Originally published on JLL’s Atlanta Blog
Atlanta’s development boom has been particularly fruitful for the hospitality industry. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, hotels are set to post their highest occupancy levels since 1996 this year, topping 2014’s already impressive performance. Occupancy at metro Atlanta hotels is expected to reach 67.2 percent, above the national forecast of 65 percent. According to a recent JLL earnings report, hotel investment momentum continues to grow.
Individual hotels are drawing in this high number of Atlanta visitors – due to booming Georgia tourism and entertainment industries – with unique amenities. Hotels are no longer simply a place to rest; they are a destination for entertainment, food and nightlife.
According to NREI, hotels are investing in “sky bars” and restaurants to draw customers, particularly Millennials, who crave trendy social spaces. In cities like Atlanta, these new food and beverage opportunities are better suited for a rooftop than the typical lobby restaurants, where guests and neighborhood residents alike can enjoy a drink surrounded by skyline views.
Local examples of this trend include the W Hotel Buckhead’s Whiskey Blue, SkyLounge at the Glenn Hotel, and Community Smith at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown.
