Before you even have time to unpack your bags, you’ll notice an updated, fresh look and feel of the Westin Buckhead in Atlanta. The lively hotel recently went through a complete renovation of its guestrooms and public spaces, as well as its historic restaurant The Palm. Once shut off from the rest of the hotel, the new design of The Palm is very open and inviting from the spacious lobby, making it an obvious destination in the hotel.

With its location in the heart of the affluent Buckhead community perched right across the street from popular Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza, and within the heart of Atlanta’s premier dining and shopping district, it’s clear you will not know where to start your family vacation.

The kids will be thrilled that the hotel has an indoor heated pool open all year long, so there is always a chance for a dip after a long day of sightseeing. And with in-room spa treatments available, parents don’t have to even leave the room to enjoy some pampering themselves.

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With 365 rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a perfect fit for your family, from a traditional room to the massive Presidential Suite with a full kitchen, dining table for eight, and double-sided fireplace. The pet-friendly hotel also offers 40 plus adjoining rooms and an unstocked refrigerator in every room, so you may fill it up with whatever you need. Cribs and rollaways can be brought to the room as needed. There are no microwaves in the room, except for in the Presidential Suite.

The extensive renovations to the room can be seen everywhere, from the new carpet and furniture to the soft goods and décor emphasizing earth tones and natural elements. The new headboards boast adjustable LED light for some reading before bedtime and the conveniently placed outlets and USB ports will be greatly appreciated when you need to power up your tablet. The guestrooms have a bathtub great for bathing toddlers, with the exception of the Presidential Suite that has a bathtub and standalone shower ideal for mom and dad. All rooms boast the Westin's Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Shower with relaxing, yet strong pressure.

Traditional Room
The 364-square-foot Traditional room offers a choice of one king bed or two doubles, accommodating a maximum of four guests.

Deluxe Room
The larger 420-square-foot Deluxe Room offers a king bed and accommodates only two guests.

Westin Executive Club Room
Rooms range from 364 to 420 square feet, with the option of one king bed or two doubles. This option allows guests exclusive access to the Westin Executive Club Lounge. Located on the top three floors, these relaxing retreats offer floor-to-ceiling windows and an array of amenities sure to refresh and relax you after the stress of travel.

Junior Suite
This 728-square-foot, king-bed suite offers a five-person sitting area, with a sleeper sofa for the kids.

Executive Suite
The 728-square-foot Executive Suite offers one king bed, a sitting area that can accommodate up to nine people and dining for four, as well as the option to create connecting rooms for family and friends.

Governor's Suite
The 1,280-square foot Governor's Suite provides one king bed with a double-bay parlor, two 42-inch flatscreen TVs, a six-person dining table and an outdoor balcony to enjoy panoramic views of Bulkhead.

Presidential Suite
The 1,820-square foot, one king bed Presidential Suite is the epitome of stylish and spacious living. The suite boasts a grand marble entrance into a triple-bay parlor that houses a kitchen, dining table for eight and two separate sitting areas. The suite is bathed in natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and offers a Bose stereo system, double-sided fireplace and private balcony. The lavish bedroom has walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi, cedar sauna and separate Heavenly Shower.

Pool
Atlanta may be hot in the summer, but the late fall and winter are too chilly for outdoor pools that most Atlanta hotels offer. Thankfully, the Westin has a cozy indoor pool that the kids can enjoy all year long. And with the fitness center behind a glass partition right next door, mom or dad can blow off some steam working out, while watching the kids splash in the pool.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Your young inventors will love visiting the nearby LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza, and the Westin boasts a special relationship with this kids' hotspot, so expect to score all sorts of perks and discounts from the front desk. Sit back and enjoy watching your kids jump into the biggest box of LEGO bricks ever, explore the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride or grab some popcorn for the LEGO 4D movie experience. The Westin regularly offers perks and money-savers you won't want to miss, as well as special discounts and packages for Atlanta's top tourist destinations. Be sure to check online or at the front desk upon arrival for what special savings may be available.

The Shops of Bulkhead Atlanta
Thanks to the area's world class shopping, your little tween and teen fashionistas will be in designer heaven popping in and out of the vast array of shops that surround the hotel. The Shops of Buckhead Atlanta, one of the area's newest and most exciting shopping destinations, offers some seriously fun window shopping as you walk these open air avenues illuminated with lighted trees and fanciful music. So be sure to ask what shopping discounts are available during your stay at the Westin.

The Palm
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this landmark restaurant serves up its signature steaks, lobsters and heritage Italian dishes in incredible style, especially thanks to its recent renovation that creates a far more open and appetizing space for families. The restaurant has a continental breakfast starting at 7 a.m., as well as a special kids' menu that offers hearty meals from $10 up. The children's menu includes common favorites from macaroni and cheese, chicken strips, and a cheeseburger, to more sophisticated fare such as 4-ounce filet and fries or penne pasta. Parents can get a taste of the sea in landlocked Atlanta with the restaurant's house specialty -- succulent lobster from Nova Scotia or create-your-own surf and turf with aged prime beef selections.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is available in the guestrooms for an additional fee.

Run Concierge
Did you forget a pair of sneakers? Perhaps you want to run and forgot your workout clothes. Thanks to a partnership with New Balance, the Run Concierge program will bring you shoes or athletic apparel right to your room for a $5 fee per kit, per stay, so you don't miss a beat of the pavement or the fitness center.

Welcome Amenity
Also when you check-in, the front desk will supply your children with a few fun goodies, like coloring books and crayons. Did you forget anything else for the kids? Just call the front desk where they have a supply of emergency diapers or other child necessities on hand in a pinch.

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. Plus, the Christmas shopping in Buckhead is legendary.

Getting There
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 20 miles away from the Westin Buckhead. 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 North-North Springs Line to Buckhead Station. Then walk 1 block north on Peachtree Road and the hotel is on the right. 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.

Getting Around
The Westin Buckhead offers a complimentary car service from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. within a 2-mile radius of the hotel. The convenient MARTA rail station is 1 block away, giving you easy access to downtown attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and the CNN Center. Self-parking is available for $26 a day, or valet for $36 a day.

For Mom & Dad
Be sure you check at the front desk at the beginning of your stay to see what shopping specials they have available at the area stores. There is typically a running discount with the shops around Lenox of 15 percent and they periodically do specials with Lenox Mall. You can also check the website for current specials.

If you just can't function without your morning run, mark your calendar for every Wednesday, when the Westin offers a predawn meet with other guest runners for a 3-mile run through beautiful Buckhead. If you had something a little less active in mind, you can go to the hotel fitness center and use its private yoga space for some relaxing stretching. Afterwards, you can head to the steam room, sauna and shower or just relax on the outdoor terrace of the pool for some sunbathing.