Staying at The Westin Atlanta Airport: What Locals and Travelers Should Know
If you fly in and out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport often, chances are you’ve heard of or stayed at The Westin Atlanta Airport. It’s one of the better-known airport hotels near Atlanta’s main airport, used by business travelers, airline crews, and Atlanta locals who want a stress-free start or end to a trip.
This guide focuses on how The Westin Atlanta Airport works specifically for people in and around Atlanta, Georgia—including transportation, parking, nearby options, and smart ways to use an airport hotel even if you live in the metro area.
Where The Westin Atlanta Airport Is and How It Fits Into ATL Travel
Address:The Westin Atlanta Airport
4736 Best Road
College Park, GA 30337
Phone: (commonly listed through national reservations or the hotel’s main line)
The hotel is in College Park, just west of I-85 and a short drive from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It’s in the cluster of airport-area hotels near Best Road and Sullivan Road, a few minutes south of the Airport International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal) by car.
For Atlanta residents, this area is familiar as the “airport hotel zone”—a practical, no-frills stretch where hotels are chosen less for scenery and more for:
- Proximity to ATL
- Shuttle access
- Meeting and conference space
- Park-and-fly convenience
Getting Between the Westin and Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
Hotel Shuttle Basics
Airport hotels around ATL, including the Westin, commonly run complimentary airport shuttles. These are especially useful if you:
- Don’t want to pay for airport parking
- Are arriving into Atlanta late at night
- Are hosting out-of-town guests who aren’t renting a car
Typical patterns you can expect:
- Pick-up/Drop-off Location:
Most hotel shuttles at ATL pick up near the Ground Transportation area at the Domestic Terminal, often by the zones signed for “Hotel Shuttles.” Look for clearly marked hotel names on the buses. - Frequency:
Commonly every 15–30 minutes during peak times; it can be less frequent late at night. - Ride Time:
Usually about 5–10 minutes depending on traffic on Airport Blvd, I-85 ramps, and the Best Road area.
If you’re arriving at the International Terminal, you may need to:
- Take the free ATL terminal shuttle from the International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation area.
- Then catch the hotel’s shuttle from there.
When you have a specific flight time, it’s smart to ask the front desk about shuttle timing and how far in advance they recommend heading to the airport, especially during early-morning rush hours.
Using Rideshare or Taxis
If you prefer Uber, Lyft, or a cab:
- From ATL to the Westin:
Rideshare pick-up is typically from the Rideshare pick-up zones signed at the Domestic Terminal. The trip to the hotel is short and usually lower-cost compared to rides across the metro. - From the Westin to ATL:
You can request rideshare from the hotel entrance; this is often convenient very early in the morning when shuttles may run less frequently.
Taxis are available at ATL from the taxi stands near Ground Transportation at the Domestic Terminal.
Parking Options: Good to Know for Atlanta Locals
If you live in or around Atlanta—in areas like Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, South Fulton, or Fayetteville—an airport hotel like the Westin can be part of a park-and-fly strategy.
On-Site Hotel Parking
Hotels near ATL typically offer:
- Self-parking lots or parking decks
- Daily or nightly parking fees
- Sometimes short-term parking for events or meetings
If you’re thinking about leaving your car at the hotel while you travel, check:
- Maximum days allowed
- Rates for extended parking
- Whether shuttle access is included with parking
Many Atlanta residents compare hotel-based parking costs against:
- ATL official parking (Domestic and International Terminal decks, Economy, and ATL West Deck)
- Nearby off-airport parking facilities in College Park and East Point
Using a hotel like the Westin can be appealing if you want:
- A night near the airport before an early flight
- Secure parking plus a room bundled together
- To avoid heavy I-285 or I-75/I-85 traffic on the morning of departure
When Staying at The Westin Atlanta Airport Makes Sense
For Atlanta Metro Residents
You might consider the Westin Atlanta Airport if you:
- Have a super early morning flight and don’t want to risk rush-hour traffic from the suburbs
- Return late at night and need a place to crash before driving home
- Are hosting business associates or family who need to stay close to the airport
- Need a meeting or event space that’s easy for out-of-town guests to reach
For families in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, or Virginia-Highland, staying at an airport hotel can help avoid dragging kids out of bed at 4 a.m. to catch a flight.
For Visitors Flying Into Atlanta
If you’re visiting Atlanta for:
- A short business trip with meetings near airport offices, Delta HQ, or Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)
- A connection overnight (an overnight layover)
- Events on the south side (College Park, Union City, Hapeville, East Point)
…then staying at The Westin Atlanta Airport can cut down on travel time compared with staying in Downtown or Midtown, especially if your schedule is tight.
If you plan to explore more of Atlanta (such as BeltLine, Ponce City Market, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail), you may:
- Use the Westin as your first night to recover from travel
- Then move to a more in-town hotel for the rest of your stay
Quick Snapshot: Westin Atlanta Airport at a Glance
| Topic | What Atlanta Travelers Typically Use It For |
|---|---|
| Location | College Park, near ATL and I-85 |
| Primary Use | Airport overnights, early flights, late arrivals, airline crews |
| Transportation | Hotel shuttle, rideshare, taxis, nearby MARTA via airport station |
| Who It Suits | Business travelers, airline staff, Atlanta locals with early flights |
| Nearby | Hartsfield-Jackson ATL, Georgia International Convention Center |
Access to MARTA and the Rest of Atlanta
While the hotel itself isn’t directly on a MARTA line, you can reach rail transit easily:
- Take the hotel shuttle or a rideshare to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
- Enter the Domestic Terminal and walk to the Airport MARTA Station, which is inside the airport at the end of the Domestic Terminal.
