Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North: What to Know Before You Book Near ATL

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and need a nearby place to stay on the north side of the airport, Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North is one of the hotels many travelers consider. This guide walks through what Atlantans, visitors, and airport users should know about its location, transportation options, nearby amenities, and when it makes sense to stay there.

Where Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North Fits in the ATL Airport Area

Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North is part of the “airport hotels” cluster that sits just north of ATL, mainly around Virginia Avenue and Interstate 85. This area is popular because:

• It’s close to the terminals, especially the Domestic Terminal North and South.
• It offers quick access to I-85 and I-75, making it convenient if you’re driving into the rest of metro Atlanta.
• It’s a commercial corridor, with several other hotels, chain restaurants, and gas stations nearby.

For someone living in metro Atlanta, it’s the kind of spot you might use if:

• You have an early-morning or very late-night flight and don’t want to drive from the suburbs.
• You’re hosting out-of-town guests who want to stay near the airport.
• You need a place to stay between flights when same-day connections don’t work out.

For visitors, it can serve as either:

• A one-night transit stop, or
• A short-term base if you’ll be in and out of the airport a lot (for business trips, conferences, or airline training).

Distance and Access to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

How far is Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North from ATL?

Most airport hotels on the north side of ATL fall within a 5–10 minute drive to the Domestic Terminal in normal traffic. Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North is designed to serve that same quick-access market.

In practical terms, expect:

• Driving time: About 5–10 minutes to:
  • Domestic Terminal North & South (Delta, Southwest, and most U.S. carriers).
• Ride-hail/Taxi: Usually a short trip; travel time depends heavily on traffic on:
  • I-85
  • Camp Creek Parkway
  • Airport Boulevard area around the terminals.

ATL traffic can be heavy during:

• Early morning (around 6–9 a.m.)
• Late afternoon/early evening (around 3–7 p.m.)

So if you’re trying to catch a morning flight, plan that extra buffer time.

Getting Between the Hotel and the Atlanta Airport

Most travelers staying near ATL care about how easily they can move between hotel and terminal. Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North fits into the typical airport-hotel transportation setup.

Common transportation options

1. Hotel Shuttle (if offered)

   • Many airport hotels on the north side provide a complimentary shuttle to and from:
     • The Domestic Terminal
   • Shuttles usually:
     • Run on a schedule (every 15–30 minutes in many cases).
     • Pick up/drop off in the Ground Transportation area at the Domestic Terminal.
   • Always confirm shuttle times and procedures directly with the hotel before you rely on them, especially for:
     • Very early flights
     • Late-night arrivals

2. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

   • Widely used by Atlanta residents and visitors.
   • Pick-up points at ATL are:
     • Domestic Terminal: In the Rideshare Pick-up area (Level 2 of the North and South Economy parking decks).
     • International Terminal: In the Rideshare Pick-up area near the lower level.
   • From the hotel to the Domestic Terminal, the ride is typically short; pricing may vary with:
     • Time of day
     • Flight demand
     • Events in downtown or Midtown

3. Taxi

   • Taxis queue at the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center.
   • For a short ride from the airport to a nearby hotel, taxis can be a straightforward option if:
     • You don’t want to handle an app.
     • Your phone battery is low or you have connectivity issues.

4. Driving Yourself

   • If you’re local or renting a car:
     • Use I-85, I-75, or Camp Creek Parkway, depending on your starting point.
   • For parking:
     • Sonesta-type airport hotels typically have on-site parking, sometimes with daily fees, sometimes free.
     • Verify parking costs and if long-term parking is allowed if you plan to leave your car while you travel.

Using MARTA and Public Transit From the North Airport Area

If you’re staying near Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North and want to reach other parts of the city without a car, your best transit hub is MARTA’s Airport Station, located inside ATL’s Domestic Terminal.

Getting to MARTA from an airport-area hotel

1. Go from the hotel to the Domestic Terminal:

   • By shuttle, rideshare, or taxi.

2. Once at the Domestic Terminal:

   • Follow signs for “MARTA”.
   • The Airport Station is directly inside the terminal, near the baggage claim area.

3. From Airport Station, you can access:

   • Downtown Atlanta: Five Points, Peachtree Center, and nearby areas.
   • Midtown: Arts Center, Midtown Station (for office towers, restaurants, and some hotels).
   • Buckhead: Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center Stations.

This is useful if you:

• Don’t want to rent a car.
• Prefer avoiding ATL traffic and parking costs in downtown or Midtown.

Nearby Food, Services, and Things to Do

If you’re staying at Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North, you’ll likely want to know what’s around the hotel beyond just the run to the terminal.

Food and dining

The north airport corridor (especially around Virginia Avenue and surrounding streets) usually has:

• Chain restaurants
  – Fast-casual and sit-down places that suit quick meals before or after a flight.
• Fast food options
  – For grabbing something on the go, especially if you arrive late at night.
• Hotel restaurants and bars
  – Many airport hotels offer on-site dining; hours can be limited, so check the latest schedule when you check in.

