Opened in March 2009, the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown is a super chic boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Midtown’s arts and entertainment district. With 304 spacious guestrooms, Aveda amenities and fantastic city views, this hotel is an elegant and comfortable, especially for those traveling with pets and art-loving teens. The hotel rolls out the red carpet for dogs, and even boasts its own mascot “Mitchell.” Named after famed local author Margaret Mitchell, the decorative dog is moved to a different place in the lobby each day to delight guests both young and old with a game of Where’s Mitchell.

The lobby is dressed with a modern fireplace, an eye-catching aquarium, comfy chairs and even a dog bed that is fit for a king. The lobby and public areas have complimentary Wi-Fi, so it is, no doubt, a popular repose for teens in your party, while younger kids can ogle at the aquarium as they hunt for Nemo in the tank.

The hotel does not have a pool or specific kids’ amenities, but if your little ones want to cool off and let off some steam, a short walk to the nearby beautiful Piedmont Park offers a spectacular public pool, with fountains and a lap pool. Opened in 2009, the Piedmont Park Aquatic Center also includes a landscaped deck, beach entry for toddlers with a current channel for floating, concessions and both natural and structured shade poolside to shield your family from that Southern sunshine.

To learn more about Renaissance, please visit Renaissance.

Executive Suites
For families, the best choice of room would be one of the 16 Executive Suites, some with the option of adjoining rooms with a king and two full size beds. The stylish 616-square-foot suite offers a sitting area, city views and one rollaway bed permitted for an additional charge of $20 per night. If you have more than four in your party, it is best to suggest an adjoining room for more space and privacy. There is also both high-speed wired and wireless Internet access available, two TVs with premium movie channels, an iPod dock and pay-per-view movies. The luxurious marble bathroom comes with a fabulous Jacuzzi tub, separate shower and cozy robes for lounging. The room also has a mini-refrigerator and free bottled water.

Pure Rooms
As one of the Midtown hotels that are pet-friendly, you also have the option of getting one of the 18 "pure" rooms, on an entire floor with a no-pet policy, so you have a safe refuge for any allergy sufferings in your family. The rooms include air purifiers and the welcoming sent of lavender, so you will be at peace with your surroundings. You may also have a one-bedroom Executive Suite in the Pure Room category.

Guestrooms
With one king or two double bed options, the standard guestrooms come with or without city view options. These 351-square-feet rooms also offer the ability to connect rooms if necessary.

Larger Guestrooms
Available with one king or two doubles, these rooms have a bit more space by offering 425 square feet and have the option for connecting rooms, as well.

One-Bedroom Presidential Suite
The 1,020-square-foot, one-bedroom Presidential Suite offers a sofa bed, rollaways, and seating for six. Adjoining rooms are available as well, for expanding your party.

Tip: Be sure to request a room on the 15th floor or above, where you're higher than the surrounding buildings and can enjoy a spanning view of the city skyline.

As far as family activities are concerned, that entirely depends on the personality and ages of your family. Anyone with toddlers or small children in tow will most likely find themselves here for a wedding; otherwise, you should consider other area options. However, if you have sophisticated tweens/teens or prospective college students in your party who love cultural arts, city chic decor and live local music, we suggest you consider a stay at Renaissance Midtown. The hotel offers live local music throughout the year, and surrounding top sights include the High Museum of Art, the historic Fox Theatre, the Margaret Mitchell House, the newly expanded Center for Puppetry Arts, and of course, the beautiful Piedmont Park.

Also, if you have a prospective college student in your party, consider taking a tour of the Georgia Tech campus, or even enjoying a game while you are in town. The prestigious technical college is literally right next door, so go out and explore.

Community Smith
Your entire family is in luck, because the only onsite restaurant recently opened in 2015 and offers a "modern meatery" in Atlanta that is the toast of Midtown. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. But most popular with families is its seven-day-a-week brunch menu. Imagine having pancakes at 1 in the afternoon, or chicken fingers at 7 a.m. From everyone's morning must-haves to tasty sandwiches and full lunches, there is something on the plate that will satisfy even the pickiest eater.

