Best Hotels Near Centennial Olympic Park in Downtown Atlanta

Staying near Centennial Olympic Park puts you in the heart of downtown Atlanta—steps from the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the CNN Center area. If you’re looking for hotels at or near Centennial Park in Atlanta, this guide walks you through the main options, what each area feels like, and how to pick the right stay for your trip.

Why Stay Near Centennial Olympic Park?

Centennial Olympic Park sits at 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, and anchors one of the busiest visitor hubs in the city.

Staying at a hotel around the park typically means:

  • Walkable access to top attractions (aquarium, World of Coke, Civil and Human Rights Center, SkyView ferris wheel)
  • Easy MARTA connections from Peachtree Center or GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center stations
  • Short rides to Midtown, Georgia Tech, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • A central, urban environment with restaurants, bars, and convention venues close by

For most visitors, this area works well if you want to park the car once (or skip a car entirely) and explore.

Main Hotel Zones Around Centennial Park

Think of the Centennial Olympic Park area in three practical “hotel zones”:

  1. Directly on or facing the park – Best for views and ultimate convenience.
  2. CNN Center / State Farm Arena side (west and southwest of the park) – Great for events and conventions.
  3. Peachtree Center / Downtown core (east and northeast of the park) – Good for more dining options and MARTA access.

1. Hotels Directly Overlooking Centennial Olympic Park

These properties give you park views and the shortest walks to major attractions.

Common perks you’ll find in hotels right by the park:

  • Rooms with park, aquarium, or skyline views
  • Easy access to Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for conferences
  • Quick walk to SkyView Atlanta, the ferris wheel on Luckie Street
  • Valet or garage parking; limited free parking in this part of downtown

If a walkable, sightseeing-focused stay is your priority, this is usually the best zone.

2. CNN Center / Arena-Side Hotels

On the west and southwest side of Centennial Olympic Park, hotels connect closely to:

  • State Farm Arena (NBA games, concerts)
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (NFL, MLS, major events)
  • GWCC for trade shows and conventions
  • Restaurants and quick-service spots inside and around the CNN Center complex

This area works especially well if you’re in town for:

  • A Falcons, Hawks, or Atlanta United game
  • A concert or major touring show
  • Large professional conferences or exhibitions

Expect heavier event traffic on game and concert nights and plan for:

  • Higher parking rates and limited self-parking
  • Some crowd noise and foot traffic after events let out

3. Peachtree Center / Downtown Core Hotels

A few blocks east and northeast of the park, the Peachtree Center cluster offers:

  • Direct indoor access to Peachtree Center MARTA Station via the mall-level corridors
  • An enclosed food court and several office towers
  • A denser mix of business hotels, especially appealing for weekday stays

From this area, you can:

  • Walk 8–12 minutes to Centennial Olympic Park
  • Hop on MARTA to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Access Midtown and Buckhead without a car

This zone can be a smart choice if you want to be near the park but not right in the middle of tourist traffic, especially for business trips or longer stays.

Quick Comparison: Choosing Your Centennial Park Hotel Zone

PriorityBest Zone Near Centennial ParkWhat It Feels Like
Walk to attractions in minutesDirectly on/around Centennial Olympic ParkVery tourist-friendly, busy, lots of families
Attending game or concertCNN Center / Arena sideEvent-focused, crowds on game/concert days
Business + transit accessPeachtree Center / Downtown coreMore office vibe, direct MARTA access
Quieter evenings (relative)A few blocks off the park or toward north downtownStill urban, but slightly less foot traffic
Budget-consciousPerimeter of downtown or limited-service downtown propertiesOften better rates vs. park-front hotels

What to Look For in a Centennial Park–Area Hotel

Even within a few blocks of the park, hotels vary widely. Key things to compare:

Room Type and Space

  • Standard rooms: Often compact but efficient, common in the high-rise buildings near the park.
  • Suites or extended-stay rooms: Helpful if you’re visiting with family or for a longer stay and want a small kitchenette or separate living space.
  • Park-view or city-view rooms: Usually cost more, but can be worth it if you plan to spend time in your room or want a skyline view.

Parking and Transportation

Downtown Atlanta parking can add significantly to your nightly cost.

  • Expect paid parking, often valet-only or garage-based.
  • If you’re flying in, consider skipping a rental car:
    • Take MARTA from the airport to Peachtree Center Station or GWCC/CNN Center Station.
    • Walk or use short rideshares to your hotel.

For reference:

  • MARTA Peachtree Center Station: 216 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • MARTA GWCC/CNN Center Station (also serves State Farm Arena): 100 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Nearby Food and Amenities

In the Centennial Park area you’ll find:

  • Casual restaurants clustered along Luckie St NW, Marietta St NW, and around Peachtree Center.
  • Food courts and quick bites in the Peachtree Center complex (mainly weekday business hours).
  • Coffee shops and convenience stores scattered throughout downtown, especially along Peachtree Street.

