Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re looking for a convenient place to stay near Emory University and downtown Decatur—with easy access to downtown Atlanta—the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory is one of the better-known hotel options in this part of the metro.

This guide walks through what Atlantans and visitors typically want to know: location, nearby neighborhoods, parking and transit, who this hotel works best for, and what to expect during your stay.

Where the Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory Is Located

The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory is located in the heart of downtown Decatur, just east of the City of Atlanta.

• Street address: 130 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA 30030
• Area: Downtown Decatur, DeKalb County
• Approximate distance to key spots:
  • Emory University main campus: about 3–4 miles
  • Downtown Atlanta: about 6–7 miles
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: roughly 16–20 miles, depending on route

The hotel sits a short walk from Decatur Square, surrounded by local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and small businesses. If you like being able to walk to dinner or step out for a coffee instead of driving everywhere, this location usually works very well.

Neighborhood Snapshot: Downtown Decatur vs. Downtown Atlanta

Although the name includes “Atlanta” and “Downtown”, this hotel is not in downtown Atlanta proper—it’s in downtown Decatur, which is its own city just outside Atlanta.

What downtown Decatur feels like

Downtown Decatur is:

• Walkable – dense cluster of shops and restaurants around the square
• Transit-friendly – served by the Decatur MARTA Station (Blue Line)
• More relaxed than downtown Atlanta – feels more like a small city center or college town hub

From the hotel, you can walk to:

• Decatur Square and the historic DeKalb Courthouse area
• Cafés, bakeries, and bars along Ponce de Leon Ave, Church St, and West/East Ponce
• The Decatur Branch of the DeKalb County Public Library

If your priority is nights out in downtown or Midtown Atlanta, you’ll be traveling a bit, but the hotel’s proximity to MARTA helps.

Getting Around: Driving, Parking, and MARTA

Parking

The hotel typically offers on-site parking, often in a deck or dedicated lot. In the Atlanta/Decatur area, hotel parking is rarely free in dense downtown cores, so expect:

• Daily parking fee (common at central hotels)
• In-and-out privileges in many cases, but policies can vary

If you’re local and driving in, factor parking into your overall budget, especially if you plan to leave the car parked and use MARTA.

Using MARTA from the hotel

One of the biggest advantages of staying here is access to MARTA rail without needing to be in downtown Atlanta:

• Nearest station: Decatur MARTA Station (Blue/Green Line)
• Walk: Roughly 5–10 minutes, depending on your pace

From Decatur Station you can ride:

• Toward Atlanta:
  • Five Points (downtown Atlanta transit hub)
  • Direct connections to the Airport Station (via transfer at Five Points)
  • Access to Midtown, Arts Center, Buckhead, and other stations (with transfers)

This is useful if you want to avoid Atlanta traffic or are visiting without a car.

Staying Here for Emory University & Nearby Medical Centers

Many guests choose this hotel because of its proximity to Emory and nearby medical or academic facilities.

Distance to Emory areas

Typical drive times from the hotel (outside of peak traffic) are roughly:

Traffic around Clifton Road, North Decatur Road, and Lavista Road can back up during rush hours, so allow extra time if you need to be on campus at a specific hour.

When this location works well for Emory-related trips

This hotel is often a good fit if you:

• Want to be close to Emory but prefer a walkable dining/entertainment area
• Are traveling with family who may want to explore Decatur restaurants, parks, and shops while you’re on campus
• Need relatively straightforward routes to Emory University Hospital or other Emory facilities without staying directly in a medical complex

If you need to be on campus very early or late, using ride-share or a personal car is usually more convenient than relying solely on buses from Decatur.

Access to Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

Even though the hotel is not in downtown Atlanta, it’s still a practical base for exploring the city.

