by Scott Laird
Last updated: 5:00 AM ET, Thu March 28, 2019
Canopy by Hilton, introduced in 2014, seems to have finally found its sea legs.
After a delayed start while some legal issues were wrangled, Hilton is opening Canopy properties in North America at a respectable pace. Early examples in Washington D.C. and Dallas easily fit into the neighborhoods they'd planned to highlight.
While it's fascinating to watch a new hotel brand complete and open the first properties, it's even more fascinating to watch it mature. Ideas get refined, guests have a chance to give feedback and frequent travelers get a feel for the brand by visiting different properties to examine similarities and disparities.
For a brand like Canopy, disparity is often a similarity because the hotels draw influence from their neighborhoods. The included-in-the-rate breakfasts had distinct local flavor at each property; in Atlanta, there were beloved biscuits and sweet buns to be had alongside modernist flatbreads and Euro-style cold cuts and yogurts.
The Midtown Atlanta Canopy also had a particularly useful feature not seen in a Canopy before-digital TransitScreen displays near the elevators listed the wait times for popular ride-sharing apps, walk times to transit points and departure times for the next MARTA trains, nearby restaurants and bars (along with opening and closing hours).
This particular stay was in a suite, which comes with added extras like a pair of cozy orange Canopy slipper socks and the use of a bathrobe. The suite also had a balcony from which to take in skyline views, and the décor imparted a strong Atlanta-in-Hollywood aesthetic with floor lamps clearly inspired by early Hollywood searchlights. The eponymous canopy over each bed is inscribed with a Scarlett O'Hara quote, a perfect sentiment just before lights out, "After all, tomorrow is another day."
All the other trappings of the Canopy brand are present-the lovely minifridge-in-a-drawer, water and ice stations on each floor, reusable glass water bottles to fill and pop in the fridge, Nespresso machines and wired television and room temperature controls.
A rather deflating (not locally-driven) disparity was that the complimentary brown bag breakfast delivered to rooms upon request is a return to the pre-packaged national brand orange juice, yogurt, and granola similar to the D.C. property, not like the fresh OJ and locally sourced granola and yogurt given out in Dallas.
Breakfasts aside, the hotel is located in an exciting neighborhood close to local transit, restaurants and entertainment options, from comedy clubs and bars with live music to symphonies and national touring shows at the Alliance Theatre.
The Takeaway
Canopy is a growing brand built for neighborhoods, and this one fits Midtown Atlanta like a glove.
The Math
A quick search of room rates finds they start around $189 depending on season and availability.
Instagrammable Moment
Those Scarlett O'Hara quotes above the bed are memorable, as are skyline views.
Loyalty
Hilton Honors.
Good to Know
Valet parking is available for a $30 nightly fee. Atlanta can be frustrating driving for the unfamiliar; built as a railroad hub, it makes for some eccentric street layouts.
The hotel is quite close to MARTA for lovers of transit.
Orange Canopy bikes are available for guest use upon inquiry to the door staff or front desk.
Breakfast is included, but it's still good form to leave a gratuity for good service; these can be charged to guest room accounts if desired.
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