Our first stay at the Ellis was during the Ice Storm of 2011. All across Atlanta, the stress was palpable. But not at the Ellis. The staff was, basically, living in the Hotel and we all rode it out together. The kitchen and bar(s) coped just fantastically with no deliveries and short-falls across the board. Ironically, We are dyed-in-the-wool Starwood customers and simply ended up at the Ellis because the W was inaccessible (ice-bound).
We have since spent several weeks at The Ellis during the past year and I can assure all that we will never stay anywhere else in Atlanta.
Did I mention The Terrace Restaurant? During the nine days of July, '012, that we stayed at The Ellis, we never dined anywhere else. We are foodies from Sonoma, CA, and never had any desire to dine elsewhere. In Atlanta, that speaks volumes. No regrets.
The Staff is top-notch. Contrary to one other late-arrival review I saw on this board, I have found the late-night staff to be exemplary. We fly First Class and I always arrive a bit blurry. Our most recent arrival at The Ellis (1AM) found me struggling with the sidewalk. Calvin came out in the rain and said, "Mr. W (they remember your name at the Ellis), may I give you some assistance?"
I would've kissed him, but my girlfriend intervened.
Keep in mind that The Ellis is a re-fit insane asylum (with appropriate legend) so the rooms are kind of Manhattan-sized. But the rooms are very well-appointed. Mattresses, linens, pillows are right up there with any other.
We recommend staying on higher floors so one does not have to experience Manhattan-like street noise.
Did I mention the fact that there is a MARTA Station directly across the street? Also, the Ritz-Carlton is across the street and has a 24-hour taxi line.
All of that being said, there is one downside regarding the Ellis...
When exiting your room in the morning, you will find a USA TODAY at your doorstep.
You have to go to the R/C to get a NYT or an AJC.

Ok your talked into taking a friend to Atlanta for a convention and you have no idea where to stay or what to do with the time you find yourself having while the friend in doing their thing. Atlanta is pretty big and busy so the choices were confusing, luck was on my side when I called the Ellis Hotel. They had a room that was not only clean and but well maintained as well. The staff was AWESOME they made me feel at home with their friendliness and helpfulness. Then the decisions of what to do for two days ha to be made, their advise was dead on I had a great time following it. One would be hard pressed to find a better hotel in Atlanta or anywhere else for that matter. They were a freind in the chaos.

This hotel feels like a european hotel,since it's smaller than most of the neighboring hotels, the staff is extremely helpful and friendly, rooms are small but very tastefully renovated, the only disadvantage I find is that there is no fitness room, you have to go to a place nearby...

We have stayed at the Ellis previously and the service was impeccable. However, we arranged for a late arrival and arrived at around 11:15 p.m. during a thunderstorm. There was no valet, and the concierge simply stood and watched as we struggled to get our luggage in the door. The front desk clerk was apathetic at best. It took 15 minutes for a valet to appear to park our car. However the room was great and the staff the next morning was superb. Our only complaint is the terrible night shift staff.