Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia: What to Know Before You Book

The Emory Conference Center Hotel is a popular spot in Atlanta, Georgia for visitors connected to Emory University, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or anyone looking for a quiet, wooded retreat that’s still inside the city. If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or need a convenient place to stay near Emory, this guide walks you through what to expect, how to get there, and how it fits into the broader Atlanta hotel landscape.

Where the Emory Conference Center Hotel Is Located

The Emory Conference Center Hotel sits in the Druid Hills / Emory area of Atlanta, northeast of downtown.

General location context:

  • Near Emory University main campus
  • Close to the CDC headquarters on Clifton Road
  • Short drive to Virginia-Highland, Decatur Square, and Morningside
  • Inside the Perimeter (I-285) but not in the high-rise core of Midtown or Downtown

Many people choose this hotel because they:

  • Have business at Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
  • Are attending a conference, training, or academic event on campus
  • Want a quieter, tree-filled setting rather than a street-facing urban hotel

What Type of Hotel It Is

The Emory Conference Center Hotel is designed as a full-service conference and lodging property with:

  • On-site meeting and event space
  • A focus on business, academic, and medical-related travel
  • A resort-style layout tucked into wooded surroundings

It’s not a downtown high-rise or a limited-service road hotel; it’s more comparable to a campus conference center with:

  • A central lodge-style building
  • Guest rooms in connected wings
  • Common areas intended for networking, group meetings, and seminars

For Atlantans, it often functions as:

  • A venue for local conferences and workshops
  • A convenient place for out-of-town colleagues or family to stay near Emory
  • A quieter option for staycations or special events away from busier parts of the city

Rooms and Amenities: What Guests Typically Find

While exact features can vary by room type and updates over time, most guests can expect:

Common In-Room Features

  • Standard hotel bedding (king or two doubles in most rooms)
  • Private bathroom with shower/tub or walk-in shower
  • Work desk and chair
  • Wi‑Fi access (commonly available throughout the property)
  • Television and basic entertainment options
  • In-room coffee/tea setup
  • Climate control suitable for Atlanta’s humid summers and mild winters

On-Site Amenities

Amenities at the Emory Conference Center Hotel generally include:

  • Restaurant and/or bar on-site for breakfast, and often dinner service
  • Conference and meeting rooms of various sizes
  • Fitness center for guests
  • Indoor pool or access to pool facilities (offerings can vary by season or renovation)
  • Outdoor spaces and walking paths connected to the wooded surroundings
  • Business services such as printing, copying, and possibly a business center
  • Parking options (often paid; details can depend on your booking and event)

If you’re planning an event or booking for a group, it’s helpful to confirm:

  • Whether audio‑visual equipment is available on-site
  • If catering is available through the hotel
  • Any room block options and minimums

Conference and Event Use: How It Works in Atlanta

Being in the Emory area, the hotel is heavily used for:

  • University events (symposia, alumni programs, continuing education)
  • Medical conferences connected to Emory’s healthcare system or the CDC
  • Corporate retreats for Atlanta businesses that want an in-city but low-distraction venue

Types of Events Often Held Here

  • Academic conferences and lecture series
  • Professional training seminars
  • Nonprofit and association meetings
  • Wedding receptions and family events
  • Small to mid-size corporate meetings

If you’re local and considering hosting an event:

  1. Estimate group size and room needs (breakout rooms vs. one large ballroom).
  2. Ask about standard room layouts (theater, classroom, U‑shape, banquet).
  3. Confirm tech support availability for hybrid or fully virtual components.
  4. Discuss food and beverage options early, especially for multi-day conferences.

Access to Emory, CDC, and Nearby Medical Centers

One of the biggest draws of the Emory Conference Center Hotel is its proximity to major institutions and hospitals.

Nearby Facilities

  • Emory University (main campus on Clifton Road)
  • Emory University Hospital
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston (transitioning operations as new facilities open, but the area remains a major medical hub)
  • CDC Headquarters on Clifton Road
  • Emory University Hospital Midtown (a bit farther, near downtown, but still commonly used by guests working within the Emory network)

For medical-related stays:

  • Families visiting patients at Emory hospitals or CHOA often choose this hotel for the short commute and quieter environment.
  • Those interviewing for Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, or other academic programs appreciate being able to walk or take a short ride to campus.

If you’re coming for medical care or to support someone in the hospital, it can be helpful to ask about:

  • Medical or hospital visitor rates
  • Shuttle service options (if offered at the time of your stay)
  • Rooms with accessibility features (roll-in showers, grab bars, etc.)

Getting To and From the Emory Conference Center Hotel

Atlanta does not have direct rail service to every hotel, and the Emory area is one of the more car-dependent parts of the city, although there are public transit and shuttle options in many cases.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Typical options:

  • Rideshare or taxi:

    • Direct drive, often 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
    • Most drivers will know “Emory” or “CDC” as reference points if they don’t recognize the hotel name.
  • MARTA + rideshare:

    • Take MARTA from the airport to a central station (like Arts Center, Midtown, or Five Points).
    • Then take a short rideshare or taxi to the hotel.
    • This can reduce cost but adds complexity if you have a lot of luggage.

