Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Downtown: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Downtown Atlanta, the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel is one of the better-known full-service hotels in the area. This guide walks through what to expect, how it fits into the surrounding neighborhoods, and practical tips for Atlanta residents and visitors deciding whether it’s the right spot.

Where the Sheraton Atlanta Is and Why the Location Matters

The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel is located in Downtown Atlanta, close to major offices, government buildings, and popular attractions. It sits within walking or short driving distance of:

• Georgia State University
• Peachtree Center offices and shops
• Georgia World Congress Center (a longer walk; short ride)
• State Capitol and government buildings
• Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, and Georgia Aquarium (reachable by MARTA or a short ride)

For anyone coming into town for a conference, business meetings, or downtown events, this area is often chosen because it cuts down on commuting time and makes it easy to move between meetings and evening plans.

Downtown is not the same as Midtown or Buckhead. If your plans center around Piedmont Park, Midtown restaurants, or Buckhead nightlife, you’ll likely use MARTA or rideshare frequently from the Sheraton. But for convention centers, government offices, and many tourist attractions, the Downtown location is convenient.

Getting to the Sheraton Atlanta: Transit, Parking, and Airport Access

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The Sheraton’s Downtown location works well with both public transit and rideshare:

• MARTA (Train)

  • Take the Red or Gold Line from the Airport Station to Peachtree Center Station.
  • From there, the walk to the hotel area is roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on your route and luggage.
  • This option is often chosen by travelers who want to avoid traffic and parking costs.

• Rideshare / Taxi

  • The airport has clearly marked areas for rideshare pickups.
  • Travel time can range widely depending on traffic on I-75/85 and through Downtown, especially during rush hour or major events.

Local Transportation in Downtown

Once you’re downtown:

• MARTA Rail & Bus:
  Nearby stations (like Peachtree Center and Georgia State) make it easier to reach Midtown, Buckhead, and the airport without renting a car.
• Atlanta Streetcar:
  The streetcar loop connects to areas including Centennial Olympic Park, parts of the Sweet Auburn district, and Peachtree Center.
• Walking:
  Many offices, tourist attractions, and restaurants in Downtown are within walking distance, though some streets can be steep and busy.

Parking Considerations

If you’re driving:

• Downtown hotels, including the Sheraton, typically offer on-site or valet parking for a daily fee.
• Street parking Downtown is limited and heavily monitored, and meters or time limits are common.
• If you’re attending a Georgia World Congress Center event or a Mercedes-Benz Stadium game, consider whether hotel parking or an event-specific lot better fits your schedule and budget.

Because parking costs can add up, locals sometimes choose to MARTA into Downtown even if they live in the metro area, especially for multi-day conferences.

What Staying in Downtown Feels Like

Atmosphere and Crowd

Downtown Atlanta, especially around hotels like the Sheraton, tends to be:

• Busy on weekdays: office workers, students, and conference attendees
• Event-driven on evenings and weekends: big spikes during sports games, conventions, and concerts
• More business- and tourism-oriented than neighborhood-focused

This area is not as residential in feel as places like Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, or West Midtown. It’s more about convenience and access than quiet, village-style charm.

Safety and Common-Sense Tips

Downtown has the typical mix of office towers, hotels, public spaces, and transit hubs. Locals often use straightforward precautions:

• Stick to well-lit, busier routes at night.
• Be aware of your surroundings at MARTA stations and bus stops.
• Keep valuables close and avoid leaving items visible in vehicles.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the area late at night, many people choose rideshare instead of walking long distances.

These are standard big-city habits that apply across central Atlanta, including the zone around the Sheraton.

Who the Sheraton Downtown Area Works Best For

Business and Conference Travelers

If your main destinations are:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• AmericasMart Atlanta
• State of Georgia government buildings
• Corporate offices near Peachtree Center or Five Points

…staying in the Sheraton’s part of Downtown helps you avoid longer commutes. You can often:

• Walk to meetings or hop on MARTA quickly.
• Schedule back-to-back sessions downtown without worrying about parking at multiple buildings.

Tourists Focused on Classic Atlanta Attractions

Visitors who want to check off the big Downtown sites often appreciate being based in this area. Within a short ride or transit trip you can reach:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Centennial Olympic Park
• College Football Hall of Fame
• CNN Center area

If your trip is more about exploring neighborhoods (Edgewood, Old Fourth Ward, BeltLine, etc.), you may still find Downtown workable, but you’ll rely more on MARTA and rideshare.

