Atlanta Gateway Center Hotels: Where to Stay Near the Airport & Convention Center

If you’re looking for Atlanta Gateway Center hotels, you’re almost always talking about one area: the cluster of hotels around the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) and Gateway Center Arena in College Park, right by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

This area—often called the ATL Airport Gateway or just Gateway Center—is one of the most convenient places to stay if you want easy airport access, quick MARTA service into downtown, and walkable access to events at the convention center or arena.

Below is a practical guide to how the Gateway Center area works, what types of hotels you’ll find, and how to decide which option fits your trip.

Understanding the “Gateway Center” Area in Atlanta

Gateway Center usually refers to the development around:

• Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)
  2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337
• Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
  2330 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337

This area sits on the SkyTrain line from ATL Airport, just one stop from the main terminal, and is also adjacent to the College Park MARTA Station (Red/Gold lines). For travelers, that means:

• No car required to get from the airport to your hotel
• Straightforward MARTA access to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Walkability between many hotels, the convention center, and the arena

If you’re attending a conference, trade show, concert, sports event, or business meeting at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena, staying in one of the nearby hotels is usually the most efficient option.

Types of Hotels Around Atlanta Gateway Center

You’ll find a mix of:

• Full-service hotels (with on-site restaurants, meeting spaces, room service in some cases)
• Select-service hotels (more limited dining and amenities but often better value)
• Extended-stay options near, but not always directly in, the Gateway cluster

Most cater strongly to:

• Business travelers
• Convention and event attendees
• Overnight or short layover guests
• Families needing a reliable airport hotel

Amenities frequently seen in Gateway Center hotels include:

• Free or paid airport shuttles (for hotels not directly on the SkyTrain)
• On-site restaurants and bars
• Business centers and meeting rooms
• Fitness centers and indoor pools in some properties
• Parking (often paid, especially for larger hotels)

Key Factors to Consider When Picking a Gateway Center Hotel

1. How Close Do You Need to Be to the GICC or Gateway Center Arena?

If you’re attending an event, look at:

• Walking distance: Some hotels are directly connected by sidewalks or indoor walkways to the GICC and arena.
• SkyTrain access: Properties at or near the Airport or Gateway Center stations on the ATL SkyTrain can make it especially easy to move between terminals and hotels.
• Shuttle service: Hotels a bit farther out usually offer airport shuttles, but that’s less convenient if you’re going back and forth to a conference all day.

👍 Tip: If you expect to be in and out of sessions or performances, prioritizing a hotel you can walk to from the venue is usually worth it.

2. How Important Is Fast Access to Downtown Atlanta?

From the Gateway Center area, you generally have two good transit choices:

• MARTA Rail (College Park Station)

  • Direct access to Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center)
  • Easy connections to Midtown, Arts Center, and Buckhead
  • Good option if you’re commuting daily to an office, government building, or attraction

• Rideshare or taxi

  • Faster outside rush hour
  • More direct if you’re headed to specific neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park, or West Midtown

If you’re planning to:

• Spend most of your time at the convention center or near the airport, Gateway Center hotels are ideal.
• Spend more time exploring neighborhoods, restaurants, and attractions in the city, you may want to weigh whether staying inside the city core (Downtown/Midtown) fits you better and just commuting to Gateway when needed.

3. Budget & Typical Price Ranges

Prices around Gateway Center tend to reflect:

• Convention schedules: Major events at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena can drive rates up.
• Airport demand: Heavy travel seasons and holidays can affect pricing.
• Weekday vs. weekend: Weeknights can be higher for business travel; weekends may be more affordable, especially when there are no large events.

Generally, you’ll find:

• Mid-range nightly rates at most properties, with a few leaning more upscale due to their location and amenities.
• Parking and breakfast may add to the total cost, depending on the hotel.

💡 Money-saving tip: If you don’t need to be steps from the GICC, looking slightly beyond the immediate Gateway cluster—still within College Park or East Point—can sometimes offer lower nightly rates while keeping you close to the airport.

4. Parking, Transit, and Getting Around

If you’re driving, consider:

• Parking fees: Larger hotels near the convention center often charge for self-parking and sometimes valet.
• Ease of access: The Gateway Center area is close to I-85 and I-285, which makes driving into Atlanta or around the metro fairly straightforward, aside from typical rush-hour traffic.

If you’re not renting a car:

• ATL SkyTrain connects the airport terminal, rental car center, and Gateway Center.
• MARTA is the main rail system connecting the airport/College Park to the rest of the city.
• Rideshares, taxis, and hotel shuttles are all widely available.

Quick Snapshot: What You’re Getting with Atlanta Gateway Center Hotels

Below is a simple overview of what travelers typically value in Atlanta Gateway Center hotels:

When Staying in a Gateway Center Hotel Makes the Most Sense

You’re likely to get the most out of a Gateway Center hotel if:

• You’re attending a convention, conference, or expo at the Georgia International Convention Center.
• You’re going to an event at Gateway Center Arena and want an easy walk back to your room.
• You have an early-morning or late-night flight out of ATL and want to minimize transit hassles.
• You’re on a short layover and want a base very close to the airport but not directly in the terminal area.
• You’re in town for business near the airport—such as airline offices, cargo facilities, or airport-adjacent companies.

If your priorities are more about:

• Tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or
• Nightlife and dining in neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, or West Midtown

…then you may want to compare Gateway Center hotels with more central Downtown or Midtown Atlanta hotels, depending on how often you’ll need to be at the airport or GICC.

Nearby Atlanta Areas and What They Offer

While you’re based at a Gateway Center hotel, you’re well-positioned to explore:

• Downtown Atlanta
  Quick MARTA ride from College Park. This is where you’ll find major attractions, sports venues, and government buildings.

• Midtown Atlanta
  A bit farther up the same MARTA line. Known for arts (High Museum of Art, Woodruff Arts Center), walkable streets, and a dense restaurant/bar scene.

• College Park & East Point
  The neighborhoods surrounding Gateway Center. These areas have a mix of local restaurants, historic residential streets, and growing commercial corridors.

If you’re planning to split your time between airport-related activities and exploring the city, staying at Gateway Center can serve as a practical middle ground—especially if you rely on MARTA and prefer not to drive.

Practical Tips for Booking an Atlanta Gateway Center Hotel

• Check the event calendar for the Georgia International Convention Center and Gateway Center Arena on their official sites before booking. Large conventions or concerts can increase demand and rates.
• Confirm how the hotel connects to the airport:
  • Direct SkyTrain access
  • Shuttle schedule and pickup locations
• Ask about fees in advance:
  • Parking
  • Wi‑Fi (most offer complimentary, but it can vary)
  • Resort or facility fees, if any
• Consider transit patterns:
  • If you’ll rely heavily on MARTA to reach downtown or midtown, look at hotels that make it easy to reach College Park Station safely and quickly.
• Plan for late arrivals or early departures:
  • If your flight lands after midnight or leaves before dawn, verify 24-hour shuttle or easy SkyTrain access and confirm check-in/check-out policies.

If you’re coming to Atlanta, GA for an event at Gateway Center, flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or just want a straightforward base with strong airport and transit connections, the hotels in the Atlanta Gateway Center area are designed around those exact needs and can make your trip much smoother.