Best Hotels Near the CNN Center in Atlanta: Where to Stay Downtown

Looking for hotels near the CNN building in Atlanta (officially CNN Center, now part of the Omni Atlanta complex)? You’re really asking about the best places to stay in and around Downtown Atlanta, within easy walking distance of major attractions like State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park.

This guide walks through top hotel options steps from the CNN Center, what each area feels like, and how to choose the right place based on budget, transportation, and what you plan to do while you’re in Atlanta.

Getting Oriented: Where Is the CNN Center in Atlanta?

The CNN Center is in the heart of Downtown Atlanta, right next to:

• State Farm Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts)
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Walking distance to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Street address:
CNN Center / Omni Atlanta Hotel complex
100 CNN Center NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

If you’re searching for hotels near the CNN building in Atlanta, you’re mainly looking at:

• Hotels directly connected or across the street
• Hotels within a 5–10 minute walk
• Nearby Downtown/Midtown options with easy MARTA access

Quick Comparison: Popular Hotels Near the CNN Center

Below is a simplified overview of common options people consider when staying near the CNN building.

Walking times vary slightly depending on which entrance you use, but these are good ballpark numbers.

1. Staying Inside the Action: Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center

If you want the closest possible hotel to the CNN building in Atlanta, this is it.

Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center
100 CNN Center NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 659-0000

Why people choose it

• Direct connection to the CNN Center / GWCC complex
• Steps to State Farm Arena and very close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Extremely convenient for conventions, Hawks games, concerts, and major events
• Many rooms offer views of Centennial Olympic Park or stadiums

Things to keep in mind

• This area gets very busy during events (game days, conventions, concerts).
• Parking at and around the hotel is typically garage-based and can be pricey.
• If you’re mainly planning to explore neighborhoods like Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, or Buckhead, you may end up riding rideshares or MARTA more than walking.

For many visitors, especially those attending something at Georgia World Congress Center or State Farm Arena, Omni is the most logical “walk out the door and you’re there” choice.

2. Other Walkable Hotels Around CNN Center & Centennial Olympic Park

If you want to be close but not necessarily attached to the CNN complex, there are several hotels within an easy walk.

Embassy Suites–Style Properties Near Centennial Olympic Park

Hotels in this cluster are popular with families, and often with people visiting:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Typical advantages:

• Suites-style rooms with separate living and sleeping areas
• Walkable to CNN Center (usually around 5–8 minutes)
• Short walk to Centennial Olympic Park and tourist attractions

Things to consider:

• Expect a tourist-heavy crowd, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Breakfast and evening service areas can be crowded during peak times.

If you’re planning a family trip where you’ll visit the major downtown attractions, this type of hotel is often a solid balance between space, price, and location.

3. Large Downtown Convention Hotels (Still Close to CNN Center)

If you’re in Atlanta for a mix of business and leisure, or attending a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center, major Downtown hotels a bit further away can be a good option.

These are typically about a 10–15 minute walk or a short rideshare away from CNN:

• Hyatt Regency Atlanta – along Peachtree Street, connected by skybridges to other buildings and close to Peachtree Center MARTA.
• Hilton Atlanta – large convention-style property with extensive meeting spaces.
• Other nearby chain hotels in the Peachtree Center area.

Why people choose these

• Often more room options and frequent group rates for conferences.
• Easy access to the Peachtree Center MARTA station, which connects you to the airport and other parts of the city.
• A bit removed from the most intense event crowds around the CNN/arena complex.

Trade-offs

• You’ll likely walk or rideshare to the CNN Center for events.
• The feel is more business/convention than tourist attraction–focused.

If you want walkable access to CNN Center but prefer a slightly quieter base with transit options, these Downtown hotels are worth considering.

4. Midtown Hotels with Easy Transit to the CNN Building

Some travelers prefer to stay in Midtown but still want easy access to the CNN Center. Midtown typically offers:

• More restaurant, bar, and nightlife options
• Walkable neighborhoods (especially around Piedmont Park and Peachtree Street)
• A somewhat different feel than the office-heavy core of Downtown

Getting from Midtown to CNN Center

• Take MARTA’s Red or Gold line from Midtown, North Avenue, or Arts Center stations.
• Ride to Five Points or Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center station.
• From the Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center station, you’re right by the CNN complex.

