CNN Hotel Atlanta: Where to Stay Near CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta

If you’re searching for “CNN Hotel Atlanta,” you’re almost certainly looking for hotels near CNN Center in downtown Atlanta, Georgia—not a hotel actually owned by CNN. CNN Center is a major landmark next to State Farm Arena and Centennial Olympic Park, so plenty of hotels cluster around it.

This guide walks you through:

• What and where CNN Center is
• The closest hotels to CNN Center and what to expect
• How to pick the right area (Downtown vs. Midtown vs. Airport)
• Tips on parking, transit, safety, and events in this part of Atlanta

All from the perspective of someone planning a visit or stay in Atlanta, GA.

What People Mean by “CNN Hotel Atlanta”

There is no official “CNN Hotel” in Atlanta. Instead, travelers usually mean one of the following:

• A hotel connected to or across from CNN Center
• A hotel within easy walking distance of CNN Center and State Farm Arena
• A downtown Atlanta hotel convenient to tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola

For trip planning, think of this as:
“Hotels near CNN Center in downtown Atlanta.”

Where Is CNN Center in Atlanta?

CNN Center is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, right next to:

• State Farm Arena (home of the Atlanta Hawks and major concerts)
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia World Congress Center

General area:

• Neighborhood: Downtown Atlanta / Centennial Olympic Park District
• Walkable to: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, SkyView Atlanta, College Football Hall of Fame

If you want to walk to CNN Center, you should look for hotels with addresses or descriptions mentioning:

• Marietta St NW
• Centennial Olympic Park area
• State Farm Arena / Georgia World Congress Center

Types of Hotels Near CNN Center

Hotels around CNN Center fall into several practical categories. Here’s how they generally compare:

Most hotels immediately around CNN Center lean toward full-service and business/convention‑friendly properties because of the Georgia World Congress Center.

How Close Do You Want to Be?

When people say “CNN Hotel Atlanta,” they usually want one of three levels of proximity:

1. Directly by CNN Center (5–10 minute walk)

Staying right by CNN Center puts you in the thick of downtown Atlanta tourism and events. From most hotels in this micro-area, you can usually walk to:

• CNN Center
• State Farm Arena
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola

Good for:

• Concerts or NBA games at State Farm Arena
• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• First-time visitors wanting a walkable sightseeing base

Trade-offs:

• Higher nightly rates, especially during events
• Parking can be pricey (valet and deck parking dominate)
• Area is busy on event days and quieter late at night on non-event days

2. Walkable but a Few Blocks Away (10–20 minute walk)

If you’re okay with a short walk or quick rideshare, you can often save money and still get easy access to CNN Center.

Pros:

• More price flexibility
• Often quieter than right on the park
• Still close enough that you don’t need to drive to events

Cons:

• Walks may involve crossing busy streets or hills
• Late-night walking requires a bit more awareness and planning

Look for hotels described as being near:

• Peachtree Center
• Fairlie-Poplar
• Downtown business district

3. Connected by MARTA or Short Drive

If you don’t need to be door‑to‑door, you can stay:

• In Midtown Atlanta and take a quick MARTA ride or short drive
• Near Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport and use MARTA directly into downtown
• In adjacent neighborhoods and rely on Uber/Lyft or driving plus paid parking

This is common for:

• Budget-focused travelers
• Locals staying a night “in the city” but not needing to walk to CNN Center
• People combining a work trip in one area of Atlanta with a single event downtown

Getting to CNN Center from Your Hotel

By MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

CNN Center is effectively served by two MARTA stations:

• Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines)
  • Puts you very close to CNN Center, State Farm Arena, and the convention center
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines)
  • About a 10–15 minute walk through downtown streets

If you’re staying:

• Near Peachtree Center: You can walk to CNN Center or take a short rideshare.
• In Midtown or Buckhead: Take Red/Gold line to Peachtree Center, then walk or transfer.
• Near the Airport: Take Red/Gold line directly to Peachtree Center.

💡 Tip: MARTA is often faster than driving and parking during big concerts, Hawks games, or conventions.

By Car

Driving to CNN Center is straightforward but can be congested during events.

Keep in mind:

• Expect paid parking garages and lots—free street parking is rare and time‑limited.
• Event days can see flat-rate event parking that is higher than usual.
• Some hotels offer valet-only parking, which can add a significant nightly cost.

