Dunwoody, GA Travel Guide

This post is sponsored by the Dunwoody Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thank you for hosting our weekend! 

Atlanta Perimeter | Georgia’s Hidden Gems

Does the thought of Atlanta traffic give you immediate anxiety? Most Southerners know this feeling all too well. Atlanta, GA is a hub for many things in the South so it can get congested at times…Okay, congested all the time. When visiting Atlanta, have you ever considered staying in a city outside the perimeter? Trust me, this is where the true gems of Georgia reside!

Welcome to Dunwoody, GA

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting Dunwoody, GA and discovered the many things this city has to offer! Dunwoody and Sandy Springs sit close together and these cities are only about 20 minutes from Downtown Atlanta. My girlfriends and I had wished we would have discovered this place sooner. We often skip out on attending events or visiting central Atlanta because of how expensive lodging and dining can be. But, after discovering Dunwoody we found one of the coolest hotels for an incredible price. The best part is that’s just a Lyft or Uber away from Downtown Atlanta, but you may find there’s plenty to do to keep you in Dunwoody for an entire weekend…

Where to Stay in Dunwoody

The Le Meridien hotel in Dunwoody, GA took us by total surprise. It’s a part of the Marriott group, but I had never heard much about these boutique-style hotels (where have I been, because apparently, they are all over!) Of course, one of our first boxes to check off at a hotel is the bar. This one gets a 10+

The decor of the Le Meridien is modern and minimalist which makes it feel open and best of all, clean! If you’re not staying here while visiting Dunwoody, GA you should most definitely make plans to check out their bar and restaurant. Our best cocktails of the weekend were from their on-site restaurant called Portico, and we also enjoyed a Jazz Brunch on Sunday!

When writing this post, I wanted to find out a comparison for what the Le Meridien Dunwoody costs vs a comparable hotel in Downtown Atlanta… and here are the results:

Le Meridien Dunwoody……Deluxe King Rooms start at $108 per night

Downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis……. King Room Starts at $215 per night

If Downtown convenience isn’t the biggest item on your list, you can definitely save a few dollars by staying on the perimeter of Atlanta!

Restaurants in Dunwoody, GA

After traveling, some ATL traffic and missing a few exits, we had worked up an appetite for our first dinner in Dunwoody. We lucked up because Cafe Intermezzo Dunwoody was our favorite dinner out of the entire weekend! The location was perfect! Not only was it across the street from our hotel, but there was the coolest tapas bar right next door that was recommended for post-dinner drinks and dancing. Eclipse di Luna wasn’t on our itinerary, but sometimes the unexpected local gems are right under your nose. 

Travel tip: Take suggestions from your waiter. Usually, they’ve spent a few hours getting to know you and overhearing your personality and preference. They could have some great destination suggestions!

Let’s just say, we took the locals advice and danced the night away at Eclipse di Luna. There was an authentic Latin band playing and we met the most precious people, young and old. Everyone there was such good dancers, and we truly felt like we were back in Miami! (insert red dress dancing emoji here)

Saturday Stops

Thank goodness, we had a slow morning planned for Saturday… We started off by visiting the Angela Michael Spa where we had fabulous hydrating facials. Everyone here, and at our next lunch destination was so nice and welcoming. I can’t say I’m surprised, after all, it’s the South!

For lunch, we stopped by Alon’s Bakery & Market, which is another “best of” Dunwoody restaurants. If this place was in my neighborhood in Birmingham, we’d be in trouble!

Alon’s is a staple in Dunwoody and Buckhead because of its set up as a gourmet one-stop-shop. It’s like a mini, locally owned, Whole Foods with specially sourced products that you won’t see anywhere else. Artisan sandwiches, deli meats, and cheeses and a wine bar fully stocked whether you wanted to pop the top right there or take a bottle to-go. All of this, right in the heart of Dunwoody. Oh! I can’t forget to mention the bakery and macarons!

For dinner on Saturday we visited a neat little place called Vino Venue in Dunwoody. They had the coolest self-dispensing wine station and wonderful appetizers! Would definitely recommend the arancini balls, asian brussels sprouts.

Other Notable Discoveries

The highlights of our trips usually revolve around libations, food, and a little r&r in a hotel robe! But if there’s time, we love to pop into shops. Right now down the road from the hotel are a handful of local shops. Be sure to check out The Enchanted Forest and Under the Pecan Tree for creatively curated gifts and various knick-knacks, or the Perimeter Mall for bigger stores like Anthropologie and Nordstrom. So convenient!

Food and drink is definitely my favorite way to take in a city, but it’s also nice to notice some history and art along the way. The Spruill Arts Center makes for a great final stop before heading out of a short weekend in Dunwoody. Gorgeous art throughout and a nice little reminder on your way out. If you’re looking to make your own piece of art, check out Painting with a Twist!