Best Atlanta Hotels: Where to Stay in the City Like a Local

Planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia or hosting friends and family in town and wondering about the best Atlanta hotels? The “right” hotel in Atlanta depends heavily on which neighborhood you want to experience, how you’ll get around, and what kind of trip you’re planning—business, family vacation, convention, quick layover, or a special-occasion weekend.

This guide breaks down Atlanta’s top hotel areas, standout properties travelers often consider in each, and how to choose the best option for your budget, style, and itinerary.

How to Choose the Best Hotel in Atlanta

Before you book, think through a few key questions:

• What’s your main purpose?

  • Business or convention
  • Family trip
  • Nightlife and dining
  • Sports or concerts
  • Airport overnight or early flight

• Do you want to rely on MARTA or have a car?

  • Some neighborhoods are very walkable + MARTA-friendly (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead).
  • Others offer a more local feel but practically require a car or rideshare (Perimeter, Cumberland, many suburbs).

• What’s your budget?

  • Luxury: high-end brands, skyline views, on-site spas.
  • Mid-range: solid comfort, good locations, often with breakfast.
  • Budget: basic stays, often near highways, suburbs, or the airport.

Quick Neighborhood Guide: Where to Stay in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview to match hotel areas with travel needs.

Best Hotels in Downtown Atlanta

Ideal for: First-time visitors, conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center, trips focused on Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Downtown is where many visitors start. You’ll be close to Atlanta’s major attractions, MARTA stations, and large hotels that can handle conventions and big groups.

What Downtown Offers

• Easy access to:
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Multiple MARTA rail stations (Peachtree Center, Five Points, GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center)
• Many large hotels with meeting spaces and family-friendly options

Who Downtown Is Best For

• Travelers who want a central base with quick transit or rideshare to other parts of the city.
• Families who want to walk to big attractions without renting a car.
• Convention and business travelers who need to be near major venues.

If you stay downtown, plan for:

• Higher parking costs at big hotels
• Busy streets during events and game days
• Very convenient access to MARTA and rideshare

Best Hotels in Midtown Atlanta

Ideal for: Travelers who want culture, walkability, and nightlife with a slightly more local feel than Downtown.

Midtown is one of Atlanta’s most balanced areas: walkable, transit-friendly, and packed with dining and arts.

Why Travelers Choose Midtown

• Close to:
  • Piedmont Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail access points
  • High Museum of Art
  • Atlanta Symphony Hall
  • Fox Theatre
• Several MARTA stations (Midtown, Arts Center, North Avenue)
• A strong mix of:
  • Upscale hotels with skyline views
  • Business-friendly stays for nearby offices
  • Weekend-friendly options near restaurants and bars

Who Midtown Is Best For

• Visitors who want to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
• People attending shows at the Fox Theatre or events in Midtown’s arts venues.
• Guests who want a central location that’s often quieter at night than Downtown on game days.

Parking can be tight and often paid, but MARTA + walking + rideshare works very well here.

Best Hotels in Buckhead

Ideal for: Luxury stays, shopping, business trips, and visitors who prefer a more upscale, residential feel.

Buckhead is Atlanta’s upscale business and shopping district, known for high-end hotels and retail.

What to Expect in Buckhead

• Proximity to:
  • Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza shopping malls
  • Many corporate offices and regional headquarters
• Well-known for:
  • Luxury hotel brands
  • High-end dining and steakhouses
  • A polished, business-friendly vibe

Two nearby MARTA stations (Buckhead, Lenox) serve the area, but many visitors rely on rental cars or rideshare.

Who Buckhead Is Best For

• Visitors who want a more upscale, polished environment and don’t mind being a bit farther from Downtown attractions.
• Business travelers with meetings in Buckhead office towers.
• Shoppers who plan to spend time at Lenox Square–Phipps Plaza area.

Traffic along Peachtree Road can be heavy, especially during rush hours, so factor commute time into your plans.

Best Hotels Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Ideal for: Early-morning flights, late arrivals, airline crews, and short stopovers.

Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the world’s busiest airports, and there is an entire cluster of hotels designed around convenience and transit access rather than tourism.

Why Choose an Airport Hotel

• You have:
  • A very early or very late flight
  • A layover where you want a real bed and shower
  • A next-day meeting near the airport
• Many hotels provide:
  • Free shuttles to and from the terminals
  • Quick access to the Airport MARTA station, which connects directly to Downtown and Midtown

Who Airport Hotels Are Best For

• Travelers who prioritize minimizing stress on travel days.
• Budget-conscious visitors who plan to mostly stay near the airport or travel elsewhere by car.
• Airline and airport workers who need predictable lodging.

If you plan to explore the city, consider a split stay: airport hotel for flight days, in-town hotel for sightseeing days.

Best Hotels in the Perimeter Area (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs)

Ideal for: Business travelers, longer stays, and visitors who prefer suburban convenience and easier parking.

The Perimeter Center area near Perimeter Mall is a major office and shopping district just north of the city, shared by Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.

Why Travelers Pick Perimeter

• Close to:
  • Large corporate campuses
  • Perimeter Mall and chain restaurants
• Many hotels here offer:
  • Free or lower-cost parking
  • Suite-style rooms or extended-stay options
• Served by several MARTA stations (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Medical Center), making it possible to commute by train into the city.

