Can I have it all?

I am planning a family trip to Atlanta in mid April with kids aged 9 yrs, 2 yrs and 4 months. Ideally, I%26#39;d like a downtown hotel to maximize our 2 nights there and for proximity to the attractions we want to visit (Aquarium, Coke, Children%26#39;s Museum, CNN tour, Braves game). Is there a hotel that has an indoor pool (that%26#39;s not currently closed) and offers a breakfast buffet within walking distance of the attractions? If not, how far is Midtown from downtown to drive (with ';normal'; traffic)? We will have a car and we%26#39;d rather not struggle with MARTA with the kids and strollers.

Can I have it all?

There are several downtown hotels that would put you in walking distance to all of your intended destinations except for the Braves game (and there%26#39;s really no place to stay that is walking distance for that). They aren%26#39;t cheap -- you pay a premium for proximity. My first choice with those criteria would probably be the Embassy Suites at Centennial Park -- it%26#39;s next door to the Aquarium and often offers package deals that include Aquarium admission, or Coke museum admission, etc. I really like the Embassy Suites room layout and amenities when traveling with our three kids -- there are separate bedroom and living rooms, with two queen beds in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room, with TVs in both rooms, and a microwave, fridge, and dining table in the living area. They usually have a complimentary hot breakfast buffet (including cooked-to-order items, eggs, meats, etc.) also. The one potential negative is that the pool is an outdoor pool that might not be open that early in the year. There%26#39;s also a Hilton Garden Inn next to the Embassy Suites, the Omni Hotel over at CNN Center, and many more within an easy walk.

That being said, Midtown is quite close and wouldn%26#39;t take any time at all to drive -- 10 minutes, tops, even in traffic. If you drive in an park at the Aquarium deck or in the Dome/CNN Center/GWCC area, you should be able to walk everywhere from there. There are a couple of Residence Inn locations in Midtown that might work out well. For that matter, even Buckhead or the Perimeter Center area would also be workable -- twenty minutes drive from Perimeter Center, though in traffic it might be more like a half-hour. There are plenty more hotels that should work for you in both areas, including more Embassy Suites, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, Hilton Suites, and others with suite-style rooms, breakfasts, etc.

Can I have it all?

I have a similar age difference as you do and it is going to be a bit challenging. Your oldest is really to old for the Children%26#39;s Museum and your youngest are to young to get anything out of the CNN tour. Perhaps you can split up for that time period.

I think if you can afford it the Embassy Suites hotel at Centennial Park is an excellent suggestion. You could easily send one parent to CNN and another to the Children%26#39;s Museum both are an easy walk across the Park from the hotel.

Thanks for your helpful responses. We decided to go with the Marriott Marquis. I found a good deal which included breakfast and valet parking and made it cheaper than the Embassy Suites. I also called the hotel directly and they confirmed that their indoor pool was operational, which sealed the deal for me. Since there isn%26#39;t much to do downtown at night, I thought the kids burn some energy swimming, so the indoor pool was a priority.

LMM, that%26#39;s a great idea about splitting up between the CNN tour and the children%26#39;s museum! We may just take your advice. Thanks again. You guys are great!