Local Insights
St. Regis Atlanta Concierge Louis Wood shares the rich, vibrant summer experiences awaiting guests in and around The St. Regis Atlanta.
By Andrea Landis
With 15 years of experience as a concierge, Louis Wood has cultivated insider knowledge of all
the best places to indulge and unwind in Atlanta. Here are his recommendations for where to polish up, suit shop and cool off this summer.
Polish
Get summer-ready from head-to-toe with services from the best Atlanta spas and salons.
“The Remède Spa at The St. Regis Atlanta is the ideal place for guests to procure summer-ready services,” Wood says. He notes Remède Spa’s inviting menu for hands and feet, with highlights including a special anti-aging manicure and micro-exfoliating pedicure. (Remède Spa at The St. Regis Atlanta; 88 W. Paces Ferry Rd.; 404-563-7680; stregisatlanta.com/remede-spa)
Wood sends guests looking for a quick mani/pedi to Sugarcoat, a local nail salon. “Guests do not always want expensive or elaborate nail services,” wood explains. “Sugarcoat is very close to us and many of our guests go there for in-and-out nail services.” The chic, self-proclaimed “nail and beauty bar” offers a variety of options and add-ons, as well as waxing, spray tans and even eyelash extensions. (Sugarcoat Nail and Beauty Bar; 256 Pharr Rd. NE; 404-814-2121; sugarcoatbeauty.com)
For that healthy bronze glow, wood recommends Solar Dimensions Solarium, located a short distance from the hotel. “The Solarium provides very convenient tanning services for our St. Regis guests,” he says. These services include luxury UV tanning in premium booths as well as UV-free tanning options like VersaSpa and MyMyst. (Solar Dimensions Solarium Tanning Spa; 3872 Roswell Rd.; 404-814-1322; solardimensions.com)
Or make an appointment with Glow Mobile Airbrush Tanning and bring the glow right to you. Glow offers custom color and contour using organic products. (Glow Mobile Airbrush Tanning; 888-779- 4569; glowatl.com)
Wood adds, however, “the pool piazza at the St. Regis is the best place for our guests to tan the old-fashioned way.”
Sip Cool Cocktails and Savor Sweet Treats
Summer is the ideal time to indulge in an iced treat poolside or while you’re out and about enjoying the city. “Paolo’s Gelato Italiano has been an Atlanta favorite for 12 or so years now,” Wood says. Located at the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues, the two streets that give the neighborhood its Virginia Highlands name, Paolo’s Gelato was established by Italy native Paolo Dalla Zorza in 1999, and serves authentic gelato made from the freshest fruits, vegetables and other ingredients. “Even though the crossroads of the two streets is located in a residential neighborhood, it has quite a lot of very popular restaurants, day spas, small galleries, pizza parlors, and of course Paolo’s Gelato,” Wood says. “It is really exceptional.” (Paolo’s Gelato Italiano; 1025 Virginia Ave. NE; 404-607-0055; paolosgelato.com)
Wood also recommends Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt for those who want to have it all when it comes to sweet frozen treats. The shop lets customers mix different flavors of frozen yogurt and toppings to create a delicious, custom-made masterpiece that could satisfy any sweet tooth. (Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt; 3655 Roswell Rd., Ste. 112; 404-228-6387; menchies.com)
And for poolside cocktails, there is no comparison to the Poolside Café and Bar at the St. Regis Atlanta. “If you’re laying out in the sun for the afternoon, who wants to get up, get inyour car and drive for a smoothie or a cocktail when you can have one brought to you without leaving your lounge chair?” Wood asks. He recommends the West Paces Mary or a decadent smoothie from the hotel’s master mixologists. (Poolside Café and Bar at the St. Regis Atlanta; 88 W. Paces Ferry Rd.; 404-563-7680; stregisatlanta.com/poolside-cafe)
Bask
Outfit your sunny Atlanta summer in luxurious swimwear from sought-after local boutiques and trusted brands.
For women’s swimwear, Wood recommends Atlanta Beach. “We know that guests could go
to Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue and find a large selection of bathing suits,” Wood says, “but it’s nice to send them someplace that is unique to this destination.” Boasting a huge selection of designer bathing suits for women, Atlanta Beach is only about four blocks from the St. Regis Atlanta. (Atlanta Beach; 3145 Peachtree Rd. NE, Ste. 153; 404-239-0612; atlantabeach.com)
Wood suggests Miller Brothers for men’s summer wear. “Miller Brothers is exclusively high- end, so the variety is not as large as elsewhere, but they do have trunks and they’re just two blocks from the hotel,” he says. (Miller Brothers; 3207 Paces Ferry Pl. NW; 404-233-8000; millerbrothers.com)
Alternatively, Tommy Bahama has become synonymous with summertime and is frequented by male guests for warm weather essentials. “Though it exists in other cities and malls, Tommy Bahama has a nice selection of swimwear for men,” Wood notes. (Tommy Bahama at Phipps Plaza; 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Space 2062; 404-591-8868; tommybahama.com)
