Best Hotels Near Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta: Where to Stay and What to Know

Looking for hotels near the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in downtown Atlanta? Whether you’re in town for a convention, a Falcons game, a big concert, or a business meeting, the area around the GWCC offers a wide range of places to stay—many within a short walk.

This guide focuses specifically on Atlanta hotels near the Georgia World Congress Center, how close they really are, what each nearby area is like, and how to choose the right option for your visit.

Getting Oriented: Where the Georgia World Congress Center Is

The Georgia World Congress Center is located in downtown Atlanta at:

Georgia World Congress Center
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Main Phone: (404) 223-4000

It sits in the Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus, right next to:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• Centennial Olympic Park
• The College Football Hall of Fame and CNN Center area

Most people looking for a hotel near the GWCC focus on downtown Atlanta and, to a lesser extent, the Midtown area connected by MARTA.

Main Areas to Stay Near the Georgia World Congress Center

When you search for “hotels near Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta,” you’re really looking at a few overlapping zones:

1. Directly adjacent / within a short walk (0–0.4 miles)
2. Centennial Olympic Park & CNN Center area (0.4–0.7 miles)
3. Core downtown hotel district (0.7–1 mile)
4. Midtown Atlanta (1–3 miles, easy MARTA ride)
5. Airport hotels at Hartsfield-Jackson (farther, but convenient for quick trips)

Below is a simple overview to help you compare:

Walkable Hotels Near Georgia World Congress Center

If walking to the Georgia World Congress Center is your top priority, focus on hotels in the Centennial Olympic Park / CNN Center / stadium area. These are popular with convention attendees and people attending major events.

1. Hotels Right by the Stadiums and GWCC

The area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena is designed for foot traffic, especially on event days. Expect:

• Very short walking distance to GWCC buildings
• Heavy crowds during big events
• Quick access to MARTA’s GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Common advantages of staying here:

• You can walk indoors or mostly on pedestrian-friendly routes depending on your hotel and the GWCC building you’re using.
• Convenient for early-morning sessions or late-night events.
• Easy access to downtown restaurants and attractions at Centennial Olympic Park.

Things to consider:

• Prices can jump sharply on major convention, playoff, or concert weekends.
• Parking fees at downtown hotels are often higher than in the suburbs.
• It can be noisier and busier on event days.

Centennial Olympic Park Area Hotels

If you want a mix of walkability to the Georgia World Congress Center and easy access to Atlanta attractions, this is a strong zone to search in.

You’ll be close to:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• World of Coca-Cola
• Georgia Aquarium
• College Football Hall of Fame
• SkyView Atlanta (the big Ferris wheel)

From most hotels around Centennial Olympic Park, you can walk to the GWCC in roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on your starting point and which GWCC building you’re headed to.

Pros of this area:

• Good for families who are combining a convention with sightseeing.
• Easy to navigate if you’re new to Atlanta—most major landmarks are clustered together.
• Close to Peachtree Center and other central downtown blocks.

Watch for:

• Crowds, especially around school breaks and large events.
• Limited on-street parking; expect to use hotel garages or neighboring decks.

Core Downtown Hotels Within a Short Ride of the GWCC

If you’re okay with a short MARTA ride, a 10–20-minute walk, or a quick rideshare, you can open up many more hotel options—often at better prices than the hotels closest to the GWCC.

What the Downtown Hotel District Is Like

Most of downtown Atlanta’s business-oriented hotels are clustered around:

• Peachtree Street
• Peachtree Center Avenue
• Near the Peachtree Center MARTA Station

From many of these properties, you can:

• Walk to the GWCC in about 15–20 minutes, or
• Take MARTA one stop from Peachtree Center to the GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station
• Use Atlanta Streetcar (depending on your exact location) to get closer to Centennial Olympic Park

Reasons people choose this area:

• Often more hotel choices and price ranges than directly at the GWCC.
• Convenient for downtown meetings and state or city government offices.
• Close to casual dining, coffee shops, and some nightlife.

Things to keep in mind:

• Downtown is a weekday business hub—evenings and weekends can feel quieter in some blocks.
• If you’re returning late from an event, some people prefer rideshare back rather than walking long distances.

Midtown Hotels With Easy Access to GWCC

If you don’t mind riding MARTA and want more restaurants, bars, and neighborhood feel, consider staying in Midtown Atlanta.

Midtown is north of downtown and is connected to the GWCC area via MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines.

Why Consider Midtown for a GWCC Event?

Midtown offers:

• A denser cluster of restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife
• Access to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, and cultural spots like the High Museum of Art
• A more residential and walkable neighborhood feel compared with the business-heavy core of downtown

How to get from Midtown to GWCC:

• Take MARTA from Midtown Station, Arts Center Station, or North Avenue Station
• Ride southbound to Five Points Station, then transfer to the Blue or Green line
• Go one stop west to GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

Total train time is typically 10–15 minutes, plus walking on each end. Many visitors prefer this to driving and paying for event parking.

