SiouxATC From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 368 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1966 times:
I was thinking about taking a weekend trip over to ATL in a couple weeks to do some spotting. From what i've heard and seen on this site it looks like the Renaissance is my best bet for a place to stay. Can anyone confirm this and share some expiriences? Any rooms or floors that can be recomended for optimal viewing? I have a free flight voucher on YX that I would like to use up and ATL seems like my best option in terms of decent spotting without having to rent a car.
GSPSPOT From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 2756 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1943 times:
I've stayed there, and it's pretty sweet. You'd probably need pretty powerful zoom lens(es) for best a/c pics. I'm not a power-photog or power-spotter, I just like being around lots and lots of airliners! We had a room on an upper flr, facing the runways, with an honest-to-goodness balcony. Delightful.
IAirAllie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1900 times:
Other points of interest nearby(walking distance though the shuttle will take you to some of the points) are...
the Flight Station store
the Delta Heritage Museum http://www.deltamuseum.org/index.htm Follow the directions on the website as you have to call ahead to get security clearance.
Spondivits local crew hangout- seafood place
Malones- ditto above try the delicious crab fritters or the gumbo (my MSY friend swears it is the real deal)
Lexy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 2362 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 1874 times:
Get a high floor airside. Tell them at the desk you are going to take pictures of airplanes and they will hook you up without any trouble. They do run a "spotters special" at the hotel from time to time. Consider the parking garages too at ATL, but you better have your permission slip with you if you do that from the airport authority.
ImperialEagle From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 1243 posts, RR: 14 Reply 4, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1763 times:
Quoting GSPSPOT (Reply 1): We had a room on an upper flr, facing the runways, with an honest-to-goodness balcony. Delightful.
There is a large expandable "Presidential Suite" on the top-floor located right in the middle of the building. It is possible you can book only the bedroom part of that suite for a reduced rate.
The problem with those balconies is there are large concrete "dividers" that tend to block visibility to the sides. You will, however, have a great view straight ahead.
Take a walk down the hallways and at either end of the building are large plate-glass windows overlooking the area (either east or west ends) that are good for spotting/photography as long as the glare is not too bad. You learn to plan for the sun!
Speaking of the sun-----there is a small pool and patio with a decent view of the action. It is fun to just lounge around and get some rays while observing the action. If it gets too hot----just jump in the pool! There is a phone to order some food or drink sent out to you.
If the weather is bad there is a good view from the bar adjacent the restaurant on the second floor of the lobby. Just pull up a chair and order a cocktail!
Out the East portico and across the street towards the entrance of the Mercury Air Center is the famous "grassy knoll". You will see a distinct path worn up the western end of it from enthusiasts climbing up for the view. They used to keep it pretty well manicured before 9/11, but now let the weeds grow tall to discourage people from going up there. I have seen the police shoo people away from time to time but I myself have never been bothered.Both my person and my vehicles are a familiar sight around the airport and the Mercury people are used to me as well. I used to keep a cheap aluminum folding chair in the trunk of the car to take with me and I would sit there for hours with the scanner watching the action and listening to approach/departures on the different runways.
Beware of ants!
Turn around and the Delta "fortress" is right behind you. Where the street ends is where the original Atlanta Airport terminal once stood. The DL museum is over there in the quonset hanger. Lots of history over there!
Hope you enjoy your visit!
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough!"
ImperialEagle From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 1243 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1607 times:
Quoting ImperialEagle (Reply 4): I have seen the police shoo people away from time to time but I myself have never been bothered.Both my person and my vehicles are a familiar sight around the airport and the Mercury people are used to me as well. I used to keep a cheap aluminum folding chair in the trunk of the car to
Ooops---I apologize-----that sounds snobbish and I did not intend for it to be so.
I don't think the average person is going to have a problem spotting from the "grassy knoll".
IE
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough!"
Atlanta From United States of America, joined Jun 2008, 473 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1552 times:
Quoting SiouxATC (Thread starter): I was thinking about taking a weekend trip over to ATL in a couple weeks to do some spotting. From what i've heard and seen on this site it looks like the Renaissance is my best bet for a place to stay.
The Ren. is great I would try it if I were you!
Enjoy Atlanta it's a great place!
Atlanta
Welcome To The New Delta- The World's Largest Airline
Wjcandee From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 4597 posts, RR: 18 Reply 11, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1505 times:
Quoting IAirAllie (Reply 2): Spondivits local crew hangout- seafood place
I second that. Spon's has great food, cold beer, and a very fun staff. Even if you're alone, you can sit at the bar, and meet all sorts of fun and interesting people. They serve their full menu until like 3am or so -- amazing.
The Renaissance is a great place. Ask them for a room facing the airport and they'll give it to you.
Longhornmaniac From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 3102 posts, RR: 47 Reply 12, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1502 times:
Quoting Atlanta (Reply 8):
Enjoy Atlanta it's a great place!
Because you're not biased AT ALL!!! Totally kidding.
But in all seriousness, the Renaissance is an amazing place to watch planes. I stayed there a while back, and was really happy with it!
ImperialEagle From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 1243 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (5 years 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1440 times:
The Renaissance at ATL sits on the site of the former "1961 Jet-Port" pax terminal. Part of the back parking lot is from the old terminal as well as those old magnolias that border Loop Rd.
A piece of the old exit ramp up to Virginia Ave. is still extant too.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough!"
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From United States of America, joined Nov 2006, 368 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Totally kidding. 
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