looking for a hotel in a decent area near airport or downtown (Atlanta: hotels)

[desert sun]

can yall give me some idea of some good areas to start at, the ATL metro is so big that I dont know where to even begin and I dont know which area is decent and which aint. Thanks

[DeaconJ]

If you're looking to be near the airport, Virginia Avenue off of I-85 is one exit away from the airport and offers a wide range of hotels. A Hilton Hotel & Towers, a Crown Plaza, a nice Holiday Inn, a multi-story - and very nice - Red Roof Inn, a fairly new Hampton Inn & Suites, a Fairfileld Inn, a Ramada Hotel, a Comfort Inn, a Marriott Courtyard and a Marriott Residence Inn, and a few others that I'm forgetting. There are several good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel area, and many more a short drive away. Virginia Avenue is a 10 minute drive to Downtown/Midtown Atlanta.

There are a zillion hotels of all types in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, all of which offer restaurants and entertainment galore.

[Midtownatl]

1) The Twelve Downtown is nice; it's also directly across the street from a Marta Station.

2) The W Downtown is also located in a growing part of Downtown called Ivan Allen Plaza.

3) The Omni downtown is in a great location. It's connected to CNN Center and is walking distance to Centenial Park, World of Coke, the Aquarium and MARA.

4)The Ellis and the Ritz downton are fine, though they are further from the action.

5) That said, if you're open to Midtown, Hotel Indigo and W Midtown might be good bets.

6) If you want to be near upscale shopping, Buckhead's the best bet. The Ritz and JW Marriot are walking distance to MARTA.

7) If you're driving, and if you want an authentic Atlanta experience, try the Virginia-Highlands.