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Commencement Hotel Information

We’ve reserved rooms at a discounted rate to help make your Commencement experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. These special rates for the hotels listed below are available through Thursday, April 23, 2026—or until our room block is filled—so we recommend reserving your accommodations as soon as possible to secure your best option.

A one‑night, non‑refundable deposit is required at the time of reservation, and all bookings must be made with a credit card. Standard state and local taxes (currently 15 percent) will apply at checkout. If you’re looking to have a private graduation party during your stay, contact  Alexandra Joseph at Alexandra.Joseph@Marriott.com or (404) 398-1918 for special Spelman pricing. 

Book Marriott Gateway

Book SpringHill Suites

Book Renaissance Atlanta

Benefits of Choosing a Spelman Host Hotel

Due to the presence of the FIFA World Cup 2026, we’re expecting an immense increase in traffic in the downtown Atlanta area during Commencement. As a result, we’ve secured host hotels close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) this year to ensure that our Spelman families and guests have the best Commencement experience without the hassles.

  • Affordable Pricing – The Spelman rates are much lower than the downtown rates. 
  • Proximity – Each of the selected Commencement host hotels are a five minute or less walk to the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). 
  • Graduation Event Space - Our host hotels have a variety of space to host your special occasion events with Spelman-friendly pricing. Call the hotel directly and ask for the Special Events department for rates and menus. 
  • Airport Access - The hotels are accessible via the Sky Train directly from the airport. 
  • Hotel Rooms - Family groups can stay in the same hotel and possibly on the same floor. Accessible rooms are available (all rooms are pending availability). 
  • MARTA Train Station - The train station is a nineteen minute walk away from GICC and riding the train is an inexpensive alternative to rideshare or car rentals. 
  • Ride Share – A quick and easy solution that is easily accessed at the airport that also eliminates downtown parking issues.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Rewards Points - By signing up or adding your member number to your reservation, you will receive loyalty points for each hotel night stay a Marriott Bonvoy property, as well as for every dollar spent on extras like food, drink, etc. You can also enjoy the following perks: member discounts, mobile check-in, free standard in-room Wi-Fi access, room upgrades, and more. 

Contact Info

Event Strategy and Management

350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, GA. 30314
2nd Floor, Rockefeller Building

404-270-5822
events@spelman.edu

Mon. - Fri. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Recommended Hotel List

Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel

Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway hotel
Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel
2020 Convention Center Concourse
Atlanta, GA 30337 
1-800-228-9290 or 404-763-1544

Proximity: 4-minute walk
Rate: $199.00 USD per night 
Start date: May 14, 2026
End date:  May 18, 2026
Last day to book by: April 23, 2026 by 5:00PM

Parking: 25% discount offered on self-parking to guests.


Book Marriott Gateway

SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel

SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway hotel

SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel
2091 Convention Center Concourse
College Park, GA 30337 
1-888-287-9400 or 770-907-8880 

Proximity: 5-minute walk
Rate: $199.00 USD per night  
Start date: May 14, 2026
End date:  May 18, 2026
Last day to book by: April 23, 2026 by 5:00PM

Parking: 25% discount offered on self-parking to guests.


Book SpringHill Suites

Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel

Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel

Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel
2081 Convention Center Concourse
Atlanta, Georgia 30337
1-800-468-3571 or 470-306-0100

Proximity: 5-minute walk
Rate: $199.00 USD per person
Start date: May 14, 2026
End date:  May 18, 2026
Last day to book by: April 23, 2026 by 5:00PM

Parking: Valet parking only. No discount offered at the moment.

 

Book Renaissance Atlanta

Other Commencement Information

Information for Mobility Impaired Guests

Spelman College does not provide wheelchairs for mobility-impaired guests. It is strongly encouraged that guests make arrangements prior to Commencement Weekend to ensure availability. Atlanta has many professional services available, including:

ADA Medical Supply
6780 Roswell Road, NE Suite D115
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
adamedicalsupply.com
678-398-0505

Mobility impaired guests may be dropped off at the venue entrance with a companion to accompany them. Upon entrance into the event area, there will be hostesses available to identify seating for guests with wheelchairs and other motorized chairs.

Commencement Etiquette

The Commencement exercise is a formal academic ceremony. We ask that all guests respect the ceremony, graduates and other guests by behaving in the dignified manner that the occasion merits. In keeping with decorum and the Spelman tradition, we ask that guests adhere to the following guidelines.

Key Points

  1. Keep all confetti, balloons, and noisemakers outside of the venue.
  2. Food, beverages, or rude and disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Security personnel will be on-site to enforce these restrictions and prevent disruptive behavior.
  3. Cellular phones should be turned to their silent operating modes to help ensure that all guests can hear and enjoy the graduation activities.
  4. During the reading of the names of the graduates, we ask guests to be considerate in their applause so that all names are heard clearly and the ceremony is not disrupted. We ask that you express your excitement in ways that will not prevent others from hearing the speakers and enjoying the ceremony.
  5. Please remain in your seats for the duration of the ceremony until after the recessional. Please do not block the aisles or passageways by attempting to greet or take photos with graduates.
Photography and Videotaping

All official senior photos were scheduled earlier this year. Please contact the Office of Student Life and Engagement located in Manley 201 or call 404-270-5139 with any questions.

Your class photo will occur prior to the Founders Day Convocation and is offered as part of Commencement photo packages.

Family and friends wishing to take photographs of candidates are asked to do so either before or after ceremonies.

Photography and Videography Release

Please be aware that photographers and members of the media will be taking photographs and filming Spelman's Commencement activities. Your presence at the ceremonies constitutes your release, permission, and consent to be photographed and/or recorded. Pictures and/or recordings of you may appear in future printed materials and online, including in commercially available publications.

If you do not wish to be photographed and/or recorded, please be aware of the presence of photographers and members of the media and take steps to avoid contact.