Where to Stay: A Local Guide to Hotels in Downtown Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta packs stadiums, major attractions, offices, and colleges into a walkable grid. If you want to be close to State Farm Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State University, or Centennial Olympic Park, staying in a downtown Atlanta hotel can be extremely convenient.

This guide breaks down downtown’s hotel options by area, price point, and purpose, with practical tips from a local perspective so you can pick the right place for your trip.

How Downtown Atlanta Is Laid Out for Hotels

Downtown isn’t huge, but it has several distinct pockets that feel different once you’re on the ground:

• Centennial Olympic Park / CNN Center area – Best for major attractions and events
• Peachtree Center & Business Core – Best for business travelers and MARTA access
• Georgia State University & Government District – Quieter, more budget-friendly
• Stadium District (Mercedes-Benz & GWCC) – Best for sports and big conventions

Understanding these micro-areas helps you choose a hotel that fits what you’re actually here to do.

Quick Downtown Hotel Area Snapshot

Hotels Near Centennial Olympic Park & Attractions

If it’s your first time in Atlanta, this is usually the easiest part of downtown to stay in. You’re within a short walk of:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• College Football Hall of Fame
• SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel
• Centennial Olympic Park itself

Typical hotel features in this area:

• Mid-range to upscale full-service hotels
• Good for families and leisure travelers
• Easy access to tourist attractions and restaurants
• Walkable to State Farm Arena and the convention center

Things to keep in mind:

• Prices can jump during conventions and major games/concerts.
• Street activity can be busy into the evening, especially on weekends and event nights.
• Parking is typically garage or valet only, and it can be expensive.

Who this area fits best:

• Visitors who want to park once and walk
• Families trying to pack several attractions into 1–2 days
• Travelers who want a “classic” downtown Atlanta experience

Peachtree Center & the Business Core

Centered around Peachtree Street NE/SW and the Peachtree Center MARTA Station, this zone is the backbone of downtown’s business and conference traffic.

What you’ll usually find here:

• High-rise business hotels with meeting space
• Direct or covered access to MARTA (useful from Hartsfield–Jackson airport)
• Office towers, food courts, and weekday lunch spots
• Walking distance to most downtown offices and City Hall

Advantages of this area:

• Very central – you can walk or take a short ride to almost anywhere downtown.
• Great if you’re taking MARTA from the airport and want to skip a rental car.
• Popular with conference and corporate travelers.

Potential trade-offs:

• Quieter at night and on weekends; some shops and food courts close early.
• Street grid can be confusing if you’re brand new to Atlanta (Peachtree Street, Peachtree Center, West Peachtree, etc.).

Best for:

• Business travelers with meetings downtown or in nearby Midtown (just a MARTA stop or short ride away)
• Travelers who prioritize transit access over being right on top of tourist attractions

Georgia State University & Government District Hotels

Moving southeast from the Centennial Park core, you’ll get closer to Georgia State University, Atlanta City Hall, and state government buildings near Central Avenue and Capitol Avenue.

This area often offers:

• Somewhat lower nightly rates compared with the main tourist zone
• A mix of limited-service and extended-stay style hotels
• Proximity to GSU, the State Capitol, and various government offices

What to know:

• Quieter at night and on weekends; it’s more of an office and campus environment.
• Good fit if you’re in town for university events, state government business, or a longer work project.
• Still close to MARTA stations like Five Points and Georgia State, which can connect you to the airport or Midtown.

This area may work well if you:

• Want to stay downtown but avoid peak tourist pricing near the park
• Need to be near courts, government buildings, or GSU
• Prefer a calmer atmosphere after work or events

Stadium District: Hotels Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium & GWCC

For major events—Falcons games, Atlanta United matches, big-name concerts, and large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center—staying close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium can be a huge time-saver.

What hotels near the stadium typically offer:

• Strong focus on event-day convenience
• Quick access to stadium gates and GWCC halls
• Easy walk to State Farm Arena too

Event-specific realities:

• Rates often spike on game and concert nights.
• Parking costs more and fills up quickly; planning ahead is essential.
• Expect a lively, sometimes noisy environment before and after events.