By car

From downtown Decatur, driving into Atlanta typically involves:

• Ponce de Leon Ave (US-78) heading west into Atlanta, reaching:

  • Old Fourth Ward
  • Ponce City Market
  • The edge of Midtown

• Or connecting to major interstates:

  • I-285 for the Perimeter
  • I-20 or I-75/85 Connector for crossing downtown

Drive times can vary significantly during rush hour, so plan extra time if you’re heading to:

• State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or Georgia World Congress Center
• Georgia State University or government offices around Capitol Hill

By MARTA

For many visitors, MARTA from Decatur Station is simpler:

• To downtown Atlanta (Five Points) – about a 15–20 minute ride
• To Midtown – ride into downtown and transfer, or drive via Ponce de Leon

This can be especially helpful if you’re attending large events where parking downtown is limited or costly.

What to Expect Inside: Layout & Amenities Overview

While specific amenities can change over time, Courtyard properties in metro Atlanta commonly include a similar set of features. At a high level, guests typically find:

• Standard guest rooms with:

  • Bed options (king or two queens)
  • Desk and seating
  • TV, mini-fridge, and coffee maker

• On-site food options, often including:

  • A bistro or café-style area for breakfast and light evening meals
  • Coffee, grab-and-go snacks, simple bar service in the evenings (varies by property)

• Common areas such as:

  • Lobby seating and workspaces
  • Business center or computer station
  • Fitness room

• Event and meeting space, since this property often hosts:

  • Corporate meetings
  • Small conferences
  • Social gatherings (rehearsal dinners, receptions, smaller banquets)

If you’re planning a meeting or event, it’s worth contacting the hotel directly to ask about:

• Room capacities and layouts
• Catering options
• AV support and Wi‑Fi arrangements

Who This Hotel Is Best For

The Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory tends to be a good match if you:

• Want a walkable neighborhood with local restaurants and bars right outside
• Need access to Emory University or nearby hospitals but don’t want to stay in a strictly medical area
• Prefer a quieter small-city feel rather than the busier environment of downtown Atlanta
• Plan to use MARTA for part of your stay and don’t mind transferring via Decatur Station

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want to be steps from Atlanta’s downtown attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium (you’ll be commuting in)
• Are relying entirely on late-night transit; ride-shares are generally more flexible after MARTA’s last trains

Tips for Atlanta & Decatur Visitors Using This Hotel

Here are some practical pointers to make the most of this location:

• Check traffic patterns:
  For morning or evening trips to Emory or downtown Atlanta, use navigation apps to monitor Clifton Rd and Ponce de Leon Ave. These corridors can be slow at peak times.

• Leverage Decatur’s walkability:
  From the hotel, you can walk to:

  • Local coffee shops for breakfast
  • Restaurants and bars around Decatur Square
  • Occasional festivals or events that take over the downtown area, especially on weekends

• Use MARTA for high-traffic events:
  If you’re heading to a big event downtown:

  1. Walk to Decatur Station
  2. Ride into Five Points
  3. Walk or transfer to the station nearest the venue

• Plan for parking costs:
  Between hotel parking and event parking downtown, costs can add up. If you’re staying multiple days, it’s often cheaper and easier to park once and rely more on transit or ride-share.

Nearby Essentials and Services

While staying at this Courtyard, you’ll have quick access to everyday needs within downtown Decatur:

• Grocery & convenience:
  Several grocery and convenience options are within a short drive, including stores along Scott Blvd, Clairemont Ave, and nearby corridors.

• Pharmacies:
  Chain pharmacies are located in and around downtown Decatur and along Ponce de Leon Ave and North Decatur Rd, which is useful if you’re in town for medical visits.

• Parks & green space:

  • Small green areas near Decatur Square for quick breaks
  • Larger parks a short drive away, such as Glenlake Park or Mason Mill Park

These nearby services can be especially helpful if you’re in town for an extended Emory-related visit or traveling with family.

By understanding that the Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory is firmly rooted in downtown Decatur—with quick access to Emory University, MARTA, and a vibrant local dining scene—you can decide whether it fits your Atlanta-area plans, whether you’re a local hosting visitors or traveling in for school, work, or medical needs.