Ask anyone in Athens, Georgia, what the best college town in the US is, and they’ll proudly say they’re living in it. In fact, even if you ask people outside the city the same question, they’d likely point to Athens.

While the University of Georgia is at the heart of the town, there’s so much more to Athens than the college. The city is known for its incredible food scene, fantastic museums, and the natural beauty surrounding it. Whether you want to spend your trip hopping from restaurant to restaurant or kayaking down spectacular rivers, you can do it all in Athens! 

Looking for where to stay in Athens, GA? We’ve compiled a list of the best Athens hotels to help you book your trip. Choose a hotel from this list, and you’re bound to have an amazing time in the Classic City!

Short on time and don’t want to read the entire article? Check out our top 3 picks:

• Hyatt Place Athens Downtown
• Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown
• Graduate Athens

The 12 Best Hotels in Athens, GA Near UGA

1. Holiday Inn Express Athens – University Area, an IHG Hotel

Whether you’re planning on touring the University of Georgia or seeing a show at the Classic Center, the Holiday Inn Express Athens – University Area is one of the best places to stay in Athens, GA, to see the best of the city. This Athens hotel is also a great choice for families, as kids aged 19 and younger can stay free with an adult.

These cozy guest rooms include mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, workstations, individually controlled heating and air-conditioning, complimentary toiletries, complimentary Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with cable. This hotel goes even further to include amenities to ensure you get your best night of sleep, including blackout curtains and your choice of pillow. When you stay in a suite, you also get the addition of a separate living space with a dining table and wet bar.

If you’re on the go, pick up free coffee in the lobby. Or enjoy a more restful morning with your complimentary Express Start Breakfast, where you can dine on bacon, eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, and the hotel’s signature cinnamon rolls. Then, get in a workout at the on-site fitness center, stocked with everything you need for a cardio or weight-training session. Or swim some laps in the outdoor pool.

2. Hyatt Place Athens Downtown

Nestled in the city center near top attractions like the Georgia Museum of Natural History, Hyatt Place Athens Downtown is one of the best hotels in Athens, GA, if you want to be within walking distance of Athens’ best entertainment. If you’re in town to see a show at the Classic Center, you cannot get any closer than this hotel, as it’s actually attached to the venue!

Here, you’ll find sleek and modern hotel rooms with HDTVs, blackout curtains, coffee makers, mini-fridges, daily newspapers, workstations, free Wi-Fi, and sleeper sofas. Suites add additional amenities like living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas.

Start your morning with a complimentary breakfast at The Breakfast Bar or pick up something to go at The Market, where you’ll find a selection of packaged snacks, meals, and drinks, as well as fresh pastries in the bakery case. 

Also on-site is The Placery, where they’re serving up hearty meals like their signature burgers alongside specialty drinks, and a 24-hour Espresso Bar featuring Starbucks espresso. Additional on-site amenities include their expansive fitness center and room service.

3. Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown

Located just a three-minute walk from the University of Georgia, the Hilton Garden Inn Athens Downtown is one of the best Athens hotels, especially if you find yourself in town to tour the school or see a loved one graduate. It’s also just across the street from the Classic Center, making this hotel another top option when you’re in town for a show.

This hotel’s guest rooms, which are pet-friendly for a fee, include cozy amenities like custom-designed beds, air-conditioning, blackout curtains, ergonomic workstations, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, complimentary Neutrogena bath products, and HDTVs with cable, premium movie channels, and video games. Suites add separate living rooms with sleeper sofas and whirlpool tubs.

Breakfast is available at the on-site restaurant, the Garden Grille, for a small fee, with kids aged 12 and under able to eat free. The restaurant also serves dinner, with guests able to pick up snacks throughout the day at the Pavilion Pantry. Also on-site is the 24-hour fitness center, stocked with everything you need to get your workout in on your Athens vacation.

4. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Athens – University Area

Just a short drive away from top attractions like Sanford Stadium, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Athens – University Area is one of the coolest hotels in Athens, thanks to its unique amenities. With the hotel offering free bikes and free parking, you can rest easy and leave your car behind to explore the city.

Standard guest rooms have air-conditioning, USB outlets, workstations, mini-fridges, microwaves, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with premium channels. Suites add separate living room spaces with sofa beds.

