DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta – North Druid Hills: What to Know Before You Book
If you search for “Doubletree Atlanta GA North Druid Hills”, you’re likely looking for the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta North Druid Hills–Emory Area, a hotel just off I-85 on the north side of Atlanta. This area sits between Buckhead and Decatur and is popular with visitors who want quick access to Emory University, Emory Hospital, downtown Atlanta, and central neighborhoods without being right in the middle of the busiest downtown streets.
Below is a clear, local-focused guide to what this hotel and the surrounding North Druid Hills area offer, how it fits into Atlanta’s layout, and tips that matter specifically if you’re coming to or living in Atlanta.
Where the DoubleTree North Druid Hills Fits in Atlanta
The North Druid Hills DoubleTree sits in a corridor that locals think of as a “gateway zone” between:
- Intown Atlanta (Virginia-Highland, Morningside, Midtown)
- Buckhead (northwest of the hotel)
- Decatur and Emory/CDC (east and southeast of the hotel)
You’re near:
- Emory University & Emory University Hospital
- The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) campus
- Major arteries like I-85, Briarcliff Road, and Lavista Road
For visitors, this means you can get to Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and Decatur without long, complicated routes. For locals, it’s a practical spot for business meetings, healthcare-related stays, or putting out-of-town guests somewhere convenient but not far from the city’s core.
Typical Features and Amenities You Can Expect
Most travelers choose the DoubleTree North Druid Hills–Emory Area because it balances accessibility and comfort. While exact offerings can change, hotels in this category and location commonly provide:
Core Room Features
You will typically find:
- Standard guest rooms with one king or two double/queen beds
- Work desks and task chairs for business travelers
- Wi‑Fi (often included or available through a loyalty program)
- In-room coffee maker, TV, and climate control
- Private bathroom with basic toiletries and hair dryer
If you’re coming to Atlanta for work at Emory, CDC, or nearby offices, the room setup usually supports laptop work and video calls.
On-Site Facilities
Hotels in this area and tier generally include:
- Fitness center – helpful if you don’t have easy access to a local gym
- Seasonal outdoor pool or small pool area (varies seasonally in Atlanta)
- On-site restaurant and/or bar serving breakfast and evening meals
- Business center or business services (printing, basic office needs)
- Meeting rooms or flexible event space
Because this part of Atlanta sees a lot of medical, academic, and corporate travel, common spaces are designed to support both short stays and multi-night visits.
Location Benefits: Getting Around from North Druid Hills
Atlanta is car-heavy, but this hotel’s location gives you multiple options to move around.
By Car
The hotel is typically just off I‑85, giving you direct routes to:
- Downtown Atlanta – via I‑85 south
- Midtown – via I‑85 or local streets like North Druid Hills to Briarcliff
- Buckhead – head north on I‑85 and then west on GA‑400 side streets or use Lenox/Peachtree corridors
- Decatur – take North Druid Hills Road east, then Clairmont or Lawrenceville Highway
Parking arrangements and fees can vary, so checking in advance is smart. In this part of town, traffic can be heavy during rush hours, especially:
- Weekdays, roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m. and 4:00–7:00 p.m.
- Around I‑85 interchanges and along North Druid Hills Road itself
If you have appointments at Emory or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, give yourself extra time in the morning.
By MARTA (Atlanta’s Transit System)
North Druid Hills is not directly on a MARTA rail line, but you can connect using:
- Rail stations nearby:
- Lindbergh Center Station (Red/Gold Line) to the west
- Doraville or Brookhaven/Oglethorpe stations further north on the Red/Gold line
- Bus routes: Local MARTA buses typically serve North Druid Hills Road and connect to rail stations
For visitors who plan to use MARTA:
- Ride rail from the Airport Station north toward Midtown/Buckhead.
- Transfer to a bus at Lindbergh Center Station that runs along or near North Druid Hills Road.
This is workable for light travelers, but if you’re carrying a lot of luggage or have medical appointments, a rideshare or taxi from the station may be more comfortable.
Nearby Atlanta Neighborhoods and What They Offer
One reason people choose this DoubleTree is its position between several major Atlanta hubs. Here’s how it fits into the city map from a consumer’s perspective.
Emory & CDC Area
Distance: Typically a short drive southeast from North Druid Hills.
This area includes:
- Emory University
- Emory University Hospital
- Emory Clinic
- CDC headquarters
The DoubleTree often serves:
- Patients and families with medical appointments or extended care
- Visiting researchers, medical staff, and conference attendees
- Prospective students and families touring Emory
If you’re here for medical reasons, ask about:
- Early check-in/late checkout options
- Ground-floor or easily accessible rooms
- Quiet room placements away from elevators
Hotels in this corridor are used to healthcare-related stays and can usually offer practical guidance about travel times and nearby pharmacies.
