Decatur’s Lodging Options
Decatur Metro | June 1, 2011 | 8:28 amBrent writes in…
I’m in DC, often visiting my elderly mom back in Decatur at Clairemont Oaks. You and your followers were helpful with a previous question about Christmas restaurants so I’ll ask this — if my wife and stepson accompany me on my next visit, and the Holiday Inn (soon to be Courtyard) is full, are either of the Church St. lodgings “acceptable” as overnight lodgings? Want to keep us walking distance from Clairmont Oaks and downtown Decatur/MARTA. Cleanliness and safety are the issues — understand there will be no gym, restaurant, etc.
If your step-child is 10 yrs old or older, then the Agnes Scott Alumni House has recently been renovated and is very nice.
http://www.agnesscott.edu/alumnae/alumnaehouse/
I think the Alumnae House is for ASC alumnae and students’ guests only. At least when I worked there as a student that was the case….
My in-laws stayed there recently and were quite comfortable – they are definitely open now to non-Agnes Scott guests if there are rooms available. Not helpful if you want a short walk to Clairemont Oaks, though.
Super 8 is, well, super 8. Decatur Inn looks like a nice place. Well maintained. I would opt for the Garden House B&B on Garden Lane.
I’ve stayed at the Garden House in Decatur (on Garden Lane) twice when planning my move to the Atlanta area. I loved it. It was reasonable, too.
i would not recommend the church street lodgings. unfortunately for downtown decatur it’s the holiday inn or nothing right now. i hope that changes soon.
i second garden house b&b. doug & rhoda are wonderful hosts!
http://www.gardenhousebedandbreakfastdecatur.com/
You can also check out Airbnb.com. This is a new concept where anyone can offer up a house or room for rent. You can check reviews and feedback from previous guests and the rates can range from relatively cheap to pretty nice for an entire house.
Awesome DM, we are officially your “followers” now. About time.
I am not a DM follower. I’m a worshipper.
The lines between follower, worshipper, and addict are thin indeed.
Brent: There is nothing wrong with either the Super 8 or the Decatur Inn. They may look a little like no-tell motels but the majority of people staying there are just like the majority of people at any basic lodging. I live very close by and see and hear what goes on there – which is not much. They’re both simply very basic accommodations. You just can’t beat the proximity to Clairemont Oaks and all the downtown restaurants and shops either.
For many years I have used the Super 8 for various relatives and visitors with nary a complaint.
Here’s another good word for the Super 8. My brother and sister-in-law stay there every time they come to visit family in Decatur. Accommodations are modest, but comfortable and clean.
My parents stayed at the Super 8 last year and had no complaints. It is what it is, but if you’re looking for an affordable room, it’s a great option.
Gotta get my $.02 in on the Super 8 too. The current owners are great and the rooms are no worse than the Holiday Inn. Last year when we were doing some renovations, I decided to play plumber. As you might expect when a lawyer plays “plumber”, I turned a 10 minute, $100 fix into a 2-day, $1,200 windfall for an actual local, licensed plumber. Needed a clean place with running water and the Holiday Inn wanted something like $130 a night with no discounts available.
When I explained the situation to the Super 8 dude at about 10 pm (sorry, don’t remember his name but I mean dude in the best possible way) he laughed at my situation and said “No worries, $40”. When we still didn’t have water the next evening, he let me have it for 2 more days at the same rate. I’ve referred several people there since then and all were happy to avoid the Holiday Inn!
I think the reason you’ll get varied responses on the Super 8 and Decatur Inn is that one or both were once infamous for drug-dealing and crime. I’d rely on info from folks who know the current situation. I know that families in transit–e.g. folks moving to Decatur but haven’t found a home yet–sometimes do long-term stay rentals at one or both.
An close-by alternative, but not as walkable, is the Holiday Inn Express right next to the Emory Commons shopping center (Publix) at N. Decatur and Clairemont. It’s walkable to downtown Decatur but only for those with healthy legs and time to spare.
You might want to look at Sycamore House B&B. It was on the tour of homes a few years ago and looked nice–has a pool in the backyard. I think I remember that some of the rooms have a separate entrance, so you don’t have to feel like you’re disturbing anyone when entering/leaving.
FYI – Sycamore House (the Mannings) is no more. They moved to Charleston and a non-B&B family lives there now.
Not in the downtown area, so probably not going to make the cut for Brent’s needs, is the Emory Conference Center Hotel. Family started staying there when the Holiday Inn was booked up and they realized it was a nicer hotel for about the same price. If you don’t need to be within walking distance to downtown, it’s worth a look.
The Emory Conference Center / University Inn might be convenient if you plan on visiting downtown Decatur on weekdays. Emory runs several free shuttle buses that go to or near Decatur. The CCTMA Decatur shuttle stops right in front of Clairmont Oaks, and the South Dekalb Park’n’Ride shuttle stops at Clairmont and Wilton Dr., just a few blocks away. All shuttles run until 7 or 8 PM every weekday, and are free even if you’re not an Emory student/staff.
You guys remember that a few days prior to 9/11 a couple of the 9/11 terrorists stayed at the Super 8 on Church St.? It will always be the terrorist motel to me…
Oooooo. Forgot that. And they used the nearby commercial gym/workout facility. Probably walked to MARTA too. Ate locally. Lucky for us that Decatur has building height limits so nothing local attracted their eye.
It wasn’t the Super 8, it was the longer-term place out Church St by the car dealers.
Okay, thanks. Ha, that’s how rumors get started! It’s in my head now though. Unlearning is so hard…
My relatives always stay at the Holiday Inn Select on N. Decatur Rd
Thanks to all for the lodging tips! And you’ll be interested to know that my Chicago-born wife’s favorite stop is — Pastries A-Go-Go, for the biscuits. When I come to ATL alone, I’m not allowed back here without a care package.
We have no way to know who or what kind of people rent a room in ANY hotel or motel. Jeez. Probably you would be surprised how many criminals you rub elbows with every day. The Super 8 on Church Street is FINE, just basic and simple and low price. I would definitely recommend it, having stayed there myself and put my guests there, with no complaints nor
problems.
Remember that once you get to the MARTA station, you’re as close to anything as you can be. Which means any hotel along the MARTA line will work. The downtown hotels are just 20 minutes away from the Clairemont Oakes, total, including the train ride.
I put some visiting family members at the Decatur Inn and they were quite satisfied -we sent the older relatives to the Holiday Inn so they wouldn’t have to walk as far to restaurants, and everybody was happy.
We had relatives stay at the Holiday Inn who were quite happy with it. Have to agree with the Emory Conference Center as a driving option. University Inn at Emory would also be good, but a drive.
I have friends who own a B&B in Inman Park, right on the MARTA line. It’s totally charming and could be a very good option if you want to branch out: http://www.kingkeith.com/
Another vote for the Holiday Inn Express on N. Decatur Road. Recently renovated. My parents stay there all the time. Includes breakfast!