Who Perimeter Is Best For

• Business travelers with commitments in the Perimeter/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs area.
• Visitors who want suburban quiet, easier driving, and mall access.
• Families staying a bit longer who value kitchenettes and free parking over being in the very center of town.

Staying Near The Battery Atlanta & Truist Park (Cumberland Area)

Ideal for: Atlanta Braves games, family trips, and visitors who want a self-contained entertainment area.

The Cumberland area, especially around The Battery Atlanta at Truist Park, has grown into a sports and entertainment hub.

Why Stay Near The Battery

• You want to:
  • Walk to Atlanta Braves games
  • Stay in a lively, modern district with restaurants and bars
• The area features:
  • Multiple hotels built or renovated to serve stadium visitors
  • Family-friendly options and chain hotels in nearby Cumberland

This area is not directly on MARTA rail; most travelers use rideshare, car, or hotel shuttles. For big games and concerts, staying nearby can significantly reduce stress.

Who This Area Is Best For

• Sports fans planning multiple games or events at Truist Park.
• Families who prefer a contained, modern development with a lot of food and entertainment options in walking distance.
• Visitors who don’t need frequent access to Downtown or Midtown.

Intown Boutique & BeltLine-Friendly Stays

Ideal for: Travelers who prefer a local, neighborhood feel, especially focused on food, coffee, and walkability.

Neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, and Poncey-Highland offer a very different experience from high-rise hotel districts.

Why Choose a Boutique or Neighborhood Stay

• Access to:
  • The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Popular local spots like Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market, and neighborhood restaurants
• Usually smaller properties or boutique-style lodging
• Great for travelers who like:
  • Walking and biking
  • Exploring local shops and cafes
  • A less corporate environment

Transit is less direct here; most people use a mix of walking, scooters, rideshare, and occasional MARTA.

Who This Area Is Best For

• Repeat visitors to Atlanta who want a more “live-like-a-local” feel.
• Food lovers focused on intown dining and nightlife.
• Guests who don’t mind being a short ride away from major tourist attractions.

Family-Friendly Hotel Tips in Atlanta

If you’re bringing kids to Atlanta, think through what matters most:

Best areas for families:

• Downtown for aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Cumberland/Battery for Braves games and suburban convenience
• Perimeter for longer stays with kitchenettes and easier parking

Features families often look for:

• 🏊 Pool (especially in warm months)
• 🍳 Breakfast included or on-site casual dining
• 🚗 Easy parking (often easier outside the core)
• 🛏️ Suites or connecting rooms for extra space

If you’re visiting popular attractions during school breaks or summer, consider:

• Booking near the Georgia Aquarium and Downtown attractions to reduce time in traffic
• Checking if the hotel has walkable dining options so you’re not always driving for dinner

Business & Convention Traveler Hotel Tips

Business travelers and convention attendees often prioritize location, transit, and quiet rooms.

For conventions and events:

• Downtown is usually best for events at:
  • Georgia World Congress Center
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Major corporate gatherings

For office visits and regional HQs:

• Buckhead and Perimeter are common for corporate offices.
• Factor in:
  • Proximity to the nearest MARTA station if you want to avoid traffic
  • Hotel amenities like business centers, Wi‑Fi quality, and meeting rooms

If your meeting schedule is split between Downtown and Buckhead, Midtown can be a good compromise.

Budget-Friendly Atlanta Hotel Strategies

Atlanta’s hotel prices can fluctuate based on conventions, big games, and concerts. To save money:

• Look just outside the core:
  • Airport area, Perimeter, and some parts of Cumberland often have more affordable rates.
• Use MARTA strategically:
  • Staying near a MARTA station in Perimeter or Sandy Springs can balance price and access.
• Avoid major event dates near your chosen area:
  • Prices spike during large conventions and major sporting events Downtown and near The Battery.

If you’re driving, factor in:

• Parking fees (often higher in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead)
• Whether your hotel includes free parking, common in many suburban areas

Transportation & Safety Considerations When Choosing a Hotel

Transportation:

• MARTA rail connects:
  • Airport ↔ Downtown ↔ Midtown ↔ Buckhead ↔ Perimeter
• Staying near a MARTA station can dramatically reduce:
  • Time spent in traffic
  • Parking costs
• Rideshare services are widely available throughout the metro area.

Safety:

• Like any major city, Atlanta has busy urban areas where it’s wise to:
  • Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night
  • Use well-lit routes and main streets
  • Keep valuables secure and avoid leaving items visible in a car

Visitors commonly choose larger, established hotels in core areas (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead) for the extra sense of structure and on-site staff presence.

How to Match Your Trip Type to the Right Atlanta Hotel

Use this quick guide to narrow down your search:

• First visit, want major sights:
  → Stay in Downtown or Midtown.

• Business trip with meetings in Buckhead or Perimeter:
  → Choose Buckhead or Perimeter; consider being near a MARTA station.

• Family trip to the aquarium and kid-focused attractions:
  → Base in Downtown, possibly with a pool and easy walk to attractions.

• Baseball or concert weekend at Truist Park:
  → Stay in Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta.

• Overnight because of flights:
  → Pick a hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson with a shuttle.

• Food, BeltLine, and local neighborhood feel:
  → Look at Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or other intown boutique options.

By starting with neighborhood choice first, then drilling down into specific hotels, you’ll find it much easier to land on the best Atlanta hotel for your stay—whether you’re local hosting guests, returning for business, or exploring the city for the first time.