Hotels on the Southside of Atlanta: Where to Stay, What to Expect, and Local Tips

Looking for hotels on the southside of Atlanta usually means you want to be close to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the interstates (I‑75/I‑85/I‑285), or major employers and attractions in College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Union City, Forest Park, or Morrow. This part of metro Atlanta is all about easy access, convenience, and value.

Below is a practical guide to the main areas, hotel types, what to look for, and how to match the southside to your trip—whether you’re catching an early flight, visiting Atlanta’s downtown attractions, or here for work.

Key Areas for Southside Atlanta Hotels

When people say “southside,” they’re usually talking about the neighborhoods and suburbs south of Downtown Atlanta and around the airport. The main hotel clusters are:

• Airport / Airport Boulevard / Camp Creek Parkway
• College Park & East Point
• Hapeville (near Porsche Experience Center)
• I‑75 Corridor: Forest Park, Morrow, Stockbridge
• Union City & Fairburn (I‑85 corridor)

Quick Comparison of Southside Hotel Areas

*Drive times depend heavily on traffic.

Airport Hotels: The Heart of Southside Stays

Why choose an airport hotel?

If your main priority is convenience, hotels around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) are usually the best bet. People choose this area for:

• Early or late flights
• Quick layovers or missed connections
• Business trips with meetings across the metro area
• Easy interstate access (I‑85 and I‑285 run right by the airport)

You’ll find a large cluster of hotels around:

• Airport Blvd / Airport Loop
• Virginia Ave (College Park/East Point)
• S. Terminal Pkwy / Airport North Pkwy / Camp Creek Pkwy

Common features of ATL airport-area hotels

Most airport hotels on the southside offer:

• Free airport shuttle (check hours; some don’t run 24/7)
• On‑site or nearby restaurants
• Business centers and meeting rooms
• Short-term parking; some also offer park‑and‑fly packages
• Quick rideshare pickup zones and easy taxi access

If you’re flying in or out of:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Main phone: (800) 897‑1910 (airport information)

…it usually makes sense to stay within a few miles of this address to minimize travel stress.

College Park & East Point: Southside with MARTA Access

If you want to avoid renting a car and still have decent access to Downtown and Midtown, College Park and East Point are especially useful.

Why stay in College Park or East Point?

• MARTA rail access from:
  • College Park Station – 3800 Main St, College Park, GA 30337
  • East Point Station – 2848 E Main St, East Point, GA 30344
• One train ride to:
  • Five Points (downtown hub)
  • Peachtree Center (hotels, offices)
  • Midtown/Arts Center (museums, nightlife)
• Short drive or shuttle to ATL (often under 10 minutes)

Many hotels line Virginia Avenue, Main Street, and areas close to Camp Creek Parkway. You’ll see a mix of:

• Budget hotels and motels
• Midrange chain hotels
• Properties targeting conference traffic and airline workers

If you expect to be in and out of the city center but don’t want to pay downtown hotel rates, College Park/East Point can be a good middle ground.

Hapeville: Small-Town Feel Near Porsche & the Airport

Hapeville sits just east of the airport and has a more compact, small‑town vibe.

Why choose Hapeville?

• Close to the Porsche Experience Center Atlanta
  One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354
• Short hop to ATL and major interstates
• A walkable downtown area with local restaurants and murals

You’ll find:

• Midrange hotels and boutique-style stays
• Properties catering to Porsche visitors, airline staff, and travelers wanting something slightly quieter than the main airport strip.

If your plans revolve around Porsche, the airport, or you prefer a neighborhood feel over a highway strip, Hapeville is a strong southside option.

I‑75 Corridor: Forest Park, Morrow, and Stockbridge

Driving through Atlanta on I‑75 or visiting family and friends on the south or southeast side? Hotels around Forest Park, Morrow, and Stockbridge might work better than staying right by the airport.

Why stay along I‑75 south of the city?

• Convenience for drivers heading toward:
  • Macon, Warner Robins, or Florida
  • Clayton County and Henry County neighborhoods
• Shopping access, especially near:
  • Southlake Mall – 2100 Southlake Mall, Morrow, GA 30260
• Typically a wide range of budget and midrange hotels

These areas are more suburban and spread out than airport hotels, with plenty of chain restaurants and big box stores nearby. They’re practical if your main activities are in Clayton or Henry County rather than downtown Atlanta itself.

I‑85 Corridor: Union City, Fairburn, and South Fulton

On the southwest side of the metro, areas like Union City, Fairburn, and South Fulton sit along I‑85.

Reasons to consider this area

• Events or sports tournaments at local complexes and schools
• Work near logistics centers, industrial parks, and business parks
• Visiting family in South Fulton, Palmetto, or Newnan while wanting to stay closer to Atlanta

Expect:

• Primarily budget and midrange hotels
• Locations near I‑85 interchanges for easy highway access
• A quieter, more residential‑suburban atmosphere than the busy airport core

Types of Hotels You’ll Find on Atlanta’s Southside

The southside is more about function and value than luxury, but there’s still a wide spread of options.

1. Airport & Business Hotels

Common features:

• Conference rooms and ballrooms
• Full‑service restaurants and bars
• Shuttle service to ATL
• Often higher nightly rates than basic motels, especially during conventions or peak travel seasons

These are ideal if you’re:

• Attending meetings near the airport
• Hosting a small conference or training
• Wanting more amenities on‑site (room service, fitness center, etc.)

