The biggest city of Georgie State, Atlanta will surprise you with its fun attractions, art galleries, historic museums, epic food scene, and lively nightlife! This cosmopolitan city has a lot to offer for every kind of taste.
Atlanta is located at the heart of the southeast of the United States of America and is visited by travelers all year round thanks to its famous attractions such as Six Flags, Legoland, World of Coca Cola Museum, and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. Atlanta is also known as the birthplace of the civil rights movement and you can expect to learn more about history from the home of Martin Luther King Jr.
In this travel guide on where to stay in Atlanta, I will talk about the 4 best areas to stay with hotels from luxury to budget. As Atlanta is an expensive city I highly recommend you make your reservation in advance to get better deals on hotels and not miss the great places that I have handpicked for you.
If you are ready, let’s explore the best places to stay in Atlanta, Georgia!
Contents
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here are the best places to stay in Atlanta with hotels from luxury to budget. They all have great reviews and great locations!
Here is a map about where to stay in Atlanta with the 4 best areas I will be talking about in this travel guide so you can easily visualize them:
- Downtown: for first-timers
- Midtown: on a budget
- Old Fourth Ward: for families
- North Atlanta (Buckhead): for a local experience
1. Downtown – where to stay in Atlanta for the first time
Downtown Atlanta is the heart of the city and the center of all the action. If it is your first time visiting Atlanta I definitely recommend staying Downtown to be close to all the main landmarks. Here you will be discovering the impressive Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca Cola Museum, the famous CNN Studios, and the football lovers’ favorite, Football Hall of Fame.
There is so much to discover here! Start your day by having a coffee at the beautiful Centennial Olympic Park. After enjoying a morning stroll, discover whichever historic museums and pop culture exhibits suit your taste.
In order to see the best view of the city, you must take a ride on the SkyView Ferris wheel but even if heights aren’t really your thing, I am sure foodies will love this area too! You won’t have difficulty finding a place to eat as this area offers more than enough great restaurants and funky bars.
Thanks to having the best location in the city center, hotels in Downtown Atlanta are always in high demand and I don’t want you to miss the best of the best that I picked for you. That being said, do not forget to make your hotel reservation in advance. If you’re booking last minute and find these great options are already gone, check out this post for the best Airbnbs in Atlanta.
This luxury hotel is located right in the city center and is one of the best places to stay in Downtown Atlanta that has easy access to historic museums, shops, restaurants, and bars. The Candler Hotel offers spacious rooms with unique décor, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a great breakfast, plus guests can enjoy having drinks in the hotel’s upscale bar.
Other accommodation options in Downtown
This 4-star hotel has a very central location, spacious modern rooms, great breakfast, and a bar
This hotel is within walking distance to museums and shops and has beautifully decorated rooms with free wifi
This Airbnb has a central location and offers spacious rooms with free wifi and easy access to the shops and bars
Things to do in Downtown
- See many kinds of sea creatures and fish at Georgia Aquarium
- Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- See the city view from SkyView Atlanta
- Go for a stroll at the beautiful Centennial Park
- Visit the Georgia Capitol Museum and learn some history
- Pay a visit to the famous CNN Center
- Go shopping at the Irwin Street Market and Underground Atlanta
- Visit the World of Coca Cola Museum and Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
2. Midtown – the best area to stay on a budget in Atlanta
Midtown Atlanta is located north of the city center and 3 mi (5 km) from downtown. As hotel prices can be expensive in the Downtown area, Midtown is the best area to stay on budget. The good news is you will still be close to the city center!
Midtown offers numerous impressive art galleries such as the High Museum of Art, The Center For Puppetry Arts, and Woodruff Arts Center. I am sure you won’t even realize time has passed while visiting the many interesting exhibitions in the area.
Here you will also find the most gorgeous park in the city, Atlanta Botanical Garden. It is an amazing park with tons of plant collections and displays, so do not forget to take your camera as you will see many unique plants here!
In Midtown you will find many nice cafes, bars, shops as well as nice accommodation options. Since it is also a very well-known place to stay in Atlanta, make sure to make your hotel booking in advance so you don’t miss your ideal place. Since you are in the booking mindset, I recommend you can add another beautiful city Savannah to your itinerary for an absolutely epic trip!
This Midtown hotel features spacious rooms with a coffee machine and free wifi and a nice rooftop bar with a terrace. Foodies will appreciate the onsite restaurant that offers a very good breakfast and foods from international cuisines. Guests can have signature cocktails at the rooftop bar while watching the beautiful city views, and with its family-friendly rooms, Renaissance Atlanta is also a great place to stay for families with kids!
