Where to Stay: Best Hotels Near Emory University in Atlanta

Looking for hotels near Emory in Atlanta usually means one of a few things: a campus visit, a medical appointment at Emory University Hospital or Emory University Hospital Midtown, a conference, or visiting friends and family in Druid Hills or Decatur. Whatever your reason, the area around Emory has a mix of convenient, comfortable options that feel more like neighborhood hotels than downtown high-rises.

This guide focuses on where to stay near Emory’s main Druid Hills campus and Emory University Hospital, with notes on travel times, parking, and what each area is like.

Understanding the Emory Area in Atlanta

When people say “Emory,” they usually mean the main campus and hospital complex in Druid Hills:

• Emory University & Emory University Hospital
  1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322

Nearby neighborhoods you’ll see when searching for hotels:

• Druid Hills – closest to campus; mostly residential and historic, few hotels right next to the university.
• Emory/Clifton Corridor – the main hospital and research area along Clifton Road.
• Decatur – a small city just southeast of campus, about 5–15 minutes by car; walkable, lively, with a MARTA station.
• Virginia-Highland / Morningside – intown neighborhoods a short drive away; good if you want restaurants and nightlife.
• Midtown – farther, but still convenient by car or MARTA; useful if you’re splitting time between Emory and other parts of Atlanta.

If your primary goal is to be as close as possible to Emory Hospital or the main campus, focus on hotels in:

• The Emory/Clifton Road corridor
• Downtown Decatur
• The immediate North Druid Hills area

Quick Overview: Popular Areas to Stay Near Emory

Driving times vary with traffic; allow extra time on weekday mornings and late afternoons.

Hotels Closest to Emory University & Emory Hospital

Hotels directly in the Emory/Clifton Road area are popular for short medical visits, early-morning appointments, and campus events. These tend to prioritize convenience and quiet over nightlife.

What You’ll Typically Find in This Zone

Most hotels closest to Emory:

• Are within a 5–10 minute drive (or short shuttle ride) of the main hospital.
• Offer parking on-site (often paid; always confirm current rates).
• Cater to guests visiting the hospital or university, so you’ll often see:
  • Early breakfast options
  • Quiet common areas
  • Accessible rooms and amenities

Tips for Staying Very Close to Emory

• 🕒 Ask about hospital/Emory shuttles. Some nearby hotels coordinate with Emory or offer scheduled rides to Clifton Road.
• 🚗 Plan for parking fees. Even outside downtown, daily parking charges are common near large hospitals.
• 🧭 Confirm which Emory location you need. Emory has multiple facilities (Druid Hills vs. Midtown); staying “near Emory” does not always mean near your specific appointment.

Staying in Downtown Decatur: Walkable and Convenient

Downtown Decatur is one of the most practical and pleasant places to stay near Emory:

• Roughly 2–4 miles from Emory’s main campus.
• Usually about a 10–15 minute drive to Emory University Hospital in typical traffic.
• MARTA rail access via Decatur Station (Blue Line) on W. Trinity Place.

Why Many Emory Visitors Choose Decatur

Pros:

• Walkable: Restaurants, coffee shops, pharmacies, and small retail all within a few blocks.
• Transit-friendly: You can stay car-free if you’re comfortable combining MARTA with rideshare or shuttles.
• Neighborhood feel: Feels more like a small town center than a big city.

Considerations:

• Parking can be tight in the densest part of downtown; check if your hotel includes parking or charges nightly.
• Not always the cheapest option, but often a good balance between price and convenience.

What Works Well for Different Travelers

• Patients & families with appointments at Emory:
  Decatur is close, but a bit removed from the immediate hospital environment, which many people find less stressful for multi-day stays.

• Prospective students & families:
  Easy to drive, rideshare, or take a bus over to campus; walkability makes it comfortable for those not used to Atlanta traffic.

North Druid Hills & I-85: Practical Options for Drivers

If you’re renting a car or driving in, the North Druid Hills / I-85 area often has:

• Traditional chain hotels.
• Quick access to major roads like I-85 and Clairmont Road.
• A roughly 10–20 minute drive to Emory’s Druid Hills campus depending on traffic.

Who This Area Fits Best

• Budget-conscious visitors who still want to be reasonably close.
• Business travelers mixing meetings around Atlanta with a visit to Emory.
• People who prefer predictable chain-hotel layouts and amenities.

What to Keep in Mind

• The area is more car-oriented; sidewalks and walkability vary, and you’ll likely rely on driving or rideshare.
• Travel times can increase significantly during rush hour on I-85; schedule extra time for morning hospital appointments.

Intown Neighborhoods: Virginia-Highland, Morningside, Inman Park

If you’d like to combine an Emory-related visit with enjoying Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods, areas like Virginia-Highland, Morningside, and Inman Park are a short drive away.

Why Consider These Neighborhoods

• Distance to Emory (Druid Hills): Usually about 10–15 minutes by car in light traffic.
• Atmosphere: Tree-lined streets, historic homes, and plenty of local restaurants and bars.
• Good for evenings: You can easily walk to dinner, coffee, or dessert after a day on campus or at the hospital.

Trade-Offs

• You’re a bit farther from Emory than Decatur or the Clifton corridor.
• Street parking can be competitive in the most popular parts of Virginia-Highland and Inman Park.
• Public transit access is more limited; you’ll rely on rideshare, car, or bus connections.

