Live In Lodge in Stone Mountain, extended stay with caveats
Live In Lodge is an extended-stay property on Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, Georgia, with kitchenette rooms, free parking and daily housekeeping. Google reviewers are split, praising the staff and maintenance but raising security and rule concerns. It suits budget long stays for people who accept that; I wouldn't pick it for a short holiday.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Live In Lodge.
Where Live In Lodge is and how to get there
Live In Lodge is at Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, Georgia, just east of the I-285 ring road and close to Stone Mountain Park. It sits on the Atlanta side of the park, so it works best if you have a car or can rely on public transport.
The older description lists MARTA's Indian Creek Station as the nearest rail stop, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the main airport. Nearby landmarks include Hallford Stadium and the Waffle House Museum, plus Stone Mountain Park itself. Free private parking is included, and there is bicycle parking too, so getting around by car or bike is easy enough.
What the rooms and facilities are like
Live In Lodge is built for longer stays, not for a quick overnight. Rooms are set up like small apartments, and that is the main reason to look at it.
- The kitchen corner. Rooms are listed with a kitchenette, fridge, microwave, stovetop and a dining table, so you can cook your own meals.
- The comforts. You get air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a seating area, a private bathroom with free toiletries and a balcony.
- The service. There is private check-in and check-out and daily housekeeping, although one reviewer says the housekeepers only mop.
- Laundry. The old description mentions washing machines in the rooms, but one reviewer says there is no laundry service and points to a 24-hour laundromat next door. Ask before you count on it.
The same reviewer mentions extras are limited. Towels and toilet paper are rationed, and extra rolls cost money. If you stay a while, bring your own basics.
What guests say about it
Google gives Live In Lodge 2.8 out of 5 from 442 reviews, which is low, and the comments really are split down the middle. Reading them side by side, I see two very different experiences.
The happy guests mention friendly front-desk staff and a maintenance team that fixes problems quickly, often the same day. Several say their room was clean, the beds comfortable and that they had no roaches or bed bugs. Some residents describe a quiet, community feel, with neighbours who are respectful and the occasional event for children. A few say they felt safe and rested well.
The unhappy ones are more serious. Several guests describe drug activity, people hanging around outside late and trash around the grounds. A few recent reviewers talk about gunfire, with one saying rooms, cars and the steps were hit. Others complain about fines for small things such as trash in the bin or a dish in the sink, and about policies they felt were rigid, such as limits on how many children can stay in a room. Refunds are described as not available.
What to know before you book
Read this section twice. Live In Lodge is not a typical holiday stay, and a score of 2.8 should make you ask questions before paying.
| What works | What to think about |
|---|---|
| Kitchenette, fridge and microwave in the room | Reviews talk about security problems, including gunfire |
| Free parking on site and bicycle parking | Late-night noise and drug activity mentioned by several guests |
| Staff and maintenance praised as quick and polite | Fines for small rule breaks and a no-refund policy |
| Practical for a longer stay on a tight budget | Limited towels and no linen service, according to one guest |
My advice is simple. Check the room policy and the refund rules in writing before you pay, especially if you travel with children, because some of the harshest reviews are about exactly that. Ask about the current situation on site, and don't rely on the best reviews alone, since many of them are several years old.
Who it suits and what is nearby
I would only recommend Live In Lodge in Stone Mountain to someone who needs a practical, low-cost base for a longer period, who cooks for themselves and who is comfortable with a busy, no-frills environment. It can work for people in a transition between homes, as a couple of reviewers describe.
I would not choose it for a short holiday, a romantic weekend or a trip with young children where peace of mind matters most. If that is you, look at other places around Atlanta first.
If you do stay, you are near Stone Mountain Park, which is the obvious outing, and the old description also names the Bradley Observatory, the Stone Mountain Carving and the Atlanta Botanical Garden as places within reach by car. Treat Live In Lodge as somewhere to sleep and cook, not as a destination in itself.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
