Smoking Hotels in Atlanta, GA: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re searching for smoking hotels in Atlanta, GA, you’ve probably already discovered that they’re getting harder to find. Between city rules, hotel brand policies, and rising demand for smoke‑free spaces, only a limited number of Atlanta properties now allow smoking at all—and most that do restrict it to designated areas or a small number of rooms.

This guide walks through how smoking policies work in Atlanta hotels, what to expect in different parts of the city, and how to avoid surprise fees.

How Smoking Policies Work in Atlanta Hotels

Atlanta and Georgia smoking rules, in plain language

In Atlanta, hotel smoking policies are shaped by:

• Georgia state law on indoor smoking
• City and county rules
• Individual hotel brand policies

Most major hotel chains in Atlanta have adopted 100% smoke‑free policies for guest rooms, even if they provide outdoor smoking areas. In practice, that means:

• Many mid‑range and upscale hotels in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead are entirely non‑smoking.
• Some budget hotels, motels, and extended‑stay properties around the perimeter (I‑285), near Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or in certain suburban corridors still offer smoking rooms or smoking floors.
• Even hotels that allow smoking usually restrict it to specific rooms or outdoor zones, not lobbies or restaurants.

Hotels that allow in‑room smoking typically still prohibit:

• Smoking in hallways, elevators, fitness centers, and breakfast areas
• Smoking in non‑smoking rooms, even if it’s the same floor
• Tampering with smoke detectors or sprinklers

Types of Smoking‑Friendly Options You’ll Find in Atlanta

When you search for “smoking hotels in Atlanta GA,” you’re likely to see several types of results. It helps to understand what each actually offers.

1. Hotels with designated smoking rooms

Some properties still set aside a limited number of smoking rooms. These are usually:

• Marked clearly at booking (often noted as “smoking permitted” or similar)
• Located on a specific smoking floor or part of a floor
• Priced similarly to non‑smoking rooms, but sometimes with more wear or odor

These are most often found:

• Around Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport (College Park, Hapeville, and nearby)
• Along I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 corridors just outside central Atlanta
• In budget and economy hotel brands and independent motels

If a smoking room is important, call the front desk directly to confirm they currently offer them. Policies change more quickly than online descriptions.

2. Hotels with outdoor smoking areas only

Many hotels in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near major attractions do not offer smoking rooms at all but will provide:

• Outdoor patios
• Designated smoking zones away from main entrances
• Ashtrays or receptacles near parking lots or side doors

This setup is common if you want to stay near:

• Georgia World Congress Center / State Farm Arena
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park
• Midtown’s arts district (Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum)
• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead

You can smoke outdoors in these areas where permitted, but not in guest rooms or indoor spaces.

3. Extended‑stay and budget motels on the outskirts

If you prioritize in‑room smoking over location or amenities, your best chances are:

• Extended‑stay properties and motels along:
  • I‑20 East/West
  • I‑75 South and North
  • I‑85 South and North
  • I‑285 (the Perimeter)
• Areas with large clusters of budget hotels, such as:
  • Vicinity of Hartsfield‑Jackson Airport
  • South Atlanta / Forest Park / Morrow corridors
  • Sections of Doraville, Norcross, and Tucker on the northeast side

These properties are more likely to have smoking and non‑smoking room types, but amenities and building age can be more variable.

Quick Comparison: Common Hotel Smoking Setups in Atlanta

Use this as a general pattern, not a guarantee—always double‑check with the specific property.

How to Find Smoking Hotels in Atlanta Without Wasting Time

Because many listings are outdated or vague, it helps to follow a step‑by‑step approach:

1. Use filters—but don’t trust them completely

Most booking sites let you filter by “smoking” or “non‑smoking rooms.” Use these filters to narrow your list, then:

• Open each hotel’s own website and look for “smoking policy” or “hotel details.”
• If it’s unclear, call the front desk, not just the brand’s central reservation line.

Ask directly:

• “Do you currently offer any smoking guest rooms?”
• “If so, are they guaranteed when I book, or only by request?”
• “Are there any smoking fees or deposits?”

2. Focus searches by area

If you care mostly about location, here’s what to expect:

• Downtown / Midtown / Buckhead:

  • Assume hotels are 100% smoke‑free indoors.
  • Look for properties that highlight patios, balconies, or courtyards for outdoor smoking.

• Airport / College Park / Hapeville:

  • More mixed. Some hotels remain partially smoking, especially in the budget range.
  • Good area if you want easier access to smoking rooms but still stay close to the city by MARTA train or I‑85.

• Suburban corridors (Perimeter, I‑20, I‑75, I‑85):

  • Highest chance of finding smoking rooms, particularly at older or economy properties.
  • Expect to drive to reach central Atlanta attractions.

3. Verify room type on your confirmation

When you book, ensure the confirmation clearly states:

• “Smoking” or “non‑smoking” next to the room type, or
• A note about smoking preference or guarantee

If it doesn’t, call the hotel with your confirmation number and ask them to add a note to the reservation.

Avoiding Cleaning Fees and Misunderstandings

Nearly all Atlanta hotels—whether they allow smoking rooms or not—have strict penalties for smoking where it isn’t allowed.

