Marriott Atlanta Gateway: What to Know About This Airport-Area Hotel Hub

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and you see references to “Marriott Atlanta Gateway”, people are usually talking about the cluster of Marriott-brand hotels near the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) and the ATL SkyTrain in College Park, just southwest of downtown Atlanta.

This area is one of metro Atlanta’s main hotel zones, especially for airport travelers, convention attendees, and people doing business on the south side of the city.

Below is a practical guide to how the Marriott Atlanta Gateway area works, what’s nearby, and how to decide if staying here makes sense for your trip.

Where the Marriott “Gateway” Hotels Are Located

Most travelers use “Marriott Atlanta Gateway” to refer to the group of Marriott hotels at the GICC/ATL SkyTrain stop, including properties like:

• Full‑service Marriott or Renaissance–style hotels
• Select-service Marriott brands (e.g., Courtyard, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, etc., depending on what’s currently operating)

These hotels sit near:

• Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)
  2000 Convention Center Concourse
  College Park, GA 30337

• Gateway Center Arena (home to WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and other events)

• The ATL SkyTrain Gateway Center Station, which connects directly to the airport.

The Gateway area is in College Park, but functionally it operates as a satellite hotel district for Atlanta’s airport, often marketed as “Atlanta Airport Gateway.”

Why Travelers Choose the Atlanta Gateway Marriott Area

1. Direct Connection to the Airport

The defining feature of the Gateway hotels is the ATL SkyTrain, an automated people mover that:

• Runs between Hartsfield–Jackson’s Domestic Terminal, the Rental Car Center, and Gateway Center
• Typically operates 24/7 with short travel times

If you’re staying at one of the Marriott properties at Gateway Center, you can:

• Walk from your hotel to the SkyTrain station
• Ride a few minutes directly into the airport terminal
• Avoid separate shuttle buses, rideshares, or taxis for early flights

For anyone catching a morning departure from Atlanta or arriving late at night, this setup can be significantly more convenient than off-airport hotels that rely on shuttle vans.

2. Proximity to the Georgia International Convention Center

The GICC is one of metro Atlanta’s major convention facilities. Many conferences, trade shows, and sporting events use the Marriott “Gateway” hotels as their main lodging base because:

• You can walk from the hotel to the convention center through clearly marked pedestrian paths.
• Large events often arrange room blocks in these hotels.
• Meeting space at the Marriott‑brand properties sometimes connects easily with GICC programming.

If you’re attending a convention, tournament, or meeting at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena, it’s common to hear instructions like “stay at the Marriott at the Gateway” or “book in the Gateway Marriott block.”

3. Good Fit for Business and Layover Stays

People who typically benefit from staying in the Atlanta Gateway Marriott area include:

• Business travelers flying in for short trips, especially if meetings are on the south side (College Park, Union City, airport logistics corridor).
• Flight crews and airline staff, who often rely on airport-adjacent hotels.
• Families on layovers who want a straightforward way to rest without navigating downtown Atlanta.
• Conference attendees at GICC, Gateway Center Arena, or nearby corporate events.

If your main priority is convenient airport access and predictable amenities, the area is often a practical choice.

What to Expect from Marriott Gateway Properties

Each specific hotel will differ, but in this Gateway cluster, you can generally expect:

Lodging Style & Amenities

Most Marriott-branded hotels at the Gateway tend to offer:

• On-site restaurants and bars geared toward business and transit travelers
• Meeting rooms and event spaces integrated with or close to the GICC
• Fitness centers, often open early and late
• Indoor pools or smaller relaxation areas in some properties
• Business services like printing, boarding pass kiosks, and workspaces
• Wi‑Fi, which is typically standard but may have tiered options

Extended-stay brands (if present in the cluster) may add:

• In-room kitchenettes
• Larger work desks and seating areas
• Coin or card-operated laundry facilities

Parking and Transportation

Because you’re so close to the airport, transportation options are relatively straightforward:

• Parking: Many Gateway hotels offer self-parking for a daily fee, sometimes with short-term or long-term options for travelers flying out of ATL.
• Rideshare / Taxi: Pickup zones are usually well-marked; trips to the Domestic Terminal are quick.
• SkyTrain access: The key perk—walk from many Marriott Gateway hotels to the ATL SkyTrain station and ride straight into the airport or to the Rental Car Center.

If you plan to explore other parts of Atlanta, you may still want:

• A rental car from the airport’s Rental Car Center, or
• To connect from the airport to MARTA rail (for Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown).

