With its Bavarian architecture, traditional German restaurants, and kitschy gift shops, Alpine Helen GA is arguably the most popular small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia.
And while there are a plethora of interesting places to stay in Helen, some of the most colorful options for lodging in Helen GA are right near the heart of town.
We typically prefer to stay in some of the pet friendly cabins in Helen, including the unique Unicoi State Park Barrel Cabins.
But there are also myriad Helen hotels, motels, inns, and B&Bs that are frequently ranked among the best places to stay in Helen.
Read on for our in-depth guide to the best Helen GA hotels, from budget friendly chains to quirky local spots like the Alpine Village Inn, the Valhalla Resort Hotel, and more!
READ MORE: The 15 Best Rental Cabins in Helen GA
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Best Helen GA Hotels Guide
(Arranged by amenities)
- Hampton Inn
- Riverbend Motel
- Baymont Inn
- Quality Inn Downtown Helen
- Valhalla Resort Hotel
- Budgetel Inn
- Fairfield Inn
- SureStay Hotel by Best Western
- Holiday Inn Express
- Alpine Village Inn
READ MORE: 20 Fun, Festive Places to Celebrate Christmas in Georgia
Hotels in Helen GA on the River
1. Hampton Inn
147 Unicoi Street, Helen GA • (706) 878-3310
Check Rates: Hampton Inn Helen via Booking.com
Located just 0.2 miles from Downtown Helen, the Hampton Inn offers easy access to the Chattahoochee River.
Each room comes furnished with a mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, Heat/AC, and cable TVs to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
There are a variety of rooms for guests to choose from, including some with a fireplace, King sized bed, and a spa bathtub. They also have an outdoor pool and fitness room.
Guests at the Hampton Inn in Helen Georgia are encouraged to take advantage of the free breakfast and high-speed internet that the hotel offers.
Not only is the river within walking distance, but the Antique Car & Buggy Museum, Cool River Tubing, and Outpost Gold & Gem Mining are all less than a mile from the hotel.
The Alpine Carriage Company is right across the street, offering horse-drawn carriage rides through the town of Helen for only $10 a person.
If you’d rather actually ride the horses, Chattahoochee Stables is located 4 miles from the hotel, offering horseback riding tours along the river for $60 a person.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Helen GA
2. Riverbend Motel
134 River St, Helen GA • (706) 878-2155
Check Rates: Riverbend Motel & Cabins via Booking.com
Offering gorgeous views of the Chattahoochee River, the Riverbend Motel & Cabins is one of the best rated hotels in Helen GA on the river.
It’s located just 0.2 miles from downtown Helen, so you don’t have to walk far to explore the quirky mountain town.
Guests have the option of booking motel rooms or cabins, each of which are equipped with full kitchens and private balconies. Select rental cabins come with a jacuzzi and a fireplace, and all rooms include flat screen TVs and Wifi.
All Riverbend Motel guests get private access to the river and a complimentary breakfast, so you could enjoy your morning coffee right by the water. There are also picnic areas with BBQ grills right on the property.
This is one of a few pet friendly motels in Helen GA. Two pets are allowed per room (with a total combined weight of 25 lbs or less) for an additional charge of $30 per pet each night.
The Riverbend Motel boasts a prime location, with Unicoi State Park just 2 miles away and several Helen hiking trails less than 4 miles from the hotel.
If you stay during the warmer months, you can visit the Helen Water Park, which is just 1.4 miles away. It’s a popular place to go river tubing, or enjoy the waterslides and lazy river.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Easy Hiking Trails to Waterfalls in Georgia
Pet Friendly Hotels in Helen GA
3. Baymont Inn
8220 S Main St, Helen GA • (706) 725-8764
Check Rates: Baymont by Wyndham Helen via Booking.com
If you’re looking for pet friendly hotels in Helen GA, check out the Baymont Inn. This location is 0.5 miles from downtown, granting guests easy access to all the shops, restaurants, and charm Helen is known for.
Each room at the hotel includes a microwave, mini-fridge, and a flat screen TV. But select rooms also offer a fireplace, private balcony, spa tub, and great views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Whichever room you choose, it comes with free breakfast, daily housekeeping, and access to the fitness center.
There are also several different parks and hiking trails close to the Baymont Inn, with Unicoi State Park only 2 miles away and the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area just 3.7 miles from the hotel.
