This hotel was a real surprise! The quality, the room layout,even the soap and shampoo were cared about and very good. I highly recommend it.
Area recommendations
Downtown. Convemient to everything.

We enjoyed our stay at the Ellis. It is in the nature of a boutique hotel, with relatively small public areas, but plenty of style and character. Rooms were beautifully decorated. The Ellis has a great little restaurant. Breakfast in the restaurant (which was included in our rate) was very good. The hotel is located in "downtown" Atlanta, which contains a number of the main attractions, such as the aquarium and World of Coca Cola. It is a short drive to the High Museum of Art and cultural center. We had a slight issue with noise from an air conditioning unit on our first night but the reception were very cooperative in moving us to a quieter room for the second night. If you prefer a reasonably priced hotel with a character and individuality, I recommend the Ellis.

My husband and I were in Atlanta only 1 evening on business. We decided to stay at the Ellis Hotel based on previous reviews on Trip Advisor. It's in the heart of downtown, which would make it very convenient to the cultural sites. We arrived late in the evening and departed early so my review is limited to sleeping accommodations only.
When we arrived at the hotel, in our personal transportation, it was a little confusing as to where we could park versus using their valet service. We learned that we could park off premises in other charging lots but, due to the time, we elected to let the Valet handle our car for the additional $25.00. Keep in mind that fee is per day. The valet and the bellman were very respectful and efficient.
The hotel lobby is small and the furniture placement makes it difficult to maneuver. Several people were milling around when we came in which made getting to the check in area more like an obstacle course. No wait to check in, staff was friendly and very knowledgeable.
Our 15th floor room was small, but very clean, and tastefully decorated. We experienced no street/city noise during the night and the bed and linens were superb. Our only complaint is that we had very little water pressure. It made for slow bathing in the morning. Had we been staying another evening, we would have asked to move to another room for the purpose of the water.
We had a very nice stay and commend the staff for their attentiveness. If we are in the Atlanta area again, we would consider staying at the the Ellis again.

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.