Although it has a population of less than 2,000 residents, Ellijay GA is the seat of Gilmer County. It’s a town so nice that President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, had a second home there.
Ellijay is located about 22 miles north of the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains, at the confluence of the Ellijay and Cartecay Rivers.
The area was a significant part of the historic Cherokee Nation, and its name is derived from the Cherokee word elatseyi, which means “new ground.”
After gold mining in Georgia led to Land Lotteries and the Trail of Tears, Ellijay remained an isolated mountain community until the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad caused a boom in the 1880s.
Their trains brought timber companies and their workers into the region.
With mild summers (for the Deep South), Gilmer County has evolved into a hub for outdoor enthusiasts, and Downtown Ellijay GA is considered a benchmark among Georgia’s Blue Ridge mountain towns.
The town is known as the “Apple Capital of Georgia,” and is home to the annual Georgia Apple Festival, which has been held every October since 1971.
Gilmer County is speckled with lots of fantastic apple orchards and wineries. There are also great rivers for rafting, boating on Carters Lake, and some great places for hiking and mountain biking.
Downtown Ellijay houses a fine collection of restaurants and antique shops, and hosts festivals throughout the year.
If you’re looking for places to stay in Ellijay, read on for our in-depth guide to the best hotels in Ellijay GA, which includes details on all our favorite hotels and B&Bs in and around the town.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Things to Do in Ellijay GA & Gilmer County
Best Hotels in Ellijay GA Guide
(Arranged alphabetically & by distance to downtown Ellijay GA)
- Budget Inn Top of Ellijay
- Stratford Motor Inn East Ellijay
- Best Western Mountain View Inn
- Comfort Inn & Suites East Ellijay
- Villas at Gingershack Farms
- Hampton Inn Blue Ridge
- Comfort Inn & Suites Blue Ridge
- Blue Ridge Rustic Inn/The Modern Inn
- Ellijay River House B&B
- Blue Ridge Inn B&B
READ MORE: The 20 Best Cabin Rentals in Ellijay GA
Hotels in Ellijay GA
1. Budget Inn Top of Ellijay
34 Jeff Drive, Ellijay GA • (706) 635-5311
Located near the heart of Downtown Ellijay, Budget Inn Top of Ellijay has that classic Route 66 motel look, with a comfy modern spin on décor. The city center is less than a 15-minute walk away.
This is a perfect place for those looking for a great Ellijay hotel location. It’s a clean place to sleep with a nice view, free parking, high-speed internet, and 24-hour desk service.
There are non-smoking rooms, family rooms, and suites available, all of which have mini fridges, microwaves, cable/ satellite TV, and heat/AC.
It’s one of several pet-friendly hotels in Ellijay GA, with a pet fee of $25 per pet per day.
Some of the nearby Ellijay attractions include Historic Downtown Ellijay, with plenty of restaurants to choose from. The Back Porch Bistro, Cajun Depot Grill, Cornerstone Café, and Ellijay Coffeehouse are a few of our favorites.
Ellijay’s Riverside Park is 3 miles away, the Talking Rock Nature Preserve (which has excellent trails for mountain biking) is 11 miles away, and Carters Lake is about 20 miles.
Other hiking/biking options nearby include the Cartecay River Loops (5 miles), Bear Creek Trails (12 miles), and Fort Mountain State Park (20 miles).
READ MORE: The 10 Best Restaurants in Ellijay GA for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
2. Stratford Motor Inn East Ellijay
79 Maddox Circle, East Ellijay GA • (706) 969-7100
Located in East Ellijay, just a couple of miles from Historic Downtown Ellijay, the Stratford Motor Inn is off Route 76, just minutes away from the boundary of Chattahoochee National Forest.
The location provides quick access to Carters Lake, the Rich Mountain Wilderness, Riverside Pool & Park, and Panorama Orchards & Farm Market.
The Whitepath Golf Club, a public golf course in Ellijay, is close as well.
As for amenities, the Stratford Motor Inn is a beautiful old building with an enchanting garden and plenty of creature comforts. A continental breakfast is part of the package, and theres an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy.
