Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re looking for a comfortable, budget-conscious place to stay near Atlanta—especially on the northeast side—Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place is one of the recognizable hotel options in the Duluth / Gwinnett Place area, just outside the Atlanta city limits. This area is popular with visitors who want easy access to I-85, major Gwinnett County attractions, and a more suburban feel than staying downtown.

This guide walks through what to expect from the Fairfield Inn near Gwinnett Place, how it fits into the broader Atlanta area, and how to decide whether it’s a good match for your trip.

Where Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place Fits in the Metro Area

Although it carries “Atlanta” in the name, Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place is located in or near Duluth, GA, in the Gwinnett Place / Pleasant Hill Road corridor:

• General area: Just off Interstate 85 (I‑85) at or near Pleasant Hill Road
• County: Gwinnett County
• Distance to central Atlanta: Typically about 20–30 minutes by car to Midtown or Downtown Atlanta, depending on traffic
• Nearby hubs: Gwinnett Place Mall area, Gwinnett Tech corridor, and the broader Duluth / Norcross business districts

For many travelers, this Fairfield Inn works well if you:

• Have business or family in Gwinnett County
• Want easier parking and less congestion than downtown Atlanta
• Plan to visit suburban attractions like Gas South District (arena and convention center) or Sugarloaf Mills

What Type of Inn It Is: Typical Fairfield Experience

Fairfield Inn is usually categorized as a limited-service hotel/inn—comfortable, but without the full restaurant, bar, or resort-style amenities you might find at upscale Atlanta hotels.

You can generally expect:

• Standard rooms with one king or two double/queen beds
• Complimentary breakfast (often continental or hot breakfast buffet style)
• Free Wi‑Fi in rooms and public areas
• On-site parking, often free or included
• Front desk and basic business services (printing, faxing, simple work area)
• Fitness room and sometimes a small pool

It is designed for:

• Business travelers with meetings in Gwinnett or northeast metro Atlanta
• Families visiting relatives, sports tournaments, or local events
• Budget-minded travelers who prefer chain consistency over luxury

Pros and Cons for Atlanta Travelers

To decide if Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place makes sense for you, it helps to look at how it works in the context of Atlanta traffic, attractions, and neighborhoods.

Potential Advantages

1. Good for Northeast Metro Access

If your plans center around:

• Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, or Lawrenceville
• Gas South District (arena, theater, convention center)
• Corporate offices along I‑85 north of the Perimeter (I‑285)

…then staying near Gwinnett Place can cut your commute time dramatically compared to staying Downtown or in Buckhead.

2. Typically Easier Parking Than In-Town Atlanta

Many Atlanta visitors are surprised by:

• High parking fees at Downtown/Midtown hotels
• Limited self-parking in dense urban neighborhoods

In contrast, inns like Fairfield Inn in the Gwinnett Place area usually offer surface parking lots that are easy to access and may be free or lower cost.

3. Suburban Convenience

You’re surrounded by:

• Chain restaurants and local eateries along Pleasant Hill Road
• Big-box stores, pharmacies, and grocery options
• Quick access to I‑85 for day trips to Stone Mountain, Athens, or other parts of metro Atlanta

For families or groups who prefer a suburban, less hectic base, this location can feel more relaxed than central Atlanta.

Potential Drawbacks

1. Not Ideal for Car-Free Travel

If you plan to rely on MARTA (Atlanta’s main transit system) or rideshare for most of your trip:

• Gwinnett County does not have heavy-rail MARTA stations
• Travel to Downtown, Midtown, or the airport may require rideshare, shuttle arrangements, or driving yourself

Visitors focused on sightseeing in the city core (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz Stadium) may find it more practical to stay Downtown, Midtown, or near a MARTA rail station.

2. Commute-Time Traffic

Atlanta’s I‑85 northeast corridor is known for heavy rush-hour traffic. From Gwinnett Place:

• Morning traffic heading south toward Atlanta can be slow
• Evening traffic heading back north from the city can also back up

If you have fixed-time meetings or events in Downtown or Midtown, allow extra travel time during peak hours.

