While a cabin is often the go-to place to stay on a Smokies vacation, sometimes you just want to check-in and check-out without all the fuss.
Luckily, in Pigeon Forge, there are still plenty of luxury hotels available that offer the Southern hospitality mountain experience that guests crave when considering their vacation destination.
So, here are some of my favorite area hotels that are considered to be the cream of the crop. Overall, they offer comfortable rooms, nice amenities and easy access to the top attractions.
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1. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort
First off, we have the king – or perhaps the queen – of them all: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort was Dolly Parton’s dream come to life with the expansion of the Dollywood footprint – and her brand. Her special touches are clearly visible throughout the resort.
This hotel offers a modern atmosphere with Southern charm.
The DreamMore was built with families in mind complete with an optional bunk bed for the kids in select rooms. Guests of all ages will enjoy two on-site restaurants featuring classic Southern comfort food.
Kids will also enjoy both an indoor and outdoor pool. There is also a playground and an interactive splash pad.
Adults will enjoy the on-site full-service spa and lounge bar.
Fun fact: The bar is a unique feature for DreamMore. In fact, It is the only location where alcohol is available for purchase on a Dolly Parton property in Pigeon Forge. Dollywood, Pirates Voyage and Dolly Parton’s Stampede are all dry venues.
Bargain hunters will also rejoice for some of the on-site perks and discounts offered by the resort. This can include a free Time Saver pass, but always read up on current offers at the time of your booking.
Ready for the best part? A complimentary trolley is available to shuttle DreamMore guests to and from Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country as needed. Routes run every few minutes during regular park hours.
It’s definitely one of the best luxury hotels in the area and a great base of operations when you want to go to the Dollywood theme park.
The only downside? It’s one of the more expensive options on our list. Check for current rates on Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com.
Read Also: Is Dreammore Worth It? An Honest Review of Dollywood’s Resort
2. Margaritaville Island Hotel
Built in 2014, the Margaritaville Island Hotel is considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Pigeon Forge.
This resort-style hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar and a rooftop pool with private cabanas available for rent.
Hotel rooms are equipped with a private balcony, kitchenette and a fireplace.
But the best part about the Margaritaville Island Hotel, and the real reason we ranked it at No. 2 on this list – is its unique location in the middle of The Island in Pigeon Forge.
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a popular multi-purpose shopping, dining and entertainment venue that offers a variety of shops, restaurants, rides and attractions.
To top it all off, it’s also within walking distance of the Alcatraz East Crime Museum and The Comedy Barn. Nothing beats a no-car-required vacation.
Check current rates on Kayak, Hotels.com or Expedia.com.
3. Margaritaville Island Inn
Built in 2017, the Margaritaville Island Inn is one of the newer luxury hotels in Pigeon Forge.
Margaritaville is located just 550 feet from The Island in Pigeon Forge and offers a similar experience to the Margaritaville Island Hotel at a fraction of the price.
While this hotel lacks some of the higher-end amenities featured at the Margaritaville Island Hotel, Margaritaville Island Inn is a little newer and features all the basics you and your family need for an enjoyable getaway while still enjoying the convenient Island location.
The Margaritaville Island Inn features both an indoor pool and outdoor swimming pool, a free continental breakfast and is just steps away from a variety of restaurants and attractions.
Plus, both Margaritaville locations are just a 6-minute drive from Dollywood. Check current rates with Booking.com, Expedia or Kayak.
Read Also: 9 Best Great Smoky Mountains Resorts for Your Next Trip
4. The Inn at Christmas Place
Some people say you should carry the spirit of Christmas in your heart all year long. The Inn at Christmas Place takes that saying quite seriously with Christmas decor that will put you in the holiday spirit 365 days a year.
This Bavarian-inspired resort is one of the only (and arguably the best) Christmas-themed hotels in the entire country.
It is located directly across from The Christmas Place store and less than a mile away from The Island.
The Inn at Christmas Place also features an outdoor pool with a 100-foot water slide that will keep the kiddos entertained for hours.
Also along the main strip of the Parkway, it’s also only a mile away from attractions like the Titanic Museum or the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud. Dollywood is located less than 5.3 miles away.
Check for current pricing on Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com.
5. Courtyard by Marriott Pigeon Forge
Who said a chain hotel can’t offer an authentic Southern experience?
