La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter: What to Know Before You Book

If you are looking for an affordable, convenient place to stay near Atlanta’s Perimeter Center business and shopping district, La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter is one of the better-known options in the area. This guide walks through what you can realistically expect, how it fits into the Perimeter neighborhood, and how to decide whether it works for your trip to Atlanta.

Where La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter Fits in the City

The Perimeter Center area sits in north Atlanta, straddling parts of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, near the I-285 and GA-400 interchange. It is one of the city’s major office and retail hubs, anchored by:

• Perimeter Mall
• Numerous corporate offices and medical centers
• Easy highway access into Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown

La Quinta Inn & Suites properties in the Atlanta Perimeter area are typically positioned to serve:

• Business travelers working in nearby office towers
• Visitors with appointments at Northside Hospital, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite
• Out-of-town families looking for a base near relatives in north Atlanta
• Road-trip travelers who want quick access to I-285 and GA-400

While exact locations and branding sometimes change over time, La Quinta’s Perimeter-area inns are usually clustered near:

• The Perimeter Mall corridor (around Ashford Dunwoody Road)
• The Medical Center area (around Peachtree Dunwoody Road)
• The I‑285 exits between GA‑400 and Roswell Road

If you are booking, it helps to confirm the exact address so you know which cluster you are in and how you will get around.

What Type of Hotel Experience to Expect

Most La Quinta Inn & Suites properties around the Atlanta Perimeter follow a similar, mid-range pattern:

Typical Room Features

You can generally expect:

• Standard rooms with one king bed or two doubles/queens
• Private bathroom with tub/shower combo
• Workspace with a desk and chair
• TV with cable or satellite programming
• Mini-fridge and microwave in many rooms (worth confirming if you need them)
• In-room Wi‑Fi, usually included in the rate
• Air conditioning and heating you can control

Suites, when available, may offer:

• A separate seating area with a sofa bed
• A bit more square footage if you are staying several days or with kids

Common Amenities

Most La Quinta Inn & Suites in the Perimeter area aim to cover the core needs of business and leisure travelers, such as:

• Complimentary breakfast (typically a continental or basic hot breakfast)
• Free parking (a major benefit in Atlanta, where garage fees can add up)
• Fitness room with basic cardio machines
• Outdoor pool (seasonal; usually open in warmer months)
• Guest laundry facilities (coin or card-operated)
• 24-hour front desk

These are not luxury properties, but they are structured to be practical and budget-conscious for travelers who prioritize location and essentials.

Location Advantages: Why the Perimeter Area Matters

Choosing La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter is largely about the neighborhood. Perimeter Center is one of the most convenient hubs in metro Atlanta for getting around without being in the middle of downtown.

Proximity to Key Atlanta Destinations

From a Perimeter-area La Quinta, you are typically within:

• 5 minutes of Perimeter Mall and its surrounding restaurants and shops
• 5–10 minutes of:
  • Northside Hospital Atlanta
  • Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite
• 15–25 minutes (depending on traffic) of:
  • Buckhead (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza)
  • Midtown Atlanta (Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre)
  • Downtown Atlanta (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena)
• 30–40 minutes to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, outside of rush hour

Travel times can change significantly in Atlanta’s traffic, especially along I‑285 and GA‑400. If you need to be downtown for an early event or court appearance, plan extra time during weekday mornings.

Access to MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

One of the major advantages of staying in the Perimeter area is MARTA rail access, which can help you avoid stressful downtown driving and parking.

Near most La Quinta Inn & Suites in the Perimeter Area, you will find:

• Dunwoody Station (Red Line) – near Perimeter Mall
• Sandy Springs Station (Red Line) – west of GA‑400 off Perimeter Center West
• Medical Center Station (Red Line) – serving the hospital complex

From these stations, you can ride directly to:

• Buckhead Station – for upscale shopping and restaurants
• Arts Center, Midtown, and North Avenue Stations – for Midtown attractions
• Peachtree Center, Five Points, and GWCC/CNN Center Stations – for Downtown, conference centers, and sporting events
• Airport Station – directly inside the airport terminal

If you prefer not to rent a car, booking at La Quinta in the Perimeter area and using MARTA for trips into the city can be a practical strategy.

