The new and improved Hotel Clermont nods to its rich history while paving the way for Atlanta’s boutique hotel industry

You’d be hard pressed to find an Atlantan who hasn’t heard of the Clermont Hotel in Poncey- Highland. The infamous building, known for its risqué nightclub, has survived being shut down by the city several times and has become a local landmark dating back to the early 1920s. After closing in 2009, the historic structure was purchased by Oliver Hospitality in 2012 and, this spring, is being reborn as the boutique Hotel Clermont, a 94-room project managed by Charlestowne Hotels.

Paying homage to The Clermont’s colorful history—particularly its role as a gathering place for musicians and creative types—the new hotel’s has 15 bunk rooms designed to house four guests apiece, as well as three suites and 76 standard rooms.

“The bunk rooms bring a different vibe altogether, specifically designed for those traveling in packs,” says Alan Rae, general manager. “With Atlanta being a primary city for tour stops, there’s appeal for touring [artists].”

The refreshed, “posh-punk” interiors, designed by New York based Reunion Goods & Services, feature style pieces from eras in the hotel’s lifetime. “We wanted to layer the decades, showcasing the life and story without getting too stuck in one particular decade or aesthetic,” says Rae.

Executive Chef Jeb Aldrich and Hotel Clermont Director of Restaurants Nick Hassiotis helm in-house restaurant Tiny Lou’s—named after a dancer at Clermont Motor Hotel’s Gypsy Room who is said to have refused a dance with Hitler. The eatery features a Southern American take on French classics. For more casual affairs, the hotel also has a cafe and lobby cocktail lounge as well as a rooftop bar with views of the Atlanta skyline.

hotelclermont.com