Inside the Candler Hotel’s Summer Playbook: Soccer, Sharks, and a Staycation With Style

There’s something slightly surreal about sipping a cocktail beneath marble columns while the actual Manchester City warms up a few blocks away. But that’s the energy right now at The Candler Hotel, the historic downtown Atlanta stunner with just enough drama in the architecture to make you forget you’re on Peachtree Street.

As summer kicks into gear—and Atlanta once again becomes the overachieving host of the South—The Candler is leaning in. And honestly? It’s doing it well.

Housed in the restored 1906 Candler Building (yes, that Coca-Cola Candler), the hotel has always flirted with grandeur. But this season, it’s also flirting with soccer fans, curious locals, and out-of-towners who’d rather walk to the aquarium than navigate parking in 90-degree heat.

Here’s what’s new:

⚽ FIFA Club World Cup Package

Dates: June 15–17
If you like your room service with a side of world-class soccer, this one’s for you. The FIFA Club World Cup is making its U.S. debut, and Atlanta’s got a front-row seat.

This limited-time offer includes:

• A commemorative FIFA CWC soccer ball (yes, really)
• A two-night stay at The Candler
• A prime downtown location a short walk from Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Tickets to the matches aren’t included, but if you’re just here for the atmosphere (or the post-match bar scene), this is a smart way to land near the action without dealing with surge pricing or car flags.

🐠 Georgia Aquarium Package

Ongoing
Perfect if your summer itinerary includes “get out of the house” but not “get on a plane.” This one’s built for families, visiting cousins, or anyone who still thinks whale sharks are fake until they see one.

This package includes:

• One- or two-day aquarium admission
• Access to all exhibits (that’s seven galleries)
• Dolphin presentations, 4D movie theater, and the Sharks! Predators of the Deep gallery
• Bonus: You’re staying in a luxury hotel where the elevator doors feel like they belong in a Wes Anderson movie

Vibe Check: The Candler doesn’t scream “theme hotel” the way some downtown properties do during big events. There’s no inflatable mascot in the lobby. No one’s handing you a koozie. It’s a little more grown-up, a little more polished—like if your cool aunt opened a boutique hotel in a Beaux-Arts skyscraper and stocked the mini bar with actual glassware.

So if you’re staying in town this summer but still want something that feels like away, this is one to keep on the radar. Especially when the crowds roll in and the only thing you want is air conditioning, a skyline view, and the option to be social—or not—on your own terms.