Where to Stay in Atlanta: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels

Where to Stay in Atlanta, that's a question everyone who comes to Atlanta asks. The Capital city of Georgia is one of the finest locations in the country for tourists and people just looking to catch a breather. At Peachtree Street, there are three commercial districts in the City and two hundred and forty-three official districts. These provide a variety of options to choose from - each with its own unique culture and history.

Your big question is, “Where can you stay when you come to Atlanta?”. However, this article provides a more extensive answer by telling you why you should stay in any of the various districts or neighborhoods and what to look out for when you are in town. We take a look at the five distinct Atlanta neighborhoods on the Map of Atlanta and the best hotels in each of them.

Downtown Atlanta

The Historic Centennial Olympic Park, popularized after its renovation for the 1996 Olympics, sits at the heart of this Downtown neighborhood that offers visitors a beautiful mix of attraction sites, year-long sporting activities, and an abundance of playful experiences. However, it is Five Points that Atlanteans consider to be the center of Town.

Woodruff Park and the Five Points MARTA station are famous landmarks around five points that you really should check out.

Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-cola are two other fantastic attraction sites Downtown offers. Georgia Aquarium is the country’s largest aquarium and is such a beautiful sight to behold. More than 10 million gallons of water houses more aquatic life than you can find anywhere else. Just next door is the World of Coca-cola, where you can get into the rich history of this company that has been around for so long.

You get to see the Coca-cola movie in 3D glasses and sample more than a hundred different beverages produced by the company. Traffic in this district can always pose a challenge, but if you can find your way around it, you are in for a swell time?

Here are our top 3 Hotels to stay at in Downtown Atlanta.

Top-Rated - Hotel Indigo Atlanta Downtown

This pet-friendly 3-star hotel is one of the highest-rated by guests in Atlanta. Its contemporary design features a health/wellness center, comfortable and exquisite rooms with air conditioning and soundproof windows, and a restaurant. Its central location means it is close to most attraction points, especially Pittypat's Porch, which is just a stone throw away.

The Hartsfield - Jackson Airport is not too far away either. Room pricing starts at $103.

Luxury Hotel - Hilton Atlanta

Hilton Atlanta is such a magnificent sight with the way the building lights up at night. With the rooftop restaurant and sports facility, the hotel offers various utilities unmatched by its competitors. The hotel links both the Peachtree Center Mall and a MARTA station via a walkway and is only a mile away from the Olympic Park.

The rooms are fitted with stylish interior decor, and guests can access the hotel’s free Wi-fi. Starting at $115, you are still getting a lot of value for your money at this facility.

Best Budget - Inn At The Peachtrees, Ascend Hotel

If you are on a budget but still want a fantastic location, Inn At The Peachtrees, Ascend Hotel has got you covered. Prices start at $84, but you will be amazed at all your money affords you. There are an on-site cafe and a fitness center.

Guests also receive complimentary breakfast and have access to the hotel’s wifi. Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-cola are also less than 10 minute walks away from the hotel. It is a bargain in comparison to most others.

Eastside Atlanta

The Eastside is a much more diverse, street-wise location than the rest of Atlanta and is home to Atlanta’s history. It consists of a unique blend of neighborhoods that starts at Sweet Auburn, through Inman Park, down to East Atlanta Village. Little Five Points is the happening place on the Eastside.

Created in the early 1900s as a commercial district for the adjoining Inman Park and Candler Park neighborhoods, L5P is famous for the alternative culture and street life it brings to Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta houses more than 1000 animals and is one of only three zoos in America housing Giant Pandas.

At the Fernbank Museum, you get an adventure-filled experience with dinosaurs and artifacts in an interactive environment. However, it’s the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park that encapsulates what the Eastside is really about, telling the stories of the lives of two pivotal characters in US history.

As the Eastside and Westside are not commercial neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead are, there are very few hotels in the area. Most guests lodge in hotels located in the commercial districts. However, the Eastside still has a few hotel outfits of its own.

The Highland Inn & Ballroom Lounge

This elegant facility was built in 1927 and featured a 1920s ballroom. The Highland Inn has kept its ancient aura, adding a unique feel to your stay, and its serene environment offers a lot of calm following a stressful day. Rooms start at $73, very ideal for travelers working on a budget.

Hotel Clermont

Hotel Clermont is at the heart of the Poncey-Highland, very close to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum. It features a rooftop bar that offers an excellent view of the city. Free wi-fi is available, and rooms start at $90


Midtown Atlanta

Midtown Atlanta is famously tagged as Atlanta’s Heart of Arts.” Midtown is densely populated with theaters, art galleries, museums, and ancient historical buildings. It is just the place to be for people that appreciate artistic expressions. The neighborhood sits along the famous Peachtree Street that is always buzzing - night and day.

The walkable stretch passes through the entire area and provides a great view of all there is to see in Midtown Atlanta.

