The Ritz Carlton / Buckhead has been named one of North America's 25 top hotels in a reader poll by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The hotel was rated No. 69 among the "Best of the Best" 100 hotels worldwide.

A 5-star St. Regis hotel (there are only 11 others in the world - all in cities such as Rome, London, New York - is proposed for a West Paces Ferry Road site just west of Buckhead Plaza on Peachtree. Plans call for 150 hotel rooms with 35 to 50 residential condos on the upper floors.

Some Buckhead hotels are offering special holiday packages. Be sure to ask when you phone for reservations.

AmeriSuites Atlanta Buckhead (1997), 3232 Peachtree Rd., 30305, (404) 869-6161 or (800) 833-1516

Beverly Hills Inn (1982), 65 Sheridan Dr., 30305, (404) 233-8520 or (800) 331-8520

Budget Inn (1970), 1848 Howell Mill Rd., 30318, (404) 351-1220 (no 800 number)

The Cottage Off Peachtree, bed and breakfast inn, 137 Ridgeland Way (404) 237-3914

Courtyard by Marriott (1996), 3332 Peachtree Rd. 30305, (404) 869-0818 or (800) 321-2211

Crowne Plaza Buckhead (1988, formerly Holiday Inn-Buckhead, renovated 2000-01), 3377 Peachtree Rd., 30326, (404) 264-1111

Doubletree Hotel (1975), 3342 Peachtree Rd., 30326, (404) 231-1234

Embassy Suites Buckhead (1988), 3285 Peachtree Rd. 30305, (404) 261-7733 or (800) 362-2779

Fairfield Inn (Marriott) (1997), 3092 Piedmont Rd. 30305, (404) 846-0900 or (800) 228-2800

Grand Hyatt Atlanta (formerly Hotel Nikko-Atlanta) (1990), 3300 Peachtree Rd., 30305, (404) 365-8100 or (800) 233-1234

Hampton Inn (1989), 3398 Piedmont Rd., 30305, (404) 233-5656 or (800) 426-7866

Hawthorn Suites (1961, renovated 1997), 2030 Peachtree Road, (404) 352-3131 or (800) 527-1133

Homewood Suites Hotel (1997), 3566 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 365-0001 or (800) CALLHOME

Intercontinental Hotel, 21-stories, 421 rooms, expected to open in 2004 at the corner of Peachtree Road and Highland Drive next to the Atlanta Financial Center. This will be Atlanta's first new five-star hotel since 1992.

J.W. Marriott at Lenox (1988), 3300 Lenox Rd., 30326, (404) 262-3344 or (800) 222-9290

Lindbergh City Center, 190-room hotel, on the drawing board

Mainstay Suites (1999), 800 block Sidney Marcus Blvd., (404) 949-4000

Ramada Inn and Conference Center (1972, renovated 1993), 418 Armour Dr., 30324, (404) 873-4661

Residence Inn (Marriott) (1987), 2960 Piedmont Rd., 30305, (404) 239-0677 or (800) 331-3131

Residence Inn Buckhead / Lenox Park (1997), 2220 Lake Boulevard, 30319, (404) 467-1660 or (800) 331-3131

Ritz-Carlton/Buckhead (1984), 3434 Peachtree Rd., 30326, (404) 237-2700  or (800) 241-3333

Sleep Inn Hotel (1998), 800 Sidney Marcus Blvd., (800) SLEEP INN, (404) 949-4000 or (800) 753-3746

Springhill Suites by Mariott, coming soon on the Buckhead Loop just off Piedmont behind Ivy Place

Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn, 540 Pharr Road, (404) 842-0800 or (404) 842-0411

Summerfield Suites (1990), 550 Pharr Rd. 30305, (404) 262-7880 or (800) 833-4353

The Westin (1991) 3391 Peachtree Road, NE 30326, (404) 365-0065 or (800) 253-1397. European style meets Southern hospitality at Westin. Located in the affluent Buckhead area, our sleek 22-story tower places you in the midst of Atlanta's most fashionable shopping and entertainment district.

Sheraton Buckhead Hotel (1975, renovated 2000), 3405 Lenox Rd., 30326, (404) 261-9250 or (800) 241-8260

W Hotel, in development on the site of the old Lenox Inn at 3387 Lenox Road, across from Lenox Square, 225 rooms, 38 stories

Wingate Inn (2000), 3600 Piedmont Rd., 30305, (404) 869-1100. The hotel offers free guestroom high-speed Internet access, a satisfaction-guaranteed policy, meeting rooms, a 24-hour business center, printing and copying equipment and cordless phones.