First Look: Hotel Granada Is an Old-World Oasis in Midtown Atlanta

Standing out against a sea of high rises with its creamy stucco and red-tiled roof, the Hotel Granada is set to open later this month in Midtown Atlanta. In a city with an ever-evolving skyline, the property breathes new life into a century-old architectural gem.

Originally built as the Granada Apartments, the property went through several transformations before it was purchased by Monomoy Property Ventures and Scarp Ridge Capital Partners. When it opens, it’ll be operated by Aparium Hotel Group with an all-day restaurant, a lobby coffee shop and bar, and a cocktail lounge.

The hotel underwent an extensive renovation by architect Ken Gowland of MetroStudio, though period details remain. An inlay tile that says “Granada” greets you at the threshold, and an original fountain adds ambiance to the courtyard. With its lush crape myrtles and wicker furniture, the courtyard is an especially stark juxtaposition with the steel and glass that tower over the historic property. “We felt we could take this building that’s one hundred years old and create something that’s totally unique and distinct in Atlanta, with what will be this open-air lobby as a defining feature,” says Kevin Vaughan, Monomoy’s founder.

The lobby exudes Spanish-meets-Southern charm. The decor, by Austin-based designer Cameron Carr, includes terra-cotta tiles, soft green accents, and custom millwork. Other custom details, like the wallpaper featuring pomegranate seeds and nods to Atlanta or the art curated by the Savannah College of Art & Design, signal this isn’t some generic box. “Our intent is to stay an independent and locally driven hotel,” Vaughan says. “We want to be the great cocktail spot, the great coffee spot, the great gathering place.”

Here’s a look inside.

Though petite in stature at only four stories, Hotel Granada’s freshly painted stucco facade pops against the modern Atlanta skyline.

“We think our best rooms are the ones that face the courtyard,” Vaughan says. “This is where the energy is.” Benjamin Moore’s mossy High Park green greets guests in the rooms’ foyers, while vibrant art created by local artists like Michelle Armas (right), Evan Blackwell Helgeson, and Sarah Mangalapalli hang on the walls.

Atlanta has plenty of rooftop bars, but a courtyard bar? That’s unusual. Hotel Granada’s houses Pom Court, a restaurant serving light cocktails and Spanish and Southern-inspired dishes like empanadas and deviled eggs. “We think we can create a neighborhood place that the people in these new high rises and all around Atlanta can come to,” Vaughan says.

In the lobby, which features original archways, interior designer Cameron Carr blended terra-cotta tiles with patterned Parsons-style lounge chairs, leather sofas, wicker accents, and even a fringed skirt around the check-in desk.

The menu at Pom Court leans into snacky dishes like pimento cheese with crostini. 

The lobby’s coffee shop serves espresso and drip in addition to breakfast pastries.