Hotel Clermont: Atlanta’s Boldest Boutique Hotel with a Notorious Past and Irresistible Charm
Neon nostalgia, irreverent energy, and Southern hospitality turned all the way up.
A History That’s Anything but Quiet
Perched proudly on Ponce de Leon Avenue, Hotel Clermont is more than just a place to stay—it’s a living legend, a stylish sanctuary, and a neon-lit love letter to Atlanta’s wild side. Housed in the historic 1924 Clermont Motor Hotel, this vibrant boutique destination blends Southern hospitality with irreverent charm and just the right amount of grit.
Hotel Clermont’s past is as layered as its boldly patterned wallpaper. In 1965, the property gained a second life—below ground—with the opening of Atlanta’s first and longest-running strip club, the infamous Clermont Lounge. Known for its kitschy atmosphere, cheeky attitude, and uniquely unforgettable performers, the Lounge became an underground icon. Over the decades, it’s drawn a cult following of curious locals and international celebrities alike, from Anthony Bourdain (who featured it in Parts Unknown) to Lady Gaga, Ashton Kutcher, and Marilyn Manson. Even comedian Dave Attell gave it a spotlight on his late-night TV show Insomniac. Let’s be clear: the Clermont Lounge is not your average gentlemen’s club. It’s where irreverence reigns, rules are few, and the entertainment is part performance art, part punk poetry. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s weird—in the best possible way.
Above Ground: A Hotel That Sparkles with Style
While the Lounge keeps the basement buzzing, the hotel above tells a very different story. Since its massive renovation and reopening in 2018, Hotel Clermont has transformed into one of the most eclectic and beloved boutique hotels in the Southeast. Step inside and you’re greeted by a bold, maximalist aesthetic—velvet seating, vintage typewriters, custom murals, and art deco touches that channel the rebellious spirit of the building’s past with the polish of a modern urban escape.
Rooms with Personality and Panache
Each of the hotel’s 94 rooms—from cozy bunk rooms to retro-glam suites—offers a unique blend of nostalgia and contemporary comfort. Think: wood-paneled walls, rotary phones, graphic-print linens, and splashes of brass and blush that transport you to another era, but with lightning-fast Wi-Fi and plush beds. The vibe is unapologetically fun, Instagram-ready, and deeply memorable.
Sips, Bites, and Skyline Views
If the Clermont Lounge is the wild child, the rest of the hotel knows how to party with polish. Head to the rooftop bar, a rum-focused hotspot with tropical cocktails and jaw-dropping views of the Atlanta skyline—especially magical at sunset. It’s the perfect perch to toast the city’s past, present, and future. For dinner, Tiny Lou’s, the hotel’s chic French-American brasserie, serves up escargot, steak frites, and crème brûlée with style and swagger, earning accolades from critics and food lovers alike. Downstairs, the lobby bar and café provide cozy corners for coffee, cocktails, or catching up with fellow travelers and Atlanta locals.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Whether you’re here for the historic scandal, the creative spirit, or simply the chance to say, “yes, I stayed there,” Hotel Clermont is Atlanta turned technicolor: chaotic, charismatic, and absolutely unforgettable.