Atlanta Gateway vs. Other Popular Hotel Areas

If you are choosing between staying in the Marriott Atlanta Gateway area or another part of metro Atlanta, it helps to compare common priorities:

If you’re primarily visiting Atlanta to see the city’s attractions, explore neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, or Buckhead.
If you’re focused on the airport, meetings, or a convention, the Marriott Atlanta Gateway area can be more practical.

Getting To and From the Marriott Gateway Hotels

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Most travelers will arrive via the Domestic Terminal:

1. Follow signs for the ATL SkyTrain (not the Plane Train).
2. Board the SkyTrain toward Gateway Center.
3. Exit at the Gateway Center Station.
4. Walk to your Marriott hotel following posted signs for each property.

If you arrive at the International Terminal (Concourse F):

• You may need to take airport buses or internal trains to the Domestic Terminal first, then connect to the SkyTrain.

If you prefer not to use the SkyTrain, taxis and rideshare services can take you directly to the Gateway hotels—travel time is normally short unless traffic is unusually heavy.

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta

If you’re already staying in the city and moving to a Marriott at the Gateway:

• By MARTA:

  • Take a north–south (Red or Gold) line train to Airport Station.
  • Walk to the SkyTrain from the airport, or use taxi/rideshare from the terminal.

• By car:

  • Drive toward the airport via I‑75 / I‑85 south.
  • Follow signs for the Georgia International Convention Center or Gateway Center area.
  • Factor in rush hour traffic, which can be heavy around downtown and the airport.

Nearby Services and Amenities You Might Need

If you’re staying at a Marriott Atlanta Gateway hotel, here are some useful services close by:

Rental Cars

The ATL Rental Car Center is on the same SkyTrain line as the Gateway hotels. From your hotel:

• Walk to the Gateway Center SkyTrain station
• Ride to the Rental Car Center
• Pick up or return your rental without extra ground transport

This is especially handy if you’re:

• Flying into Atlanta for a few days, staying at the Gateway, then driving elsewhere in Georgia
• Returning a car before a flight but staying one last night near the airport

Convention & Event Venues

• Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)
  2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337

• Gateway Center Arena at College Park
  2330 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337

If your itinerary includes an event in either building, the Marriott Gateway hotels are typically within walking distance, and event organizers often point attendees there.

Food and Quick Errands

Within walking distance or a short ride, you can usually find:

• Hotel restaurants and bars (often the most convenient food options)
• A limited number of fast-casual spots and coffee shops
• Nearby gas stations and small convenience stores for snacks and basic toiletries

For more varied dining, locals often drive or rideshare to:

• Downtown College Park – local restaurants and small businesses along Main Street
• East Point – some neighborhood eateries and breweries
• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta – for a much wider range of choices

When a Marriott Atlanta Gateway Stay Makes Sense (and When It Doesn’t)

A Gateway Marriott Is a Strong Fit If You:

• Have an early-morning or late-night flight at ATL
• Are attending an event at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena
• Want simple, low-friction access to the airport without waiting for hotel shuttles
• Are on a short business trip centered on the airport, College Park, or south metro logistics corridors
• Need a comfortable base during a long layover or unexpected flight disruption

You Might Prefer Another Atlanta Area If You:

• Are visiting primarily for tourism (Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, BeltLine, etc.)
• Want to experience Atlanta’s neighborhoods, nightlife, or arts scene
• Don’t need frequent access to the airport during your stay

In those cases, it may be more convenient to stay in Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Buckhead, then travel to the airport only when you fly.

Practical Tips for Booking a Marriott in the Atlanta Gateway Area

• Confirm the exact property name. The phrase “Marriott Atlanta Gateway” can refer to multiple hotels; check whether it’s a full-service Marriott, a Renaissance, Courtyard, or another specific brand.
• Verify SkyTrain access. If being on the SkyTrain line is important, double-check that your chosen hotel is within walking distance of the Gateway Center station.
• Ask about parking and fees. If you’re driving or leaving a car while you fly out of ATL, ask the hotel about daily parking rates and any airport parking packages.
• Look at event calendars. When large conventions, sports events, or concerts are happening at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena, rooms can be in higher demand and prices may increase.
• Plan for city visits. If you’ll be going into Midtown or Downtown repeatedly, factor in the time and cost of rideshares, MARTA, or rental cars.

Staying in the Marriott Atlanta Gateway area is mainly about strategic convenience: fast airport access, easy connections to the GICC, and predictable business-traveler amenities on Atlanta’s south side. If that aligns with your plans in Atlanta, the Gateway hotels can be a very practical home base.