United States North Carolina The 7 Best Smoky Mountain National Park Hotels of 2023 Stay at these top accommodations when visiting the Tennessee mountains By Amber Nolan Amber Nolan Amber is a restless travel writer with more than 10 years of experience. She covers travel products for TripSavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/29/22 Fact checked by Hans Jasperson Fact checked by Hans Jasperson University of Utah Hans Jasperson has been delivering fact-based information and analysis to business leaders, policymakers, and consumers for over a decade. His research has been shared with members of the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and policymakers in several states. Since 2019, he has reviewed hundreds of articles for Investopedia, The Balance, Treehugger, and other publications. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Dean Fikar / Getty Images The Rundown Best Overall: Inn on the River — See Rates at TripAdvisor "The hotel features a scenic outdoor pool, heated indoor pool with a hot tub and a patio." Best for Families: Inn at Christmas Place — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Many rooms have private balconies or courtyard views, while suites are ideal for families and have full kitchens and sleeper sofas." Best Lodge: Buckberry Creek — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Suites have gorgeous fireplaces, full kitchens, private balconies...and spacious baths with soaking tubs." Best Spa: Riverstone Resort — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Accommodations are pet-friendly and include luxurious, condo-style rooms or private two-and three-bedroom log cabins with fireplaces and wrap-around porches." Best for Couples: Berry Springs Lodge — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Guests can explore the 33 acres surrounding the lodge...enjoy lunch at the picnic tables, take the canoe out on one of two ponds, or challenge other guests to croquet or horseshoes." Runner-Up, Best for Families: Clarion Inn Dollywood — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Spacious rooms accommodate up to four people and have contemporary décor and Keurig coffee machines." Best Motel: Mountain Breeze Motel — See Rates at TripAdvisor "Each of the 71 rooms and suites are well kept, but have old-fashioned décor." Best Overall: Inn on the River Courtesy of Inn on the River Buy on Tripadvisor.com Once a Hampton Inn, the remodeled Inn on the River has a super prime location that's just steps away from the attractions of Pigeon Forge (like Christmas Place and the Hollywood Wax Museum), and offers 128 rooms and suites in a peaceful riverside setting. TripAdvisor users love the upper level rooms overlooking the river, however not all rooms offer those views, so be sure to ask when booking. The hotel features a scenic outdoor pool, heated indoor pool with a hot tub and a patio. Standard Rooms have maple wood furniture, mini refrigerators, flat-screen televisions and baths with granite counter tops. Many rooms also have private balconies or gas fireplaces and a free breakfast buffet is included with each stay. Best for Families: Inn at Christmas Place Courtesy of Inn at Christmas Place Buy on Tripadvisor.com The Inn at Christmas Tree Place celebrates the season of giving year-round with a Bavarian-Christmas ambience, a singing Santa who performs in the lobby and holiday decorations like a Black Forest clock that plays Christmas carols. The 145-room inn has many amenities for families with little ones, such as a 95-foot water slide, outdoor swimming pool, indoor pool, hot tub and character visits during breakfast (included in the rate). Many rooms have private balconies or courtyard views, while suites are ideal for families and have full kitchens and sleeper sofas. The inn is located near all the main Pigeon Forge attractions, just 10 minutes (driving) from Dollywood and Parrot Mountain and Gardens, or five minutes from the Titanic Museum Exhibit. Best Lodge: Buckberry Creek Courtesy of Buckberry Creek Buy on Tripadvisor.com More of the rustic type? Located about a 10-minute drive from central Gatlinburg, the Lodge at Buckberry Creek has 14 suites, unbeatable views and an outdoorsy atmosphere (think plaid couches, wood-paneled walls and nature-themed artwork). Hand-carved sculptures, taxidermy and wood furnishings can be found in every corner of the lodge, including the lobby and pavilion – an open-air public space with commanding views of the mountains. Suites have gorgeous fireplaces, full kitchens, private balconies (although not all suites have a room with a view) and spacious baths with soaking tubs. Guests can explore the property’s hiking paths and meander along the trickling Buckberry Creek. Best Spa: Riverstone Resort Courtesy of Riverstone Resort Buy on Tripadvisor.com Adjacent to the Gatlinburg Golf Course with views of the Smoky Mountains, the Riverstone Resort and Spa has all the ingredients for a peaceful wellness vacation. Relieve stress at the full-service spa with a body treatment such as an herbal mud wrap or a hot stone massage. The resort also has a lazy river, indoor pool, nature trails, picnic tables set along the river, as well as a playground and game room for the kids. Accommodations are pet-friendly and include luxurious, condo-style rooms or private two-and three-bedroom log cabins with fireplaces and wrap-around porches. Even the smallest condos have Jacuzzis and conveniences like modern kitchens, dining tables and washing machines and dryers. The resort is less than three miles from Dollywood, MagiQuest and Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud show. Best for Couples: Berry Springs Lodge Courtesy of Berry Springs Lodge Buy on Tripadvisor.com A rustic, luxury bed and breakfast, Berry Springs Lodge is a tranquil romantic hideaway in Sevierville, a 25-minute drive from Smoky Mountain National Park with gorgeous views of the mountains. Each of the 13 rooms has its own color scheme, design, and furniture, but include home-like touches such as poster beds with quilts, rocking chairs and upholstered recliners, as well as premium amenities like plush robes, nightly turndown service and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms also feature balconies, fireplaces and hot tubs. Guests can explore the 33 acres surrounding the lodge on foot or by mountain bike, enjoy lunch at the picnic tables, take the canoe out on one of two ponds, or challenge other guests to croquet or horseshoes. Breakfast includes the option of dining with other guests or individually, with homemade items like Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, stuffed French toast or Western-style scrambled eggs. Runner-Up, Best for Families: Clarion Inn Dollywood Courtesy of Clarion Inn Dollywood Buy on Tripadvisor.com For a reasonably priced family stay near Dollywood, Wonderworks and the Island in Pigeon Forge family entertainment center, Clarion Inn Dollywood is an excellent choice. A wide range of amenities include a massive breakfast with plenty of hot and cold options, free WiFi, an indoor pool, hot tub, and an outdoor pool. Spacious rooms accommodate up to four people and have contemporary décor and Keurig coffee machines. Best Motel: Mountain Breeze Motel Courtesy of Mountain Breeze Motel Buy on Tripadvisor.com If you're on a really tight budget and are willing to sacrifice some amenities (but still want to be close to mini golf courses, go kart and arcade centers), then family-owned Mountain Breeze Motel is a comfortable, clean and affordable option in Pigeon Forge. Each of the 71 rooms and suites are well kept, but have old-fashioned décor (think carpeted floors, wooden headboards with matching dressers, and rocking chairs). There’s also a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and free breakfast. Many TripAdvisor users were returning guests who appreciated the free donuts, coffee and popcorn from the machine in the lobby. They also appreciated the close proximity to many restaurants (within walking distance) including options for southern-cuisine, pizza and barbecue. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about a 20-minute drive. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! 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