Other accommodation options in Midtown
This 4-star hotel has modern rooms with a fully furnished kitchen, a spa with a hot tub, a bar, and a central location in Midtown
Located near Piedmont Park Hampton Inn & suites offer a good breakfast, a fitness center, spacious rooms, and a nice bar
This centrally located Airbnb features rooms with contemporary design, a fully furnished kitchen, and free wifi
Things to do in Midtown
- Marvel the artworks at the High Museum of Art
- See an incredible performance at Fox Theatre and catch a show of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Visit the Center For Puppetry Arts
- Go for a stroll at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park
- See an exhibition at the Woodruff Arts Center
- Take a pint at Wrecking Bar Brewpub
- Watch a show at Alliance Theater
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3. Old Fourth Ward – the coolest area to stay for families
Old Fourth Ward is located 2 mi (3 km) northeast of the city center and is a great area to stay if you like to discover hidden gems of the city. This area is surrounded by many nice parks, hipster cafes, and trendy bars. Foodies will go crazy at the Irwin Street Market where you can find delicious specialties from all around the world and at night there are many bars waiting for you to have fun!
Thanks to its many lush green parks and peaceful atmosphere, Old Fourth Ward is also a great place to stay for families. You can rent a bike or have picnics in one of the many beautiful parks such as Grant Park and Inman Park. Another highlight of this area is the Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr where you can learn more about his history.
I’ve always liked to stay in these kinds of trendy areas that offer surprises on each corner, so if you are a person like me and want to stay in a more quiet area compared to downtown, here are the best places to stay in Old Fourth Ward.
This centrally located hotel offers modern rooms with great amenities, a very good fitness center, and a great breakfast. Guests can enjoy drinks at the hotel bar and have a delicious dinner at the onsite restaurants. Wylie Hotel has a very convenient location to access the city center, the Birth Home of Martin Luther King Jr, shops, and bars and Jackson Airport is just 9 mi (15 km) away.
Other accommodation options in Old Fourth Ward
Located near Inman Park, this 4-star hotel features modern rooms with free wifi, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a cool bar
This apartment-style hotel offers spacious rooms, a fully furnished kitchen, free parking, and wifi
This centrally located Airbnb has modern rooms with great amenities and is within walking distance to the bars and shops
Things to do in Old Fourth Ward
- Go for a walk at Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail
- Visit the Historic Fourth Ward Park and Grant Park
- Have a picnic at Skyline Park
- Visit the Birth Home of Martin Luther King, Jr
- Take a pint at Old Fourth Distillery
- Check out the bars on Edgewood Avenue and enjoy the lively nightlife
- Go for a stroll at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Inman Park
- Visit the Zoo Atlanta in Grant Park
- Have a day trip to the famous Cumberland Mall and amusement park, Six Flags Over Georgia
4. North Atlanta (Buckhead) – where to stay for local experiences
Buckhead is located in North Atlanta and is 7 mi (12 km) away from the city center. If you want to stay in a less touristy area and try local experiences there is no better place than Buckhead.
By staying in Buckhead you can reach downtown with a 10 minutes drive or half an hour metro ride. However, there are also many things to discover in this area. The main attractions you shouldn’t miss are Atlanta History Center, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve.
The best way to discover Buckhead is simply by getting lost in the beautiful streets, spending time in the parks, and checking out the local cafes and trendy bars. I am sure you will love the laid-back vibe of this area. I’ve already picked the best hotels for all budgets here so let’s check out the best places to stay in this lovely area.
InterContinental Buckhead Hotel offers modern rooms with a nice city view, a swimming pool, a spa with a hot tub, a wellness center, and a great breakfast. Guests can enjoy drinks at the hotel bar with live music and have delicious meals at the onsite restaurants. Thanks to the king-size family rooms, it is also a great hotel to stay for families with kids.