This area is right for you if:

• The stadium or convention center is your main reason for visiting
• You’re okay paying more for walkability and avoiding long post-event commutes
• You want to be in the middle of the crowd before and after the game

Price Ranges & What You Can Expect

Prices fluctuate a lot in downtown Atlanta, especially around major events, but you can think in general terms:

• Budget to Lower Mid-Range

  • Often found toward the GSU/government side of downtown
  • Simpler rooms, fewer on-site amenities
  • Good for students, solo travelers, or anyone focused on price

• Mid-Range

  • Common around Centennial Olympic Park and Peachtree Center
  • Standard for business or family trips: fitness centers, business centers, maybe a pool
  • Best balance of cost, comfort, and location for most visitors

• Upscale

  • Usually in prime locations near the park, stadium, or at the heart of Peachtree
  • Larger rooms or suites, more refined common areas, upgraded dining
  • Good for special occasions, high-priority business travel, or if you value on-site services

Across all price points, you should plan for:

• Taxes and fees added to the base rate
• Parking charges (valet or self-parking, usually in a deck, not included in the nightly rate)
• Higher rates on Friday–Saturday and event days

Getting Around: Transportation & Parking Near Downtown Hotels

MARTA Access

Many downtown hotels sit within a short walk of one or more MARTA rail stations, including:

• Peachtree Center Station
• Five Points Station
• Georgia State Station
• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station

If you’re flying into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can ride the Red or Gold line to Peachtree Center or Five Points and walk to several downtown hotels from there. This is often faster and cheaper than a rideshare during rush hour.

Parking Realities

In central downtown, you’ll rarely find a private surface lot attached to a hotel. Instead, expect:

• Hotel valet parking in a shared or dedicated deck
• Self-parking garages nearby with daily maximums
• Strict enforcement of street parking rules and time limits

If you’re driving:

• Check parking costs in advance; they can be a significant part of your trip budget.
• During big events, aim to arrive earlier in the day to secure a spot and avoid heavy traffic.
• Some visitors choose to park once at their hotel and then use MARTA, walking, or rideshare for everything else.

Safety, Noise, and Practical Tips

Like many busy city centers, downtown Atlanta can feel different block-to-block, especially late at night.

A few practical tips:

• Stick to well-lit, busier routes when walking after dark, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
• If you’re coming back late, consider a short rideshare instead of a long walk through unfamiliar streets.
• Use your hotel’s front desk to get advice on the best walking routes to specific attractions or MARTA stations.
• On game days and big event nights, expect crowds and street vendors, especially near the stadium and arena.

Noise considerations:

• Hotels facing major streets, the park, or the stadium may be noisier on event nights.
• If you’re a light sleeper, ask at booking or check-in about quieter room locations (higher floors or away from street-facing sides).

How to Choose the Right Downtown Atlanta Hotel for Your Trip

Use your main reason for visiting as your guide:

1. Here for attractions (aquarium, World of Coke, etc.)

   • Look near Centennial Olympic Park or easy walking distance to it.
   • You’ll minimize transit time, especially with kids or groups.

2. Here for business meetings or a conference (non-stadium)

   • Consider Peachtree Center or the business core.
   • Prioritize MARTA access if you’re also visiting Midtown or the airport frequently.

3. Here for a game, concert, or major stadium event

   • Stay in the stadium district or near GWCC to simplify your day.
   • Budget extra for event-night rates and parking.

4. Here for Georgia State, courts, or government offices

   • Look closer to the GSU campus or Capitol area.
   • You’ll likely save money compared with the park-front hotels.

5. Local staycation

   • Decide whether you want a view of the park, easy access to shows and dining, or spa-style amenities.
   • Sometimes weeknights or off-peak weekends have better rates for locals.

When to Book and What to Watch For

Downtown hotel availability is heavily influenced by:

• Pro sports schedules (Falcons, Atlanta United, Hawks)
• Large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
• Concerts and special events at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• College events and graduations

To avoid surprises:

• Check the event calendars for the stadiums and convention center before locking in dates.
• Book earlier if your dates overlap with major events; last-minute rooms can be limited and expensive.
• Make sure you understand cancellation policies, especially for nonrefundable “advance purchase” rates.

Local Touches to Look For

Even big national-brand hotels downtown often add features that feel specifically “Atlanta”:

• Views of Centennial Olympic Park, the SkyView wheel, or the city skyline
• Quick access to Southern-style restaurants and local bars
• Proximity to cultural sites like the Apex Museum, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and historic areas such as Sweet Auburn (a short ride away)

If you have extra time beyond your main reason for visiting, it’s easy to:

• Walk to nearby attractions and museums
• Hop on MARTA to explore Midtown or Buckhead
• Visit neighborhoods just outside downtown, like the Old Fourth Ward or Inman Park, via a short ride

Staying in a downtown Atlanta hotel puts you at the center of the city’s business, sports, and cultural life. Once you know which part of downtown best matches your plans—park, business core, campus/government, or stadium—it becomes much easier to narrow down your options and find a place that fits your budget, schedule, and comfort level.