Common fee policies

• Non‑smoking rooms:

  • Hotels often charge a flat “smoking fee” if they detect smoke or strong smoke odor.
  • This can be substantial, especially in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead hotels.

• Tampering with detectors or sprinklers:

  • Hotels typically treat this as a serious safety issue and may involve local authorities or fire services if alarms are triggered.

How to protect yourself as a guest

• When you check in, confirm the room type:
  • “This is definitely a smoking room, correct?”
• If you smell smoke in a non‑smoking room, ask to be moved or have it documented at the front desk.
• Use only:
  • Designated smoking rooms, or
  • Outdoor smoking areas with ashtrays or signs

Special Situations: Vaping, Cannabis, and Balconies

Vaping in Atlanta hotels

Many Atlanta hotels treat vaping the same as smoking, especially indoors. Even if the odor is lighter, staff may still:

• Post signs that say “No smoking or vaping”
• Apply the same cleaning fees if vapor sets off alarms or leaves a scent

If you vape, ask:

• “Is vaping allowed in smoking rooms or only outside?”

Cannabis and hotel policies in Atlanta

In Georgia, recreational cannabis is illegal, and Atlanta hotels generally prohibit any form of illegal drug use on property. That usually means:

• Cannabis use in rooms, balconies, or public areas can lead to:
  • Eviction from the hotel
  • Potential law enforcement involvement, depending on the situation

Hotels that allow smoking tobacco do not automatically allow cannabis.

Balconies and “cracking a window”

Even if a room has:

• A balcony, or
• A window that opens slightly

The hotel may still classify it as non‑smoking. Smoking on balconies attached to non‑smoking rooms can still result in fees or write‑ups.

Always confirm:

• “Are balconies in this property considered smoking or non‑smoking areas?”

Staying Near Popular Atlanta Spots if You Smoke

If you want to be close to key Atlanta locations, here’s how to balance convenience and smoking needs.

Downtown and major attractions

For proximity to:

• Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• Georgia World Congress Center

Plan on:

• Booking a non‑smoking hotel
• Using outdoor smoking areas at the hotel
• Stepping outside to smoke before or after events

If you absolutely need a smoking room, consider:

• Staying slightly outside Downtown (for example, near the airport or along I‑20 West or I‑75/85 South) and driving or using MARTA into the city.

Midtown and Buckhead

For arts, nightlife, and shopping near:

• Fox Theatre, Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park (Midtown)
• Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, Peachtree Road (Buckhead)

You’ll mostly find non‑smoking indoor policies. Common strategies:

• Choose a hotel with a rooftop bar, courtyard, or patio that has a smoking area.
• Confirm the hours those outdoor spaces are available.

Airport area (Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International)

If you’re connecting flights or have an early departure:

• This is one of the best areas to search for remaining smoking hotels.
• You’ll still have easy access to Atlanta via:
  • MARTA’s Airport Station
  • I‑85 and I‑285

Ask hotels in College Park and Hapeville directly about smoking rooms and airport shuttles.

Practical Tips for Smokers Booking Atlanta Hotels

Here are concrete steps to make your stay smoother:

1. Decide your priority:

   • Is it more important to have a smoking room, or to be walking distance to attractions?
   • If you value both, expect to compromise—likely with a non‑smoking room plus outdoor options.

2. Call, don’t guess:

   • Policies change quickly, especially as brands move to smoke‑free models.
   • A 2‑minute phone call to the front desk can save you from surprises.

3. Ask the right questions:

   • “Do you have any smoking guest rooms, and can you guarantee one with my reservation?”
   • “Where are your designated smoking areas, and are they open 24/7?”
   • “What are your fees if someone smokes in a non‑smoking room?”

4. Plan for outdoor breaks:

   • If you’re staying in a fully non‑smoking hotel, factor in using:
     • The hotel’s designated outdoor area
     • Nearby sidewalks or public spaces, keeping an eye on posted signs and local rules

5. Be mindful of others and local norms:

   • Atlanta has a growing number of smoke‑free public spaces.
   • Even where outdoor smoking is allowed, keeping some distance from building entrances, playgrounds, and busy patios is generally expected.

Who to Contact for Official Policy Questions in Atlanta

If you’re unsure about how broader smoking rules work in hotels and public places in the Atlanta area, you can reach out to:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services

  • Atlanta City Hall
  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main City Hall line: (404) 330‑6000
  • They can direct you to the appropriate city department for smoking‑related ordinances.

• Fulton County Board of Health (for much of the City of Atlanta)

  • 10 Park Place South SE
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 613‑1205
  • Can provide general information on local smoke‑free environments.

These offices don’t book hotels, but they can help clarify local regulations that influence hotel policies.

For anyone looking for smoking hotels in Atlanta, GA, the bottom line is: true smoking rooms still exist, mostly in airport‑area and suburban budget properties, while central city hotels are increasingly smoke‑free indoors with outdoor smoking zones only. Confirm policies directly with each hotel before you book to avoid unexpected charges and to make sure the setup fits how you travel.