news broadcasting in action.

There are two hotel towers connected by a sky bridge, both of which have a lobby, but only the South Tower has the restaurant, concierge and transportation desk, so you may want to consider that when booking your room. If you are planning to attend an event at the Philips Arena or the Georgia World Congress Center next door, then you’ve booked the right place, as you can walk directly to both without leaving the comfort of the hotel. And the Omni is also the closest hotel to the Georgia Dome.

With a total of 1,059 rooms, a third of those adjoining, families have a wide variety of accommodations to choose from, from Deluxe rooms with two double beds and ADA accessible rooms to lavish suites, such as the whimsical 728-square-foot Coke Suite. In 2013, the hotel did a complete renovation of all soft goods, so each room will have a sleek, updated look. The hotel does offer adjoining rooms, rollaways and cribs for your convenience. There are refrigerators available for use in each room, however, a microwave is available for your use in the lobby.

For the Thomas the Tank Engine fans in your party, you may want to request a room in the North Tower (the newer of the two towers) overlooking the train tracks, where your little engineer can get a bird's eye view of the passing trains. Other view options include looking into the bustling CNN Atrium in the South Tower or sweeping views of Centennial Park and downtown Atlanta.

Deluxe Rooms
The 392-square-foot Deluxe Rooms offer a king or two double beds, flat-screen HDTVs and an oversized work desk.

Premier King Rooms
These stylish North Tower rooms offer panoramic views of Centennial Olympic Park, as well as 414-square feet of space and spacious marble baths.

Parlor Suites
Perhaps the best bang for your buck is the family perfect Parlor Suites that offer one- to three-room suites featuring an individual bedroom, complete with living area, full kitchenette, a dining table for up to eight people and fantastic views of the CNN World Headquarters Atrium.

Executive Suites
The 728-square-foot Executive Suites offer all the amenities of a Deluxe room with an extended living area.

Hospitality Suites
Like the Executive Suites, these suites offer the same facilities of a Deluxe room with a private seating area with a large marble work desk, two HDTVs and a full-size refrigerator.

Coke Suite
Looking for a taste of Atlanta? Consider the 728-square-foot Coke Suite that features Coca-Cola themed décor, a king bed, private living area and wet bar and refrigerator.

Governor's Suite
Located in the North Tower, this 1,120-square-foot suite includes lots of living space with a full-sized refrigerator, large sitting area, oversized dining table and a king bedroom. This suite also has the option of a connecting room with two double beds.

Omni Suite
This bi-level suite located in the South Tower offers three bedrooms overlooking the hustle and bustle of the CNN World Headquarters Atrium.

Presidential Suite
Located in the North Tower, this elegant suite offers stunning views of the Centennial Park and Atlanta skyline, as well as a large living room and separate conference room area, a full-sized refrigerator and one luxurious king bed. An additional connecting room with two double beds is available.

You will find that most hotels in Atlanta cater primarily to the business traveler, and the Omni Atlanta hotel is no different. But don't mistake that to mean there isn't any pampering of families that come to town. In the past several years, there has been a real development boom in the downtown area to create more and more must-see destinations, and with it, more and more families are exploring what ATL has to offer.

Pool
At the Omni Atlanta, kids will enjoy the outdoor heated pool that is open year-round from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The North Tower's 4-foot-deep, handicap-accessible pool offers sweeping views of the city, which will please both child and parent alike. Speaking of parents, there is a hot tub adjacent to the pool so you can soak those soar muscles from all the walking around town while your kids blow off some extra steam in the pool. After the hot tub, dry off on the sun deck while admiring views of the Georgia World Congress Center.

Zoo Atlanta
A special treat for Omni guests is a free taxi ride complements of the hotel to Zoo Atlanta. And considering parking at the zoo can be, well a zoo, your whole family will appreciate the door-to-door convenient service.

Prime Meridian
Boasting fine dining, Southern delicacies and a spectacular view of Centennial Park and the Fountain of Rings, this in-house restaurant should be savored for a dressy family dinner or a date night for mom and dad -- or at least a scrumptious breakfast buffet with all the fixings to satisfy even the most pickiest guest. Parents will love sampling Southern inspired dishes like seafood gumbo, shrimps and grits and entrees such as Angus Beef Brisket with orange blossom honey barbecue, macaroni and cheese and fresh collard greens or the Chorizo Stuffed Pork Loin with Spotted Trotter chorizo, sweet potato mash and a Kentucky bourbon sauce. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so if you want to see the sights and sample the menu for breakfast, check out the Southern Benedict whipped up with eggs and fried green tomatoes or peach and pecan waffles.