The Courtyard by Marriott in Pigeon Forge features a modern rustic aesthetic with 5-star accommodations.
But what really landed the Courtyard by Marriott on our best hotels list is the impressive list of amenities designed to keep the entire family entertained even if you never leave the property.
The hotel features a full-service bar, an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub, a lazy river, three fire pits, biking and walking trails, an on-site restaurant and a 24-hour coffee shop.
The Courtyard by Marriott is located just 10 minutes from Dollywood and is located at 120 Community Center Drive in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Check for current pricing on trusted sites like Kayak or Hotels.com.
6. Tru by Hilton in Pigeon Forge
Rated an excellent 8.7 on Booking.com, this hotel is conveniently located on Teaster Lane, right near The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Your basic amenities are included, including free wifi, a fitness center and free parking. But what gives this hotel an edge is its incredible indoor pool and excellent location.
Check current rates on Hotels.com or Kayak.
7. Black Fox Lodge in Pigeon Forge
Part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, this lodge is located in the heart of Pigeon Forge.
It features a seasonal outdoor pool with a slide, a patio and a fire pit. Additionally, it has a restaurant and full bar, fitness center and free parking.
Suites are also available. Overall, it’s a great option for families. Check current rates on Booking.com or Kayak.
8. Music Road Resort Hotel
This resort is rated a very good 8.6 out of 10 on Kayak.com and includes impressive indoor and outdoor pool facilities, including its own lazy river.
It’s also available on Hotels.com and Expedia.
9. La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Pigeon Forge
This hotel has an 8.6 rating on Booking.com and includes a seasonal outdoor pool and free breakfast.
It’s one of the more affordable options on the list while still offering a convenient location to top attractions, like the Old Mill or The Island. Check current rates on Hotels.com or Kayak.
Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite hotels when you visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee? Let us know in the comments below.
None of these hotels are priced for the average middle class family. When we come to the area, we stay 6 nights. That is not doable at these prices. It’s a shame that a lot of the other hotels think they should up their rates to match the high priced hotels. Everything there is getting outrageously expensive from hotels to attractions to food. Welcome to the Smokies, playground for the wealthy.
Our favorite is the mainstay suites on pine mountain road
Not feasible for a weeks stay as a family of 7. Maybe a family of 4 with young children, not with teens, near adulthood, and not in the working middle class, unless your vacationing once every 3-5 years. Need 2-3 rooms to have enough beds, we are on vacation, not looking to be packed 3 deep in a bed or using pull out couches that are uncomfortable from the get-go. We use to vacation every year(20 out of 30 yrs) in The Smokies, but the steady incline in rates, have made it impossible to do, and still be able to go out of the hotel room to enjoy other over-priced activities. I agree with Patricia above!
Our favorite place to stay in Pigeon Forge is the Econo Lodge Riverside which is right next door to the Christmas Store. We’ve stayed there a couple of times & we’ve always enjoyed our stay there. The staff is great, the rooms are great & it’s in a great location in Pigeon Forge! The rates are great and family affordable!
very expensive to lay your head down to rest. Middle class people need affordable places to stay but not this price rooms. Some of us has our animals as part of the family and need more pet friendly places, if you really look some animals are alot cleaner than humans up in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg. Hopefully someone will read these responses and do someting.
Timber Lodge. Is Super, very comfortable clean. Management is super, front desk personnel always friendly
We stayed at Timber Lodge rooms were clean great rates. Front desk stalk was friendly all staff were nice . Owner took us around and showed us rooms that were redone.
Dear Ms.Dolly please remember how you were raised and how hard it was to raise a family on a smaller amount of money. True there are people who can afford the higher priced hotels. Also newly weds for some great honeymoon experiences but it would be nice to offer people on a middle income level a really nice newer motel to choose from. I realize you build the best but as my granny used to say “just because your poor doesn’t mean you have to go dirty ” hahaha. Give all incomes a break give us nice we don’t need 20ft water slides just a decent pool and a decent slide .Love Dolly and love Piegon Forge
If thing don’t change seniors and retirees can’t afford to vacation. The monthly income for seniors are not the same as 300,00 dollars a year. The Smokies use to be for the poor and middle class now it is for the rich. Sad that we can’t afford it any more. I can’t stand dirty place to stay.