Priceline Hotel: Atlanta help

[mattrob]

Not sure whether this fits in the 'general help' topic. We are looking for staying 2 nights in Atlanta (arriving from GSM NP and leaving for Orlando). We are a family of 4 (two adults, two teens of 14). We like having diner in the 'famous' restaurants live Olive Garden, Outback, etc. We like to have some shopping near to us (a regular Mall, a Walmart, etc) and we want to enjoy a full day in Atlanta itself.

What area would you recommend, also considering the parking costs in Downtown Atlanta ? I see 'cheap' 4* hotels in Downtown Atlanta, but will guess parking is expensive and I understand it is the business area and not always safe ? Would Buckhead and Perimeter be ok for us ? Is the subway still $ 1.75 per person ? Or do you suggest somewhere else ?

Please advice, thanks.

[thereuare]

Hopefully somebody more local than me will offer some insight, but it would probably help if you let us know what you intend to do for your "full day in Atlanta" as well as your desired budget and the star rating of the types of hotels you typically stay in.

Also, what are the actual dates of your stay?

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.

[mattrob]

We intend to spend the day at the CNN center, Zoo, Coca Cola, etc. And we tend to stay in the highest rated hotel (4*) and strongly prefer to stay in Marriott or Hilton family hotels (because of Gold status in their programs, hoping for free upgrades and free breakfast, which usually works). Budget not really an issue, want to stay in those hotels for best price available.

Actual dates will be 15 July - 17 July.

Any help is appreciated

[thereuare]

All of those things you intend to do (coca cola world, zoo, CNN, etc) are all in Downtown or just outside of Downtown... so it will come down to paying for parking and the convenience of staying near the locations you intend to visit vs. staying outside of the city center and driving further each day to your destinations.

Since you need quad occupancy i search HOTWIRE, and while i didn't see any of your preferred brands above, i did find what i believe to be the Holiday Inn Select Capitol Center for just $49/nite, and checking the hotel's website self parking is $18/day... still not too bad for a family friendly Downtown hotel.

Let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to proceed and we'll take it from there.

Please use the PRICELINE and HOTWIRE links on the board to begin your travel purchases.