Atlanta Locals Planning a “Staycation”

For metro Atlanta residents, choosing the Sheraton’s Downtown location for a staycation can make sense if you want:

• Easy access to a concert, sports event, or convention
• To try restaurants and bars downtown without driving home late
• A base to explore museums and attractions you might normally avoid due to traffic and parking

It’s a practical choice for a “park once, enjoy a full day or weekend” kind of plan.

What to Expect from a Large Downtown Hotel

The Sheraton Atlanta Hotel is a large, full-service property, similar in feel to other major conference hotels in Atlanta. While specifics can change over time, travelers commonly look for features like:

• Multiple room types (standard rooms, larger rooms, sometimes suites)
• Meeting and event space for conferences, weddings, or corporate events
• On-site dining options and lounge/bar areas
• A fitness center and often a pool
• Business services such as printing, Wi‑Fi, and work areas

Because it hosts meetings and events, the lobby and common areas can be busy during peak convention seasons, especially in spring and fall when many groups come to Atlanta.

Comparing Downtown to Other Atlanta Areas (Location-Only Perspective)

If you’re unsure whether Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead works best, here’s a location-focused comparison from an Atlanta standpoint:

If your top priority is immediate access to Downtown venues, the Sheraton’s area is often more practical than Midtown or Buckhead.

Practical Tips for Making the Most of a Stay at the Sheraton’s Location

1. Plan Around Event Schedules

Downtown hotel rates and crowd levels often respond to:

• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• Major games or concerts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
• Large-scale festivals and citywide events

If you’re flexible, checking what’s happening in Atlanta on your dates can help you avoid peak demand periods and heavy traffic.

2. Use MARTA Strategically

A few location-based tactics many locals and experienced visitors use:

• From the Sheraton’s general area, Peachtree Center and Georgia State stations can connect you to:
  • Midtown (arts, food, nightlife)
  • Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps, business district)
  • The airport (no car needed)
• The Atlanta Streetcar is helpful for short hops around Downtown and nearby historic districts instead of repeatedly calling rideshare.

3. Decide Whether You Really Need a Car

Consider your plan:

• Conference-heavy or attraction-focused?
  You may be fine with no car, using MARTA and occasional rideshare.
• Visiting friends across the metro area or planning day trips (Stone Mountain, suburbs)?
  A car might be useful, but factor in:
  • Downtown parking fees
  • Traffic on I‑75/85 and the Downtown Connector

4. Explore Beyond the Hotel Block

Many visitors only walk between their hotel and the convention center. But from the Sheraton’s Downtown area, you can expand your experience by:

• Heading toward Sweet Auburn and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
• Taking MARTA to Midtown for museums like the High Museum of Art and Atlanta Symphony Hall
• Using rideshare to access BeltLine Eastside Trail for restaurants and walking paths

When a Downtown Sheraton Stay Might Not Be Ideal

The Sheraton’s Downtown location is useful, but it may not be the best fit if:

• You want a quiet, neighborhood-style environment with local shops and small parks right outside.
• Your entire schedule is focused north of the city, such as Perimeter Center, Alpharetta, or Cumberland.
• You strongly prefer to avoid dense urban areas, high-rise surroundings, or event-driven crowds.

In those situations, some people opt for Midtown, neighborhood-based lodging, or suburban hotels closer to their primary plans, then come into Downtown only as needed.

How Atlantans Typically Use This Hotel Area

For people who live in Atlanta or the metro area, the Sheraton Downtown area often comes up in a few ways:

• Hosting out-of-town colleagues who have meetings near Peachtree Center or government buildings
• Staying overnight for big events (football games, New Year’s Eve, large conventions) to avoid late-night driving
• Using meeting spaces or ballrooms for conferences, banquets, or organizational gatherings

Because Downtown is one of the city’s main hubs, it tends to stay relevant even for long-time residents who usually avoid tourist-heavy areas.

If your plans center around Downtown offices, conventions, or Atlanta’s major attractions, the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel’s location aligns well with how the city is laid out. Thinking through your transit preferences, event schedules, and neighborhood interests will help you decide if this particular part of Atlanta is the right base for your stay.