The Ellis Atlanta Downtown: What to Know About This Historic Peachtree Hotel

The Ellis Atlanta Downtown is a boutique-style hotel located on Peachtree Street in the heart of downtown Atlanta. If you live in the city, work nearby, or are planning a visit, this guide walks through what to expect from the hotel, its location, and how it fits into the broader downtown Atlanta experience.

Where The Ellis Atlanta Downtown Is and Why the Location Matters

The Ellis sits on the busy stretch of Peachtree Street NE in downtown, right in Atlanta’s central business district. This area is surrounded by office towers, major hotels, restaurants, and some of the city’s most-visited attractions.

For orientation, downtown is roughly framed by:

  • North: Civic Center / Midtown edge
  • South: Five Points and the government district
  • West: CNN Center / State Farm Arena area
  • East: Sweet Auburn and Georgia State University

The Ellis’s location places you within a walk or short ride of:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Georgia State University campus
  • State and local government buildings
  • Peachtree Center office and retail complex

If you work downtown or frequently attend events at nearby venues, the Ellis can be a convenient, centrally located option.

Getting To and From The Ellis Atlanta Downtown

By MARTA

Downtown is one of the easiest parts of Atlanta to reach via MARTA rail.

The closest station for The Ellis is typically:

  • Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines)
    • A short walk via street-level exits toward Peachtree Street
    • Good option if you’re coming from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or Buckhead/Sandy Springs on the Red or Gold lines

If you work or live along the North-South MARTA corridor, taking the train to Peachtree Center and walking can often be faster than driving during rush hour.

From the Airport

From Hartsfield-Jackson:

  • Take the Red or Gold MARTA line northbound from Airport Station
  • Exit at Peachtree Center
  • Follow the signs to the Peachtree Street exit and walk to the hotel area on Peachtree

Many travelers find this avoids parking costs and downtown traffic, especially during large events.

Driving and Parking in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown driving can be congested, especially:

  • Weekday mornings and late afternoons
  • Game nights near Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
  • Large conventions at Georgia World Congress Center

Parking near The Ellis typically involves:

  • Hotel valet (if available)
  • Nearby public garages and surface lots along Peachtree Street and surrounding blocks

When driving:

  • Build in extra time for traffic and potential lane closures due to events or construction
  • Use a navigation app to check for special-event road closures, which are common around Centennial Olympic Park and stadiums

What It’s Like to Stay in Downtown Atlanta Near The Ellis

The General Downtown Atmosphere

Staying around The Ellis puts you in a busy, urban part of Atlanta:

  • Weekdays: Heavy foot traffic from office workers and convention attendees
  • Evenings: Quieter on non-event nights, livelier when there are conferences or sporting events
  • Weekends: Visitor-heavy when big events are in town, especially around major holidays and festival dates

For someone considering this area, it’s useful to think about:

  • Your comfort level with city noise, sirens, and late-night activity
  • Proximity to restaurants and public transit
  • Whether you need fast access to attractions or government offices

Nearby Dining and Coffee Options

Within walking distance of The Ellis, you’ll typically find:

  • Quick-service spots and fast-casual chains
  • Hotel restaurants and bars in nearby properties along Peachtree
  • Coffee shops serving office workers and convention-goers during the weekday rush
  • A short walk or ride-share away:
    • Sweet Auburn for more local flavor
    • Edgewood Avenue for nightlife and bars
    • Midtown for a broader mix of dining options

If you’re staying downtown over a weekend or holiday, double-check hours; some weekday-focused spots around Peachtree Street close or reduce hours when the office crowd thins out.

Attractions and Activities Near The Ellis Atlanta Downtown

One of the main advantages of staying in this area is walkable access to many of Atlanta’s most popular sites.

Major Attractions Within About a 10–15 Minute Walk

  • Centennial Olympic Park
    A central green space with fountains, sidewalks, and views of downtown’s skyline. Often used as a gathering point for visitors headed to nearby attractions.

  • Georgia Aquarium
    One of Atlanta’s signature destinations, reachable by foot from downtown hotels.

  • World of Coca-Cola
    Located near the aquarium and park, this is a common stop for out-of-town visitors.

  • College Football Hall of Fame
    Near Centennial Olympic Park and the stadium complex.

Slightly Farther but Easy to Reach

A short ride-share, streetcar ride, or bus connection can get you from The Ellis area to:

  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons and United matches, concerts)
  • State Farm Arena (Hawks games, concerts)
  • Georgia World Congress Center (large conventions and trade shows)
  • Sweet Auburn and the King Historic District (Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, Ebenezer Baptist Church)
  • Midtown (High Museum of Art, Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre)

Safety, Practical Tips, and Local Considerations

Downtown Atlanta is a busy urban district, and many visitors and residents navigate it daily. If you’re staying or spending time near The Ellis, a few practical habits can help:

  • Plan your routes: Know in advance whether you’ll walk, ride MARTA, or use rideshare, especially at night or during big events.
  • Stay aware of surroundings: As in most large cities, be mindful of your personal belongings, particularly around transit stations and crowded streets.
  • Check event calendars: Major games and conventions significantly affect traffic, rideshare prices, and restaurant wait times.
  • Use well-lit streets: When walking after dark, stick to main corridors like Peachtree Street and other busy routes.

These simple precautions are common for most large downtown areas and can make your stay more straightforward.

When The Ellis’s Location Makes Sense (and When It Might Not)

Because of where it sits in the city, the Ellis area is especially practical if you:

  • Have business meetings in the central business district
  • Are attending a conference at Georgia World Congress Center
  • Want to be walking distance from major tourist attractions
  • Prefer public transit access from the airport instead of renting a car

It may be less ideal if:

  • Your main plans are concentrated in suburban areas such as Alpharetta, Marietta, or Stone Mountain; daily commutes from downtown can be time-consuming.
  • You’re very noise-sensitive and want a quiet, residential feel; many in-town neighborhoods (like parts of Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, or Grant Park) may suit that better than Peachtree Street.

Quick Reference: Downtown Location Overview

Below is a simple overview of what it means to stay around The Ellis Atlanta Downtown in the context of the city:

AspectWhat to Expect Near The Ellis Atlanta Downtown
Area TypeCentral business district, high-rise hotels and offices
Transit AccessStrong: MARTA rail (Peachtree Center), buses, rideshare
WalkabilityHigh for attractions and offices; sidewalks and crosswalks throughout
Nearby AttractionsGeorgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, GSU
Typical VibeWeekday business-focused, event-driven crowds, active urban environment
Best ForBusiness trips, convention visitors, first-time tourists
Things to Plan AroundEvent-day traffic, parking costs, weekend/holiday restaurant hours

How The Ellis Fits Into a Broader Atlanta Stay

When deciding whether to stay near The Ellis or spend time in that part of downtown, it helps to map your trip or daily routine:

  • Downtown-focused stay: If your days center around the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park, and Georgia World Congress Center, a Peachtree Street hotel can simplify everything.
  • Multi-neighborhood exploration: If you want to explore Midtown, BeltLine trails, Old Fourth Ward, and Westside, staying downtown can still work, but plan for short rideshares or MARTA connections.
  • Local resident perspective: If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, using a downtown hotel for a “staycation” can be a way to experience major attractions without long drives and to test out the MARTA-to-airport connection for future travel.

By understanding how The Ellis’s downtown location lines up with the broader layout of Atlanta, Georgia, you can decide whether this part of the city is the right base for your visit, staycation, or downtown workweek.