Getting From Fairfield Inn Gwinnett Place to Popular Atlanta Spots

Here’s a general overview of what travel from the Gwinnett Place area to common Atlanta destinations might look like by car under typical conditions (traffic can vary widely):

*Times are approximate and can stretch significantly during heavy traffic or incidents.

Nearby Food, Shopping, and Things to Do

One of the benefits of staying in the Gwinnett Place area is the density of restaurants and shopping nearby, plus easy day trips into Atlanta.

Food and Dining

Pleasant Hill Road and the Gwinnett Place area offer:

• Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines (this part of Gwinnett has a large and well-established Asian food scene)
• National casual dining chains and fast-casual options
• Coffee shops, bakeries, and dessert spots within a short drive

If you’re staying at Fairfield Inn and don’t want a long drive at night, you’ll usually find plenty of places to eat within 5–10 minutes.

Shopping and Errands

Near Gwinnett Place, you’ll typically find:

• Former Gwinnett Place Mall area (many surrounding plazas and strip centers remain active)
• Big-box stores for last-minute needs (toiletries, charging cables, snacks)
• Specialty shops and supermarkets that cater to a wide range of cultures and cuisines

This can be especially helpful if you’re in town for sports tournaments, conferences, or longer family visits and need everyday items.

Things to Do Nearby and In Atlanta

From Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place, you can plan:

• Local activities in Gwinnett County, such as:
  • Events at Gas South District in Duluth
  • Parks and greenways in Duluth, Suwanee, and Peachtree Corners
• Day trips into Atlanta to see:
  • Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola in Downtown
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Piedmont Park and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, or Virginia-Highland for dining and nightlife

Many visitors use Gwinnett as a quieter home base while going into the city for specific attractions.

Who This Inn Is Best For

Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place is typically a good fit if you:

• Have a car and are comfortable driving around metro Atlanta
• Are visiting friends or family in Gwinnett County or northeast suburbs
• Are attending events at Gas South District or local sports complexes
• Prefer a chain inn experience that’s familiar and straightforward
• Want to balance price and access without being right in the middle of downtown congestion

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want to explore Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods entirely by transit
• Need quick access by foot or MARTA to venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or the Georgia World Congress Center
• Prefer walkable, urban surroundings with nightlife directly outside your hotel

Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors Using This Location

To make the most of a stay at or near Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place:

• Plan your driving times.
  • Aim to travel into Atlanta after morning rush (after about 9:30 a.m.) and leave the city before 4 p.m. when possible.
• Use navigation apps with traffic.
  • Routes can change quickly in Atlanta; apps often suggest alternatives via Buford Highway, Peachtree Industrial, or local roads.
• Consider park-and-ride options.
  • Some visitors drive to a MARTA rail station, such as those near Doraville or Chamblee, park there, and ride the train into Downtown/Midtown to avoid city-center parking and traffic.
• Check event calendars.
  • If there’s a major event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Gas South District, build extra travel time into your plans.

How This Fits Into Choosing Lodging in the Atlanta Area

When comparing Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place with other options in metro Atlanta, think in terms of where you’ll actually spend most of your time:

• If 90% of your activities are in Gwinnett, this inn’s location is convenient and practical.
• If most of your trip is downtown-focused (aquarium, stadium, convention center, in-town nightlife), you may want lodging closer to the city core and weigh the extra cost against time saved in traffic.
• If you’re splitting time between city and suburbs, Fairfield Inn in Gwinnett Place can be a reasonable compromise, especially if free parking and easy highway access are priorities.

By aligning your lodging choice with your actual Atlanta and Gwinnett plans, Fairfield Inn Atlanta Gwinnett Place can serve as a straightforward, functional base for exploring the northeast side of the metro area while still giving you access to everything Atlanta offers.