Driving and Parking

If you live in Atlanta or are renting a car:

  • The Emory area is generally accessed via Clifton Road, North Decatur Road, and Briarcliff Road.
  • Traffic can be heavy during rush hour and around Emory class change times or major events.
  • Parking is typically available on or near the hotel property, often for a daily fee.

Public Transit

  • MARTA buses serve the Emory/Clifton corridor, linking to rail stations like Decatur, Arts Center, and North Avenue.
  • Bus routes and schedules can change over time, so checking current routes before you travel is wise.

Public transit is more practical if:

  • You’re comfortable with bus transfers.
  • You don’t need to move around the city late at night when frequency is lower.

Neighborhood Feel: What It’s Like Around the Hotel

The hotel is not in a nightlife-heavy district. Instead, it’s in a leafy, residential and institutional area anchored by Emory University.

What to Expect Nearby

  • Tree-lined streets and historic neighborhoods like Druid Hills
  • Campus life from Emory students, faculty, and staff
  • A mix of cafes, small restaurants, and services on or near campus and along Clifton and North Decatur
  • Quick drives to:
    • Decatur Square (restaurants, shops, bars)
    • Virginia-Highland (dining, boutiques, neighborhood bars)
    • Poncey-Highland and the Eastside BeltLine trail

If you want to stay close to the hotel but get out a bit, you can:

  • Explore Lullwater Preserve on the Emory campus (walking/jogging trails in a wooded setting)
  • Visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History and Fernbank Forest a short drive away
  • Spend an afternoon in Downtown Decatur for local food and shopping

Who the Emory Conference Center Hotel Is Best For

This hotel tends to work well for:

  • Academic and professional travelers with business at Emory or the CDC
  • Families and friends visiting Emory students or attending campus events
  • Medical visitors needing to be near Emory or CHOA facilities
  • Local organizations seeking a relatively quiet, well-equipped conference site within the city
  • Atlantans wanting a low-key, retreat-style stay without leaving Metro Atlanta

It may be less ideal if:

  • You want to walk directly out of your hotel into downtown nightlife or major tourist attractions.
  • You’re relying heavily on rapid, frequent public transit to many different Atlanta neighborhoods.

Comparing It to Other Atlanta Hotel Areas (Without Naming Specific Competitors)

To understand if the Emory Conference Center Hotel fits your plans, it helps to compare it to other Atlanta hotel zones:

Area of AtlantaGeneral Vibe & ProsPossible Trade-Offs
Emory / Druid HillsQuiet, wooded, close to Emory, CDC, and Decatur. Good for conferences and medical/academic stays.Less nightlife and fewer walkable attractions. More car-dependent.
MidtownWalkable, lots of restaurants, arts venues, and MARTA rail access.Busier, more urban noise, often higher nightly rates.
DowntownClose to major attractions (aquarium, stadiums, convention center).Heavier traffic, event-related crowds.
BuckheadShopping and dining districts, upscale feel.Farther from Emory, more driving in heavy traffic.
Airport areaVery convenient for short overnight stays and early flights.Far from Emory and most in-town neighborhoods.

If your main goal in Atlanta is Emory-related, the Emory Conference Center Hotel is one of the more practical locations. If your focus is tourism all over the city, you may balance the ease of Emory access with time spent driving or using rideshare to other neighborhoods.

Tips for Atlantans Using the Hotel for Events or Guests

If you live in the Atlanta area and are considering the Emory Conference Center Hotel for events or visiting guests, a few practical points can help:

For Hosting an Event

  • Plan around Emory’s academic calendar. Big university or CDC events can affect availability and rates.
  • Ask early about:
    • Event room capacities
    • Minimum food and beverage requirements
    • Discounted room blocks for out-of-town attendees
  • Clarify parking arrangements for attendees, especially if many guests are local and driving.

For Hosting Friends or Family

If you have:

  • A student at Emory
  • A family member receiving care at an Emory-related hospital
  • Colleagues visiting for a project on the Clifton corridor

You can:

  • Choose this hotel to keep them close to your daily routine if you live nearby.
  • Let them know:
    • That Uber/Lyft or a rental car may be the simplest way to get around.
    • That they’re a short ride from neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland and Decatur for dining and entertainment.

How to Decide if the Emory Conference Center Hotel Fits Your Stay

To decide whether the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia is right for you, focus on:

  1. Primary purpose of your trip

    • Emory, CDC, or medical-related? The location is a strong match.
    • General tourism around Atlanta? Consider how much you’re willing to rely on rideshare or driving.
  2. Preferred environment

    • If you like a calmer, campus-style setting with trees and fewer distractions, this hotel offers that.
    • If you prefer being in the middle of nightlife and attractions, you may find the Emory area quieter than you’d like.
  3. Transportation plan

    • Comfortable with driving or rideshare? The hotel is easy enough to reach and use as a base.
    • Relying heavily on rail? Expect to use bus connections or periodic rideshare to/from MARTA.

If your stay is centered around Emory University, nearby hospitals, or professional events, the Emory Conference Center Hotel offers a locally convenient, purpose-built setting that fits well into how this part of Atlanta functions.