The Atlanta is Thailand's most genuinely historic hotel. It is also uniquely different from other hotels.
Located deep in the heart of Bangkok and within easy reach of Old Bangkok by BTS (also known as Sky Train) and Chaopraya River Express (also known as the river bus), The Atlanta offers the facilities, policies and ambiance of a wholesome tropical resort and a pukka private club.
Uniquely, The Atlanta's premises are open only to residents. Outsiders are not permitted to enter the premises or even to patronize the restaurant. This makes The Atlanta club-like: very private, secure and secluded. This private club-like quality appeals to families who are concerned about the safety of their children, and to respectable singles and couples who seek a more private and peaceful environment, but also to academics on a working holiday who prefer a more secluded setting. The wholesome club-like quality of The Atlanta is reinforced by our strict 'no sex tourists', 'no drugs' and 'zero tolerance of trouble-makers' policy which is endorsed by all our guests. The Atlanta's staff respect the privacy of our residents and the staff and environment are very family-friendly, but children must be kept under control by their parents so as not to disturb other guests.
The Atlanta's distinctive mystique and strong creative energy make it particularly popular with artists and writers. Many books have been written at The Atlanta. The foyer / lobby is lined with cabinets filled with books and recordings by our guests.
Uniquely, too, The Atlanta is an animal sanctuary, albeit a private and unofficial one. The Atlanta is home to dozens of rescued cats, terrapins and one dog. The cats live in the staff section though some are released into the garden and the foyer / lobby during the daytime. None are allowed into the restaurant or upstairs to guests' rooms. The terrapins live in a spacious enclosure in the garden. We regret we are unable to accommodate any more animals. Furthermore, our jungle-like old-growth luxuriant tropical garden is a haven for urban wildlife, principally birds and squirrels. The Atlanta naturally attracts animal lovers but also those who seek an oasis in Bangkok for a long-term sojourn.
Near the historic pool at The Atlanta is a small gym with machines and weight stacks but no free-weights.
All products used by The Atlanta and all sub-contractors engaged by The Atlanta are selected on the basis of their eco-friendliness.
The metaphysics of The Atlanta do not and are not meant to appeal to everybody. The Atlanta is not in the mass market: The Atlanta caters to a very special minority. Over 90% of our guests are regularly returning guests who come back year after year, decade after decade, generation after generation. They are our old friends. They know our staff, and many know each other. Nearly all our new guests are introduced to us by regularly returning guests. We have no passing trade and, indeed, we may sometimes be reluctant to accept reservations from total strangers who might not understand what The Atlanta is about. That reluctance is encouraged by our regularly returning guests who want us to preserve the unique ethos of The Atlanta. The Atlanta is, as such, not a ‘hotel’. It is sui generis. The Atlanta is the lodestar and cynosure of wholesome tourism.
Profits?!? The owners of The Atlanta are indifferent to profits, which is why our tariffs are so low. Profits are not the reason why The Atlanta exists! The Atlanta's raison d'etre is something of far higher value than profits. So long as our friends and guests love us and return to stay with us whenever they come to Bangkok, so long as the staff - nearly all of whom have been with us for decades - can earn good money and have a good life with us, and so long as the animals in our sanctuary can be well looked after and have a good life with us, the owners are happy!
“If you understand what The Atlanta is all about, you will love it!
If you look upon The Atlanta as only a place to stay, you will miss the point!”
"BANGKOK'S ORIGINAL HIP HOTEL"
"A GEM ... QUIETLY COOL ... A HAVEN ...
WHOLESOME ... AUTHENTIC ...
ULTIMATE CULT HOTEL"
Whence these epithets? For "Bangkok's original hip hotel", see one of several articles on display in the foyer of The Atlanta, written by a noted investigative journalist. For "a gem ... ultimate cult hotel", see Google and Trip Advisor reviews.
Families are warmly welcome, but children must be keep under control by their parents so as not to disturb other guests.
Zero tolerance for trouble-makers.
POOL OPEN 24-HOURS AND ILLUMINATED ALL NIGHT
CANDLE-LIT FROM NOVEMBER TILL FEBRUARY
HAMMOCKS, DECK-CHAIRS, SUN BEDS, RECLINERS, TABLES & CHAIRS
AROUND THE POOL AND IN THE GARDEN
FIRST HOTEL POOL IN THAILAND
Training pool (1950's-60's) of the FIRST SCUBA DIVING CLUB IN THAILAND, the Thailand Sub-Aqua Club,
founded by Dr Max Henn, founder of The Atlanta Hotel, Thai Hotels Association, etc.
All original, including the rockery diving platform and the cinema scope screen beyond the pool.
Photo by Dr. C.H.
THE OLDEST UNALTERED HOTEL FOYER / LOBBY IN THAILAND,
POSSIBLY IN ASIA
AH!, the restaurant at The Atlanta Hotel
Famous for the first academically annotated menu in the world,
large selection of THAI VEGETARIAN DISHES, and some 1950's style western dishes.
Western-size portions. Lowest menu prices in this part of Bangkok.
The Atlanta Hotel's Scriptorium
Guests' Writing Room
with old Art Deco roll-top desks and
an old light table for viewing slides.