The Tess, renovated and renamed, brings local charm to an Autograph Collection hotel!
As a mom of two, I rarely get a night off. Staycations are sacred to me, so booking a night at The Tess on East Paces Ferry Road was something I had been looking forward to for months. Owned by Peregrine Hospitality, who also own Camelback Resort in the Pocono Mountains and Utah’s Deer Valley Resort, the hotel became a part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection in late 2025.
I had visited this property once before, for the grand opening of its previous iteration as The Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead. Now rebranded as The Tess, it is conceptualized around a fictional persona described as gracious and magnetic, and feels different than its predecessor. It’s grounded in approachable luxury and is elegant without being precious. I allowed myself to get swept up in The Tess persona as I crossed the threshold into the moody and vibe-y lobby and forgot the crumbfilled car I left at the valet.
While I often joke that I only need a soft bed and strong WiFi to enjoy a staycation, the hotel offers much more, with intentionally designed accommodations that feel comfortable yet sophisticated. The rooms, priced from $279, look modern and fresh, with globe pendants, black marble countertops in the bathroom and curved furniture. My favorite room features were the wall-to-wall headboard, the sitting area and a moveable table where I fired off a few emails before making my way to The Tess’s crown jewel, its 10th floor lounge and restaurant, Tesserae.
At one point, Tesserae was a members-only club. Now, all are welcome to enjoy cocktails and classic American dishes alongside panoramic views of Buckhead, downtown and Midtown. I particularly enjoyed a peaceful yoga class up there the next morning as part of the hotel’s daily wellness offering.
The design and layout of the hotel have remained largely the same, although there are plans to convert the ground-floor restaurant into a new concept and redesign some of the guest rooms to make them feel more cohesive. Other changes include spiffing up the rooftop pool with a mural by a local artist to add more appeal.
The hotel is keen to create local partnerships to lean into more sense of place. The Tess recently teamed with Shanita Miller, founder of the online platform Black Girl’s Guide to Atlanta, to create a luxury two-night package in the Female Founders’ Suite that features female-founded, Atlanta-based brands such as Dope Pieces, Glad & Young Studio, The Chai Box and Kindred Paper. The package, which runs through June, also includes a discount for services at Wellhaus Club within walking distance.
What struck me most about The Tess was the friendly service—not always a guarantee in Atlanta despite the concept of Southern hospitality. I ran into a friend in the lobby who has been living at the hotel for two months while undergoing an unexpected home renovation. She told me how The Tess has felt like a home, mostly due to the staff. It’s good to know that The Tess has its foundation laid, and I’ll be back to see how the hotel evolves as it slips deeper into its new identity.
THE TESS
470.600.3510
marriott.com/atlnk
tesseraeatlanta.com
@tessinbuckhead
@tesseraeatl