This makes it very manageable to:

• Stay in Midtown
• Take a 10–15 minute train ride to CNN Center for a game, concert, or meeting
• Return to Midtown’s restaurants and bars at night

If you value nightlife and dining over being right next door to the CNN building, Midtown can be a smart base.

5. How to Choose the Right Hotel Near the CNN Building

When narrowing down where to stay near the CNN Center in Atlanta, think through these factors:

1. Purpose of your trip

• Event-focused (Hawks game, concert, Falcons, convention)
  • Staying at or next to the CNN Center (like Omni) minimizes walking and logistics.
• Tourist/sightseeing with kids
  • Suite-style options near Centennial Olympic Park can be more comfortable.
• Business travel
  • Downtown convention hotels or Midtown hotels with MARTA access may suit you better.

2. Transportation plans

• Without a car
  • Look for easy access to MARTA stations (Peachtree Center, Dome/GWCC, Five Points).
  • Staying right by CNN Center is convenient if most of your plans are Downtown.
• With a car
  • Expect garage parking fees at most Downtown hotels.
  • If you’ll be driving a lot to other neighborhoods, factor in traffic and parking at your destinations.

3. Noise and crowds

• Around the CNN Center, game days and big concerts mean:
  • Heavy foot traffic
  • Busy restaurants and bars
  • Street closures or rerouted traffic

If you like being in the middle of the buzz, staying right by the CNN building is ideal. If you prefer quieter evenings, a bit farther into Downtown or Midtown can be more comfortable.

4. Budget range

Prices near CNN Center can change significantly based on:

• Major events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• Holidays and peak tourist times

If your dates are flexible, checking a few different weekends can reveal big price differences, especially at the closest hotels.

6. Getting To and From the CNN Center Area

Whether or not you stay right next door, it helps to know how to move around the area.

By MARTA (Train)

Nearest station to the CNN building:

• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
  • West Line (Blue/Green)
  • Short walk through the GWCC/CNN complex to hotels and arena

Nearby stations for other Downtown/Midtown hotels:

• Peachtree Center Station – good for Peachtree Street hotels
• Five Points Station – main transfer station, walkable to parts of Downtown

This makes it feasible to:

• Ride from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport straight to Downtown or Midtown
• Avoid renting a car if most of your plans are around the urban core

By Car or Rideshare

CNN Center is near the junction of:

• Interstate 20 (I‑20)
• Interstate 75/85 (Downtown Connector)

Things to plan for:

• Event traffic around Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• One-way streets and limited turn options in Downtown
• Garage parking attached to hotels and event venues

Rideshare pickup areas are usually well-marked around major venues, but can be crowded after games and concerts. Building in extra time for your ride is wise.

7. Safety, Comfort, and Local Tips Around the CNN Building

The area around the CNN Center is heavily visited by tourists, event-goers, and convention attendees. Like many downtown areas, it’s generally busy and active, especially:

• Before and after games and concerts
• During large trade shows and conventions

A few practical tips:

• At night, many visitors prefer to walk along main, well-lit routes (Centennial Olympic Park Drive, Marietta Street, and within the GWCC complex).
• If you’re out late, using rideshare or a cab back to your hotel can be more comfortable than a long walk through less busy blocks.
• Keep usual big-city precautions in mind: secure your valuables, be alert in crowds, and use hotel safes if needed.

For families, this area is popular for daytime tourism to the aquarium, park, and museums, and many hotels are accustomed to hosting families.

8. When It Makes Sense Not to Stay Right by CNN Center

Even if your search started with “hotels near CNN building in Atlanta,” there are a few situations where staying farther away can be smarter:

• You’re in Atlanta for several days of neighborhood exploring (Old Fourth Ward, BeltLine, Midtown, Buckhead) and only have one event at CNN/State Farm/Mercedes‑Benz.
• You strongly prefer a residential neighborhood feel over a more corporate/tourist Downtown vibe.
• You find much better rates in Midtown or another part of town and are comfortable with a short MARTA ride.

In those cases, consider a well-located Midtown hotel near a MARTA station, or a neighborhood known for walkability and local restaurants, and simply commute to CNN Center for your event.

By focusing on how close you truly need to be to the CNN building, how you plan to get around Atlanta, and what kind of environment you want at your hotel, you can narrow down the best hotel near CNN Center in Atlanta for your trip.