If you’re visiting with kids or prefer to stay close at night, look for:

  • Hotels with on-site dining or room service.
  • Proximity to SkyView Atlanta, the aquarium, or the park playground area for evening walks.

Staying Near Centennial Park With Kids

For families, this part of Atlanta can be very convenient:

Benefits:

  • Many of the city’s kid-friendly attractions are around the park:
    • Georgia Aquarium
    • World of Coca-Cola
    • Children’s Museum of Atlanta
    • SkyView Atlanta
  • Short walks mean fewer long car rides and easier mid-day breaks.

Things to consider:

  • Downtown is an active urban area. In the evenings, you’ll see commuters, tourists, and event crowds.
  • Ask about:
    • Cribs or rollaway beds
    • Microwaves or mini-fridges in the room
    • Pools (indoor or outdoor) if that’s important to your children

If you’re bringing a stroller, staying directly adjacent to the park can make a noticeable difference in convenience.

Safety and Street-Smart Tips Around Centennial Park

Downtown Atlanta, like many city centers, is a mix of tourist areas, office buildings, and busy streets.

Common sense tips many locals and frequent visitors follow:

  • Stick to well-lit streets and main routes (Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Marietta St NW, Luckie St NW, Peachtree St).
  • Keep valuables secure and avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
  • At night, consider rideshare if you’re walking more than a few blocks, especially with kids.
  • Use hotel valet or recommended parking garages rather than leaving a car on a side street with visible items inside.

If you have questions while you’re here, hotel front desks in this area are typically used to helping first-time visitors navigate downtown safely.

How to Get to Centennial Park Hotels From the Airport

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Centennial Park–area hotels, you have three main options:

1. MARTA Rail

This is often the simplest and most cost-effective:

  • Board MARTA Red or Gold Line northbound from the Airport Station (inside the airport).
  • For Peachtree Center hotels: Exit at Peachtree Center Station.
  • For park-front or CNN Center hotels: You can:
    • Exit at GWCC/CNN Center Station, or
    • Exit at Peachtree Center and walk about 8–12 minutes downhill toward the park.

From either station, follow signs toward downtown street exits.

2. Rideshare or Taxi

  • Ride time: usually 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Drop-off: You can be dropped at your hotel’s entrance or valet curb.
  • Useful if you have lots of luggage or are arriving very late at night.

3. Rental Car

Useful if you plan to explore farther outside Atlanta (Stone Mountain, suburbs, or regional trips), but less necessary if your plans center on:

  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Midtown museums and restaurants
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
  • MARTA-accessible neighborhoods

If you rent a car, budget for daily parking at your hotel and any garages you use in other parts of the city.

When to Book: Pricing and Busy Times

Hotel prices around Centennial Olympic Park tend to rise when:

  • Large conventions are at Georgia World Congress Center
  • NFL, MLS, or major college games are at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Popular performers are at State Farm Arena
  • Big annual Atlanta festivals or events are downtown

If you’re flexible:

  • Check multiple date ranges; even shifting by a day or two can change rates.
  • Look at Sunday nights or midweek outside of major events for potentially better pricing.
  • Consider a hotel slightly off the park (a few blocks away) if park-front hotels are expensive.

Practical Info for Visitors and Locals Using Centennial Park Hotels

Even if you live in Metro Atlanta, hotels around Centennial Olympic Park can be useful for:

  • Staycations tied to games, concerts, or special events
  • Overnight stays after late-night events to avoid long drives
  • Hosting out-of-town visitors near central attractions

A few practical local tips:

  • If you’re driving in from the suburbs, compare:
    • The cost of one hotel night + parking
    • vs. late-night rideshare or multiple parking fees for repeated trips.
  • For early events at the GWCC or the aquarium, staying nearby can help avoid heavy morning traffic on the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
  • If your guests are new to Atlanta, staying near the park gives them a clear, walkable introduction to the city.

Key Takeaways for Hotels Near Centennial Park in Atlanta

  • The Centennial Olympic Park area is one of Atlanta’s most convenient locations for visitors, with short walks to top downtown attractions.
  • Choose your zone based on your priority:
    • Park-front for sightseeing
    • CNN/arena side for events
    • Peachtree Center for business and transit access
  • Factor in parking costs, walkability, and MARTA when comparing hotel options.
  • Families often appreciate the cluster of kid-friendly attractions right around the park.
  • Locals can use these hotels strategically for staycations or event nights.

With a clear sense of what each part of the Centennial Olympic Park area offers, you can narrow your hotel search to the blocks that best fit how you plan to experience Atlanta.