Who La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter Works Best For

Business Travelers

If you are working in or around Perimeter Center, Central Perimeter offices, or the nearby hospitals, this type of hotel often makes sense:

• Short drive or rideshare to most office towers
• Easy access to MARTA Red Line if your company is near a station
• Basic business-friendly features like Wi‑Fi and desks

You may want to check:

• Desk space and outlets in the room if you plan to work there often
• Wi‑Fi reliability by reading recent reviews
• Proximity to your specific office or hospital campus so you can estimate commute time

Medical Visits and Family Support Stays

Many families use Perimeter-area hotels as a base for:

• Appointments at Northside, Emory Saint Joseph’s, or Scottish Rite
• Supporting loved ones undergoing treatment or surgery

In these cases, La Quinta’s Perimeter locations can offer:

• Short drives to hospital campuses
• Reasonably priced extended stays compared to some on-campus hotels
• Kitchen-adjacent amenities (like a fridge and microwave) that help if you are staying several nights

If you are dealing with medical appointments, consider:

• Asking about extended-stay or medical visit rates
• Confirming elevator access, room location, and quiet floors if rest is a priority

Vacationers and Staycationers

For visitors or metro Atlanta residents planning a staycation, La Quinta in the Perimeter area can be a solid choice if you:

• Want easy shopping and dining at Perimeter Mall
• Prefer to be outside the most congested downtown streets
• Plan to use MARTA or drive into the city for major attractions

Perimeter Center is not a nightlife hotspot in the way Midtown or Eastside neighborhoods are, but it is very convenient and family-friendly.

Navigating the Area: Driving vs. Transit

Driving and Parking

Perimeter Center is designed around car access, especially near I‑285 and GA‑400.

• Most La Quinta Inn & Suites properties in this area offer free on-site parking
• Nearby shopping centers and restaurants typically have surface or deck parking at no charge
• Traffic can be heavy on:
  • I‑285 between Roswell Road and Peachtree Dunwoody Road
  • GA‑400 near the I‑285 interchange
  • Ashford Dunwoody Road near Perimeter Mall at peak times

If you have early or late appointments or flights, planning your route around rush hour can make a significant difference.

Using MARTA

If you prefer not to fight traffic downtown or pay for event parking:

1. Walk, rideshare, or drive to a nearby Red Line station (Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Medical Center).
2. Park and ride – many stations offer daily parking (check posted signs).
3. Take MARTA directly to:
   • Downtown attractions (GWCC/CNN Center, Peachtree Center)
   • Midtown (Piedmont Park, arts district)
   • Airport (Airport Station)

This can be especially useful for:

• Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium events
• State Farm Arena concerts and games

Nearby Amenities: Food, Shopping, and Services

One of the strengths of staying in the Perimeter area is how many practical conveniences are close by.

Food and Restaurants

Around most La Quinta locations in the Perimeter corridor, you will typically find:

• Chain restaurants (casual American, Mexican, Italian, and fast food)
• Sit-down options ranging from family-friendly to slightly upscale near Perimeter Mall
• Coffee shops and quick-grab breakfast or lunch spots

If you do not have a car, look for La Quinta properties within:

• A short walk or quick rideshare to Perimeter Mall or nearby plazas
• Areas along Ashford Dunwoody Road or Perimeter Center Parkway, which are lined with dining options

Groceries and Essentials

For longer stays, you may want easy access to:

• Grocery stores (commonly found along Ashford Dunwoody, Hammond Drive, and Roswell Road)
• Pharmacies (often located at major intersections)
• Convenience stores and gas stations near the highway ramps

This can be particularly helpful if:

• You are staying with children
• You are supporting a family member at a nearby hospital
• You prefer to bring back simple meals or snacks to your room

Comparing Perimeter to Other Atlanta Areas (When Choosing a Hotel)

If you are trying to decide whether La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter is the right choice, it can help to understand how Perimeter compares to other common Atlanta lodging zones:

Perimeter is often a good compromise if you want to save on lodging, still have access to MARTA, and do not mind a short commute into the core of the city.

Practical Booking Tips for La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter

When you are getting ready to book:

• Confirm the exact address. There may be more than one La Quinta-branded property in the broader Perimeter/north Atlanta area over time.
• Check distance to the nearest MARTA station. If you plan to rely on transit, being close to Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or Medical Center Station is a plus.
• Look at recent guest feedback for:
  • Cleanliness
  • Noise levels
  • Wi‑Fi performance
  • Staff responsiveness
• Ask about fees:
  • Parking (many Perimeter hotels include it, but it is worth verifying)
  • Pet policies, if you are traveling with animals
• Consider your primary destination.
  • For hospitals: prioritize quick access to Peachtree Dunwoody Road or Johnson Ferry Road.
  • For Perimeter Mall and shopping: prioritize locations close to Ashford Dunwoody Road.
  • For driving downtown: look for easy access to GA‑400 or I‑285.

When La Quinta Inn Atlanta Perimeter Might Not Be Ideal

You may want to look at other neighborhoods if:

• You want to walk to major attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, the BeltLine, or State Farm Arena.
• You plan to focus on nightlife and dining in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park and prefer not to deal with rideshares or MARTA late at night.
• You do not want to rely on cars or transit at all and prefer a more walkable, dense urban experience.

In those cases, a hotel in Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead may align better with your plans, even if nightly rates or parking are higher.

Staying at La Quinta Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter generally gives you a practical, no-frills base in one of the city’s most convenient business and shopping districts. It works especially well if you value budget-conscious comfort, easy highway access, and reasonable proximity to MARTA, hospitals, and corporate offices in north Atlanta.