Buckhead
Distance: Generally 10–20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Buckhead is one of Atlanta’s key business and shopping districts, with:
- Office towers and corporate spaces
- High-end retail centers and restaurants
- Professional services and financial institutions
Staying at North Druid Hills can be a good compromise if you:
- Have business in Buckhead, but prefer a less congested immediate area
- Need to go between Buckhead and Emory frequently
Decatur
Distance: Typically a 15–20 minute drive east from the hotel.
Decatur offers:
- A walkable downtown square with restaurants and local shops
- Access to Dekalb County government services
- A more small-town feel while still being part of metro Atlanta
If someone you’re visiting or doing business with lives in Decatur, North Druid Hills, or Toco Hills, this hotel places you in an in-between location that’s easy to reach from all sides.
What Atlanta Travelers Commonly Use This Hotel For
Locals and visitors tend to use the DoubleTree North Druid Hills for:
Medical stays
- Appointments or procedures at Emory or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Short-term stays for out-of-town family members visiting hospitalized relatives
Academic visits
- Campus tours or orientation at Emory
- Conferences, seminars, or academic collaborations at nearby institutions
Business trips
- Meetings in North Druid Hills, Toco Hills, or the I‑85 corridor
- Work that spans Buckhead, Midtown, and Emory without switching hotels
Family visits
- When relatives live in northeast Atlanta neighborhoods like North Druid Hills, Briarcliff, Lavista, Toco Hills, or Decatur, and don’t have spare rooms
Local Food, Essentials, and Errands Near North Druid Hills
When you’re in Atlanta, especially for multiple nights, nearby essentials matter as much as hotel amenities.
Dining and Groceries
Around the North Druid Hills/Briarcliff corridor, you can typically find:
- Casual restaurants – sandwich shops, pizza, Mediterranean, Asian, and Southern-style spots
- Fast-casual chains – for quick meals between appointments or meetings
- Grocery options – depending on exact direction, you may be within a short drive of supermarkets and specialty food markets
If you have dietary restrictions (gluten-free, vegetarian, kosher), the nearby Toco Hills and Emory/Decatur corridors often have options that cater to specific dietary needs.
Pharmacies and Everyday Needs
For medical or extended stays, the presence of nearby pharmacies is important. Along the North Druid Hills, Briarcliff, and Lavista corridors, you can typically find:
- Major chain pharmacies
- Big-box retailers for over-the-counter items
- Small local shops for last-minute essentials
Having these within a short drive can be especially useful if you’re managing prescriptions or traveling with children.
Quick Reference: Is the DoubleTree North Druid Hills a Good Fit for You?
Below is a simple overview of how this hotel’s location tends to match different needs in Atlanta:
| If your main goal is… | North Druid Hills DoubleTree is… |
|---|---|
| Visiting Emory, Emory Hospital, or CDC | Very convenient – short drive, commonly used for this |
| Doing business in Buckhead & Midtown | Practical – central to both via I‑85 |
| Exploring downtown tourist attractions | Reasonable – quick I‑85 access, but not walkable |
| Staying close to family in Decatur/Toco Hills | Well‑placed – in-between location |
| Relying mostly on MARTA rail | Less direct – expect bus or rideshare connections |
| Wanting a walkable, nightlife-heavy area | Not ideal – more of a drive-to-everything area |
Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors Staying Here
To make your stay smoother in Atlanta’s North Druid Hills area:
Plan around traffic.
Build in extra time for morning and late-afternoon trips, especially if driving to Emory, Downtown, or Buckhead.Ask about Emory/medical rates or packages.
If you’re visiting Emory or another nearby medical facility, it’s worth asking the hotel about any special rates or shuttle options that may exist in this corridor.Consider your transportation mix.
- If you’ll be going multiple places each day, renting a car is usually the most flexible option in this part of Atlanta.
- If you mostly need to travel between the hotel and a single destination (like Emory), rideshare and taxis are often sufficient.
Use nearby services for extended stays.
Longer stays can feel more manageable when you know where the closest grocery store, pharmacy, and casual dining options are along North Druid Hills and Briarcliff.
How This Hotel Fits into Atlanta’s North-Side Options
Within Atlanta’s north-side hotel landscape, the DoubleTree North Druid Hills–Emory Area offers:
- A location north of downtown but south of the Perimeter (I‑285)
- Easier access to Emory, CDC, and Decatur than many Buckhead or Perimeter hotels
- A more business-and-errand-friendly environment than purely tourist-focused areas
If you live in Atlanta and are helping friends or family find a place to stay, or if you’re planning a visit where Emory, northeast Atlanta neighborhoods, or nearby business hubs are central to your plans, this DoubleTree is one of the more straightforward, location-smart options on the north side of the city.
