Best Hotels in Atlanta, GA Near State Farm Arena: Where to Stay Downtown

If you’re searching for hotels in Atlanta, GA near State Farm Arena, you’re really looking at the heart of Downtown Atlanta. This is where you’ll find the city’s big venues, major attractions, MARTA stations, and a dense cluster of hotels that make it easy to walk to concerts, Hawks games, and other events.

Below is a practical guide to the closest hotel options, how to choose one based on your priorities (price, walkability, parking, transit), and what to expect from staying in this part of the city.

Understanding the Area Around State Farm Arena

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303

The arena sits right next to:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Centennial Olympic Park
• CNN Center area
• The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center and GWCC/CNN Center MARTA stations (walking distance, connected via walkways and sidewalks)

If you stay within a few blocks, you can usually:

• Walk to the arena in 5–15 minutes
• Access MARTA for the airport or other parts of Atlanta
• Walk to attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and College Football Hall of Fame

Quick Comparison: Hotels Near State Farm Arena

Distances are approximate walking distance to the arena entrance.

Hotels Closest to State Farm Arena (0–5 Minutes on Foot)

These are the properties people usually look at when they want to be as close as possible for a game or concert. Names can change over time, but the cluster attached to or directly across from State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium is where you’ll find the shortest walks.

What to expect from the closest hotels:

• Higher prices on event nights
• Heavy foot traffic before and after events
• Very easy access to MARTA and major roads
• Limited sense of “neighborhood” feel, more of an arena/convention zone

If being able to walk straight back to your room after the show is your top priority, focus your search on hotels that mention:

• “Connected to the Georgia World Congress Center”
• “Adjacent to State Farm Arena”
• “Across from Mercedes-Benz Stadium”
• “Near CNN Center / Centennial Olympic Park Drive”

Downtown Atlanta Hotels Within a Short Walk (5–10 Minutes)

For many visitors, the best balance is a hotel that’s a few blocks away: close enough to walk, far enough to feel a bit calmer once you’re back at your room.

Look in these parts of Downtown Atlanta:

• Along or near Marietta Street NW
• Around Centennial Olympic Park
• Near Peachtree Street NW in the downtown business district

These hotels typically offer:

• 5–10 minute walk to State Farm Arena
• Easy walk to Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola
• More dining options within a few blocks
• Better chances for slightly lower rates than the most premium “attached” options

If you’re booking online, filters and map views that highlight “Downtown Atlanta / Centennial Park” will usually catch these.

Hotels Near Centennial Olympic Park (10–15 Minutes on Foot)

Centennial Olympic Park is a central landmark that’s still very convenient for the arena:

Centennial Olympic Park
265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

Staying near the park keeps you:

• Around 10–15 minutes walking distance from State Farm Arena
• Right by:
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • College Football Hall of Fame

This area often feels a bit more tourist-focused and is a good choice if you:

• Want to sightsee during the day and go to the arena at night
• Are traveling with kids or a group
• Prefer being near green space and major attractions

Using MARTA to Reach State Farm Arena

If you don’t mind a short train ride instead of staying right next to the arena, you can expand your hotel search to Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport, then ride MARTA in.

State Farm Arena is served by:

• Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station (walkway access)
• Vine City Station (short walk on the west side)

From the airport (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport):

• Take the Red or Gold line northbound
• Transfer to the Blue or Green line at Five Points
• Ride west one stop to Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center

If you stay near any MARTA station on the Red, Gold, Blue, or Green lines, you can get to the arena without needing a car or paid parking.

Midtown Hotels as an Alternative (Train Ride Away)

Midtown Atlanta is a popular option if you want:

• More restaurants, bars, and nightlife within walking distance
• Access to Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, and art museums
• A quick MARTA ride to State Farm Arena

Midtown MARTA stations include:

• Midtown Station
• Arts Center Station
• North Avenue Station (technically at the edge of Midtown/downtown)

From Midtown, you can:

1. Ride MARTA south to Five Points, then
2. Transfer to the Blue/Green line west one stop to Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center

This usually adds around 15–25 minutes to your trip door-to-door, depending on how close your hotel is to the station.

Parking and Driving Considerations

If you’re driving to Atlanta or renting a car, keep in mind:

• Event parking near State Farm Arena can be expensive and fills quickly.
• Many downtown hotels charge daily parking fees (valet or self-park).
• Traffic on Northside Drive, Centennial Olympic Park Drive, and Marietta Street can be heavy around event start and end times.

To keep things simple:

• Consider a hotel where you can park once and walk to the arena.
• If you’re staying farther away, look for a hotel near a MARTA station and ride in, avoiding downtown parking altogether.

Safety and What It’s Like at Night

Downtown Atlanta around State Farm Arena is typically busy on event nights, with:

• Crowds heading to and from the arena
• Heavy police and event security presence
• Open nearby restaurants and bars before and after the event

As with any major city:

• Stick to well‑lit, main streets when walking.
• Be especially aware of your surroundings late at night once crowds thin out.
• If you’re uncomfortable walking, consider using a rideshare from your hotel to the arena and back.

How to Choose the Right Hotel Near State Farm Arena

When comparing hotels in Atlanta, GA near State Farm Arena, narrow your options using these questions:

1. How important is walking distance?

   • Want 0–5 minutes? Focus on hotels directly by the arena or Georgia World Congress Center area.
   • Okay with 10–15 minutes? Centennial Olympic Park and downtown core give more choices and often better prices.

2. Do you plan to explore other parts of Atlanta?

   • If yes, being close to MARTA (Downtown or Midtown) is very helpful.
   • If you mainly care about the arena, staying as close as possible simplifies everything.

3. Are you driving?

   • Check parking costs at each hotel.
   • Factor in whether you can walk to the arena versus paying for event parking.

4. What’s your budget?

   • Rates can rise sharply on big event nights.
   • Sometimes a hotel one or two blocks farther can save a meaningful amount.

5. Are you traveling with kids or a group?

   • Being near Centennial Olympic Park and the aquarium is convenient for families.
   • Larger hotels in the downtown/park area may offer more room types and amenities.

Simple Planning Checklist ✅

Use this quick list to organize your stay near State Farm Arena:

• Decide if you want to walk to the arena or ride MARTA.
• Choose a general area:
  • Arena-adjacent / GWCC area for the shortest walk
  • Downtown / Centennial Olympic Park area for attractions and a short walk
  • Midtown for more dining/nightlife plus a short train ride
• Check:
  • Distance to State Farm Arena (map it from the hotel)
  • Distance to the nearest MARTA station
  • Parking costs if you’re driving
• Look at your event time and plan:
  • When you’ll arrive in downtown
  • How you’ll get back to the hotel (walk, rideshare, train)
• Allow extra time for:
  • Security lines at State Farm Arena
  • Post-event crowds leaving the area

Once you’ve settled on your priorities—walkability, price, or neighborhood feel—you can use a map-based search centered on State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303 to quickly find the hotel that fits your trip.