Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place: What to Know Before You Book

If you’re looking for a suite-style stay on Atlanta’s northeast side, Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place is one of the better-known extended-stay style options near Duluth and the Gwinnett Place area. This guide walks through what to expect, who it works best for, and how it fits into Atlanta travel and local life.

Where Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place Is Located

General area:
Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place sits in the Gwinnett Place / Duluth corridor, roughly 20–25 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta, depending on your route and traffic.

This area is just off the I‑85 corridor and is popular with:

• Business travelers working in Gwinnett County office parks
• Families wanting more space than a standard hotel room
• People needing a short- or medium-term stay while relocating within metro Atlanta

You’re a short drive from:

• Gwinnett Place Mall area (retail, services, dining)
• Pleasant Hill Road (major local artery with restaurants and shops)
• Access to I‑85 for getting into Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown Atlanta

What “Simply Suites” Means in Practice

Sonesta’s “Simply Suites” concept is generally designed as a no-frills, suite-style, extended-stay setup, which can be helpful if you’re:

• In Atlanta for a work assignment
• Visiting family in Gwinnett or northeast Atlanta
• In between housing and need a temporary home base

You can typically expect:

• All-suite accommodations (more like mini-apartments than standard hotel rooms)
• In-room kitchens with at least:
  • Full-size or mid-size refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Cooktop or stove surface
  • Sink and basic kitchenware (varies by property)
• Workspace: a desk or table suitable for laptops and paperwork
• On-site laundry options (important for longer stays)
• A more self-service, independent feel than a full-service hotel

For people familiar with the Duluth and Gwinnett area, this type of property is often used by:

• Professionals visiting Northside Hospital Gwinnett, nearby industrial parks, or corporate offices
• Parents visiting students at Gwinnett technical schools or commuting to universities in Atlanta
• Locals dealing with home renovations, insurance repairs, or moves

Suites, Room Types, and Stay Lengths

While specific configurations can change, Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place usually caters to longer stays with studio and one-bedroom suites.

Common features you’ll typically find:

H3: Typical Suite Features

• Sleeping area

  • Queen or king bed (sometimes multiple beds or sofa bed options)
  • Nightstands, lamps, and closet or wardrobe space

• Living/work area

  • Small couch or armchair
  • Work desk with chair
  • TV with basic cable or streaming-ready setup

• Kitchen area

  • Refrigerator (often full-size in extended-stay setups)
  • Microwave
  • Cooktop
  • Sink and storage cabinets
  • Basic dishes, utensils, and cookware (varies by suite)

This can be a strong fit if you’re:

• Working remotely and need a dedicated workspace
• Cooking your own meals to avoid eating out every day
• Staying a week or longer and want more of an apartment feel

At-a-Glance Overview

Here’s a high-level summary of how this property fits into an Atlanta stay:

Getting Around: Access to Atlanta and Beyond

Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place is not in central Atlanta; it’s in the northeast suburbs. Transportation options matter, especially if you’re visiting from out of town.

H3: By Car

For most guests, a car is the most practical option.

Approximate driving times in typical (non-rush hour) conditions:

• To Downtown Atlanta: 25–35 minutes
• To Midtown Atlanta: 25–35 minutes
• To Buckhead: 20–30 minutes
• To Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: 40–50 minutes

During weekday rush hours, especially mornings heading south on I‑85 or evenings heading north, you should expect longer times.

Tip 🚗: If you’re commuting into the city, leaving before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m. and returning after 7:00 p.m. can significantly reduce the worst of I‑85 congestion.

H3: Public Transit Considerations

The Gwinnett Place area is not directly on MARTA rail, which is the main rapid transit system serving central Atlanta.

• You may find local bus service in Gwinnett County, but schedules and routes can be limiting for city commuters.
• Getting to a MARTA rail station (such as Doraville Station) typically still involves a car or rideshare.

For most visitors or temporary residents, relying entirely on public transit from this property to reach the core of Atlanta is challenging. A mix of car + MARTA is more realistic if you’re trying to avoid driving all the way downtown.

Nearby Amenities and Everyday Convenience

One of the advantages of this location is proximity to everyday services and diverse dining without needing to drive into Atlanta proper.

