hotel restaurant Archives | Adventures in Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/8/26

Go beachfront at Beach House Hilton Head Island this fall! John and I recently took a weekender down to Hilton Head Island for a little relaxation and enjoyed the newly renovated and oceanfront Beach House right on the Atlantic Ocean! It is only 4.5 hours away from Atlanta, so it is perfect for a quick beach getaway or long weekend on top of a full vacation! The pool is gorgeous, the beachfront property perfectly manicured, and it has a ton of outdoor and dining amenities. Needless to say, the resort is all about being outdoors!

Speaking of the outdoor space, they boast a newly renovated and luxurious pool deck with large pool, private poolside cabanas, and rows of loungers surrounding this pool! And the best part is it is right in the beach, Coligny Beach. They have umbrella and chair rentals to enjoy a day in the sand and only steps from your room! Need a bike? They have rentals to get you around the island, as well.

Amenities also include three on-site dining options from the southern yet coastal, The Porch, located on the pool deck. They offer poolside and cabana dining. Tiki Hut, newly expanded tiki bar with handhelds and snacks while you listen to live music all day long in their beachfront stage. It was voted No 3 Tiki Bar in the U.S. By USA Today readers. They offer beach dining. And Sweet Al’s a daytime coffee and pastry shop great for the morning pick me up.

We also enjoyed the escape to our oceanfront room. Shiplap greets you as you enter and the entire room is nautical themed! Longitude and latitude on the walls, porthole mirror in the bathroom, ropes and ties, and baskets. The bed is comfy and the bathroom spacious and relaxing. But the best is the view from your balcony!

We put together an all-inclusive one-day itinerary for you to grab for your next trip.

☕️ 1. Start the day Sweet Al’s on property and grab a delicious coffee. I got an almond milk latte, but they have a wide variety of syrups and flavors. Then, John and I grabbed some donuts, chocolate frosted his favorite.
🏝️ 2. Have a beach morning. Go to the rental house and grab a pair of chairs and umbrellas and get into relaxation mode. There, take in the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves.
🛖 3. Tiki Hut is the perfect lunch spot. It has the beach views, and you can grab a drink, grub, and watch live music ALL DAY from the beachside stage. We got some chicken wings to share, and they were juicy and crunchy with sweet and savory teriyaki. They also have a bunch of rum concoctions for all those tiki drink lovers like me! They also are a great spot to catch the big game.
💦 4. Opt for a private cabana for a poolside afternoon. Located on the pool deck, these private cabanas come with large fan, private loungers, a couch, table, complimentary water and snacks for an all day experience. Take a dip whenever you like and work up an appetite to order from your private food and beverage person! I tried the Mahi Mahi with fruit! They also have a ton of breezy beach drink options.
🐠 5. Dinner is served at a the Porch Southern Kitchen. Just off the pool deck with inside outside bar and large patio! I got the Black and White Sesame encrusted seared tuna, a savory, crunchy bite on top of a fantastic cabbage/bok choy tossed in spicy wasabi vinaigrette and a warm citrusy ponzu for dipping. John got the roasted half chicken, a succulent chicken skin on with savory braised collards and creamy polenta mash. I paired my dinner with some Prosecco.
🎶 6. Catch live music back at the tiki hut until 10pm! It’s THE night spot on the property!

Posted by Liz Attaway, 3/20/23

Situated near the bustling downtown Alpharetta City Center, the brand-new Hamilton Hotel theme is based on the Western & Atlantic Railway, clean lines, vintage details, and classic design that culminate in a homage to the transportation history of the area.

From the spacious, clean lobby, to the multiple gathering and seating areas throughout the main floor with vintage touches, to the stunning, industrial King Suites, you’ll fall in love with the aesthetics and want to stay awhile. Beyond the space, one of our favorite things about The Hamilton Hotel is the incorporation of curious artwork like the Lilies at Sunset by Luciou Carvalho. This piece is sleek polished, and new, but presents a bust of a woman from the 1800s all while adorning a modern motorcycle helmet on her head. They also have a series of Chic Evolution art like the Green Torso statue by Niso Maman or the Bonhomme Purple by Henri Iglesis. No matter what draws you in to The Hamilton Hotel, you’ll enjoy every minute of it. Let’s take a ride.