This is often the right choice if:

• Your Emory connection is one part of a broader visit to Atlanta.
• You want to experience local nightlife and dining instead of staying in a purely hospital- or campus-oriented zone.

Midtown Atlanta: Good If You’re Splitting Time Around the City

Midtown is not “near Emory” in the strictest sense, but it can work if:

• You have business downtown or in Midtown and only occasional trips to Emory.
• You want to stay in a denser, urban environment with large hotels, high-rises, and major attractions.

Distance & Transportation

• Driving from Midtown to Emory (Druid Hills) usually takes about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
• You can combine MARTA rail to stations like Decatur or North Avenue, then use rideshare or Emory shuttles from certain stops, but this requires more planning than staying in Decatur.

Why People Choose Midtown

• Access to Piedmont Park, the Fox Theatre, museums, and corporate offices.
• More variety of hotel types, from mid-range chains to higher-end full-service hotels.
• Good MARTA connectivity for getting to and from the airport (Hartsfield-Jackson).

If your trip is primarily for Emory medical appointments or campus visits, Midtown is usually a secondary choice after Emory/Decatur/North Druid Hills.

Getting Between Your Hotel and Emory

However close your hotel is on the map, Atlanta traffic and street patterns can affect how convenient it feels in practice. A few local tips:

Driving & Parking

• On-campus parking near Emory University Hospital and the main campus garages is available but often paid and structured (garage parking).
• For early morning appointments, plan to arrive 20–30 minutes early to allow for parking and walking to your building.
• Some hotels near Emory and in Decatur may offer reduced-rate parking or guidance on the nearest garages.

Rideshare and Taxis

• Rideshare services (commonly used in Atlanta) are widely used for trips:
  • Between Emory and Decatur
  • From North Druid Hills hotels
  • From Midtown and intown neighborhoods
• If you’re unfamiliar with Atlanta or prefer not to drive, combining MARTA + rideshare is often easier than renting a car.

Public Transit & Shuttles

• MARTA bus routes serve the Emory/Clifton corridor from several directions. Schedules and routes can change, so check the latest details before you rely on a specific line.
• Emory operates shuttle buses (commonly called the “Cliff shuttles”) that connect various Emory facilities and nearby points.
  These are generally geared toward students, staff, and patients; confirm access and routes through Emory before planning around them.

Special Considerations for Emory Hospital Visits

If you’re coming to Atlanta for medical care at Emory University Hospital, Winship Cancer Institute, or other Emory healthcare facilities near Clifton Road, where you stay can make a big difference in comfort.

What Many Patients and Families Look For

• Proximity: Short, predictable travel times, especially for early procedures or multiple-day appointments.
• Quiet environment: Rooms that are relatively calm at night and not right on a major highway.
• Accessible features: Elevators, step-free entry, and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.
• Flexible check-in/out: Helpful if your schedule is driven by appointment times.

Practical Steps When Booking

• Let the hotel know you’re in town for medical care; staff may:
  • Suggest quiet room locations (away from elevators or traffic).
  • Offer fridge/microwave details if you need them for medications or special diets.
• Ask about:
  • Distance and usual drive time to the specific Emory location you’ll visit.
  • Early breakfast hours if you have morning appointments and need to eat beforehand (if allowed by your provider).
  • Any special rates or arrangements that might apply to medical visitors.

How to Choose the Right Hotel Near Emory for Your Situation

Here’s a quick way to narrow it down based on your priorities:

1. “I want to be as close as possible to Emory Hospital/campus.”

   • Look in the Clifton Road / Emory / Druid Hills area.
   • Next best: Downtown Decatur (short drive, more dining).

2. “I don’t want to drive much and prefer a walkable area.”

   • Downtown Decatur is usually the best fit.
   • Some intown neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Inman Park) can also work if you’re okay using rideshare to Emory.

3. “I’m watching my budget but still need to get to Emory easily.”

   • Consider North Druid Hills / I-85 hotels.
   • Compare parking costs and driving time versus somewhat higher nightly rates nearer to campus.

4. “I’m visiting Atlanta for work or tourism and Emory is just one stop.”

   • Midtown or intown neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland give good access to the city’s broader attractions while keeping Emory within a reasonable drive.

Helpful Local Contacts and Orientation Points

These locations can help you get your bearings and plan travel from your hotel:

• Emory University (Main Campus)
  201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322

• Emory University Hospital (Druid Hills)
  1364 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322
  Main hospital entrances and parking garages are well-signed from Clifton Road.

• City of Decatur / Downtown Decatur
  Centered around Decatur Square and Decatur MARTA Station
  400 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030 (Decatur City Hall)

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  From the airport, most visitors either:

  • Take MARTA to Midtown or Decatur, then rideshare to Emory, or
  • Use a car service or rental car directly to their hotel.

Staying near Emory in Atlanta comes down to balancing proximity, price, and neighborhood feel. If your visit centers on the university or hospital, focus on the Clifton corridor, Decatur, or North Druid Hills. If you want a broader Atlanta experience while keeping Emory within reach, look to Virginia-Highland, Midtown, or nearby intown neighborhoods and plan for a short drive or rideshare for your Emory visits.