H3: Groceries and Essentials

Within a short drive of Gwinnett Place, you’ll usually find:

• Major grocery chains (useful for stocking your in-suite kitchen)
• Big-box stores for toiletries, clothing basics, and electronics
• Pharmacies and smaller convenience stores

This setup is particularly helpful if you:

• Are staying multiple weeks
• Have dietary restrictions and need to cook for yourself
• Are relocating and don’t yet know where your permanent neighborhood will be

H3: Dining and Local Food Scene

The Pleasant Hill Road and Duluth area is known in metro Atlanta for a strong Korean and pan-Asian dining scene, plus many other casual options.

From Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place, you’re generally close to:

• Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurants
• Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese spots
• American chains and fast-casual places
• Cafés and dessert shops, especially along major commercial stretches

For long-term stays, this mix can make day-to-day life feel less monotonous—you can cook in your suite some days and explore northeast Atlanta’s food options on others.

When This Location Makes Sense vs. When It Doesn’t

Because this property is in Gwinnett County rather than central Atlanta, it’s not ideal for every type of trip.

H3: Good Fit For

Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place can be a strong match if you:

• Work in Gwinnett, Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, or along I‑85 and need a convenient base
• Are visiting family in northeast metro Atlanta and want your own space
• Need a place for a temporary relocation, house-hunting, or home repairs
• Prefer the suburban feel and easy parking over dense urban settings
• Want a kitchen-equipped suite rather than dining out for every meal

H3: Possibly Not the Best Fit If

You may want a more central Atlanta location if you:

• Plan to spend most of your time in Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or the BeltLine
• Don’t plan to rent a car and must rely on MARTA rail
• Are focused on walkable nightlife or want to step right out into Atlanta’s urban core

In those scenarios, a hotel or suite closer to Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or near MARTA rail might align better with your plans.

How Locals and Long-Term Guests Often Use This Type of Suite

For Atlanta residents and people relocating into the metro, suite properties like Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place often serve practical purposes beyond typical leisure travel.

Common real-world uses:

• Between leases: If your new lease start date doesn’t match your old one, a suite with a kitchen can bridge the gap.
• Insurance stays: After a flood, fire, or major repair, some insurance policies cover extended-stay accommodations.
• Medical-related stays: Families visiting patients in Gwinnett-area hospitals sometimes need a nearby, home-like setup.
• Trial runs of the area: People considering moving to Gwinnett County or northeast Atlanta might stay here while exploring neighborhoods and schools.

Because suites are set up for longer residency, you’re more likely to see:

• Guests cooking their own meals regularly
• People bringing pets (policies vary, so always verify)
• A quieter, more residential energy than in short-stay, tourist-heavy hotels

Practical Tips for an Atlanta Stay in This Area

To make the most of Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place—and the Gwinnett area—keep these Atlanta-specific pointers in mind:

• Plan for traffic: I‑85 is one of Atlanta’s busiest corridors. Build in buffer time, especially for weekday morning and evening travel.
• Use your kitchen strategically: Stocking up at nearby grocery stores can save money and reduce last-minute late-night food runs.
• Explore local instead of driving downtown every day: Northeast Atlanta has parks, shopping, and food options without the longer trip into central ATL.
• Combine car + MARTA for big city days: If you’re heading to a major event (like a game near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena), consider parking near a MARTA station and riding rail in to avoid downtown parking stress.
• Check policies for extended stays: If you plan to stay several weeks or longer, ask about:
  • Housekeeping schedules
  • Laundry options
  • Any discounts based on length of stay

How This Property Fits into the Bigger Atlanta Lodging Picture

Within the Atlanta area, Sonesta Simply Suites Atlanta Gwinnett Place fits into the category of suburban, extended-stay suites:

• Not downtown, but strongly positioned for northeast metro access
• Focused on self-sufficiency (kitchens, workspace, longer stays)
• Often more cost-effective for multi-week trips or family stays compared to nightly-rate, full-service hotels in central Atlanta

If your life or visit in Atlanta revolves around Gwinnett County, Duluth, Norcross, or I‑85 north of the Perimeter, this type of property can provide a practical, home-like base while keeping you within driving distance of everything Atlanta offers.