Other options in North Atlanta (Buckhead)
Hampton Inn & Suites has a swimming pool, fitness center, and easy access to the historic museums
This hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, rooms that have a contemporary design, and free wifi
This Airbnb has an epic city view from the 20th floor and offers spacious rooms, a kitchen, and free wifi
Things to do in North Atlanta (Buckhead)
- Visit the Atlanta History Center and Swan House to learn about the history of the area
- Have fun at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
- Marvel artworks at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia
- Explore the history at Atlanta Cyclorama at Atlanta History Center
- Go for a stroll at the Chastain Memorial Park
- Take a tour at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
- Go shopping at Phipps Plaza
👑 Luxury price: | $350 |
💵 Mid-range hotel: | $200 |
🛏️ Budget: | $120 |
🏠 Airbnb: | $140 |
💰 Accommodation prices: | High |
📍 Best Area: | Downtown |
🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | The Candler Hotel |
👛 Best budget hotel: | Hampton Inn & Suites |
BONUS: Where to stay near to Six Flags in Atlanta
Six Flags Over Georgia is one the most famous theme parks in the United States and whether you are a rollercoaster lover or a family with kids, it can be a reason to visit Atlanta all in itself.
For those who are looking for a hotel close to Six Flags, here are the best hostels I picked for you. Staying so close to the park there aren’t any good budget options so I’ve picked the best luxury and mid-range spots for you!
Luxury:
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West – just 3 mi (4 km) away from Six Flags and is one of the best hotels to stay near the amusement park. This hotel offers indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, a nice bar, a good breakfast, and free parking. Guests can use the hotel’s fully equipped business center to work, the hotel rooms are very comfortable and come with a king-size bed and coffee machine. Jackson Airport and Atlanta city center are just a 20-minute drive away.
Mid-range:
Holiday İnn Hotel – just 3 mi (4 km) away from the Six Flags and a great place to stay for families. This hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, spacious rooms with city views, free parking, and wifi. You can start your day in their gym or use the business center to work or take a trip into town for a day as Atlanta City center is just 20 minutes drive.
Hampton Inn & Suites-Six Flags – just a 10 minute drive to Six Flags and offers a pleasant stay with its comfortable rooms and great facilities. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s fully-equipped fitness center and swimming pool. Hampton Inn has spacious rooms with a coffee machine, free wifi, and city views. Free parking is available and the city center is 12 mi (18 km) to the hotel.
Frequently asked questions about Atlanta
🗺️ What is the best area of Atlanta to stay in?
Downtown is the best area to stay in Atlanta if you are visiting for the first time. Some of the best hotels to stay here are The Candler Hotel and Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
🤔 Is downtown Atlanta safe to stay?
Downtown Atlanta is a safe area in general but due to the great number of homeless people and drug issues, you should avoid quiet streets at night and stick to the main roads.
🕺🏻 Where do the celebrities stay in Atlanta?
The St Regis Hotel in Buckhead is famous for its celebrity guests.
👨👩👦👦 Where to stay in Atlanta with my family?
With its family-friendly attractions, Old Fourth Ward is a great area to stay in Atlanta for families. Some of the best family-friendly hotels in this area are Wylie Hotel and Hotel Clermont.
🛎️ Where to stay in Atlanta for one night?
If you have only one night in Atlanta I would suggest you stay in Downtown to be close to the main attractions. Some of my hotel recommendations downtown are The Candler Hotel and Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
🚖 What is the best way to get around Atlanta?
Because of the traffic, I highly recommend you to use public transportation in Atlanta to gain time. The public transportation system is very good and covers most of the areas.
🚘 What is the best time of day to drive through Atlanta Georgia?
The traffic in Atlanta can be frustrating sometimes. That’s why I recommend you to avoid driving during the rush hours which are 7am to 10am and 4pm to 8pm in the afternoon.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading this city tour of Atlanta, dear travelers. In this blog post, I talked about the best hotels in Atlanta from luxury to budget as well as Airbnbs in each area. I also gave you some information about the things you can do there so you could pick the perfect one for you!
As I’ve already said, being close to all attractions, Downtown Atlanta is the best area to stay for first-timers. However, if you would like to stay in a more affordable area you can pick hotels from Midtown. If you like a hotel in another area I say go for it! As the public transportation system is very good in Atlanta you won’t have an issue getting around.
Since it is an expensive city, I highly recommend you make reservations in advance to get better deals on hotels and not miss your favorite place.
For those who are having difficulty picking among the many hotel options, let me sum up. Here are the best 2 hotels in Atlanta that have convenient locations as well as good reviews. I definitely recommend you to stay in one of these if you can’t decide between the awesome options in this list!
- The Candler Hotel – Located at the heart of the city, it is one of the best luxury hotels to stay in Atlanta
- Hyatt Regency Atlanta – A great place to stay Downtown with spacious rooms and a good on-site restaurant
If you have any other suggestions or questions about Atlanta, Georgia please leave a comment below. I’ll be happy to leave a reply to them!
Enjoy your time in Atlanta,
Eylul
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