Pros:

• Good for longer stays or if you want to enjoy Atlanta beyond just the convention.
• Hotels often feel less “event-dependent” and more like year-round city stays.
• Plenty of food and entertainment options after sessions end.

Cons:

• Not walkable to the GWCC; you’ll rely on MARTA or rideshare.
• You’ll need to factor in commute time when heading to early-morning events.

Airport Hotels vs. Downtown: When to Stay Near ATL Instead

Some visitors attending events at the Georgia World Congress Center choose to stay at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) hotels, especially for quick in-and-out trips.

When an Airport Hotel Might Make Sense

• You have a very early morning or late-night flight.
• You’re only in town for one night with minimal time at the convention.
• You want the predictability of airport shuttle service and easy access to the terminals.

From the airport to GWCC:

• Take MARTA from Airport Station (at the Domestic Terminal).
• Ride northbound on the Red or Gold Line to Five Points Station, then transfer to Blue or Green.
• Get off at GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station.

Total travel time is often around 25–35 minutes on the train, not including walking time.

The trade-offs:

• You save time on the airport side, but spend more commuting to the GWCC.
• You won’t be as close to downtown attractions, restaurants, and nightlife.

Using MARTA to Reach Hotels Near Georgia World Congress Center

If you’re staying anywhere in Atlanta and planning to attend something at the GWCC, it helps to understand MARTA, the city’s main rail system.

Key stations for GWCC-related stays:

• GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Lines)
  – Closest station to the Georgia World Congress Center
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Lines)
  – Serves much of downtown’s core hotel district
• Five Points Station
  – Main transfer point between lines
• Midtown Station / Arts Center Station / North Avenue Station
  – Serve Midtown hotel clusters

Typical pattern:

• Airport to GWCC: Airport → Five Points → GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center
• Midtown to GWCC: Midtown / North Avenue → Five Points → GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center
• Downtown to GWCC: Peachtree Center → Five Points → GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center, or walk

MARTA Contact:

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Customer Information Center: (404) 848-5000

How to Choose the Right Hotel Near Georgia World Congress Center

When you filter hotels for an event at the GWCC, consider:

1. Walking Distance vs. Price

• Closest hotels tend to cost more during big conventions, football games, or concerts.
• If you’re comfortable with a short MARTA ride, you can expand your choices and sometimes lower your nightly rate.

✔ Tip: When searching, check distance in miles to “285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW” instead of just “downtown Atlanta” to understand true proximity.

2. Your Daily Schedule

• If you have early sessions or late-night receptions, staying within walking distance can be worth the premium.
• If your event schedule is lighter, staying in Midtown or the broader downtown area can give you more flexibility and local experiences.

3. Transportation and Parking

• Many central Atlanta hotels charge nightly parking fees, especially in decks or valet-only setups.
• If you’re not driving much, compare the cost of parking + driving versus MARTA + occasional rideshare.

✔ Tip: For major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or the GWCC, MARTA is often faster than driving, especially during peak arrival and departure times.

4. What You Want To Do After Hours

• For families, staying near Centennial Olympic Park offers easy access to attractions and more daytime activity.
• For nightlife and dining, Midtown often has more walkable options after dark.
• For focused business trips, core downtown hotels put you close to offices and government buildings.

Safety, Comfort, and Local Practicalities

Like many large cities, Atlanta’s downtown can feel different by time of day and by block. Common local patterns:

• The GWCC campus and Centennial Olympic Park areas are well-trafficked during events and business hours.
• Many visitors use rideshare, hotel shuttles, or MARTA when returning late at night, even if they walked earlier in the day.
• Hotels near the GWCC are accustomed to conference and event traffic, so front desks can often provide current guidance on best walking routes and transit options.

General tips:

• Ask the hotel staff which walking route they recommend to the GWCC, especially if you’ll be walking early or late.
• If you’re driving, confirm parking details (cost, self-park vs. valet, in/out privileges) before you arrive.
• Factor in event traffic when planning your arrival and departure times.

Quick Summary: Matching Your Needs to the Right Area

• “I want to walk to the Georgia World Congress Center”
  → Focus on GWCC / stadium-adjacent hotels and Centennial Olympic Park area.

• “I want more hotel options but still be close”
  → Look at core downtown hotels near Peachtree Center and central business streets.

• “I want great dining and nightlife plus easy transit”
  → Consider Midtown Atlanta, using MARTA to reach the GWCC.

• “I’m in and out for a quick trip with tight flight times”
  → An airport hotel at ATL plus a MARTA ride to downtown may be practical.

By focusing your search on these specific Atlanta neighborhoods and understanding the MARTA connections, you can quickly narrow down the best hotels near the Georgia World Congress Center for your schedule, budget, and style of visit.