Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Southwest-Fairburn: What Atlanta Travelers Should Know

If you’re traveling on the southwest side of metro Atlanta and want a straightforward, comfortable place to stay, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Southwest-Fairburn is one of the better-known mid-range hotel options near Hartsfield-Jackson and the I‑85 corridor.

Located in Fairburn, a small city just southwest of Atlanta, this hotel is often used by:

• Atlanta residents hosting out-of-town guests
• Business travelers with meetings on the south side (Fairburn, Union City, Palmetto, Newnan)
• Visitors wanting quick access to the airport and major highways without staying inside the busy Atlanta core

Below is a clear, local-focused guide to help you decide if this hotel fits your needs and how it works within the broader Atlanta travel landscape.

Where the Hotel Is and Why the Location Matters

Hotel name: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Southwest-Fairburn
Typical address: Near the I‑85 / Fairburn area, southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Area: Fairburn, GA (Southwest Metro Atlanta)

Proximity to Key Atlanta Destinations

From the Fairburn area, most routes are highway-driven, which is helpful if you’re renting a car or driving:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  Typically about 15–20 minutes north via I‑85, depending on traffic. Good option for early flights or overnight layovers if you prefer a quieter area than the airport perimeter.

• Downtown Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center):
  Roughly 20–30 minutes via I‑85 and I‑75/85, but rush hour can add time. This hotel works for games, concerts, and conventions if you’re okay commuting.

• Camp Creek Marketplace (East Point):
  Around 15–20 minutes away. Useful for expanded shopping and restaurant choices.

• South Fulton industrial and business parks:
  Many logistics, warehouse, and film-related businesses are spread along I‑85 between Fairburn and Newnan. The hotel is convenient for work trips to these sites.

For Atlanta locals, this location can be handy if you have events in Fairburn or surrounding areas—such as sports tournaments, church conferences, or family gatherings in South Fulton County—without driving back and forth to other parts of metro Atlanta.

What to Expect From the Hotel Itself

Holiday Inn Express & Suites properties generally follow a predictable, mid-range, limited-service model. The Fairburn location tends to align with that pattern.

Typical Room Types

You’ll usually find:

• Standard rooms – One king bed or two queen beds
• Suites – Extra sitting area, often with a sofa bed, mini-fridge, and microwave
• Accessible rooms – Designed for mobility or hearing accessibility needs

Rooms are generally aimed at short to medium stays (1–5 nights) with a focus on comfort and function rather than luxury.

Common Amenities

While offerings can change over time, guests typically encounter:

• Complimentary breakfast with a simple hot and cold selection
• Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel
• On-site parking (often free, which can be an advantage versus some in-town Atlanta hotels)
• Fitness room with basic cardio and strength equipment
• Indoor or outdoor pool (seasonal use if outdoor)
• Business center with printer and computer access
• Meeting room space for small gatherings or corporate use

These amenities matter for Atlanta-area visitors who:

• Need reliable internet for remote work or meetings
• Are attending youth sports tournaments or events and want breakfast included
• Prefer a quiet base away from city-center nightlife

How the Location Fits Different Types of Atlanta Trips

For Atlanta Residents Hosting Guests

If you live in South Fulton, Union City, Fairburn, Palmetto, or nearby neighborhoods and don’t have extra space at home, this hotel can work well for:

• Family visiting from out of town
• Guests attending local weddings or church events
• Out-of-town coworkers for training at nearby offices or warehouses

Advantages for hosts:

• Guests aren’t dealing with downtown congestion or parking costs
• Easy pickup/drop-off at Hartsfield-Jackson
• Straightforward directions using I‑85

💡 Tip: If you’re hosting a larger group (such as wedding guests), you can often ask about group rates or room blocks. Policies and availability vary, so calling the front desk directly is usually best.

For Business Travelers Working in Southwest Atlanta

Many businesses, distribution centers, and film-related operations are clustered around:

• Fairburn
• Union City
• South Fulton
• I‑85 exit areas between Atlanta and Newnan

This hotel is often used as a base for:

• Vendor visits to industrial parks and warehouse districts
• Short training sessions or regional meetups
• Film and production crews needing access to south-side studios or locations

Being outside the city core can reduce commute times if your work is primarily in the south metro rather than Midtown or Buckhead. If you have meetings in Downtown Atlanta, the drive is manageable, but you’ll want to plan around rush hour.

