Another recent, soul-crushing Atlanta United FC defeat presented an opportunity to finally dive in and explore Centennial Yards’ first hotel offering across the street—and report back. 

The visit was timely, as 19-story Hotel Phoenix recently kicked off its “Phoenix Tailgate Club” for multiple events this football season, offering a literally elevated, poolside food-and-beverage experience over downtown’s formerly barren Gulch. 

Prior to Falcons, Georgia football, and the SEC Championship football clashes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, the tailgate events include chef-led Big Green Egg grillings, lawn games, and cocktails from beverage director Thandi Walton on the building’s third-floor amenities level. Tickets are $95 for anyone over 13 (ages five to 12 are $45) and include dining, two complementary drinks, a live DJ, big-screen viewings, and $15 off valet parking. 

Hotel Phoenix debuted in December and marked a “new chapter in downtown Atlanta’s development” and the second finished high-rise at the Centennial Yards megaproject, per development leaders.  

The hotel's guest pool in relation to Centennial Yards sister project The Mitchell apartment tower (left) and Atlanta's largest coliseum. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

The Chef's Garden (where produce used in drinks and dinners is grown) around the elevated greenspace. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Sheathed in glass and dotted with massive LED signage panels, the hotel tower counts 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and a penthouse, all designed with 10-foot windows to capture views of downtown sports coliseums and the skyline beyond. The project broke ground in late 2022. 

The 70 Centennial Olympic Park Drive property includes a cozy but contemporary, Southern-inspired brasserie, Zephyr, and its watering hole, Bar Z, just off the airy lobby. (Tip: Don’t skip the handmade cornbread with smoked bacon and Tabasco butter.) 

A chill, resort-style terrace lounge called Bless Your Heart, along with an outdoor pool and leafy event lawn, The Green, opened earlier this summer, with city views spanning from The Benz to the Gold Dome and around to Midtown. Other facets include roughly 15,000 square feet of event space—more than half of that an upscale ballroom. 

Bar Z's connection with the Hotel Phoenix lobby. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

As curated by Matthew Whitaker, Hotel Phoenix’s art collection aims to create “an emotional and human connection to the history and culture of the city” with more than 20 works from Atlanta and national artists. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Situated near Centennial Yards' first apartment tower The Mitchell and the partially under-construction entertainment district, Hotel Phoenix is considered a cornerstone of the $5-billion, 50-acre remake of downtown’s Gulch. 

Hotel Phoenix bookings with one king bed this month start at $259 per night. Packages for two-bedroom suites (with valet parking and a $75 credit at Zephyr included) climb to north of $1,100 per night. That gets a stadium-view suite with about 975 square feet. 

Swing up to the gallery for a quick photo tour of Hotel Phoenix highlights as football season dawns. 

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