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