All Stratford Motor Inn rooms have a mini-fridge, microwave, cable TV, and coffeemaker. WiFi is available throughout the hotel, and there is an on-site business center for photocopies, faxes, etc.
Nearby eateries include the Cajun Grill Depot, Poole’s BBQ, Lin’s Garden, Charlie’s Italian, and the Okinawa Restaurant. for those who like breweries, the Cartecay River Brewing Company is only a mile away.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Apple Orchards in Ellijay, Georgia
3. Best Western Mountain View Inn
94 Mountain View Drive, East Ellijay GA • (706) 515-1500
Less than 2.5 miles from the center of the town of Ellijay, the Best Western Mountain View Inn has rooms with gorgeous scenic views while keeping all the niceties of Downtown Ellijay close at hand.
All their hotel rooms have cable television, a coffeemaker, and high-speed internet, and they come with a full breakfast in the morning. The hotel also has a sundeck, 24-hour front desk service, and free parking.
There are over a dozen restaurants to choose from within a mile of the Best Western Mountain View Inn.
It’s a perfect spot to be for the Georgia Apple Festival in October. In the summer, the Cartecay River Experience is nearby for river tubing, kayak, and canoe rentals.
And of course the Chattahoochee National Forest and Fort Mountain State Park are nearby, offering perfect places for diving deeper into the natural beauty of North Georgia.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Places for River Tubing in North Georgia
4. Comfort Inn & Suites East Ellijay
234 Highland Parkway, East Ellijay GA • (706) 515-6000
Familiar, comfortable, and well-equipped, the Comfort Inn & Suites East Ellijay is a classic American hotel with the magic Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia just outside the door.
It’s only 3 miles south down GA-515 from Downtown Ellijay, so there’s quick access to all of the in-town luxuries, including unique restaurants and local shops.
But getting out of town to the Cohutta Wilderness is a cinch as well, with the Emery Creek trailhead less than 20 miles to the north.
This Ellijay hotel features a heated indoor swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, and a fitness room. Parking and Wi-fi is free, and there are guest laundry services and a business center.
All rooms have the expected creature comforts, including a flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and heat/air conditioning. Some rooms also have cozy lounge areas.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Wineries in the North Georgia Mountains
5. Villas at Gingershack Farms
280 Turkey Creek Drive, Ellijay GA • (706) 635-1685
Located about 10 miles southeast of town, Gingershack Farms is an excellent choice for nature lovers seeking something a bit more local and laid-back.
The 10-acre homestead features lovingly tended gardens and a small animal farm, with creek-side rental cabins.
All Gingershack Farms cabins have coffee makers, kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, free Wifi, and outdoor patios for enjoying the surrounding natural beauty.
This is a family-run establishment, and they’re excited to share their love of Appalachian culture and traditions like herbal crafts and fiber arts with guests.
The charming farm is located close to the southern section of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Talking Rock Nature Preserve, and Burnt Mountain Preserve.
READ MORE: The 40 Best North Georgia Cabins to Rent
Hotels Near Ellijay GA
6. Hampton Inn Blue Ridge GA
50 West Main Street, Blue Ridge GA • (706) 642-9001
Moving about 15 miles northeast to the town of Blue Ridge GA, the Hampton Inn offers accommodations with a touch more sophistication, such as a rooftop bar with a balcony.
Other property amenities include a shared lounge, fitness center, and an on-site restaurant.
This is a pet-friendly Blue Ridge hotel (for a $75 fee), and rooms can include king or queen beds, scenic views, French balconies, non-smoking, and mobility-accessible options.
To get to Ellijay, visitors can take US-76 W and it’ll carry you right into town. The hotel is also close to the Chattahoochee National Forest, Rich Mountain Wilderness, and Lake Blue Ridge.
The town offers excellent dining options: Nearby Blue Ridge restaurants include Rum Cake Lady Cuban Food, Southern Charm, The Blue Coyote, Harvest on Main, and Misty Mountain Hops.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Things to Do in Blue Ridge GA
7. Comfort Inn & Suites Blue Ridge
83 Blue Ridge Overlook, Blue Ridge GA • (706) 926-0533
While there is Comfort Inn & Suites location in Ellijay GA, Blue Ridge has another one just 15 miles away. It offers a fantastic view, and it’s another pet-friendly hotel in Blue Ridge (with a required $50 pet fee).