The magnificent Piedmont Park, which forms Midtown’s epicenter, offers a host of outdoor activities during the day on its vast green space. So does the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which boasts the Country’s most extensive collection of Orchids. The Historic Fox Theater - one of two remaining historical districts, features some of the world’s best acts, while the Woodruff Arts Center, notably it's High Museum of Art, offers one of the best sights around.

At night, the clubs and bars light up the neighborhood. The Center for Puppetry Arts is a good getaway for you and your kids and, since 1978, has provided a beautiful experience for both young and old. On your visit to Midtown, the artist in you will undoubtedly find a voice. It might be just the jolt you need to redefine your work experience.

Our Top 3 hotels in Midtown Atlanta are:

Top-Rated - Loews Atlanta Hotel

Sitting comfortably at the heart of Midtown, Loews Atlanta Hotel offers a fantastic view of the entire neighborhood. The high rising hotel features a spa and a fitness center and is only a walkable distance from Piedmont Park and Fox Theatre. With prices starting at $209, the several bars and comedy houses complete the Midtown experience at this Hotel.

Luxury Hotel - Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

From terraced rooms to marbled bathrooms, everything about Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta exudes class. The pet-friendly hotel has an indoor pool, a gym, a spa, and a business center, all available on-site, and there is a free wifi service for guests. The Atlanta Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park are close by, and its excellent dining means you can get the best dishes you want without going far. Rooms start at $391 a night, but you are getting value for your money.

Best Budget - Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel sits conveniently between Downtown and Midtown, offering guests easy access to the Magic that is Midtown Atlanta while keeping Downtown within reach. Like the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the World of Coca-cola and Georgia Aquarium are all within a mile of the hotel. Its contemporary rooms and rooftop bar offer a wholesome experience for a relatively low price, starting at $208.

Buckhead Atlanta

Buckhead is the luxury center of Atlanta and is widely recognized as one of the country’s wealthiest communities - earning the name “Beverly Hills of the East.” Over the years, its remarkable architecture and landscape have been home to Atlanta’s most affluent families, featuring Georgia’s finest luxury homes and the best entertainment and fashion access.

Traffic is a lot less of Buckhead's issue, allowing residents to save some precious time while going about their daily activities. From Tuxedo Park to Chastain Park, walking or cycling across the neighborhood is such a serene and surreal experience.

Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall, linked by Peachtree Street, offer some of the largest collections of shops, boutiques, and restaurants you can find anywhere. These include top brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tom Ford. The prestigious Swan House, located at the heart of the Atlanta History Center, is a popular tourist attraction and is commonly used for small events.

The recently opened Bobby Jones Golf Course is one of the most innovative and home to the Grand Slam Golf Academy and the Murray Golf House. You will undoubtedly love the view.
Here are our top 3 hotels for the best Buckhead Atlanta experience:

Top-Rated - The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead

This five-star hotel is one of Buckhead’s finest destinations for people visiting the neighborhood. The facility features a full-service spa and a restaurant boasting some of the finest cuisines. Phipps Plaza mall and Lenox Mall are not far away either. Rooms start at $229 a night.

Luxury Hotel - Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead

Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead houses the crème de la crème in Buckhead. The highly sophisticated facility is at the Heart of Buckhead, with the Atlanta History Centre close by. There are an indoor pool and a spa, all for a price of $445 and above.

Best Budget - AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Buckhead at Phipps Plaza

The hotel is situated within Phipps Plaza itself. For a relatively low price of $170, you get to experience an exquisite lodge, a tapas bar, and a fitness center, all within the epicenter of Buckhead. Such a lovely view.

Westside Atlanta

Even though the Westside is not a clearly defined district, its uniqueness makes it stand out from the rest. There are many apartments where you can keep your belongings if you are looking for bread and breakfast or a stay. From West Midtown to Atlantic Station, this walkable neighborhood stretch is a fine mix of art, fashion, and business. Add to that the variety of dining options available, the westside is well and genuinely brimming with spice.

The Atlanta Beltline runs through the entire Westside and connects to the Eastside as well - about 33 miles of multi-use trails that offers a beautiful view of the City. Atlantic Station is one of the best examples of a large-scale urban mix-use environment and highlights the Westside.

It was opened in 2005 and features a large expanse full of shops and restaurants, office spaces, residential areas, a boutique hotel, a gym, a movie theatre, and much more. It sits comfortably between Downtown and Buckhead and is a walkable distance. Visitors on the Westside frequent hotels in Midtown often due to proximity.

Key Takeaway

The City of Atlanta is such a rich and diverse culture engrained in the very people that inhabit its various neighborhoods. WIth developments continuing all round, even old tourists will indeed find something new whenever they visit next. We encourage you to schedule that visit soon and hope this guide helps you to a beautiful experience.