The Best Hotels To Stay At When Visiting The Great Smoky Mountains, According To Traveler Reviews

Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a vast expanse of rolling mountains cloaked in dense woods. It's a stunningly beautiful place to visit any time of year, thanks to its four distinct seasons and the fact that it's one of a handful of parks in the U.S. that are free to visit year-round. In fact, this is the most visited park in the United States. According to the National Parks Service, nearly 13 million people visited the park in 2022. There are many reasons to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, including spectacular hiking trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and interesting historical sites. There are also tons of amazing hotels in the Great Smoky Mountains area.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park spans 522,427 acres, so there is a lot of ground to cover. Most people plan multi-day trips to explore destinations within the park and the surrounding areas. There is only one lodge in the park, but you'll find plenty of hotels in towns close to the entrances. The three main entrances are in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Townsend, Tennessee; and Cherokee, North Carolina. If you're planning a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, these are some of the best hotels in the area based on traveler reviews on Google, Tripadvisor, and booking sites like Agoda and Booking.com.

With a 5-star rating from Tripadvisor and a 4.9 rating from Google reviews, Berry Springs Lodge is clearly a much-loved spot. Set on 30 acres in Sevierville, the lodge features 13 spacious rooms with fireplaces and balconies that offer views of the Great Smoky Mountains foothills. Some of the rooms have hot tubs on the balcony where you soak under the stars. When you're not relaxing in your room, you can explore the trails and fishing ponds on the property, enjoy a picnic in the garden, and gather at the fire pit in the evenings to toast marshmallows.

Guests gush about the friendly service at Berry Springs. One reviewer on Tripadvisor said, "As soon as you walk in the Berry Spring Lodge, it's a very warm, welcoming atmosphere. The real fire going in the fireplace in the living room sitting area was very nice and relaxing. Every single one of the staff were so amazing and helpful. The breakfast food was out of this world fantastic. And the free evening freshly baked snacks were an amazing touch as well."

Camping is a quintessential mountain experience. However, if you don't want to lug a tent and camping gear around with you on your trip, you might want to consider Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains. This unique camping site lets you sleep outdoors in style with gorgeous glamping tents that feature hardwood floors, comfy beds, ensuite bathrooms, and wood-burning stoves. The site is just a little over 12 miles from the Sugarlands (Gatlinburg) entrance to the park, so you can explore trails in the Smokies by day and return to your luxe safari-style tent in the evenings.

The Under Canvas tents are designed to accommodate a wide range of travelers, from couples looking for a romantic getaway to travelers with pets or families with little ones. Amenities include an on-site dining area that serves locally sourced, seasonal produce and fire pits where you can share stories and s'mores. There are morning yoga classes on offer, as well as live music performances on special nights. The activities coordinator can point you in the direction of great hiking trails or suggest the best family-friendly activities to do near the Great Smoky Mountains. The tents are available for booking from April to December.

Picture your ideal bed and breakfast in the countryside, and something like Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn & Cottages might be the image you conjure up. This charming property in Pigeon Forge sits on 60 acres of rolling green fields and features a Victorian-style farmhouse with a huge wraparound porch. Communal areas include a homey dining room and a sitting room with a fireplace, plush sofas, and armchairs. You can opt for one of the rooms in the main house that offers views of the Smoky Mountains or a standalone cottage for extra privacy. All stays include a hearty breakfast.

The family-owned property gets plenty of 5-star ratings from travelers thanks to its warm Southern hospitality and beautiful setting. Many reviewers comment about how welcoming the staff are and how at home they felt during their stay. The homemade meals are much appreciated, as are the sweet treats the staff members put out every night for guests to enjoy. The spa also gets shout-outs for its soothing massages, salt scrubs, and mud wraps.

If you haven't experienced the Smokies from the North Carolina side, Outland Great Smoky Mountains Chalet & Suites is a pretty sweet spot to do so. This stylish boutique hotel sits on a ridge overlooking the Clingmans Dome. It's surrounded by 22 acres of forest and has seven trails to explore, and an observation area with sweeping views of the mountains. The property is secluded and scenic but just a 10 to 15-minute drive from restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Formerly called The Chalet Inn & Suites, the hotel was renovated in 2022 and is now a top choice for couples. The spa suites are peaceful and private, with balconies, gas fireplaces, and luxurious bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs and steam showers. There is also a two-bedroom suite that is ideal for families or couples traveling together. If you have a large crew, you can book out the chalet with seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and indoor and outdoor dining areas. It should be noted that Outland Great Smoky Mountains offers un-hosted stays, meaning there are no staff on site. As they describe it, "Imagine a hybrid between an Airbnb vacation rental and a hotel."

Gatlinburg is one of the most popular places to stay in the Smoky Mountains area because it sits at one of the three entrances to the park. It's also one of the most budget-friendly destinations in America. The Historic Gatlinburg Inn has been welcoming guests since 1937, and it's still a top choice among visitors today. Travelers love the history of the building and the fact that the hotel is in the heart of Gatlinburg, so it's within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Pass the fireplace and rocking chairs on the front porch and head into the lobby, where you might get a wave of nostalgia. The interior features vintage furniture and old photos on the walls that tell the story of the inn. The rooms have been updated with Serta mattresses, flatscreen TVs, and coffee machines. If you can, book a room with a balcony for views of the mountains and the SkyLift. All stays include a hot breakfast in the dining room. The inn doesn't offer lunch or dinner, but you can grab snacks in the lobby or head to one of the many restaurants in town.

If you're looking for an affordable place to stay near the Great Smoky Mountains that's also clean, comfortable, and has gorgeous views, Twin Mountain Inn & Suites is a good bet. Located along the Pigeon River, the hotel offers decent-sized rooms with fireplaces and balconies overlooking the river. Even the smallest rooms can sleep four people. If you want to pay a bit more, you can get a king room with a jetted bathtub or a studio suite with a kitchen and dining area. The hotel also has an accessible room with two queen beds.

One of the biggest draws for many people is Twin Mountain Inn's convenient location. It's not right on the strip in Pigeon Forge, but it is close enough for easy access to amusement parks, restaurants, and the Gatlinburg Golf Course. Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Theater is within walking distance. Other attractions nearby include the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel and Ripley's Super Fun Park. The Sugarlands entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is about 20 minutes away by car.

Dancing Bear Lodge celebrates the spirit of the Smokies with cozy wooden cabins and cottages nestled in the trees. The hotel is located in Townsend just minutes from the Townsend Entrance Road leading to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dancing Bear also has a bar that serves craft cocktails and beers and an inviting bistro serving Appalachian cuisine. Even if you're not staying at the lodge, the bistro is worth a visit for its innovative fare, like the smoked trout cakes and sweet tea-brined pork chops. If you happen to drive a Tesla, Dancing Bear Lodge has one of the only electric vehicle charging stations in the Great Smoky Mountains.

With numerous accommodation types to choose from, you're spoiled for choices at Dancing Bear Lodge. The villas are ADA-compliant, with ramp entrances, roll-in showers, shower rails, and shower chairs. They can be rented as single or double rooms connected by an adjoining door. The cottages and cabins can accommodate families and groups, and some have fully equipped kitchens. Optional room add-ons can include flowers, a celebration cake, and a welcome bottle of wine with a cheese platter and chocolate-covered strawberries.