2. Limited-Service & Budget Hotels

Common along:

• Virginia Ave (College Park/East Point)
• Camp Creek Parkway
• I‑75 exits in Forest Park, Morrow, and Stockbridge
• I‑85 exits in Union City and Fairburn

You’ll typically see:

• Basic rooms
• Continental breakfast or grab‑and‑go breakfast
• Limited or no on‑site dining
• Lower nightly rates

These can work well if you:

• Need one night before a flight or road trip
• Are keeping costs down
• Plan to spend most of your time away from the hotel

3. Extended‑Stay Hotels

Extended‑stay options are fairly common near:

• ATL airport
• Camp Creek Marketplace area
• Major interchanges on I‑75 and I‑85

They typically offer:

• In‑room kitchenettes or full kitchens
• Weekly rates that may be lower per night
• Extra storage and laundry access

They’re aimed at:

• Temporary work assignments
• Families relocating to Atlanta
• Longer medical or training stays

How to Choose the Right Southside Atlanta Hotel

When sorting through southside options, matching the location to your main activities is the most important step.

1. Focus on your primary destination

• Flying in or out of ATL?
  Look near airport terminals, Virginia Ave, or Camp Creek Pkwy.
• Downtown attractions (Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium)?
  Consider College Park, East Point, or Hapeville for balance between price and distance.
• Visiting family in Clayton or Henry County?
  Forest Park, Morrow, or Stockbridge along I‑75 are usually more convenient.
• Working or attending events in South Fulton?
  Look toward Union City, Fairburn, or Camp Creek.

2. Check transportation options

If you don’t plan to drive, transportation is crucial:

• MARTA Rail
  The Red and Gold lines serve:

  • Airport Station (inside ATL)
  • College Park Station
  • East Point Station

  Staying within a short walk, Uber, or hotel shuttle of these stations gives you train access to downtown and Midtown.

• Hotel shuttles
  ✅ Call ahead or check booking details to confirm:

  • Shuttle hours of operation
  • Pickup location at the airport (North or South terminal, Ground Transportation, etc.)
  • Whether it’s complimentary or fee‑based

• Rideshare & taxis
  Both are widely available on the southside, especially around ATL. Factor in:

  • Late‑night arrival or early‑morning departure fees
  • Traffic surges around major events

3. Consider safety and surroundings

As with any major metro area:

• Look at street view and maps to get a feel for the immediate surroundings
• Note whether the hotel is:
  • On a busy commercial strip
  • In a business park
  • Close to residential neighborhoods
• If you’ll arrive late, you may want:
  • Well‑lit parking areas
  • Interior‑corridor rooms
  • A 24‑hour front desk

4. Match amenities to your trip

Think about what you actually need:

• For early flights or quick layovers
  • ✅ Reliable wake‑up calls or alarm options
  • ✅ 24‑hour front desk
  • ✅ Shuttle compatible with your departure time
• For families
  • ✅ Larger rooms or suites
  • ✅ Pool or space for kids to unwind
  • ✅ Fridge/microwave for snacks
• For work trips
  • ✅ Good desk space and lighting
  • ✅ Strong Wi‑Fi
  • ✅ Business center or printing

Typical Price Ranges on Atlanta’s Southside

While exact rates shift with seasons and events, typical patterns include:

• Airport‑adjacent full‑service hotels
  Usually on the higher side of southside pricing, especially during:

  • Major conventions
  • Holiday travel seasons

• College Park, East Point, and Hapeville midrange hotels
  Often more affordable than downtown, with reasonable access to the city.

• Budget motels on I‑75 and I‑85
  Usually the lowest nightly rates, but with varying quality. It’s worth comparing room photos, recent reviews, and what’s included in the base rate (parking, Wi‑Fi, breakfast).

Southside Hotels vs. Staying in Downtown/Midtown

If your main focus is the city’s core attractions, you may be deciding between staying on the southside versus downtown or Midtown.

Reasons people choose the southside instead of downtown:

• Often lower hotel rates
• Easy access to ATL for flights
• Simpler interstate driving in and out of town
• More free or low‑cost parking

Reasons some lean toward downtown/Midtown:

• Walkable access to:
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca‑Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • State Farm Arena & Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  • Midtown dining and nightlife
• No need to drive or rideshare to most city attractions

For many travelers, a compromise is staying in College Park or East Point near a MARTA station. This can give you easy rail access downtown while keeping lodging costs closer to southside levels.

Practical Tips for Booking Southside Atlanta Hotels

Here are a few simple checks that help your stay go smoothly:

• 🔎 Confirm airport shuttle details
  Especially for red‑eye flights or very early departures. Ask:

  • First and last shuttle run of the day
  • Approximate frequency (every 15, 20, or 30 minutes)

• 🚗 Verify parking rules and costs
  Some airport‑area hotels charge for parking; others don’t. If you’re considering a park‑and‑fly setup, confirm:

  • Maximum parking days
  • Any additional fees beyond your room rate

• 📍 Check drive times, not just miles
  Being 8 miles from Downtown Atlanta can still be 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. Use the time of day you’ll actually be driving as your reference.

• 🕒 Watch for big event dates
  Citywide events, large conventions, and major concerts or games can quickly push up hotel prices across the metro area, including the southside.

When the Southside of Atlanta Makes the Most Sense

You’re usually best off choosing a southside Atlanta hotel if:

• You’re flying in or out of ATL and want to be as close as possible.
• You’re visiting south metro communities like College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Forest Park, Morrow, Union City, or Fairburn.
• You’re trying to balance cost with access to both the airport and downtown.
• You want straightforward interstate access for road trips or regional work travel.

By matching your primary destinations (airport, downtown, or suburbs) with the right southside area—airport, College Park/East Point, Hapeville, I‑75 corridor, or I‑85 corridor—you can choose a hotel that fits your schedule, budget, and transportation needs while you’re in Atlanta.