<p>A friend needs mid-priced Atlanta hotel recommendations near Emory for a visit next month. And in the near future, we might, just might, need recommendations for orientation and parent's weekend. We visited Emory last year at about this time, but stayed near the airport. I'm not at all interested in experiencing Atlanta's legendary traffic snarls again.</p>
<p>The Emory website lists the "Emory Conference Center Hotel," the "Emory Inn," and the "University Inn" as being in walking distance. Anybody know about these properties? Do they fill-up fast? Are they worthwhile places to stay?</p>
<p>Otherwise, all other listed hotels are from 3-7 miles away. Are there preferred areas, either for ease of access or the ever popular ambience? Many of the hotels seem to be in the "Buckhead" area.</p>
<p>We're most interested in mid-priced hotels, emphasizing clean and professional -- luxury frills not important.</p>
<p>Thanks to all Atlanta experts for their recs.</p>
<p>"Emory Conference Center Hotel," the "Emory Inn are both nice. the Conf Center is new and like a marriott. The in was built in the 50's and has been renovated. Both are across the street from CDC and a block from Emory. My dad works at CDC so I kow a little</p>
<p>Cab fare from the Airport will cost you and there is not much to do at night. </p>
<p>Buckhead is 5 miles away. You can take marta and then cab to emory. More to do in buckhead there is a mall. and more hotels </p>
<p>I would stay near emory as you are likely to stay with other visitors and can talk. The Inn is fine. My dad puts visitors there. There is a pizza place around the corner from the inn and the area is safe. </p>
<p>If you do get mugged while walking around, emory has its own hospital. LOL</p>
<p>The Emory Conference Center is very nice, but pricey--right across from the campus but it's still most convenient to drive to the admissions office from there because of the layout (the hotel is tright by the CDC). The Emory Inn is right next to the conference center, it's not very nice. We have stayed at both. Actually, though , we prefer to stay at the Holiday Inn Select on Clairemont in Decatur (on campus, Clairmont is spelled without the "e")--it's decent, clean, less than 3 minutes from campus and there is usually a good deal on a room.</p>
<p>Because the Emory Inn is less expensive, it tends to sell out very fast. (I am saying this with my Emory alum hat on!) </p>
<p>We ended up in the Conference Center when son visited on a three-day weekend. We hadn't even rented a car.....just took the regular shuttle to and from the airport. Both the Inn and the Conference Center do provide limited bus transport around the Emory campus and vicinity. By getting rid of the car, we managed to save a little and make up for the difference in price between the Conference Center and the Inn.</p>
<p>I've never felt uncomfortable walking around the campus, day or night. But that just may be me.</p>
<p>dude-
I sent you an email. I agree-- the Conference center is the nicest option of the 3 you mentioned. This year, one of the dorms had a mold problem, and the set up temporary housing at the Marriott Century Center Hotel, with shuttle bus sevice. There are several hotels/motels on Clairmont Rd. (boysx3- there is no "e" in Clairmont anywhere, on or off campus- you must have seen a typo), and they do run shuttles to the campus, but especially in the morning, traffic around Emory can be a challenge. They've come up with a big plan to redesign roads around Emory to improve traffic flow, but it isnt in place yet, and if you stay a few miles away it can take you a while to get to campus. I'd splurge and stay at the conference center. The food is pretty decent there as well. Do they not offer a special rate for visiting students/families?</p>
<p><em>*EDIT</em> Correction-- the big, main drag nearby is Clairmont Rd. (no "e"). There is apparently a smaller street, Clairemont Ave. (with an "e") a few miles further away. This is much like the 50 million streets in town with the term "Peachtree" in it.</p>
<p>I would recommend this as well if its the one in downtown D.. More like 15 minutes away but its clean and lots of small places to eat on the square. My Dad was a volunteer there during the olympics. </p>
<p>By the way the mugging statement was a joke. The Emory area is way safe with all of the security at CDC that just spills over into the area. </p>
<p>My dad also puts people into the Marriott courtyard at executive park. 3 miles away. Not much nearby its in an office park.</p>
<p>If you are staying an extra day, or have other kids along who may not go visit Emory, I would recommend staying in Buckhead and taking MARTA/taxi. Lots of restaurants, the mall, etc in Buckhead - ESPN Zone, Eatsi's. It is not as convenient if you have never been to Atlanta or if you are only making a quick trip to Emory and leaving. Hotels in Buckhead run the gamut from the Ritz and the Inter-Continental to a Holiday Inn.</p>
<p>Something to consider for orientation or Parents' Weekend when the closer hotels will be full.</p>
<p>Also there's an IKEA in Atlanta now - 17th or 18th Street exit off I-75 near downtown. everything for the dorm room.</p>
<p>I was happy with the Fairfield Inn in Buckhead. I did get lost on my way back from Emory. Atlanta can be confusing with all those Peachtree St/Ave/etc.</p>
<p>Hey Cangel-
We're upscale now... we have TWO Eatzi's in town :) I guess I should go check them out one of these days, since take-out is my mainstay these days..</p>
<p>As for Atlanta, if you have any extra time to do any tourist-y things, run, do not walk, to the new aquarium. It is TRULY incredible.</p>
<p>And dudedad-
If you stayed at the Ritz in Buckhead, I hope you closed your curtains, expecially if your window didn't face Phipps Plaza. The office building next door is notorious for offices with nice views and occasional binoculars :eek: Tacky, but true....</p>
<p>Two Eatzi's!!!!! Where's the other one - Alpharetta?</p>
<p>I'll be up there in April on business, so I won't get to the aquarium or Eatzi's. I'm trying to get the spouse to take DS and go up to the aquarium over their spring break - his parents live about 60 miles away so he can visit them and see the aquarium on one trip.</p>
<p>Yup- Eatzi's #2 is on Ashford-Dunwoody (Sandy Springs/Dunwoody). My, aren't we upscale to have 2!??! And as for the aquarium, your H. should get his parents to come into town and go too. My 84 yr old father was in from NY and he LOVED it! I recommend you buy your tickets on line and reserve your time. Saves lots of time and you go right in. The aquarium just opened around Thanksgiving, and today they had their MILLIONTH patron. It has been quite a success!</p>
<p>Didn't mean to hijack the thread. But when you are in, see if you have time to check out Atlantic Station (its where IKEA is). Thats worth it too. Nice shopping, some nice restaurants, and promises to be THE place to live and work, especially for the younger crowd.</p>
<p>I'll have to check out Atlantic Station. I was nuts enough to go to IKEA the day it opened - just happened to be in town, and I love IKEA, and I didn't realize it had JUST opened- but nothing else was finished.</p>
<p>There is a restaurant in Atlantic Station Called Cheesecake Bistro (not cheesecake factory). Even if you don't drink, you must check out the bar. The entire length of the bar is frosted (marble area closest to the patrons, frosted area closest to the bartender), with martini glasses upside down down the length of the bar. The coolest thing are the 3 vodkas on tap. And the vodka taps are frosen/frosted too. It is a sight.</p>
<p>Hijack to your heart's delight. I've already got all sorts of good hotel recs. The video link was quite helpful. We've booked at The Emory Inn on the theory that first couple of times in (if Emory is in the cards) is to see Emory, not necessarily Atlanta (although the part of Atlanta that includes Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens & Things, Target, & Ikea are obvious "must-sees").</p>
<p>Now if only Atlanta had a restaurant as good as "Spondivits." ;)</p>