The moment you walk in the doors, you find beautiful modern, industrial architecture, clean lines, warm wood tables, sweeping marble floors, and cozy chairs that welcome you to stay awhile. The front dining area is stunning with a large piece of vibrant artwork in the middle called The Consciousness of Koi by Topher Goodie. To the right of the check-in desk is a large hallway to the elevators. It has vertical floor to ceiling mirrors juxtaposed by round, ornate tile and in the center, on a table, a small clock that says, “grand hotel.” Just down that hall are multiple seating areas, one that’s more intimate and hidden with a soft sofa. In the middle is a lounge space with two gray chairs, colorful carpet, and two gold, modern room dividers. Next to it is a long gray couch and hanging above is the painting we mentioned before, Lilies at Sunset. All these spaces are to invite you to relax downstairs!

One of the most beautiful spots in all the downstairs area is the outdoor space that is shared with their restaurant, Carrie’s. On one side next to the restaurant is a large, covered patio dotted with patio tables and chairs welcome brunch guests on a warm Saturday. While on the other side of the patio are enormous patio umbrellas and low lounge seating for larger groups to gather and hang out. There is also a green space for kids to play in near the back. Inside, the restaurant is a long corridor with large sweeping transportation murals, rounded modern lighting juxtaposing the marble floors and neutral wood tables. The large bar lines the wall of windows that showcase the outdoor space. They also have a few high-top tables in the front and a seating area with low table if you prefer to sip a cocktail there.

Up the elevators to the top floor, entering the corner King Suite, you’re immediately drawn to the floor to ceiling windows that line the entire room. In the bedroom side of the suite, a large blue, cushioned, headboard is symbiotic with the mosaic blue, gray accent wall and blue carpet. The massive, comfy bed is just below in between two wood accented nightstands and some beautiful modern lighting. Across from the bed is the TV and dresser area with a beautiful large blue dresser with 20s arched mirrors on top and a cool spot to rest your bags. In the suite area is a table to enjoy a treat, a TV, cushy couch to lounge in, and a small corner bar with fridge, water, and coffee station. This hides the closet where you can hang your hat. The space has Western & Atlantic transportation décor in a mix of pictures, signs, and diagrams throughout the suite and hallway. The bathroom’s tile is a stunning neutral brown start pattern that goes well with the all-white motif and soft wood vanity. Make sure to use the comfy robe and slippers during your stay. You’ll feel like royalty.

While you’re there, you must eat a meal at Carrie’s. It is a premiere restaurant with divine dinner service like their steelhead trout surrounded by creamy, earthy farro or if steak is your thing, they have an amazing filet paired with charred, sweet acorn squash and a nutty puree that elevates the dish. The best dessert I’ve had all year was the chocolate pot. Rich chocolate mousse encased in pistachio brittle all atop short bread crumbles. Feel like brunch or cocktails? They have a great cocktail program with beautiful, delicious cocktails like the Bardstown Cider or the new spring menu cocktail with empress gin, lavender, and a creamy head. Don’t hit snooze on their brunch either, they have a sensational smoked salmon benedict and superb stuffed French toast.

Outside the hotel, there are so many shopping, dining, nightlife options to choose from, like downstairs in the basement of the hotel is Roaring Social, a 20s themed speakeasy bar. It isn’t affiliated with the hotel, so you will need to make your own reservation there. If you’re looking for shopping, Alpharetta City Center has a ton of options including clothiers and even a record shop. Once you’ve tried Carrie’s, if you need dining options, you have so many to choose that it really is anything you want, steak, seafood, beach food, Indian, Mexican, you name it!

Doesn’t a stay at the Hamilton Hotel sound perfect?