South - Where is the best place to stay in the Pigeon Forge area?

Just what the title asks.

Thanks :cool:

Just what the title asks.

Thanks :cool:

I have stayed in a few different places between Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg & Sevierville. The best of the bunch for the price has been the Comfort Inn, in Sevierville almost at the Pigeon Forge border. It is in front of the Apple Barn.

I also like the Hampton Inn in Gatlinburg. It is a cut above the typical HI property and very conveniently located. I have stayed at the Country Inn and Suites in Pigeon Forge and it was just OK.

I have stayed at 3 budget motels in Gatlinburg that I simply cannot recommend and won't mention by name.

If your budget allows, a cabin or chalet is a nice option. We have done it twice and were pleased both times. You can see what you're getting and pick a place with a hot tub, mountain view or pool table if that's what you want. And keep in mind that they all have kitchens to keep you from having to eat fast food or shell out a lot of $ for a not so great restaurant. I have used a couple agencies and both were acceptable. I can't recall the names but typing pigeon forge cabin into a search engine will bring up quite a few choices.

Of course, your definition of "best" may be different from mine. Are you looking for convenient access to Dollywood, country relaxation, cost effectiveness, luxury accomodations, or ???

In Gatlinburg, and by all means do not miss the drive through Cades Cove. Went to the University of Tennessee and then lived in Knoxville for two years and visited Cades Cove at least a 100 times and was never bored. Caveat, avoid the Smokies on football weekends if you do not like crowds.

I'd second the vote for a chalet/cabin that will not be right on the main drag of Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, yet will be easily accessible. However, as previous poster mentioned, depends on the size of your group and your budget. Also, we had a rather different experience once on a drive through the area, spending the night at the Wonderland Lodge, which is much more rustic/rural, but still convenient to all the Pigeon Forge action. The web site also mentions that Cades Cove is convenient, too. My favorite part was that it was easy to walk out of the lodge for a stroll/hike through the mountains in such a beautiful part of the country. http://wonderlandlodge.net/index.html
However, if you are looking for a chain motel/hotel style experience, probably not for you. Have a nice trip!

Thanks everyone! I will probably stay at the Hampton Inn On the River in Pigeon Forge, but a cabin sure sounds fun!

If you are defining "the best" and giving no thought to cost, I'd say Blackberry Farm. It's about 30-40 minutes from Pigeon Forge on 2500 acres, which ajoin the Smoky Mountains park. It's been voted best small hotel in entire USA in tons of surveys. I've stayed there about 5 times and the service, food, ambiance, etc surpasses any experience I've had in any hotel, any place in the world. It's about 45 rooms (some in main house, some in cabins). Web site is www.blackberryfarm.com

Followup to above post. Here are a few reasons that indicate that Blackberry Farm might be considered the "best"

Relais & Chateaux
Member since 1994

2005 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List
#1 in Service in the U.S. (Perfect 100 Service Score)

2005 Travel & Leisure 500 Best Hotels & Resorts Around the World
#1 Country Hotel (East)

2005 Zagat Travel Guide
#2 Small Hotel in the U.S.
#4 Hotel for Service in the U.S.
#5 Hotel for dining in the U.S.

2004 Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report
#1 U.S. Resort Hideaway
#5 U.S. Resort Hotel

2004 Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards
#4 Hotel in the U.S. & Canada
#27 Hotel in the World

2004 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
#5 Hotel in the U.S.

2004 & 2005 Southern Living Readers' Choice Awards
"America's #1 Country Inn"

2003 & 2004 Zagat Travel Guide
#1 Small Hotel in the U.S.
#1 Hotel for Service in the U.S.
#2 Hotel for Dining in U.S.

2004 Departures Magazine Readers' Favorites Survey
#7 Country Hotel in U.S. & Canada

2003 & 2004 Orvis -Endorsed "Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year"

2003 Wine Spectator "Best Award of Excellence"

Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards
2003, #12 North America Hotel
2002, #1 in Service in the U.S., #3 in Service in the World, #4 Small Hotel in the U.S., #3 in Guest Rooms in the U.S.

Travel & Leisure 2000 Reader's Choice Award
"One of the Best Hotels in North America"

Gourmet Magazine, May 2000
"One of the Top-5 Country Inns in North America"

If you are defining "the best" and giving no thought to cost, I'd say Blackberry Farm. It's about 30-40 minutes from Pigeon Forge on 2500 acres, which ajoin the Smoky Mountains park. It's been voted best small hotel in entire USA in tons of surveys. I've stayed there about 5 times and the service, food, ambiance, etc surpasses any experience I've had in any hotel, any place in the world. It's about 45 rooms (some in main house, some in cabins). Web site is www.blackberryfarm.com
Sorry for not defining "best". I consider best to be under $120 and a nice place for the money.

I've faciliated two corporate retreats up in the hills there - both times at gorgeous bed&breakfast or cabin/lodge type places. Sadly, I can't remember any of their names.

If you are defining "the best" and giving no thought to cost, I'd say Blackberry Farm. It's about 30-40 minutes from Pigeon Forge on 2500 acres, which ajoin the Smoky Mountains park. It's been voted best small hotel in entire USA in tons of surveys. I've stayed there about 5 times and the service, food, ambiance, etc surpasses any experience I've had in any hotel, any place in the world. It's about 45 rooms (some in main house, some in cabins). Web site is www.blackberryfarm.com

Will NEVER stay at Blackberry Farm again. They have multiple rooms which are all nice and great food. However, I don't like the nickel and dime you to death. They add a service charge to your room. Ok, I don't mind that too much. But, it is not fixed, but a % of your room charge. We had a standard room, but as they were slow, they upgraded us to a villa suit - and based the service charge on that room's rate. The cost of the service charge was almost the amount that we paid for our room. You get NO Difference in service per room type. It is only for internet, etc.

Townsend, TN is located 20 miles west of Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg. They promote themselves as the peaceful side of the Smokies. Several local inns, cabin rentals and a couple of larger hotel brands in this small town. Very near to Cades Cove. They also have tubing, bike paths, RV campgrounds, ect. Its a very easy drive to the center of Pigeon Forge and very scenic.