The Comfort Inn in Blue Ridge is a bit more upscale than the Ellijay location.
It has relaxing lobbies with plasma TVs, and hot breakfasts to go along with the on-site fitness room and business services (copy machine, fax, etc).
It’s less than a mile from Downtown Blue Ridge GA, which has a full gamut of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta and Black Sheep are some sensational dining options nearby.
We also love the fact that this Blue Ridge hotel is near one of our favorite Georgia lakes (Lake Blue Ridge), a vast forest (Chattahoochee NF), and plenty of wilderness for recreation.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Waterfalls Near Blue Ridge GA
8. Blue Ridge Rustic Inn/Blue Sky Inn
1580 Appalachian Highway, Blue Ridge GA • (706) 258-4800
Often listed as the Blue Ridge Rustic Inn, the Blue Sky Inn is a budget hotel in Blue Ridge GA.
It’s located on the southern outskirts of town, which puts the hotel closer to Ellijay, but further away from the Downtown Blue Ridge restaurants and shops.
This Blue Ridge motel has free Wi-Fi, free parking, and breakfast. All rooms heat/AC, memory foam mattresses, desks, wardrobes, and cable TV.
All in all, this is really a no-frills, budget-friendly hotel that costs less than most hotels in Ellijay or Blue Ridge.
Downtown Ellijay is a 15-minute drive away, while Downtown Blue Ridge is just 5 minutes.
Located about halfway between the two Georgia mountain towns, the Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum is just 3.5 miles south on US-76 W.
READ MORE: The 20 Best Blue Ridge Georgia Cabins to Rent
Bed and Breakfasts in Ellijay GA & Nearby
9. Ellijay River House Bed and Breakfast
128 River Street, Ellijay GA • (770) 883-3797
Smacking with sweet Southern charm, the Ellijay River House Bed & Breakfast is one of the comfiest places to stay in Ellijay.
The 1915 Craftsman-style house has 4 luxurious rooms with lively colors and nature-inspired names such as Wild Flower and Three Rivers.
Three of the rooms sleep 2 adults, while one sleeps 3 with a queen and a twin bed. All rooms have private bathrooms, and each guest is provided with a plush bathrobe for world-class lounging.
Also included with your stay are free Wi-Fi, free parking, a hot breakfast, an evening dessert, and a coffee/tea bar overlooking the river.
As its name implies, the Ellijay River House is located right on the tranquil river, in the heart of Ellijay.
Nearby restaurants include La Catrina Tacos & Margaritas, Corner Stone Café, Cantaberry, and the Back Porch Bistro. The Ellijay Coffeehouse and Das Kaffee Haus are both within walking distance as well.
READ MORE: Apple Picking in Georgia: The 14 Best North GA Apple Orchards to Visit
10. Blue Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast
477 West First Street, Blue Ridge GA • (706) 661-7575
Just 20 miles northeast of Ellijay, the Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast is perfect for folks who want to bounce back and forth between Ellijay and Blue Ridge.
This B&B is right in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge GA, with myriad waterfalls, forests, rivers, and lakes nearby.
The Blue Ridge Inn has 10 rooms. Six are suited for couples, while two of them can sleep up to 3 adults and two others can handle up to 4 people.
All of their rooms are stylishly decorated and tastefully themed.
Breakfast is a big-time affair here, with offerings like hash brown sausage casserole, eggs benedict, and Quiche Lorraine. Accommodations can be made for whatever dietary restrictions or allergies guests may have.
The original “Kincaid House” dates back to 1890 and has been a B&B since 1996, changing ownership 3 times.
John Lavin, a Chattanooga native, bought the place in 2021, and brings a long history in the hospitality industry with him. –by Jonathon Engels; photos via Booking.com unless otherwise noted; featured image of downtown Ellijay GA at Sunset via Canva
