West Midtown's new boutique hotel, Bellyard, bows this month as an anchor of mega mixed-use development, The Interlock. And it’s certainly worth the hype.
There’s no doubt that West Midtown is having its moment. With several of The Interlock's Phase One tenants set to open their doors in the coming weeks and months—think Putt Shack, St. Germain French Bakery, Pour Taproom, Holiday Bar, Velvet Taco, Cathy’s: Gourmet Ice Cream Sandwiches and more—the neighborhood keeps getting hotter and hotter. To cap it off, The Interlock's hotel anchor, Bellyard, a rustic-chic boutique space, opens to the public this month—and it's poised to become the place to stay after its late May opening. The best news of all? JEZEBEL scored an exclusive look inside Atlanta's newest staycation hotspot—and we're taking you along for the ride.
One step inside the modern, 161-room hotel, and you’re met with a seamless blend of simplistic yet dynamic design with some good ole southern hospitality flare (as it should be). Helmed by Nelson Worldwide, LLC, the interior harps on the neighborhood’s rich industrial history and converging railroad lines. From urban design accents influenced by passenger trains and cars; to thoughtful details like room numbers “branded” into the floors; to the focal-point heifer sculpture gracing the lobby (and there are mini versions in the rooms!); Bellyard pays homage to the city's rich past. As an added bonus, the hotel called on the local art community, outfitting spaces throughout with artwork from Tiny Doors Atlanta, Amy Parry Projects, Iron to Art, and other Atlanta-based creatives.
The industrial aesthetic is carried throughout the modern space, most notably in its luxe accommodations. Infused with advanced technology—hello, 55-inch smart TV!—the clean, elevated guest rooms and suites feature cloud-like king- and queen-sized beds, plush lounge sofas and ottomans, dreamy window seats, and folding writers’ desks, all of which pairs perfectly with the design elements, including neutral decor dotting the shelves and the rustic wallpapered accent walls, which add welcome texture and dimension to the rooms.
We always say: "A hotel room is only as good as its bathroom," and let us be the first to say, Bellyard passes the test with flying colors. In the standard guest rooms, a frosted glass barn door slides to reveal a spacious walk-in shower and a beautiful black marble vanity with a deep green mosaic tile backsplash. And in the hotel's suites, a spa-like oasis greets you in the form of an oversized Calacatta gold marble shower with the best surprise of all waiting inside: a Japanese soaking tub. Yes, you read that right. Oh, and rest assured, the bathrooms also pass the most important test of all: the good lighting test.
Beyond the accommodations, Bellyard's buzzy food and beverage concepts await. Especially of intrigue is Drawbar, a craft American tavern residing in the hotel’s lobby area. A one-stop-shop for all things bar-centric bites, dishes and craft cocktails, Drawbar houses 160 seats, both inside and out, and at the expansive bar. (Inside tip between friends: Grab a spot on the open-air terrace for unbeatable skyline views. Talk about Instagram moment!)
As West Midtown sits on the brink of its hottest summer yet, there’s no doubt its newest hotel addition will flourish. We’ll see you there!
Photography by: Photos by Caleb Jones
