Where to Stay: Best Hotels Near Downtown Atlanta

Looking for hotels near downtown Atlanta puts you right in the middle of where the city works, plays, and meets. Whether you’re in town for a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center, catching a game at State Farm Arena or Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or visiting family in the metro area, staying close to downtown can save time and simplify your trip.

This guide walks through where to stay near downtown, how each area feels, and what types of hotels you’ll find—so you can match your stay to your budget, transportation needs, and plans in Atlanta.

Key Areas for Hotels Near Downtown Atlanta

When people say “near downtown,” they usually mean one of these overlapping areas:

• Downtown Atlanta (Central Business District)
• Fairlie-Poplar & Centennial Olympic Park area
• Georgia World Congress Center / Mercedes-Benz Stadium area
• Peachtree Center & Five Points vicinity
• Midtown (just north of downtown, one or two MARTA stops away)

All of these put you within a short walk, quick ride, or a couple of MARTA stops from downtown offices, major attractions, and event venues.

Staying in the Heart of Downtown Atlanta

If you want to be as close as possible to Atlanta’s core attractions and offices, look in and around:

• Peachtree Street NW
• Marietta Street NW
• Andrew Young International Blvd NW
• Baker Street NW
• Lucky Street NW

This zone is walkable to:

• Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW)
• World of Coca-Cola (121 Baker St NW)
• Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown green space off Marietta St)
• CNN Center area (Ted Turner Dr & Marietta St)
• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW)
• Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW)

What This Area Is Like

Pros:

• Walkable to many major attractions
• Easy access to MARTA rail (e.g., Peachtree Center Station, Five Points Station, GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station)
• Good if you have events at the Georgia World Congress Center or downtown offices
• Wide range of hotel styles, from large convention hotels to smaller properties

Cons:

• Can feel busy and hectic during big events and rush hours
• Parking can be expensive and garages fill quickly
• Some blocks are quieter at night; visitors often prefer to plan evening transportation rather than wandering for long distances

Hotel Types You’ll Find Near Downtown

You can generally find three main categories of hotels within or near downtown Atlanta:

1. Large Convention & Business Hotels

These are typically near:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• Peachtree Center
• Major office towers downtown

You’ll often see:

• Large lobbies and multiple on-site restaurants
• Meeting rooms and ballrooms
• Valet parking and sometimes self-parking garages
• Fitness centers and sometimes rooftop or indoor pools

These work well if you’re:

• Attending a conference, trade show, or corporate meeting
• Traveling with a group and need lots of rooms in one place
• Wanting to stay directly connected to MARTA or skybridges between buildings

2. Mid-Range & Family-Friendly Hotels

These are scattered around downtown and the Fairlie-Poplar area and often include:

• Complimentary breakfast or light meals
• Smaller lobbies and simpler room layouts
• Limited-service bars or grab-and-go food options

These work well if you:

• Are visiting with kids and want to be near the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Want a balance between price and proximity to downtown
• Prefer smaller, simpler properties over large convention hotels

3. Boutique & Design-Focused Hotels

In and near downtown (especially as you get closer to Fairlie-Poplar and Midtown), you may find:

• Converted historic buildings with modern interiors
• Unique room designs, local artwork, or themed decor
• Lively lobby bars or lounges

These work well if you:

• Care about atmosphere and character as much as location
• Are traveling as a couple or for a special occasion
• Plan to explore local restaurants and nightlife nearby

Popular Nearby Districts: Midtown vs. Downtown

Some visitors search “hotels near downtown Atlanta” but end up staying just north in Midtown, which is closely connected to downtown by MARTA and major roads.

Why Consider Midtown If You Need Downtown Access?

Midtown roughly runs around:

• Peachtree St NE
• Between North Ave and 14th St
• East and west of the Midtown and Arts Center MARTA stations

Midtown is still only 1–2 MARTA stops from Peachtree Center and Five Points downtown.

Advantages of staying in Midtown while visiting downtown:

• Often more restaurants, cafes, and bars within walking distance
• Close to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, and cultural spots like the High Museum of Art (1280 Peachtree St NE)
• Easy rail access: Midtown and Arts Center stations connect directly to downtown stations

Tradeoff: You may add a 5–15 minute transit or rideshare trip to get to downtown meetings or events, but gain more neighborhood feel and nightlife options.