If you really want to explore the natural beauty surrounding Helen, take a 6-mile drive to see the stunning Anna Ruby Falls, which are actually twin waterfalls that join to form Smith Creek.
This gorgeous North Georgia waterfall will give you a whole new appreciation for nature, and makes a fantastic spot for an afternoon picnic.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Waterfalls Near Helen GA
4. Quality Inn Downtown Helen
15 Yonah St, Helen GA • (706) 878-2268
Check Rates: Quality Inn Downtown Helen via Booking.com
The Quality Inn Downtown Helen is one of the best cheap hotels in Helen GA, where guests can really get their money’s worth.
Located 0.2 miles from downtown, 5.3 miles from Dukes Creek Falls, and 13.9 miles from Horse Trough Falls, it’s a prime location close to the best outdoor activities Helen has to offer without hurting your wallet.
Their rooms start at just $66 a night, with an additional $30 per night for each pet. Unlike other dog friendly hotels in Helen GA, there’s no limit here to the size and number of pets you can bring per room.
Each room comes with a mini-fridge, heat/AC, a microwave, and a coffee maker. If you want to add an extra roll-away bed to your room, it’s only an additional $20.
Free breakfast is included in your stay. But the hotel’s proximity to downtown Helen makes it easy to walk to some of the town’s best restaurants.
This Quality Inn also has a large outdoor swimming pool that’s perfect for summer, or you can go tubing down the Chattahoochee River, which is right across the street.
If you want to visit during the Helen Oktoberfest (the largest outside of Germany), this is an affordable option for hotels near the famous fall festival in Georgia. It’s so close, you can walk and avoid the traffic jams.
The Quality Inn’s location is also close to many of Helen’s best parks, hiking trails, forests, and waterfalls.
READ MORE: The 15 Best Restaurants in Helen GA for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5. Valhalla Resort Hotel
688 Bahn Innsbruck, Helen GA • (706) 878-2200
Check Rates: Valhalla Resort Hotel via Booking.com
Surrounded by spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Valhalla Resort Hotel should definitely rank high on any list of the best places to stay in Helen Georgia.
This dog friendly Helen GA resort charges a one-time $50 pet fee, allows up to two dogs per room, and is located just 2 miles from Downtown Helen.
Outdoor activities that Valhalla has to offer include a golf course, a 0.75-mile hiking trail, tennis courts, and a guided safari where guests can see bears, foxes, deer and other Georgia wildlife in their natural habitat.
An impressive on-site spa offers numerous treatments to pamper visitors, such as massages, manicures, facials, and pedicures.
Room options to choose from include suites, bungalows, villas, and townhomes, with the latter two fitting more people and having full kitchens. You can also visit one of the four restaurants that are on the property.
One unique attraction of this Helen GA resort is the Valhalla Art Studio, where visitors can learn new art techniques every Thursday and Saturday for a fee of $45 per person.
Fans of Appalachian history will enjoy the Hardman Farm State Historic Site, which is 1.5 miles away. It’s across the street from the Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound, an ancient burial site later used by the Cherokee people.
READ MORE: The 30 Best Hiking Trails in North Georgia Bucket List
Hotels in Helen GA with Indoor Pools
6. Budgetel Inn & Suites
11 Edelweiss St, Helen GA • (706) 878-1451
Check Rates: Budgetel Inn and Suites Plus Helen via Booking.com
If you’re looking for hotels in Helen GA with a great location, the Budgetel Inn & Suites is another affordable option. Located 1 mile from downtown, this Helen hotel is perfect for those who want to explore the town on foot.
There are several shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions within a short walk from the hotel. The Habersham Winery is 0.5 miles away, while the Outpost Gold & Gem Mining Co. is 0.3 miles away.
The recently renovated hotel has all new flooring, and each room features flat screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and microwaves. They also offer a complimentary hot breakfast every morning.
Budgetel boasts a a picnic area and a sun deck to enjoy when the weather is warm, but the fun doesn’t have to end once the frigid winter weather comes to the North Georgia mountains.
Celebrating a Helen GA Christmas at the Budgetel Inn is extra cozy thanks to their indoor heated pool and hot tub.
