Comfort Suites Northlake Atlanta: What to Know Before You Book in Atlanta, GA

If you’re looking at Comfort Suites Northlake Atlanta while planning time in the city or near Tucker, you’re probably trying to balance price, space, and easy access around metro Atlanta. This guide walks through what to expect from this all-suites hotel, how the location works in real life traffic, and when it might (or might not) be a good fit for your stay.

Where Comfort Suites Northlake Atlanta Fits in the City

Comfort Suites Northlake is located near the Northlake area, close to I‑285 on the northeast side of Atlanta, generally associated with:

• Nearby communities: Tucker, Northlake, North Druid Hills area
• Distance to key areas (approximate drive times in typical traffic)
  • Downtown Atlanta: 20–30 minutes
  • Midtown Atlanta: 20–25 minutes
  • Buckhead: 20–25 minutes
  • Decatur Square: 15–20 minutes
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 30–40 minutes

This area is more of a suburban commercial corridor than a walkable intown neighborhood. You’ll find:

• Shopping centers and chain restaurants
• Offices and business parks
• Easy highway access rather than transit-oriented convenience

If you’re planning to spend most of your time inside the Perimeter (ITP)—places like Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or the BeltLine—staying near Northlake means you’ll likely be driving or using rideshare rather than MARTA rail.

The “Suites” Experience: What That Usually Means Here

Comfort Suites Northlake is part of an all-suites style chain, which typically means:

Larger-Than-Standard Rooms

Most rooms are set up as studio-style suites, often including:

• A sleeping area with one king or two queen beds
• A seating/living area with a sofa or sofa bed
• A desk or small work area

This can be practical if you:

• Are traveling with kids and need extra sleeping space
• Want a spot to work or relax without sitting on the bed
• Plan a longer stay and don’t want a cramped layout

Common In-Room Features

While specifics can change, these properties commonly offer:

• Mini-fridge and microwave
• Coffee maker
• TV (often with cable channels)
• Wi‑Fi
• Air conditioning and heating

For Atlanta visitors, a fridge and microwave can be helpful if you’re bringing leftovers back from restaurants in Decatur, Buford Highway, or nearby Northlake spots.

Location Pros and Cons for Atlanta Visitors

Advantages of the Northlake Area

1. Easy I‑285 Access

If you’re:

• Driving around the metro for business
• Visiting family in different suburbs
• Heading to places like Perimeter Center, Doraville, Norcross, or Stone Mountain

…being close to I‑285 can save you time, especially if you’re comfortable timing your drives around rush hour.

2. Suburban Setting

Many people find the Northlake area to feel:

• Quieter than Downtown or Midtown
• More relaxed, with large parking lots and less dense traffic inside parking areas
• Convenient for road trips or family travel, especially if you prefer driving right up to the hotel rather than navigating city parking decks

3. Access to Nearby Attractions

Northlake is not a tourist district, but it is relatively close to:

• Stone Mountain Park (about 20–25 minutes east)
• Downtown Decatur (restaurants, bars, shops)
• Buford Highway (highly regarded for diverse international dining, especially Asian and Latin American cuisines)

For families, being between Stone Mountain and central Atlanta can be a strategic middle-ground.

Tradeoffs to Be Aware Of

1. Not in the Heart of the City

If your main target is:

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• The Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca‑Cola
• Midtown nightlife or BeltLine trails

…you’ll be commuting in and out of the city core. Plan for traffic, especially:

• Weekday mornings going into Atlanta
• Late afternoons/early evenings leaving the city

2. Limited Walkability

Northlake is more car-oriented than pedestrian-friendly:

• Sidewalks may be inconsistent between centers
• Crosswalks are usually designed around wide roads and busy intersections
• Most errands (restaurants, pharmacies, big-box stores) assume you’re driving

If you’re visiting without a car, rely on rideshare for most trips, especially at night.

Getting Around: Transportation Tips 🚗

By Car

If you’re driving:

• Expect congestion on I‑285 and I‑85 during rush hours
• Consider alternate routes using Lavista Road, Briarcliff Road, or Lawrenceville Highway if highways back up
• Budget extra time if you have set arrival times for events Downtown or in Midtown

Parking at suburban suite hotels is typically surface-lot parking, often at no extra cost, but always verify current policies directly with the property.

Public Transit

Northlake is not directly on a MARTA rail line. If you want to use MARTA:

• The nearest major rail stations often used by Northlake visitors include:
  • Doraville Station (Gold Line)
  • Chamblee Station (Gold Line)
  • Avondale or Decatur Stations (Blue Line)

You may still need:

• A short rideshare from the station to the hotel
• Or a bus connection, which can be slower and less intuitive if you’re not used to local routes

For visitors without a car, it’s usually simpler to use rideshare door-to-door rather than mixing buses and trains from this area.

What Atlanta Locals Use This Area For

Residents around Atlanta and DeKalb County might look at Comfort Suites Northlake when they:

• Have family visiting who prefer staying near the suburbs instead of in-town
• Are doing home renovations and need a temporary stay with extra space
• Want to be central to both city attractions and eastern suburbs like Stone Mountain or Lilburn

For locals, the suite layout can be handy if:

• Kids or other relatives will be staying in the same room
• You need space to work remotely away from home for a short stretch

Nearby Essentials and Everyday Convenience

If you’re staying at Comfort Suites Northlake and need basic services, the surrounding area generally includes:

• Grocery stores (often chains like Kroger, Publix, or Walmart nearby along main roads)
• Pharmacies (chain drugstores along Lavista Road or nearby corridors)
• Casual dining:
  • Chain restaurants (American, Mexican, Asian, fast-casual)
  • Quick-service spots for coffee and breakfast

Because it’s a commercial corridor, most necessities are within a 5–10 minute drive.

When a Northlake Suite Hotel Makes Sense in Atlanta

Below is a simple way to decide if this style of stay in this location might align with your plans:

Safety, Comfort, and Practical Considerations

Like many suburban commercial corridors around Atlanta:

• Areas can feel busy by day and quieter at night
• Lighting, surrounding businesses, and traffic patterns can vary by block

Practical tips:

• 🚙 Park in well-lit areas of the lot when possible
• 🔑 Confirm front desk hours and any key/access procedures if checking in late
• 📦 If receiving packages, ask the front desk about package handling policies before shipping anything

Because Atlanta traffic and weather can both be unpredictable (heavy rainstorms, summer heat), having a comfortable, air-conditioned suite with seating and workspace can be helpful if you end up staying in more than expected.

How to Decide if This Is the Right Part of Atlanta for You

Ask yourself:

1. Where will you spend most of your time?

   • Mostly in-town (Downtown, Midtown, BeltLine)? Expect daily drives.
   • Mostly east or northeast suburbs, Stone Mountain, Decatur, or corporate offices off I‑285? Northlake is more strategic.

2. Do you need extra room?

   • If you’re solo and only sleeping at the hotel, a standard city hotel might be fine.
   • If you’re a family, couple with different sleep/work schedules, or sharing with friends, a suite layout can make the trip more comfortable.

3. Will you have a car?

   • With a car, the Northlake area is straightforward.
   • Without one, plan on regular rideshares and build that into your budget.

If you want a suburban base with easy highway access, a larger room, and straightforward access to east and northeast Atlanta, Comfort Suites Northlake–type properties can fit well into an Atlanta travel plan. If your goal is to walk out the door into nightlife or right onto the BeltLine, you may want to look closer to Midtown or other in-town neighborhoods instead.