Morsels
Located in the North Tower and open daily at 6 a.m., Morsels is the go-to cafe for families on the go. Grab a coffee or a quick snack or pastry for the kids and head out to explore downtown.

CNN Center Food Court
Tired of fighting with fussy eaters? Just take the largest freestanding escalator in the U.S. from the Omni to the CNN Center and voila! A buffet of family-friendly dining is for the pickin'. Restaurants include fast food favorites, local gems and even a few sit-down restaurants where you can put your feet up for a spell. Options include Chick-fil-A, Arbys, BurgerFi, China Breeze, Dunkin' Donuts, Fresh to Order, Great Wraps, Natural's Ice Cream, Yogurt and Smoothies, Moe's Southwestern Grill, Roman Delight pizza, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, TJ's Sandwiches, Dantana's sports restaurant and McCormick & Schmick's for seafood. There is something for everyone, and then some.

Room Service
The Omni Hotel Atlanta offers room service from its Prime Meridian menu, so you can enjoy a fine meal from the hotel's restaurant while relaxing together with the family. Also, various area restaurants offer delivery services as well, and a complete list of options is provided to guests in each room when you arrive.

All About the Extras
Omni Sensational Kids
Courtesy of the hotel chain's kids' program, children are treated like honored guests. Upon arrival, each child will receive an Omni Backpack filled with goodies to occupy them during their stay, including a coloring book with healthy snack recipes, crayons and a Memory Match Up game. If you add a Georgia Aquarium package to your stay, your child will also receive the aquarium's cuddly fish mascot, Deepo, to snuggle with at night. Speaking of snuggling in on the first night, every child will receive milk and fresh baked cookies before bedtime as their nightcap for the evening.

Fitness Center
Looking to work off some calories from those Southern meals? Check out the Omni's fitness center that offers a view that will take your breath away as much as the elliptical machine does.

Wi-Fi
The hotel offers free Wi-Fi with the Select Guest program. Also included in the program (free of charge so sign up) is a complimentary morning beverage delivered to your room.

The Art of Smart Timing
While weekdays in Atlanta are bustling with business travel, the weekends are rife with families enjoying the host of tourist destinations the city offers. Summer and the holiday season, and school breaks tend to be the most popular times for families to visit the Big Peach, and staying on the weekend will keep you from paying the high business rates found during the weekdays. One caution about the weather: Atlanta isn't called Hotlanta for nothing. Try to avoid the dog days of summer, typically July and August, and consider planning your trip during the milder weather, typically in spring or fall. When is the best value? Christmas break, when the bustling city slows down to a stroll, and the cost of hotel rates and special packages comes down.

Getting There
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 10 miles away from the Omni Atlanta Hotel. MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) provides bus and rail service in the Atlanta area. Guests can catch the MARTA rail directly in the airport Domestic Terminal at the end of baggage claim. Visitors should take the train North to the Five Points Station and then take the Westbound train one stop to the CNN/GWCC station. Take the escalator up and walk through the CNN building to the hotel entrance. Although car rentals, Uber, and airport shuttles such as SuperShuttle are also readily available at the airport, it is best to take MARTA to avoid long traffic delays, which are unfortunately commonplace in Atlanta. If you are driving and using GPS, be sure to use 190 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta for the hotel address. The Omni Hotel Atlanta offers covered, overnight valet-only parking for $35 daily with in-and-out privileges. But be sure to check out the Park and Play package online, which offers free valet parking along with your cozy accommodations.

Getting Around
The good news is the best way to check out the sights is to put one foot in front of the other and go exploring, but if you want to explore deeper into the Atlanta area, be sure you take advantage of the complimentary shuttle to Zoo Atlanta, which hosts a popular Panda Bear exhibit and Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience. The zoo is also adjacent to the majestic Grant Park Historic District, worth a walking tour of its own, as it boasts one of the largest remaining areas of Victorian architecture in Atlanta.

The MARTA railway system is a hop, skip and a jump from the hotel, and will take you all over the city, from the arts and entertainment district in Midtown to the shopping mecca in Buckhead.

For Mom and Dad
Babysitting services can be arranged through the concierge, so there is no excuse to not have a date night while in Atlanta. Southerners love their food, and Atlanta has a cornucopia of fine innovative dinning all over the city. First stop -- check out Omni's Latitudes Bistro and Lounge for shimmering night views of the city, creative appetizers and hand-crafted cocktails. Ready to hit the town? Explore the fine dining restaurants in downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District, such as SkyLounge at the Glenn, Legal Sea Foods or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Prefer jeans and flip-flops? Immerse yourself in European culture at Der Biergarten for genuine German cuisine and 18 German drafts or Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, which offers the state's only genuine coal oven to bake up some delicious New York-style pizza in the heart of the Dixie.