Quick Reference: Where to Stay Based on Your Main Goal

Getting Around: Transportation Considerations

MARTA Rail

If you won’t have a car, choosing a hotel near a MARTA rail station is one of the most practical choices. Key stations for downtown access:

• Peachtree Center Station – central to many downtown hotels
• Five Points Station – main transfer hub, walkable to some hotels and government buildings
• GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center Station – closest to the Georgia World Congress Center and stadium area
• Midtown & Arts Center Stations – if you stay in Midtown but need quick access to downtown

Tips:

• Look for hotels within 2–3 blocks of a station if you’ll be traveling by rail with luggage.
• If you’re arriving from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, MARTA’s Red and Gold lines run directly between the airport and downtown/Midtown stations.

Driving and Parking

Downtown Atlanta has a mix of hotel garages, private lots, and street parking, but:

• Many hotels charge nightly parking fees, often higher for valet.
• During large events, garages and lots near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or GWCC can fill quickly.
• Some visitors choose hotels slightly east or west of the central core to find easier or cheaper parking, then use rideshare or MARTA for downtown trips.

If you’re local to Atlanta and booking a downtown hotel for a staycation or special event, it can help to:

• Ask in advance about in-and-out privileges for parking.
• Check whether your stay includes a special event parking rate on game or concert nights.

Walking and Safety

Downtown is walkable, but it’s still a dense urban area:

• During business hours, events, and convention times, major streets like Peachtree St, Marietta St, and Baker St are usually active and busy.
• At night, many visitors prefer to stick to well-lit main streets, walk with others, or use rideshare for longer distances.
• If you plan to walk late, picking a hotel near your primary destination (stadium, arena, or convention center) can reduce how far you need to travel on foot.

Choosing the Right Hotel Near Downtown for Your Budget

Prices near downtown Atlanta can vary significantly based on events, weekdays vs. weekends, and season. To narrow down your choices:

1. Decide How Important Walking Distance Is

• If you must be within a 5–10 minute walk of a specific venue (Aquarium, GWCC, stadiums), focus on hotels directly around that attraction.
• If you’re comfortable with a short MARTA ride or quick rideshare, you can expand to Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Castleberry Hill and often find more variety.

2. Look at Parking and Transportation Costs

A hotel with a slightly higher nightly rate but lower parking fees or immediate proximity to MARTA can sometimes be cheaper overall than a budget option with high parking costs and longer commutes.

3. Consider On-Site Amenities

In downtown Atlanta, on-site amenities can matter more because:

• You may not want to wander far at night after long event or work days.
• An on-site restaurant, bar, or room service can be convenient when downtown streets quiet down.
• If you’re traveling with kids, an indoor pool or free breakfast can make downtime easier.

Special Situations: Picking a Hotel Near Downtown for Specific Needs

Visiting Colleges and Universities

If you’re touring schools but still want downtown access:

• Georgia State University (downtown): look for hotels near Decatur St SE, Courtland St SE, and Piedmont Ave.
• Georgia Tech (near Midtown): consider hotels along North Ave NW, 10th St, and Peachtree St NE for quick trips between campus and downtown.

Legal or Government Business

If you have business at:

• Fulton County Courthouse (185 Central Ave SW)
• Atlanta City Hall (55 Trinity Ave SW)
• Other government offices downtown

You’ll likely want a hotel:

• Near Central Ave, Trinity Ave, or Pryor St, or
• Close to Five Points or Georgia State MARTA stations for an easy walk

Extended Stays Near Downtown

If you’ll be in Atlanta for more than a week and want a kitchen or extra space:

• Look for extended-stay or suite-style hotels within a short transit ride of downtown (for example, in areas like Midtown, Westside/Atlantic Station, or Old Fourth Ward).
• These often include kitchenettes and on-site laundry, which can be useful for longer trips or if you’re relocating to Atlanta.

Practical Tips Before You Book

• Check event calendars. If there is a major conference, playoff game, or large festival, room rates and availability near downtown can change quickly.
• Confirm travel times. Use a map to see realistic times from your hotel to the places you plan to visit, especially during rush hour or event start/end times.
• Ask about late check-in and early check-out. Downtown hotels regularly handle late-arriving and early-departing guests, but it can still help to confirm if you have a tight schedule.
• If you’re local and driving in: Factor in rush-hour traffic on I-75/85 and I-20 when picking arrival and departure times and choosing a hotel access point.

Staying near downtown Atlanta can make your visit far more convenient, especially if you plan to attend events, explore major attractions, or work in the central business district. By deciding how close you need to be, how you’ll get around (MARTA, car, or rideshare), and which neighborhood feel you prefer—busy convention core or more relaxed Midtown—you can narrow down the many hotel options around downtown to the ones that fit your trip best.