Start the day with a workout in the 24-hour fitness center, or enjoy your free hot breakfast, complete with everything you need to fuel up for your day in Athens. Then, venture out into the city or take a dip in the on-site indoor pool.

5. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Athens Downtown/University Area

You’ll find SpringHill Suites by Marriott Athens Downtown/University Area, one of the best Athens hotels, just opposite the University of Georgia campus. As an all-suite hotel, it’s one of the best places to stay for families planning an Athens trip.

When you reserve a room here, you have options. Choose between one- or two-bedroom suites with tons of amenities, including air-conditioning, pillowtop mattresses, trundle beds, coffee makers, mini-fridges, microwaves, workstations, free Wi-Fi, and LCD TVs with cable, premium movie channels, and Netflix. Upgraded rooms include separate living spaces with wet bars. 

Start your day with a complimentary breakfast or a workout in the on-site fitness center. After a day of exploring Athens, come home to a local craft beer at the 1918 Lounge, located just off the lobby, or cozy up outside on the outdoor patio beside the fire pit.

6. Graduate Athens

Set in a converted foundry and a 19th-century farmhouse, Graduate Athens is one of the most unique hotels in Athens, GA. When you stay here, you’re right by the action, as you’re just a five-minute stroll away from the Downtown Athens Historic District. But if you’d rather not walk, this hotel also offers complimentary bike rentals to help you get around town.

Rooms in the converted foundry, which is the main building, take on a vibrant, colorful appearance, with vintage accents to add to the historic feel of the location. Meanwhile, rooms in the farmhouse, known as the Hoyt House, are designed with country-chic vibes in mind. All rooms come with HDTVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, free Malin+Goetz bath products, workstations, and USB charging stations. 

Suites add separate living spaces. Additional amenities vary by suite, but many offer charming touches like wet bars and retro arcade games. This hotel is also pet-friendly with a fee. 

Located in the Hoyt House, you can work up a sweat in the fitness center. Or head outside to take a dip in the seasonal pool. Venture over to the main building to grab a coffee at Poindexter, the lobby-level coffee bar. Also on-site is The Foundry, a Southern-style venue that’s part restaurant, part bar, and part concert hall. 

7. Hotel Indigo Athens – University Area, an IHG Hotel

Located just near the University of Georgia, Hotel Indigo Athens – University Area, an IHG Hotel, is one of the best boutique hotels in Athens, GA, if you’re looking for a prime location and top-quality amenities. A mix of modernity with chic rustic touches, this hotel exudes elegance and comfort.

Inside your guest room, you’ll find plush bedding, flat-screen TVs with in-room streaming, mini-fridges, workstations, complimentary bath products, free Wi-Fi, and coffee makers. Suites add separate living spaces with sleeper sofas, while some upgraded accommodations include additional amenities, including balconies, whirlpool tubs, or a baby grand piano.

Even your furry family members get high-quality amenities here. This hotel is pet-friendly for a fee, but the on-site Pet Park is free to guests. 

Work up a sweat at the fitness center, explore work by local artists at the art gallery, or see a live show at the on-site Rialto Room. When you’re ready for a bite to eat, stop by the Madison Bar & Bistro, which serves up a seasonal menu with farm-to-table dishes. 

Just like you’ll see art made by local artists throughout the hotel, you’ll find that this menu is packed with treats made by local providers, from locally-made micro-roasted coffee to cheeses from nearby farms to microbrews by Athens breweries.

8. Homewood Suites by Hilton Athens Downtown University Area

Just a nine-minute walk from the Georgia Theatre is Homewood Suites by Hilton Athens Downtown University Area, an Athens hotel that places you right where you want to be. Whether you’re touring the University of Georgia or simply want to explore the many downtown attractions in the city, this all-suite hotel is one of the best places to stay in Athens, GA.

This hotel is ideal for families, especially if they plan for an extended stay. You can even bring your furry family members along for an additional fee. 

Hang out in the separate living room area with a sofa sleeper and HDTV with premium channels. Whip up a meal in the full kitchen, complete with a microwave, coffee maker, dishwasher, full-sized fridge, and twin-burner stove, and sit down to eat in the dining room area. At the end of the day, rest up on plush bedding. Additional amenities include air-conditioning, blackout curtains, and complimentary Wi-Fi and weekday newspapers. 