For Visitors Attending Atlanta Events

If your main goal is to attend:

• Falcons or Atlanta United games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Concerts at State Farm Arena
• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• Events at the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola

you can still stay at the Fairburn hotel and commute in. This makes the most sense if:

• You prefer a quieter area to return to at night
• You want easier parking and quick highway access
• You’re comfortable driving 20–30 minutes each way

If you plan to spend most of your time in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Buckhead, a more central hotel might be more convenient, but the Fairburn option can still work for budget or parking reasons.

Getting Around: Transportation and Driving Tips

By Car

This hotel location is strongly oriented toward drivers:

• Easy access to I‑85 for trips north to Atlanta or south to Newnan and beyond
• Typically free on-site parking, which is a cost advantage compared to many intown hotels
• Ride-share services (Uber, Lyft) are widely used in this corridor, especially for airport runs

🚗 Local driving note:
During peak hours, expect heavier traffic near:

• I‑85 northbound toward Atlanta (morning)
• I‑85 southbound from Atlanta (late afternoon/evening)
• Approaches to Hartsfield-Jackson via I‑85 and I‑285

Build in extra time if you have a flight, game, or concert.

Airport Access

For air travelers, this hotel is:

• Close enough for early-morning flights, with a relatively simple drive
• Far enough from the airport to usually avoid constant plane noise that some airport-perimeter hotels experience

Some Holiday Inn Express locations near airports offer shuttles, but availability can change. If you care about this, check directly with the hotel to confirm whether a shuttle is currently operating and what hours it runs.

Nearby Food, Shopping, and Things To Do

The southwest metro area doesn’t have the same density of attractions as Midtown or Buckhead, but it does offer practical options.

Dining Near Fairburn

Around the Fairburn hotel area, you can expect:

• Fast-casual chains and quick-service restaurants along major roads and I‑85 exits
• Local southern and soul food spots, small diners, and bar-and-grill style restaurants
• Coffee, sandwich shops, and bakeries within a short drive

If you want more variety, you can head to:

• Camp Creek Marketplace in East Point for chain restaurants and retail
• Downtown Atlanta for a much broader range of dining styles, from casual to upscale

Shopping and Essentials

Nearby you’ll usually find:

• Grocery stores and big-box retailers for basics
• Drugstores and convenience stores
• Gas stations right off I‑85

This is useful if you’re on a longer work assignment in the area or traveling with family and want to stock up on snacks, personal items, or kids’ necessities.

Local and Regional Attractions

From the Fairburn area, you can reach:

• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta attractions: Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame, High Museum of Art
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena for sports and concerts
• Local parks and small-town downtowns in Fairburn, Union City, Palmetto, and Newnan for a quieter, more suburban experience

If you’re mixing business on the south side with a bit of tourism, plan your museum and attraction visits around non-rush-hour times to make the round trip smoother.

Comparing Fairburn to Other Atlanta Hotel Areas

When deciding whether to book at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Southwest-Fairburn, it helps to think in terms of trade-offs.

For many south-side business travelers and Atlanta residents hosting visitors in South Fulton, the Fairburn location offers a good balance of cost, comfort, and convenience.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors Using This Hotel

• Check traffic patterns: Use navigation apps to time your drives into Atlanta, especially for events and flights.
• Ask about early breakfast: If you have an early meeting or flight, confirm breakfast hours so you can plan ahead.
• Clarify bedding and room type: Suites can be useful if you’re traveling with family or sharing space with coworkers.
• Confirm any special needs: If you need an accessible room or a quieter location in the building, it’s best to mention this when booking and again at check-in.
• Plan parking in the city: If you’re driving into Downtown or Midtown from Fairburn, factor in both parking cost and walking distance to your destination.

When This Hotel Is a Good Fit for Atlanta Travel

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Southwest-Fairburn tends to work best if:

• You’re flying into Atlanta but doing most of your work or visiting on the southwest side of the metro area
• You’re an Atlanta local in South Fulton or nearby and need a comfortable, predictable hotel for guests
• You want a quieter, highway-accessible base with included breakfast and parking, and you don’t mind driving into the city when needed

If your trip centers around walkable Atlanta neighborhoods, nightlife, or in-town dining, a more central hotel might be more convenient. But for many south-side and airport-adjacent trips, this Fairburn hotel is a practical, straightforward option in the Atlanta area.