Cheshire Motor Inn in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Book

If you’ve searched for “Cheshire Motor Inn Atlanta”, you’re likely looking for a simple, budget-friendly place to stay along one of Atlanta’s busiest corridors. Cheshire Motor Inn is an older, no-frills inn-style motel located in the Morningside/Lenox Park–Lindbergh area, not far from Buckhead and Midtown.

This guide walks through what locals and visitors should know about the area, typical expectations for an inn like this, nearby alternatives and amenities, and how its location fits into getting around Atlanta.

Where Cheshire Motor Inn Fits in Atlanta

Cheshire Motor Inn sits near the intersection of Cheshire Bridge Road NE and I-85, a stretch known for:

  • Older motor inns and motels
  • Late-night restaurants and bars
  • Mixed residential and commercial buildings
  • Easy highway access into and out of the city

While it’s not in the heart of downtown, it’s close to several major neighborhoods:

  • Buckhead: About a 10–15 minute drive in typical traffic
  • Midtown: Roughly 10 minutes by car, depending on congestion
  • Virginia-Highland & Morningside: Nearby intown residential areas with local restaurants and shops

For many travelers, the appeal is location + price: it’s often one of the more affordable inns near central Atlanta, especially if you need quick access to I-85 or GA-400.

What to Expect from an Inn-Style Motel in This Area

Cheshire Motor Inn is generally closer to a traditional roadside inn or motor lodge than a large, full-service hotel. If you’re considering staying here or at similar properties along Cheshire Bridge Road, it helps to set realistic expectations.

Typical Features

While exact details can change over time, inns of this type in Atlanta usually offer:

  • Drive-up, exterior-entry rooms (you park near your door)
  • Basic furnishings: bed, small table, TV, dresser
  • Simple bathrooms with shower or tub/shower combo
  • Heating and air conditioning (important for Atlanta’s hot summers and humid nights)

You generally should not expect:

  • Full-service on-site restaurant or bar
  • Extensive lobby or business center
  • Large fitness facilities, spa, or conference space

These inns focus on short-term, low-frills stays rather than a resort-style experience.

Pros and Cons of Staying at a Budget Inn on Cheshire Bridge Road

For someone living in Atlanta or visiting the city, it helps to weigh the trade-offs.

Potential Advantages

  • Lower nightly cost compared with many hotels in Buckhead, Midtown, or Downtown
  • Quick access to major highways (I-85, GA-400) for driving to work sites, events, or the airport
  • Short ride-share distance to nightlife and dining hubs like Buckhead, Midtown, and Virginia-Highland
  • Options for same-day or short-notice bookings

Potential Downsides

  • Older buildings and rooms: Many properties in this corridor are dated, with varying levels of upkeep
  • Street and highway noise: Proximity to I-85 and a busy road often means more ambient noise
  • Limited amenities: Usually no pool, gym, or extensive common areas
  • Mixed surrounding environment: Cheshire Bridge Road has a long history as a nightlife strip; some blocks feel more industrial and may not suit everyone’s preferences, especially late at night

If you’re sensitive to noise, prefer modern décor, or want a “destination” hotel experience, you may want to consider newer hotels in Buckhead, Midtown, or near Lenox Square instead.

Location, Transportation, and Getting Around

One of the main reasons people consider Cheshire Motor Inn and nearby properties is convenience for driving.

Getting There by Car

The area is especially convenient if you’ll be:

  • Coming in via I-85 (from the airport or from the northeast suburbs)
  • Connecting to GA-400 for travel to Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, or Roswell
  • Driving between Buckhead, Midtown, and Emory areas

Parking at inns along Cheshire Bridge Road is typically surface parking right outside the rooms, which can be appealing if you have a lot of luggage or equipment.

Using MARTA and Other Transit

Cheshire Motor Inn is not directly on top of a MARTA station, but nearby options include:

  • Lindbergh Center Station (MARTA Rail – Red/Gold Lines)
    • A short drive or ride-share away
    • From there, you can reach Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, and North Springs without changing trains (depending on line).

Local buses run along corridors near Cheshire Bridge Road, but service and routes can change. If you plan to rely on MARTA buses:

  • Check the MARTA Bus Maps and Schedules in advance.
  • Build in extra time; bus frequencies can vary by time of day and weekend vs. weekday.