If you drive or rideshare a bit north or west, you can reach:

• College Park and Hapeville neighborhoods, which have:
  • Local cafes
  • Neighborhood-style restaurants and small bars
  • Some historic and artsy pockets

Basic services

In the general airport-north area, you can usually access:

• Gas stations – Helpful if you’re returning a rental car or driving back to a suburb.
• ATMs – Often in hotels, convenience stores, or near gas stations.
• Convenience stores – For snacks, drinks, and last-minute travel items.

For more extensive shopping, you’d likely head to:

• Camp Creek Marketplace (to the west, off Camp Creek Parkway)
  • Big-box stores
  • Chain restaurants
  • General retail

When Staying Near ATL Makes Sense for Atlantans

If you already live in or around Atlanta, you might wonder whether it’s worth booking a hotel like Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North instead of just driving from home.

It may be helpful in these situations:

1. Very early departures

   • If your flight leaves around 6–7 a.m., staying the night near the airport can:
     • Cut back on pre-dawn driving.
     • Reduce the risk of unexpected traffic delays.
     • Make it easier for families with kids or older adults.

2. Late-night arrivals

   • If you’re landing close to or after midnight:
     • A nearby hotel cuts down on extra driving when you’re already tired.
     • Particularly useful if you face a long drive back to outer suburbs or neighboring states.

3. Storms and flight disruptions

   • ATL is a major hub, and severe weather can cause:
     • Delays
     • Cancellations
   • Booking an airport-area hotel can be a practical backup plan if:
     • You suspect you may miss a connection.
     • You need a place to rest while rebooking.

4. Business trips centered on the airport

   • Airline employees, training attendees, or conference guests often prefer:
     • Staying close to ATL rather than commuting daily from downtown or the suburbs.

Using the Hotel as a Base to Explore Atlanta

While airport hotels like Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North are designed for convenience to ATL, you can still use them as a base to experience parts of Atlanta, especially with MARTA or a rental car.

Getting to popular Atlanta areas from the airport area

Once you reach the Domestic Terminal and MARTA’s Airport Station, trips to key neighborhoods are straightforward:

From these stations, you can connect to:

• Georgia Aquarium & World of Coke (near Peachtree Center/CNN Center)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (via Vine City or GWCC stations)
• Midtown’s dining and arts district (near Arts Center/Midtown stations)
• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza (near Lenox and Buckhead stations)

If you prefer to drive, expect:

• Heavier traffic during rush hours.
• Paid parking in downtown, Midtown, and many parts of Buckhead.

Practical Tips for Staying at Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North

To make the most of an airport-area stay, it helps to plan a few details ahead:

1. Confirm airport transportation

Before arrival, contact the hotel to double-check:

• Shuttle availability (if offered)
• Operating hours (early morning, late night, weekends)
• Where exactly to meet the shuttle at the Domestic Terminal

If you’re arriving at the International Terminal, you may need to:

• Take an airport shuttle bus or Plane Train to the Domestic Terminal first, then:
• Connect to the hotel shuttle or rideshare.

2. Plan around ATL traffic

If you’re driving to or from the hotel:

• Build in extra time around:
  • Weekday morning commute
  • Afternoon/evening rush hour
• Keep in mind that:
  • Major events in downtown (sports games, concerts) can slow everything down, including rideshare trips.

3. Ask about early check-in or late checkout

If you’re:

• Landing in Atlanta early in the day
  or
• Flying out late in the evening

It can be useful to ask the front desk about:

• Early check-in options
• Day-use rooms or late checkout policies

Airport hotels serving ATL often see these kinds of requests and may have more flexible approaches than typical suburban properties, depending on occupancy.

4. Consider noise and rest

Being near the world’s busiest airport means:

• You may occasionally hear airplane or highway noise depending on room placement.
• If you’re a light sleeper, you might want to:
  • Request a room facing away from major roads or runways, if available.
  • Use earplugs or white noise if you’re particularly sensitive.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Location: Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North sits in the north ATL airport hotel zone, convenient to the Domestic Terminal, I-85, and surrounding commercial corridors.
• Best for:
  • Early-morning or late-night flights
  • Short layovers or disrupted connections
  • Business travel centered on ATL
• Getting around:
  • Easy shuttle/rideshare/taxi access to the Domestic Terminal.
  • From there, MARTA’s Airport Station connects you to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond.
• Local context:
  • The immediate area offers restaurants, gas, and basic services, with more options a short drive away in College Park, Hapeville, and Camp Creek Marketplace.

If your priority is staying close to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Sonesta Select Atlanta Airport North fits into the well-established network of Atlanta airport hotels that focus on convenience, fast access to terminals, and quick connections into the city.