Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Area

[disny_luvr]

If it fits in our budget we'd like to go to Disney next summer and stop in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area and visit Smoky Mountain National Park. We'd probably only be in the area for two nights, maybe three. Can anyone recommend any budget friendly hotels in the area? By budget I mean less than $200 a night; I hope that's doable. I did some brief searching today but it's hard to know where we should stay when I'm not familiar with the area.

TIA!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We love the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg. Walkable to everything and fairly new.
We used to stay at the park vista but it is old and the rooms seem musty to me like maybe the air is moldy or something. So although the pool is great we don't stay there anymore.
Eta: now that I am thinking about it, DH was just at the park vista sun thru thurs this week for a work trip and he is now in bed sick. Hmmmm, coincidence?

 

[avalovesminnie]

We stayed in a cabin, so prob not helpful, but it was on vrbo. I was shocked at how crowded everything was, I'm sure long hikes would not be crowded but the Gatlinburg streets were packed. Our kids are too little for more than a few miles. Also, I felt like aside from the park all the tourist things were pricey. We went to a trout farm that was super fun for our kids though...catch it, then they cook it up for you!

 

[disny_luvr]

We love the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg. Walkable to everything and fairly new.
We used to stay at the park vista but it is old and the rooms seem musty to me like maybe the air is moldy or something. So although the pool is great we don't stay there anymore.
Eta: now that I am thinking about it, DH was just at the park vista sun thru thurs this week for a work trip and he is now in bed sick. Hmmmm, coincidence?

I was actually looking at the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg. It looks really nice and is reasonably priced. Thanks for posting your thoughts about the hotel; I appreciate hearing your first-hand experience.

I hope your DH is better soon!

We stayed in a cabin, so prob not helpful, but it was on vrbo. I was shocked at how crowded everything was, I'm sure long hikes would not be crowded but the Gatlinburg streets were packed. Our kids are too little for more than a few miles. Also, I felt like aside from the park all the tourist things were pricey. We went to a trout farm that was super fun for our kids though...catch it, then they cook it up for you!

We'd love to stay in a cabin but I don't know if I can rent one for only two nights.

 

[candy0730]

We are going in November and staying 3 nights at the Econo Lodge Riverside in Pigeon Forge and then 4 nights in a cabin in Gatlinburg. The Econo Lodge is only $60 per night, gets good reviews, includes breakfast and has a river in the back where you can feed ducks or sit by a fire pit. It is close to lots of attractions such as The Island, mini golf, go carts, shows etc. If you are interested I can let you know how the motel is when I get back. We are really looking forward to the cabin as it will be more secluded and quiet. Well there will be 15 of us in the cabin so maybe quiet isn't the right word. Lol. From what I have read, if you stay in PF you will need to drive to most attractions/restaurants and if you stay in GB most are within walking distance of many hotels.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We have staying in that Econ Lodge about 5 yrs ago. It was okay. The carpet was nasty and I would not walk around without my shoes on. Other than that the hotel was ok.

 

[maxaroni]

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg last year. Loved it. We thought it reasonably priced, great location and easily accessible to everything but also quiet. Would highly recommend.

We love the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg. Walkable to everything and fairly new.
We used to stay at the park vista but it is old and the rooms seem musty to me like maybe the air is moldy or something. So although the pool is great we don't stay there anymore.
Eta: now that I am thinking about it, DH was just at the park vista sun thru thurs this week for a work trip and he is now in bed sick. Hmmmm, coincidence?

 

[Belle & Ariel]

I have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg over the last few years and it is very good. Most hotels in Gatlinburg are old but clean.. I think most will not renovate because the competition does not and they are in the $60-80 range. The nicer ones like the Hilton Garden are about $125-150,
We had annual passes to Dollywood/Splash Country one year and we stayed at two Best Westerns in Pigeon Forge, the Toni Inn and I think the Park Inn. We never stay in Best Westerns but someone suggested these and they are basic yet very clean and great location for about $60 a night. Trip advisor is a great place to look and read reviews.

 

[audracooper]

We have stayed in a cabin there and are booked for another cabin in October for only $150 a night and it sleeps at least 10 people. Super nice and awesome views. Check through VRBO and you can find some that rent only 2 nights. We are also staying just 2 nights and found several. I have gone through the cabin rental places there and although they are nice, they have a lot of extra fees added in. The VRBO rental only added a cleaning fee and tax. Tons of room to spread out, nice kitchen and living room, lots of tvs and a game room.

