weekend trip from Charlotte to Atlanta (Hampton: hotel, safe area, prices)

[jsimms3]

The Ellis is actually a great hotel right in the thick of things, but the most basic room for 1 occupant "starts" at $132, meaning a room there starts at $150, and they go up to $250+.

I would also recommend the Residence Inn Downtown (a block from the Ellis), and with parking it has rates starting at $114, BUT you get a lot less hotel for the price than similar hotels in other areas.

The average rate for a guest room with a Queen in the Glenn Hotel on M Street was $159, and average rates went above $300 for suites.

With parking, a standard room at the Holiday Inn was $119, so that's in the range, but you won't find me staying there (smoky rooms). I'd stay at a similar hotel if I was road tripping it, but not for a downtown getaway, where I would want something at least decent.

I can say the same about the rest of the hotels on the list.

Finally, having been to the Sheraton, I can say that they advertise rates starting at $99, but good luck finding a room near that price. Oh, and don't forget to factor in the $20 self-parking fee per day into your price (valet is of course a little bit more). The Sheraton is not even very nice and is in a weird part of downtown, as well.

[jsimms3]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Also, many Midtown hotels have lower rates and are not luxury brands...these are pretty reasonably priced:

Georgia Tech Hotel (an excellent value): Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Residence Inn: Midtown Atlanta Hotels | Atlanta Midtown Hotel: Residence Inn Atlanta Midtown Hotel
Hotel Indigo: Hotel Indigo ATLANTA Hotels | ATLANTA MIDTOWN | Welcome
Midtown Hotel: Midtown Atlanta Hotel
Marriott Courtyard: Midtown hotel in Atlanta, Ga: Courtyard Atlanta Midtown hotel - A Georgia Tech Hotel

I heavily recommend Midtown hotels above and beyond downtown hotels. GT Hotel is not within $130, though, but it is surprisingly nice. I recommend the Residence Inn at 11th and West Peachtree and I recommend the Marriott Suites on 14th St in Midtown (next to the Four Seasons...heavily recommend this place, even moreso than I would recommend the stuffy Four Seasons).

I also recommend the Regency Suites at 10th and West Peachtree. A suite there can be just squeezed almost inside of your budget ($139 + parking).

Me? I think you should splurge a little and stay in a suite at the W or the Loews and make the kids squeeze in with you/sleep on the sofa. That eliminates one room, you'll have to pay ridiculous parking no matter what whether it's the Holiday Inn or the Four Seasons, and you'll have to cover breakfast (gives you an excuse not to eat powdered hotel eggs and instead visit local places with good prices like Flying Biscuit in Midtown or the places downtown).

[JPD]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

The Ellis

I've stayeed at The Ellis and The Glenn. Both were less than $130 for me and my wife.

The Glenn is closer to the downtown attractions, but our room there was very small, and the bathroom/shower setup seemed to be geared towards honeymooners and/or people having affairs, and not families.

The Ellis was excellent. The room was quite large and comfortable. I'd pick The Ellis if you can get a good rate.

[MA2NC]

Wow! Thank you all so much for all the great suggestions...I will start doing some research on hotels asap!

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by jsimms3

Finally, having been to the Sheraton, I can say that they advertise rates starting at $99, but good luck finding a room near that price. Oh, and don't forget to factor in the $20 self-parking fee per day into your price (valet is of course a little bit more). The Sheraton is not even very nice and is in a weird part of downtown, as well.

I was going to say scratch the Sheraton too, for the prices. The location isn't quite that bad, but I probably wouldn't walk to the COP area (Pemberton Place) from there.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by MA2NC

Wow! Thank you all so much for all the great suggestions...I will start doing some research on hotels asap!

If you want a less expensive option--about 5 miles from downtown/midtown--there is a Homestead Inn and several other motels/hotels--Hampton Inn and a Marriott, IIRC at Executive Park/North Druid Hills.

Homestead Studio Suites Hotels - Atlanta, GA Hotel
http://www.therealplaces.com/hotels-...20Hills%20Road

The buses run in this area regularly--and you could catch the train at Lindbergh station to tour the downtown area. Just a thought.

[DeaconJ]

Courtland Street is a "weird" part of downtown? I disagree...it's one block east of Peachtree Center. As far as it being too far from Centennial Park, it's 5 blocks away...an easy walk. I've never stayed there, but it seems silly to steer someone away from a hotel for reasons like this.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by DeaconJ

Courtland Street is a "weird" part of downtown? I disagree...it's one block east of Peachtree Center. As far as it being too far from Centennial Park, it's 5 blocks away...an easy walk. I've never stayed there, but it seems silly to steer someone away from a hotel for reasons like this.

I've stayed there before, and my main complaint is price, particularly parking. The rooms are nice enough though.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

I've stayed there before, and my main complaint is price, particularly parking. The rooms are nice enough though.

Okay cool...I'm not advocating for it or any of the hotels, just don't understand some of the negativity about them. It makes more sense coming from someone who has experience with one.

[MA2NC]

I do like the looks of The Ellis and it has great reviews. May be worth the extra $$. My question is how much is parking?

Also, I see some places offer package deals....are these good deals?