Poncey-Highlands, United States
Trendy location with many shops and restaurants nearby
Within a 10-minute drive to downtown
Rooms include mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs; some have stoves
Breakfast included in room rate
Pleasant courtyard and attractive basement bar
Literary events and improv comedy shows held in Ballroom Lounge
Free parking, but spaces are limited
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Coin-operated laundry on-site
Pet-Friendly, for a fee
No elevator
Bathrooms are small, and caulking could use a refresh
Furniture shows sagging, and wear and tear
Room air-conditioning units can be noisy
Noise travels between rooms and from the streets
Parking is limited -- it's first-come, first-served
The budget Highland Inn sits in trendy Poncey-Highland, a neighborhood full of independently owned cafes,
shops, and restaurants. The 80 guest rooms are no-frills but include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves -- some have full stoves. Built in 1927, the inn is quaint and charming -- or simply old, depending on one's perspective -- and its quirkiness might not appeal to all guests. Note that there's no elevator, and bathrooms are cramped and could use some updating -- guests have complained about worn caulking and water-stained fixtures. Travelers seeking a more standard hotel at budget-friendly rates might want to consider the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Atlanta Downtown.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Quaint and quirky old hotel in vibrant, trendy neighborhood
Staying at the Highland Inn can be a one-of-a-kind experience. Built in the late 1920s, it has a quirky appeal, but the vibe might be a tad too funky for some. The lobby, with a small wooden table and upholstered chairs nestled next to a
small fireplace with a carved wooden mantel, resembles what would be found in a bed-and-breakfast. Small mirrors and framed vintage
movie and art posters line the walls, and there's a rack filled with tourist brochures and an ATM, which breaks the homey ambience. Cafe-style metal tables in the narrow breakfast room are close enough to trigger conversations among guests, and in the warmer weather, a
courtyard offers another spot for guests to linger. The Ballroom Lounge in the basement has an intimate, vintage bar that oozes character and hosts various events, including literary performances and comedy acts, which are open to the public.
Location
In trendy Poncey-Highland, about two miles northeast of downtown
The Highland Inn is located in Poncey-Highland, between Virginia-Highland and Little Five Points neighborhoods, about two miles
northeast of downtown. A safe and vibrant residential neighborhood, it has many independently owned shops, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The Carter Center is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and it's possible to drive to downtown without getting on the interstate. There's a bus stop within a one- to two-minute walk of the hotel, and the trip to downtown takes 30 to 35 minutes. Several major attractions are within a 12- to 15-minute drive, including
Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca Cola, the CNN Center, AmericasMart, Georgia
Dome, and Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Tech is a 10-minute drive (25 minutes by bus), and
Emory University is eight to 10 minutes away by car. Turner Field and the Atlanta
Botanical Gardens are a 10- to 15-minute drive. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is about a half-hour drive, or a 50-minute trip on public transportation.
Rooms
No-frills rooms with mini-fridges, microwaves, AC, and stoves in some, along with free Wi-Fi
The 80 guest rooms at the Highland Inn include Singles and Doubles. Rooms are clean and beds are comfortable, but rooms can vary significantly in size -- high ceilings, some of which show exposed pipes, can make them seem larger. Decor is strictly no-frills -- expect to find white or light earth-tone walls, dark carpeting, and solid-color drapes, and vintage art and movie posters along the walls. King Rooms have upholstered armchairs and sofas, and wooden headboards and side tables, some of which shows wear. Beds typically have floral-patterned comforters with solid-color skirts. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, window-unit air-conditioners, irons, hairdryers, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges; most have microwaves, and they can always be requested; some rooms include full stoves and sinks. Bathrooms, with pedestal sinks, shower/tub combos, and powder-blue walls, are small, and guests have complained about worn caulking and water-stained fixtures in some. Be aware that this is an old building, and noise travels between rooms and from the outside. Guests have also complained about noisy air-conditioning units.
Features
Freebies such as parking, breakfast, and Wi-Fi
The Highland Inn offers a few additional perks for its guests, some free of charge. Free parking is provided in a lot adjacent to the hotel, but it's first-come, first-served. A free continental breakfast
is served daily in a small indoor room, or in the outdoor courtyard in the warmer months. Free Wi-Fi is
available throughout the property, and there's a coin-operated laundry on-site. The 3,700-square-foot Ballroom Lounge in the basement, with vintage bar, hosts evening events, such as literary readings or improv comedy performances, which are open to the public.