 

[ajwolfe]

We've only stayed in cabins in that area, but check VRBO as I'm sure you can find some that rent 2 nights depending on the time of season you are wanting to stay. Both towns are busy and touristy but the national park and all its sites are gorgeous. My kids love hiking back to waterfalls and playing in the water there.
If you are wanting to primarily do the national park I would stay in Gatlinburg that way you are a bit closer. Driving can be a pain there some times.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

We are going in November and staying 3 nights at the Econo Lodge Riverside in Pigeon Forge and then 4 nights in a cabin in Gatlinburg. The Econo Lodge is only $60 per night, gets good reviews, includes breakfast and has a river in the back where you can feed ducks or sit by a fire pit. It is close to lots of attractions such as The Island, mini golf, go carts, shows etc. If you are interested I can let you know how the motel is when I get back. We are really looking forward to the cabin as it will be more secluded and quiet. Well there will be 15 of us in the cabin so maybe quiet isn't the right word. Lol. From what I have read, if you stay in PF you will need to drive to most attractions/restaurants and if you stay in GB most are within walking distance of many hotels.

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are about 10 minutes apart, though. I did a weekend trip about a month ago and we stayed in Gatlinburg right across from the Ripley's Aquarium. We were a 15 minute drive to the Island, Dixie Stampede and Dollywood and a 10 minute drive to the national park, but we were able to walk all of Gatlinburg. I hope that gives you some insight.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

http://www.wyndhamvacationrentals.c.../visit/baskins-creek-condominiums-rentals.htm

This is where we stayed that was walking distance from the main strip in Gatlinburg. It was very clean, but kind of a weird set up and had a very simple pool. The condos are great though, because it's one king bedroom and then two queen beds in the other room and each has an ensuite bathroom. It was under $200 when we went.

The fairfield inn and suites had a nice water slide.

The Hilton Garden Inn looks really nice, but boring indoor pool.

A lot of cabins do have 2 day rentals, but many are more than $200 nightly.

 

[Diaz]

Another vote for Gatlinburg Hilton Garden Inn. Newer, clean, good location. As I'm sure you know, breakfast at Hilton Hotels is not complementary. There is a Hampton Inn in Pigeon Forge that is new, close to The Island, and offers free breakfast. I believe it is on Teaster Lane? Both could be < 200$/nite depending on season and room type. I hope you love Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I do.

 

[goofy67]

We go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlingburg area a couple times a year. My mom and I always stay at Willow Brooke Lodge in Pigeon Forge. It is family owed and has always been super clean! We have also felt very safe 2 women staying there alone. They have a wonderful breakfast that includes biscuits and gravy every morning. You won't go wrong staying here. There's usually a coupon on their website. We are going Thanksgiving week this year with the whole family and staying in a cabin for the first time.

 

[neatokimmo]

We go there all the time. I usually hotwire the room. The 3 star, indoor pool and 85% approval rating has the been the blue roof ramada twice for us. It is located near the wax museum and the wizard place. It has a larger bathroom, and probably one of the most comfortable beds in Pigeon Forge. It had a tall dorm fridge, and a microwave. It also included breakfast but for the life I me I can't remember what it was but it was hot. Probably biscuits and gravy, plus all the cold standard stuff.

It was $67 a night over spring break and I want to say $80ish when we did a random weekend.

Closer to Dollywood, we have stayed at the vacation lodge in a remodeled room. It reminded me of a nice dorm because one of the walls was concrete block. The guts of the room were brand new so I liked that. It was Feb so the pool was closed. I had to work so I didn't get to test out the breakfast. It was dirt cheap, like $40.

The Rodeway Inn, the last place on the right leaving Pigeon Forge was worn out and really dated. It didn't feel clean. Free breakfast and a $118 sinus infection from that one.

The Best Western right at the turn off to Dollywood was ok. It was really dated. I liked their pool and breakfast. But the room was meh. I'd stay there again on a deal, but wouldn't seek it out.

We've stayed in several Kodak motels too but that is pretty far from Gatlinburg.

 

[otterpop]

Sorry to sort of hijack this thread, but any suggestions on must do places to shop, see, eat, etc...? Have never been, and meeting the parent-in-laws- there for a weekend next month...we're staying at the La Quinta Inn; has good reviews and plus we have a dog. Thanks!

 

[neatokimmo]

Sorry to sort of hijack this thread, but any suggestions on must do places to shop, see, eat, etc...? Have never been, and meeting the parent-in-laws- there for a weekend next month...we're staying at the La Quinta Inn; has good reviews and plus we have a dog. Thanks!

We have stayed there, it is very dog friendly.

 

[zlah31]

There is a new courtyard Gatlinburg being built that should be really nice but not sure what prices will.

The econo lodge by the convention center in Gatlinburg is very clean and very friendly staff. It's nothing special but we'll priced.

Baskin creek condos are nice. Can be a far walk to downtown if you aren't used to walking but we did it.

Fairfield inn Gatliburg is great.


Willow Brook lodge in pigeon forge is very clean and good amenities.

Best Western Toni Inn was wonderful when we stayed there! I couldn't believe how spacious the room was for the price we paid.

Music road resort hotel is really greatm. They have a wonderful breakfast as well.