Start your day with a complimentary hot breakfast. On Wednesdays, you can also enjoy a free evening social. And if that’s not enough, you can also work out in the fitness center, play around the game room, hang out in the lounge, or grab a drink at the bar.

9. Candlewood Suites, Athens, an IHG Hotel

Located near the Georgia Square Mall, Candlewood Suites, Athens is one of the best Athens hotels for families planning a trip to the city. You can even bring along your pets for a small added fee.

This all-suite hotel has all the comforts of home and then some. Cook up a family meal in your full kitchen, featuring a stove, microwave oven, full-sized fridge, toaster, and dishwasher. Dine in your dining room, or just hang out in your living room, which includes a flat-screen TV with cable and premium movie channels. Need to get some work done? Suites include a workstation and free Wi-Fi to keep you connected on the go. 

Also free to you is the use of the on-site fitness center, the Candlewood Gym. And if you’re looking for a quick snack to grab before you start your day in Athens, stop by the Candlewood Cupboard sundry mart.

10. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Athens West

If you’d rather stay away from the hustle and bustle of downtown but still want to be within driving distance of the city’s best attractions, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Athens West is one of the best hotels in Athens for you. This all-suite hotel is ideal for an extended stay or for visiting with family.

Studio suites offer air-conditioning, soundproof windows, separate living room areas, workstations, free Wi-Fi, LCD TVs with cable and premium channels, and kitchenettes with wet bars, coffee makers, mini-fridges, and microwaves. When you stay in a one-bedroom suite, you upgrade to a kitchen with a dining room area.

Parking is complimentary, as well as your daily breakfast buffet, which offers tons of options to fuel up for your day in Athens. Work out in the fitness center or take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool. Forgot something? Stop by the on-site market for all your traveling needs.

11. Hampton Inn Athens

Offering everything you need for your Athens trip, Hampton Inn Athens is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for comfort and convenience. Though you’re not in the downtown area, you’re an easy drive away from the city’s best activities and attractions.

The straightforward rooms in this Athens hotel provide HDTVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, free Wi-Fi, ergonomic workstations, and a sitting area. Some rooms also come with sofa beds for additional guests. 

Start your day with a free hot breakfast. Overslept and don’t have time to sit and eat? During the week, you can pick up a free breakfast bag to go. Also complimentary is the use of the on-site fitness center and overnight parking. And when you’re ready to relax and unwind after your busy day in the city, enjoy taking a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool.

12. Comfort Inn & Suites Athens

Located within driving distance of the University of Georgia and other top Athens attractions like the Georgia Museum of Art, Comfort Inn & Suites Athens lives up to its name by offering a comfortable, relaxing stay. These modern guest rooms are the perfect place to rest up after a busy day in Athens.

Rooms offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary weekday newspapers, sitting areas, coffee makers, ergonomic workstations, mini-fridges, microwaves, flat-screen TVs with cable and premium channels, and air-conditioning. Suites add living room areas with pull-out sofas, while upgraded suites also include a full kitchen. 

Start your day with Your Morning Breakfast, Comfort Inn’s hot breakfast buffet. Then, work out in the fitness center or take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool. Or just relax on the outdoor sundeck and soak in that Georgia sun!

There you have it! The 12 best hotels in Athens, GA. What’s your favorite Athens hotel? Let us know in the comments!

Where to Stay in Athens

Most of Athens’ top attractions are in the downtown area. Staying near or in downtown allows you to be close to the University of Georgia campus, which isn’t just for college students. Here, you’ll find the Georgia Museum of Art and the Georgia Museum of Natural History. Plus, you simply can’t go to Athens without seeing the school’s football team, the Georgia Bulldogs, in action at Sanford Stadium.

Beyond the campus, there’s even more to do downtown, from some of the city’s best dining to multiple theaters where you can see live performances. While the city does have public transportation to get around, staying in the downtown area will prevent you from needing to rely on it too much, as you’ll instead be able to walk or bike around.

Planning a trip to Georgia? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST