Where to Stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
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The Great Smoky Mountains are calling you—and you're not alone. With the annual visitor count hovering between 13 to 14 million, the Smokies are the most visited national park in the United States. Within the park's 520,000 acres of land, you'll find black bears nuzzling the forest floor for wild blueberries, red-chinned salamanders riding the currents of the crisscrossed creeks alongside schools of trout, and—during the summer—the natural fairy lights of 19 species of fireflies that call the park home. There are plenty of outdoorsy adventures waiting for you, but if your boots were made for more than just scenic walking, Gatlinburg is the Great Smoky Mountains gateway that's also home to tons of other activities.
In the same itinerary, you can feel the burn of Hunch Punch Lightnin’ moonshine at Ole Smoky Distillery, keep up with the kids on treetop rope bridges and dueling ziplines at Anakeetsa Adventure Park, and take a 10-minute drive over to Pigeon Forge for dinner, where you can work up an appetite watching lumberjacks swing their axes at the Lumberjack Feud. Gatlinburg is the rip-roaring, life-of-the-party gateway to the Smokies, the kind of place where newlyweds ride off into the sunset on growling ATVs. And the fun doesn't have to stop when you head indoors. Below, we've gathered the best Gatlinburg hotels, Airbnbs, and cabins that are as varied in flavor as the mountain town itself. Read on for cozy log cabins, Dolly Parton-approved resorts, and cottagecore farm stays galore.
Westgate Smoky MountainhotelWestgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa
Readers' Choice Awards 2023A Readers' Choice Award winner in 2023, Traveler readers loved Westgate for its fun-filled 60,000-square-foot indoor Wild Bear Falls Water Park, nine-hole mini golf course, and heated outdoor pools. Those looking to wind down from the thrills can book facials and full-body massages at the on-site Serenity Spa. And at the end of the day, there's no need to fuss about where to head for dinner when hotel restaurant Southern Comfort serves up 10-hour smoked pork ribs, gravy-smothered Texas chicken-fried steak, beignets on a bed of homemade ice cream, and more comfort classics.
Heather Anne Thomas/Courtesy Blackberry FarmhotelBlackberry Farm
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Gold List 2018, 2025 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024If you don't mind staying an hour out from Gatlinburg, you'll find that the stories about Blackberry Farm are all true—the ones you’ve heard about the fleecy Italian truffle dogs, the perfect timber-frame barn imported from Pennsylvania, the well-groomed hiking trails and bridle paths that give you access to the quiet forests of the Great Smoky Mountains. The place is a bit of paradise in East Tennessee, full of little details that feel plucked from a storybook: the dollhouse-like white church, the covered bridge, the generous cottages. But what really takes Blackberry to the next level are the staff—servers and adventure guides alike bring their passion to work every day.
Lookout Loft
For those taking Gatlinburg by storm with friends or family, Lookout Loft is a cabin with mountain views that houses up to eight guests in its three bedrooms and two bathrooms—with plenty of breathing room for even the rowdiest bunch to relax in. A stone's throw away from downtown Gatlinburg, the short distance is still far enough from the hustle and bustle of town. Designed with a 'slow' pace in mind, sip a mug of coffee or swill a glass of wine over the loft's balcony, or let your hair down in the pool or hot tub as the sun falls behind majestic Mount Leconte.
Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & ResortDollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort
A 20-minute drive from Gatlinburg, the 302-room HeartSong Lodge became the newest resort in Dollywood—Dolly Parton's iconic Pigeon Forge amusement park—when it opened in 2023. The massive atrium lobby embodies the heart of the resort with its warm stone fireplace and lantern-gilded windows. Take in the pristine views of the Smokies as your little ones craft and explore at Camp DW, and when you're ready to head back into the fun, HeartSong provides a complimentary trolley service to all of the Dollywood parks. And for those only-in-Tennessee keepsakes you won't find at the airport, stop by Honeysuckle & Pine Storied Goods Mercantile.
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Mountain Laurel Chalets
Mountain Laurel Chalets have been in the hospitality game for over 50 years, and since Ralph and Dot Egli originally founded the brand in 1972, this family-owned operation has been upholding a high standard for home-away-from-home Southern hospitality. Now with over 75 rentals, there's something for everyone, whether you're a couple looking for a secluded getaway, a group on a big girls' trip, or a pet owner on vacation with a furry friend. You can mix and match whichever cherry you'd like on top, from panoramic balcony views to firepits to in-home theaters.
Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & SpaDollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa
With many of the same perks and personal touches as Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort, DreamMore has the exclusive addition of the Dolly Suite 1986 experience—the very motorcoach the country music legend traveled in while she was on tour. The suite was redesigned by Dolly and her sisters to give guests a taste of her personal sanctuary of over 15 years (where some of her greatest hits were written). If you're looking to get in touch with nature, book an open-air pink jeep tour through the Smokies and forget all about the stresses of your nine-to-five.
The McCarty House
Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiasts will want to look into this Fallingwater of the South. Designed by Bruce McCarty, well known for designing Neyland Stadium and Lawson McGhee Library in Knoxville, Tennessee, this midcentury-modern home is a testament to the late architect's love of melding contemporary design with the natural landscape. Using stone, wood, and glass local to the Gatlinburg area, the home feels very rooted in the region. New additions to The McCarty House continue its legacy of sustainable, organic design. For instance, the new kitchen bar was crafted from repurposed chestnut lumber salvaged from Knoxville's oldest standing home.
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Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek Resort
While the sight of the Smokies from afar is breathtaking, why not up the ante by staying inside the mountains themselves? Norton Creek Resort's Treehouse Grove houses luxury, tiny homes expertly crafted by Pete “Treehouse Master” Nelson. Named after some of the 100+ tree species that call the Smokies home such as the Dogwood and the Elm, these are not your everyday backyard treehouses. Though secluded, guests have access to community hot tubs, grills, firepits, outdoor pizza ovens, and more—and cabins are steps away from the action in downtown Gatlinburg.
The Nomadic People/Historic Rocky Waters InnHistoric Rocky Waters Inn
A family establishment sitting at the foothills of the Smokies, Historic Rocky Waters Inn places guests in the heart of the serene mountains while still staying comfortably close to downtown. Originally opened in the mid-1930s, this Gatlinburg hotel has recently returned with different management to set a new precedent for Appalachian hospitality. Perhaps the hotel's greatest asset is its commitment to providing world-class service from the moment a guest steps in, from a nightly turn-down service to local guide recommendations so you can explore beyond Gatlinburg's tourist spots.
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Gatlinburg Falls Resort
This 1,600-square-foot cabin has all you need for a stay in the Great Smoky Mountains and more. Centrally located just five minutes from downtown, 10 minutes from the Smokies, and five minutes from Dollywood and Pigeon Forge, there's no risk of FOMO here. Soak in the outdoor hot tub or the indoor, heart-shaped tub, have some retro fun on the full-sized arcade machine loaded with 60 classic games, or test your hand at the air hockey table or the billiards room. Replete with the warming comfort of a homestay, the one-bedroom sleeps up to five and even comes equipped with a washer and dryer.
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