For most visitors, ride-share or taxi plus occasional MARTA rail is the most practical combination when staying near Cheshire Bridge Road.

Nearby Neighborhoods and What’s Around

Even though Cheshire Motor Inn itself is no-frills, its location places you near several of Atlanta’s more interesting and useful neighborhoods.

Buckhead

Drive or ride-share north and you’ll reach Buckhead, known for:

  • Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza shopping
  • A dense cluster of mid- to high-end hotels
  • Business offices, restaurants, and nightlife

If you’re attending meetings, conferences, or events in Buckhead but want a lower-cost place to sleep, an inn near Cheshire Bridge can be a budget trade-off.

Midtown

Head west and slightly south to reach Midtown Atlanta, where you’ll find:

  • Piedmont Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Cultural attractions like High Museum of Art and Fox Theatre
  • A mix of corporate offices, tech hubs, and residential towers

Staying on Cheshire Bridge Road can make Midtown accessible within a 10–15 minute drive, traffic permitting.

Virginia-Highland & Morningside

Just southwest of Cheshire Bridge Road, Virginia-Highland (VaHi) and Morningside offer:

  • Tree-lined residential streets
  • Independent restaurants and bars
  • Café strips that feel more “local Atlanta” than touristy

If you’re visiting friends or family in these neighborhoods, a Cheshire Bridge inn can be nearby without the higher prices sometimes found closer to Midtown.

Safety and Practical Considerations

Like many older commercial corridors in major cities, Cheshire Bridge Road has pockets that feel very busy and others that feel quieter or more industrial. Experiences can vary block by block and by time of day.

When staying at a budget inn in this area, many Atlanta residents and frequent travelers keep a few common-sense habits in mind:

  • Park in well-lit areas near your room or main office
  • Lock car doors and avoid leaving valuables visible
  • Use ride-share if you’ll be out late in other parts of the city
  • Keep your room door locked and use the security latch when inside

These tips apply widely across Atlanta and other big cities, especially in older motel corridors near highways.

When a Cheshire Bridge Inn Might Make Sense

Choosing an inn like Cheshire Motor Inn is often about priorities. It may be a practical fit if you:

  • Need a short stay near Buckhead, Emory, Midtown, or I-85
  • Are focusing on saving money on lodging and plan to spend most of your time elsewhere in the city
  • Have a car or truck and prefer drive-up parking and quick in-and-out access
  • Are comfortable with basic, older accommodations in exchange for a lower rate

By contrast, you might prefer a different part of Atlanta if you:

  • Want a walkable, upscale area with lots of new hotels (look at Midtown, Buckhead Village, or Downtown)
  • Are highly sensitive to noise or older buildings
  • Want extensive on-site amenities like a gym, pool, restaurant, or bar

Quick Reference: Cheshire Motor Inn–Type Stay in Atlanta

FactorWhat You’ll Typically Find in This Area
Type of PropertyBudget inn / motor lodge with exterior room entrances
LocationOff Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, with easy access to I-85
Nearby AreasClose to Buckhead, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, Morningside
Price LevelGenerally lower than many Buckhead or Midtown hotels
Best ForShort stays, drivers, budget-focused travelers
Transit AccessShort ride to Lindbergh Center MARTA; mainly car/ride-share
AmenitiesBasic room setup; limited frills
EnvironmentBusy mixed-use corridor, older buildings, active nightlife

Tips for Atlanta Visitors Considering Cheshire Motor Inn

If you’re planning a visit and looking at Cheshire Motor Inn or similar inns nearby, a few final, Atlanta-specific tips:

  • Plan for traffic: I-85 and major surface streets nearby can be congested in the morning and evening rush. Give yourself extra time to reach Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport.
  • Check event calendars: Major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Georgia World Congress Center can affect traffic and ride-share costs, even from this area.
  • Know your destinations: If most of your plans center around Downtown, you might value a location closer to a MARTA rail station; if you’re splitting time between Gwinnett/north suburbs and intown Atlanta, the I-85 access here can be an advantage.
  • Prioritize what matters most: In Atlanta, lodging decisions often balance price, neighborhood feel, driving convenience, and transit access. An inn on Cheshire Bridge Road tends to prioritize price and highway convenience above everything else.

By understanding how Cheshire Motor Inn fits into Atlanta’s geography, transportation networks, and lodging landscape, you can decide whether this type of inn-style stay aligns with your plans and comfort level in the city.