The Garden at Community Smith
This seasonal rooftop bar and lounge is open from mid-March to mid-October and offers not only small plates from the Community Smith menu, but also local and craft beers for unwinding under the stars. But don't let the words "bar and lounge" phrase scare off the kids, as they are welcome to enjoy not only the food and Midtown city views, but also the cozy fire pit and soothing water feature just like their ultra-hip parents. Open from 5 p.m. until midnight, the restaurant often fires up the BBQ for some tastes and sultry smells of the South.

The Varsity
Looking for a super family-friendly restaurant that is good for pinching pennies? Just 5 blocks away is an iconic local family favorite that serves up killer chili cheese dogs, its famed Frosted Orange and a Southern fried pie. As the largest drive-in, fast food restaurant in the world, The Varsity is a must-see for the young and young at heart. Be sure not to miss this genuine Atlanta experience.

All About the Extras
Local Music
Thursday nights are not to be missed, especially for the music lovers in your family. That's the night that local artists perform at the hotel, either in the garden (if weather allows) or in the lobby. Children of all ages are welcome to come and listen to the band, and it is a perfect opportunity to explore the local music scene.

Pets
Is your pet one of the family? The hotel pampers your pets and readily supplies pet bowls, personalized dog tags and leashes at the front desk so you can stroll the city together.

Fitness Center
The hotel offers a 24-7 fitness center, so you can exercise before the kids get up to a get a jump on your day or blow off a little steam at night

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. As for the best value? Summer is when the rates drop, so try to avoid mid-January to May and fall, which is its busy season so prices are at their highest. Also the holiday break, when business travel is at a standstill, is an excellent time to check out the typically bustling city that slows down to a stroll.

Getting There
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 12 miles away from the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown 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 and get off at the Midtown Station, approximately a 20-minute ride. The hotel does not provide shuttle service, but they can help you arrange a shuttle upon request. Although car rentals, Uber, and airport shuttles are also readily available at the airport, it is best to take MARTA to avoid long traffic delays, which are unfortunately commonplace in Atlanta. Plus, since Midtown is such a walkable area of town and MARTA can get you to all the downtown sights, it's best just to hoof it. If you do drive, the valet parking fee is $32 a day.

Getting Around
The Atlanta Renaissance Midtown Hotel offers a complimentary SUV that will take guests anywhere in a 2-mile radius from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The hotel is also on the Georgia Tech Trolley Line, which provides the college's Transit Hub on Ferst Drive and the Midtown Marta station on 10th street. Operating year-round, the trolley also stops at many locations throughout the campus and Midtown, including Tech Square and a Publix grocery store.

Midtown is incredibly pedestrian friendly, so the best way of getting around may just be your two feet. Piedmont Park is 6 blocks away, Woodruff Arts Center is 8 blocks away, and the Georgia Tech University is just 2 blocks away.

In fact, if you are in town to visit your child at Georgia Tech, this hotel is an idyllic locale to relax and unwind before heading into the hustle and bustle of campus life.

For Mom & Dad
If you are in Midtown, the time is right for a fun date night. The Navigator at the front desk will be happy to assist guests in acquiring babysitting services, and considering you are within a 3-block radius of 40-plus super chic restaurants and bars and 3 blocks from the historic Fox Theatre, it would be a shame to miss out on a fun night on the town. In fact, just next door to the Fox Theatre is Atlanta's premier jazz club, Churchill Grounds that offers live jazz performances Tuesday through Saturday during each week. Be sure to check out their Jam Sessions every Thursday starting at 9 p.m.

Want to stay a bit closer to the kids? Well, remember the hotel's rooftop garden is open seasonally until midnight and serves up some delicious cocktails and craft beers for a relaxing, romantic evening under the Southern stars.