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The Best Hotels to Book in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Pull up a chair at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek and marvel at the Great Smoky Mountains
Pull up a chair at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek and marvel at the Great Smoky Mountains | Courtesy of The Lodge at Buckberry Creek / Expedia.com

If you’re not pitching a tent or rolling in an RV, let these hotels in Gatlinburg, Tennessee – all bookable on Culture Trip – be your basecamp for your Great Smoky Mountains National Park adventure.

Only a few miles from the park entrance, the many attractions in Gatlinburg offer indoor fun to balance your outdoor excursions. From moonshine tastings to minigolf, you’ll find cross-generation fun served with lashings of mountain views. Make the most out of your trip and book one of the best places to stay in Gatlinburg – they’ll show you why Gatlinburg is more than just the gateway to the Smokies.

Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown

Chain Hotel

Interior view of a sitting area at Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown, with leather modular sofas, a large stone fireplace and carpeted floors
Courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown / Expedia.com

It’s a breeze to build an itinerary in downtown Gatlinburg, thanks to the location of Courtyard by Marriott on the Trolley Route. Wake the family up in your two-bedroom suite and bring a full appetite next door to the Log Cabin Pancake House for a syrupy stack of flapjacks. Hop the trolley to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, before riding back to the hotel for pulled pork sammies at Bones BBQ Joint.

Greystone Lodge

Independent Hotel

Exterior view of the Greystone Lodge including its parking lot, surrounded by greenery, with forested hills in the background
Courtesy of Greystone Lodge / Booking.com

With a myriad of attractions and trolleys stopping right outside the front door, you couldn’t be better placed for exploring downtown Gatlinburg than at Greystone Lodge. But slow down a bit and you’ll see there’s plenty to appreciate in the lodge itself first. From an outdoor pool with a waterslide and 24-hour fitness center to a crackling fire in your suite, and views of the Little Pigeon River from your private balcony, Greystone Lodge is certainly more than just a crash pad.

The Historic Gatlinburg Inn

Inn

Exterior view of the facade of the Historic Gatlinburg Inn, with a curved outdoor pool in the foreground lined with sun loungers
Courtesy of The Historic Gatlinburg Inn / Expedia.com

After a full day of hiking, why not let the Historic Gatlinburg Inn help you plan a lazy day? The conjoined Parlor Rooms will help you keep your whole group on schedule. When everyone’s ready to rock, there’s a ski lift waiting right outside to grant you amazing views from Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. If anyone gets a little lightheaded at 1,800ft (548m), ride the lift back down and make a beeline for the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, where they’ve got more than enough liquor to calm those nerves.

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River

Chain Hotel

Bright interior of a room at Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River, with a bed and TV in the foreground, and a sofa, stone fireplace and dining table in the background
Courtesy of Econo Lodge Inn & Suites On The River / Expedia.com

One of the best ways to begin your budget-friendly holiday in Gatlinburg is by booking a room at Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the Cliff Branch River. It’s a five-minute walk to the Gatlinburg Trailhead, which will take you deep into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The same stroll in the opposite direction will lead you into town for the Amazing Mirror Maze and Circus Golf, the Hollywood Star Cars Museum, and other affordable family-friendly activities.

The Lodge at Buckberry Creek

Independent Hotel

Dark interior of a room at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek, with a fireplace and sofa in the foreground and a bed in the background beside a window
Courtesy of The Lodge at Buckberry Creek / Expedia.com

A getaway just outside downtown Gatlinburg, the Lodge at Buckberry Creek provides enough room to stretch your legs and relax – 26 mountainous acres (11ha), to be precise. But cozy suites with soaking tubs and fireplaces won’t make it easy to tear yourself away. Drive around the corner to the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook for a view of the downtown lights, then head back for a beer on your private balcony.

Old Creek Lodge

Independent Hotel

Interior of a room at Old Creek Lodge, with a large bed, rustic wooden furnishings and a stone fireplace in the corner by a sliding door
Courtesy of Old Creek Lodge / Expedia.com

Anglers, listen up. Stream-view rooms at the Old Creek Lodge give you a glimpse of things to come ahead of your fishing trip in the wide, fertile rivers of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smoky Mountain Angler is 1.5mi (2.4km) up the road if you need to grab extra supplies before you head up to Little River, Tremont, or Elkmont. If you’re an early riser, you’ll be thankful for the coffee maker in your room and the grab-and-go breakfast in the lobby.

Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg

Resort

Interior view of a sitting area at Margaritaville Resort, Gatlinburg, with a large stone fireplace surrounded by armchairs and a sofa
Courtesy of Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg / Expedia.com

If you like your hotels with a dash of Spring Break silliness, the Margaritaville Resort could be the one for you. When you’re not sipping mai tais in the spa, live it up in your ultra-chill Jimmy’s Hideaway bungalow. The rain shower, stone fireplace, private outdoor bonfire, and jacuzzi tub in the bathroom will make you think you’ve stumbled upon a Caribbean island in the heart of Gatlinburg.

The Appy Lodge

Independent Hotel

Interior view of a room at the Appy Lodge with two double beds, wooden floors and a window
Courtesy of The Appy Lodge / Booking.com

You’ll be more than happy staying at Appy Lodge, one of the best places to stay in Gatlinburg. The walk-in showers, fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs in some of the guest rooms will put a smile on your face, as will the convenient grocery store, gas station, and liquor store on either side of the property. Fuel up for a hike through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or a drive through the Appalachian Mountains, and then come back for a quick float in the indoor pool.

Edgewater Hotel

Hotel

Interior view of a sitting area at the Edgewater Hotel, Gatlinburg, with leather sofas and armchairs, a fireplace and a wall-mounted TV
Courtesy of Edgewater Hotel / Expedia.com

There are few places better to stay in the colder months than Edgewater Hotel. An indoor heated pool and hot tub allow you to enjoy the hotel amenities year-round, while the gas fireplace in your suite makes warming up easy after you lose track of time counting snowflakes on your private balcony. Only steps from the center of downtown, you’ll hardly start to shiver before you reach the Mysterious Mansion, the Gatlinburg Wine Cellar, or dozens of other attractions and restaurants.

Looking for a hotel with a bit more adventure about it? Book a stay at one of the best hotels with a waterpark in Tennessee with Culture Trip.

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