Being close to Downtown Helen allows guests a chance to explore the nearby natural beauty, with Unicoi Hill Park just 1 mile away, and Smithgall Woods State Park around 3 miles away.
READ MORE: 15 Fun, Festive Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Helen GA
7. Fairfield Inn
8035 S Main St, Helen GA • (706) 892-1225
Check Rates: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Helen via Booking.com
One of the most popular hotels in Helen Georgia, the Fairfield Inn is located right along Main Street.
Guests can choose between rooms or suites, but both have microwaves, refrigerators, and satellite TVs. There’s also free internet available throughout the hotel.
The Fairfield offers a free breakfast buffet and coffee or tea to help jump start your day. You’ll also find convenience store and snack bar on the property, in case you need extra munchies.
The Fairfield Inn is one of the best Helen GA hotels with an indoor pool (which is heated).
You can also get some exercise at the fitness center, or by exploring some of the many hiking trails and parks that are located within a few miles of the hotel.
Another thing we love about the Fairfield Inn in Helen is the central location. Unicoi Hill Park is less than a mile from the property, and some of our favorite Downtown Helen restaurants are within walking distance.
READ MORE: 15 Helen GA Hiking Trails Worth Exploring
8. SureStay Hotel by Best Western
8396 S Main St, Helen GA • (706) 878-2191
Check Rates: SureStay Hotel by Best Western Helen Downtown via Booking.com
Located right along Main Street in Downtown Helen, the SureStay Hotel by Best Western is another great option if you’re looking for places to stay in Helen GA.
Each room is furnished with a microwave, TV, fridge, and coffee maker to ensure that guests have a comfortable stay. Some rooms also offer a fireplace, balcony, and a gorgeous view of the Appalachian Mountains.
Their heated indoor pool offers lounge furniture on the pool deck, while patio furniture can be found on the deck outside for anyone who wants to catch a tan in the summer.
They have an on-site convenience store where guests can replace anything that may have been left at home, or grab a snack if they missed the continental breakfast.
Many of the best Helen attractions are close to the SureStay Hotel, including the Georgia Mountain Coaster across the street, Raven Cliff Falls (6.7 miles away), and Babyland General Hospital in nearby Cleveland GA (8 miles).
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Dahlonega GA & Lumpkin County
9. Holiday Inn Express
8100 S Main St, Helen GA • (706) 878-1084
Check Rates: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Helen, an IHG Hotel via Booking.com
If you’re on the hunt for Downtown Helen GA hotels, check out the Holiday Inn Express. Located 0.6 miles from the heart of downtown, this hotel provides easy access to everything the Blue Ridge Mountain town has to offer.
Guests can choose between rooms or suites, both of which have flat screen TVs, heat/AC, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and high-speed internet.
In terms of amenities, there’s an indoor heated pool as well as a free breakfast buffet. There are also business services available, including office supplies, a printer, and a copier.
Anna Ruby Falls is just 1.6 miles from the hotel, and Unicoi State Park has lots of trails to explore. So be sure to pack your hiking shoes and other hiking essentials for your visit to Helen GA.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards is 2.5 miles away, and it’s a great place for Georgia wine tastings and enjoying the stunning Georgia mountain views that Helen has to offer.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Wineries in the North Georgia Mountains
Other Helen Georgia Hotels
10. Alpine Village Inn
1005 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen GA • (706) 970-8271
Check Rates: Alpine Village Inn via Booking.com
Sitting 0.6 miles from downtown, the Alpine Village Inn in Helen GA offers guests a great location and friendly staff.
Each room in the hotel comes furnished with flat screen TVs, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and microwaves. One of our favorite parts about the Alpine Village Inn is their outdoor garden area and terrace.
Patio furniture and a pool table invite guests to mingle and enjoy the outdoors, while a fire pit and BBQ grill are ready for cooking burgers and hot dogs or roasting marshmallows.
If you don’t feel like grilling (or going out to one of the many restaurants in Helen), the hotel does offer room service throughout the day.
If you’re up for some serious hiking, the picturesque Yonah Mountain Trail is just 13 miles from the hotel.
The gorgeous Anna Ruby Falls is just 5 miles from the property, if you’re looking to explore the natural beauty that surrounds the town of Helen GA. -by Samantha Dickens; lead image of Hampton Inn in Helen via Booking.com