If you’re coming from a hotel outside downtown, factor parking into your overall trip cost.

What to Look For in a CNN-Center-Area Hotel

When comparing hotels near CNN Center, these features matter a lot in Atlanta:

1. Parking Options and Costs

In downtown Atlanta:

• Many hotels are valet-only
• Self-parking is usually in attached or nearby decks
• Rates can increase on event nights

If you’re driving:

• Check whether the hotel has on-site parking or uses a nearby deck
• Note whether parking is per day or per entry/exit

2. Proximity to Attractions

From CNN Center, you’re close to:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca‑Cola
• College Football Hall of Fame
• SkyView Atlanta (ferris wheel)
• Centennial Olympic Park

If these are on your list, staying near CNN Center can reduce or eliminate the need for a car.

3. Safety and Walking Routes

Downtown Atlanta is a typical big-city environment:

• During the day, the Centennial Olympic Park area is usually lively and tourist-friendly.
• At night, especially away from main streets, it can be quieter, so many visitors prefer:
  • Sticking to well-lit, busier routes
  • Using rideshare late at night, especially after events

Ask hotel staff which walking routes they recommend for CNN Center and nearby attractions.

4. Business and Event Needs

If you’re in town for a convention or work event:

• Look for hotels that mention meeting rooms, business centers, or direct access to the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Consider whether you need early check-in, late checkout, or package handling—common for business travelers.

When to Book a Hotel Near CNN Center

Because CNN Center sits by State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center, demand can spike around:

• NBA games (Atlanta Hawks home games)
• Big concerts and tours
• Major conventions, trade shows, and fan events

During those times:

• Rates increase across most nearby hotels
• Availability drops, especially for weekend nights
• Parking and traffic downtown become more intense

If your dates are flexible:

• Check rates for weeknights vs. weekends
• Avoid major event weekends if you’re just sightseeing and not attending

Downtown vs. Midtown vs. Airport: Which Area Fits You?

If your search for “CNN Hotel Atlanta” is more about general trip planning, it helps to compare neighborhoods.

Downtown (CNN Center Area)

Best if you want:

• Walkability to CNN Center and top attractions
• Easy access to MARTA for getting around the city
• A tourist and event-focused environment

Consider:

• Parking costs
• Big swings in crowd levels depending on events

Midtown Atlanta

Midtown is one MARTA stop away (or a short rideshare) and offers:

• More restaurants, bars, and nightlife within walking distance
• Access to Piedmont Park, the High Museum of Art, and arts venues
• A mix of business travelers, locals, and visitors

If you don’t mind a quick train or ride to CNN Center, Midtown can feel more neighborhood-like in the evenings.

Airport Area (Hartsfield-Jackson)

Staying near the airport works if:

• You have a very early or late flight
• CNN Center is just one quick outing, not the focus of your stay
• You want lower hotel rates and easy access to MARTA’s airport station

You can ride MARTA from the airport to Peachtree Center, then walk or rideshare to CNN Center.

Practical Tips for Staying Near CNN Center in Atlanta

• Check event calendars for State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. Prices and crowds can change your experience.
• If you’re sensitive to noise, ask for a higher, interior-facing room, especially on event nights.
• If you’re visiting with kids, staying by Centennial Olympic Park puts you close to aquarium, museums, and the ferris wheel—easy walking with strollers.
• Use MARTA or rideshare instead of driving between downtown, Midtown, and the airport to avoid parking multiple times.
• Ask your hotel about the safest and simplest walking route to CNN Center, especially for late evenings.

How Locals and Repeat Visitors Think About the Area

People who know Atlanta well usually think of the CNN Center area as:

• A convenient home base for first-time visitors
• A go-to location for concerts, sports, and big conventions
• Less of a nightlife hub compared with Midtown or Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward

If you’re in town mainly for sightseeing and events, staying in or near downtown makes daily logistics easier. If you want more local dining and bar scenes, you might stay in Midtown or another in-town neighborhood and travel in for CNN Center when needed.

In short, “CNN Hotel Atlanta” is really about choosing the right hotel near CNN Center in downtown Atlanta. Decide how close you want to be, how you’ll get around (walking, MARTA, rideshare, or car), and what else you want to do in the city. From there, you can narrow down to the specific hotel that best fits your budget, comfort preferences, and Atlanta plans.