From the Airport Station, you can ride MARTA directly to:
- Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center, Georgia State stations)
- Midtown (North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center)
- Buckhead and North Atlanta (Lindbergh Center, Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe)
This setup makes the Westin Atlanta Airport a reasonable base if you:
- Don’t want to rent a car
- Are comfortable combining hotel shuttle + MARTA to move around Atlanta
- Want to keep your lodging near the airport but still reach the city’s core
Meeting, Conference, and Event Use
Many organizations in metro Atlanta use airport hotels like the Westin for:
- Day meetings with out-of-town participants
- Small conventions or training events
- Job fairs and airline-related events
- Interviews or orientation sessions for companies with staff flying into ATL
If your company is based in Downtown, Midtown, or Perimeter, you may find it convenient to:
- Host events at an airport hotel when most attendees are flying in
- Provide them with simple shuttle and MARTA directions instead of rental car instructions
Amenities at airport hotels typically include:
- Multiple meeting rooms and ballrooms
- On-site audio-visual support
- Catering options
- Business center services (printing, basic office support)
Local teams in Atlanta often weigh the convenience for travelers flying into ATL against the commute for local staff driving from around the metro area.
Food, Amenities, and What’s Around the Hotel
On-Site Dining
Airport hotels usually have:
- A main restaurant with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options
- A lobby bar or lounge
- Often a grab-and-go market for snacks, coffee, and quick bites
This is helpful because, unlike Midtown or Buckhead, the immediate area around the airport doesn’t have a dense concentration of walkable restaurants. Many guests rely on:
- On-site hotel dining
- Delivery services (for example, food delivery apps)
- A short Uber/Lyft ride to restaurant clusters in College Park or Hapeville
Fitness and Pool
Most full-service airport hotels near ATL, including the Westin, commonly offer:
- A fitness center
- A pool (indoor, outdoor, or sometimes both)
- Basic wellness features that appeal to frequent business travelers and airline crew
For Atlanta residents, these amenities can be a small bonus if you’re staying the night before or after a flight with kids who need to burn off energy.
Using The Westin Airport as a Layover or Delay Solution
Flight delays and missed connections are common reality at busy hubs like Hartsfield-Jackson. When this happens:
- Airlines may direct passengers to specific airport hotels for overnight stays (sometimes with vouchers).
- Travelers also independently look for nearby hotels they can reach quickly.
If you get stranded at ATL:
- Check whether your airline will cover or discount your stay.
- If not, consider:
- Walk-up availability options at nearby hotels (including the Westin and others in the area).
- Access to shuttles from the Domestic Ground Transportation area.
For Atlanta locals trying to get home but delayed overnight, staying near the airport can sometimes be easier than waking up a friend or family member for a 1 a.m. pick-up on the interstate.
Tips for Atlanta Residents Considering an Airport Hotel Stay
If you live in the metro area and are weighing The Westin Atlanta Airport against just driving from home the day of your flight, consider:
Traffic Windows
- Early morning departures from areas like Gwinnett, Cobb, or Henry Counties can mean battling I-285 or downtown connectors.
- A hotel stay can reduce stress and commute time.
Weather Concerns
- During storms or winter weather (rare but impactful in Atlanta), staying near ATL the night before your flight can help you avoid last-minute surprises.
Family Logistics
- If traveling with children or older adults, a calmer morning with a short shuttle ride to the airport often feels easier than a long early drive.
Cost Comparison
- Compare:
- One extra hotel night + airport-area parking
- Versus multiple days of airport deck parking fees and extra time on I-75/I-85.
- Compare:
Event or Meeting the Same Day as a Flight
- If you’re hosting people flying in and out the same day, using an airport hotel meeting space can avoid cross-city rush-hour drives.
Nearby Atlanta Points of Interest from the Westin
If you have a few free hours before or after a flight and you’re staying at the Westin, you’re reasonably close (by car or rideshare) to:
- Delta Flight Museum (near the airport, in Hapeville area)
- Downtown Atlanta attractions:
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- Centennial Olympic Park
- State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- College Park Main Street and Hapeville for small local restaurants and murals
Expect 15–30 minutes by car into central Atlanta depending on traffic along I-85 and the Downtown Connector.
How to Decide if The Westin Atlanta Airport Fits Your Atlanta Plans
For travelers and residents focused on convenience to Hartsfield-Jackson, the Westin Atlanta Airport is part of a cluster of full-service hotels that prioritize:
- Quick access to ATL
- Shuttle service
- Meeting and event space
- Basic comfort during short stays
It tends to make the most sense if:
- The airport is the center of your trip (early departure, late arrival, layover, or airline-related business).
- You want to minimize stress on travel days from anywhere in the Atlanta metro.
- You’re coordinating with people flying into Atlanta and want a location that’s easy to reach without navigating city traffic first.
For deeper exploration of Atlanta’s neighborhoods, arts, dining, and nightlife, many visitors pair an airport stay with time in Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead, or other in-town neighborhoods. For anything focused tightly around Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, though, The Westin Atlanta Airport is one of the commonly used, recognizable options near ATL.