You’re standing on the corner of Marietta Street and Andrew Young International Blvd, looking up at two massive glass towers that basically define the Atlanta skyline. That’s the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. It’s huge. Honestly, if you’ve ever watched a CNN broadcast or seen a highlight reel of the 1996 Olympics, you’ve probably seen this building without even realizing it.
It’s iconic.
But here’s the thing: big hotels in major cities usually feel like factories. You check in, you get a plastic key, you walk down a carpeted hallway that smells like industrial lavender, and you disappear. The Omni is different because it’s literally bolted onto the State Farm Arena and the Georgia World Congress Center. It’s not just "near" the action; it is the infrastructure of downtown Atlanta.
If you’re coming for a Hawks game or a massive tech convention, you aren't just staying here for a bed. You’re staying here so you don’t have to deal with Atlanta traffic. Anyone who has spent twenty minutes trying to turn left onto Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd knows that's worth the price of admission alone.
The Weird Layout and Why It Actually Works
Most people get confused the first time they walk in. The hotel is split into the North Tower and the South Tower. It’s a maze. You’ll see business travelers in sharp suits sprinting toward the meeting rooms while families in jerseys are wandering around looking for the Coca-Cola Museum.
It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s Atlanta.
The South Tower is generally where you want to be if you value a slightly more modern feel, but the North Tower has those views of Centennial Olympic Park that actually make you stop and stare. When the SkyView Ferris wheel starts glowing at night? That’s the shot. You see the fountain, the tourists, and the sprawling green space that replaced a bunch of old warehouses decades ago.
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What the Rooms are Really Like
Let’s be real: hotel photos are usually lies. They use wide-angle lenses that make a closet look like a ballroom. At the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, the rooms are actually decent-sized.
The "Premier Park View" rooms are the gold standard here. You’re looking at floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re lucky enough to be on a high floor, you can see all the way to Buckhead on a clear day. The beds are firm—Omni is known for that—and the pillows don’t disappear into nothingness when you put your head down.
Is it "ultra-luxury"? Probably not. You aren't getting a personal butler to peel your grapes. But it’s "Atlanta Luxury," which means high-end finishes, heavy doors that actually block out the sound of the elevator, and bathrooms that don’t feel like an afterthought.
Eating Your Way Through the Lobby
Don't eat at the hotel every night. I mean, you can, but you’re in the South.
However, VUES (the lobby bar) is a vibe. It’s cantilevered over the street, so you’re basically suspended over the city while you drink an overpriced Old Fashioned. It’s the best place in the city for people-watching. You’ll see NBA scouts, convention speakers, and probably a few nervous groomsmen.
For breakfast, New South Kitchen is the go-to. It’s expensive. You know it’s going to be expensive. But the biscuits are legitimate. In a city that takes flour and lard very seriously, they don’t mess around. If you want something faster, there’s a Top Draft sports bar on-site that has more screens than a Best Buy. It’s loud, it’s greasy, and it’s exactly what you want before a game.
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The Secret Connection to CNN
For years, this place was synonymous with CNN Center. While the news giant has moved much of its operation, the physical connection remains a massive part of the hotel’s identity. You can still walk through the atrium and feel that old-school media energy. It gives the hotel a "city within a city" feel that most Marriott or Hilton properties just can't replicate.
Logistics: The Stuff Nobody Tells You
Parking is a nightmare.
Valet is going to cost you a fortune—upwards of $50 or $60 a night depending on the season. If you can, take MARTA. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station (yes, that’s the actual long name) drops you right there. If you insist on driving, prepare for the valet line to be a chaotic mess right after a concert ends.
- Check-in Tip: Use the Omni Select Guest program. It’s free. Even if you never stay at another Omni, they usually give you little perks like morning beverage delivery. Having someone knock on your door with a hot coffee at 7:00 AM without having to call room service is a game changer.
- The Pool: It’s heated and outdoors. Even in November, you can usually get a swim in. It overlooks the park, which is a pretty surreal experience when the city is buzzing below you.
- Gym Life: It’s surprisingly good. They have Peloton bikes. If you’re the type of person who needs to crush a 30-minute ride before a board meeting, you’re covered.
Why Location is the Only Metric That Matters
You can stay in Midtown and take an Uber down. You can stay in Buckhead and pretend you’re in a different city. But if your goal is to see the "Tourist Trifecta"—the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights—this hotel is the geographic center of that universe.
You walk out the front door, cross the street, and you’re in the park.
The Aquarium is a five-minute walk. The College Football Hall of Fame is basically in the backyard. For families, this is huge. There is no "packing up the car" or "finding a parking deck." You just walk. When the kids have a meltdown because they saw too many jellyfish, you can be back in your room in six minutes for a nap.
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The Nuance: When Should You Stay Somewhere Else?
Look, the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park isn't for everyone.
If you want a quiet, boutique experience where the staff knows your dog’s name, this isn't it. It’s a machine. During a big convention like Dragon Con or a major medical symposium, the lobby can feel like a crowded airport terminal. It can be overwhelming.
If you’re looking for a romantic, secluded getaway, you might find the constant hum of the city and the thousands of people passing through the atrium a bit much. In those cases, maybe look at a smaller spot in Inman Park or a boutique hotel in Midtown. But for the "Full Atlanta Experience"? You can’t beat the Omni.
Real Talk on the Neighborhood
Downtown Atlanta has a reputation. Some people find it "gritty."
Centennial Park is generally very well-patrolled and safe, especially during the day and during major events. However, it is a city. You’ll see unhoused individuals in the park. You’ll hear sirens. It’s urban. If you stay within the "tourist bubble" of the hotel and the surrounding attractions, it’s perfectly fine, but don't expect the manicured suburban quiet of Alpharetta.
Moving Forward With Your Trip
If you’re ready to book, do it directly through the hotel site rather than a third-party discount site. Omni is notorious for giving the "leftover" rooms (the ones with a view of a brick wall) to the people who booked through the cheapest possible outlet.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay:
- Request a North Tower room specifically on a floor above the 15th for the best views of the Ferris wheel and the park.
- Download the MARTA app and load $10 on it so you can bypass the $60 valet fee and the gridlock traffic on Marietta Street.
- Walk to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Even if you aren't seeing a game, the architecture is stunning, and it’s a short, flat walk from the hotel lobby.
- Visit the Center for Civil and Human Rights at 10:00 AM right when they open to beat the crowds, then grab lunch at the hotel or the nearby Hudson Grille.
- Join the Select Guest loyalty program before you arrive to ensure you get the free Wi-Fi and the morning drink service, which is honestly the best part of the brand.
Staying at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park puts you in the heartbeat of the South. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s spectacular. Just remember to bring comfortable walking shoes—you’re going to need them.