Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Your First Resorts For Smoky Mountain Lodging - Part Two
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on February 27, 2024
In our previous post, we introduced a subject that doesn't get as much discussion when it comes to choosing vacation accommodations in the Smokies. Most conversations tend to compare hotel and motel properties to those in the overnight rental market, such as cabins, chalets and condominiums. But last week, we threw another variable into the mix - the resort property.
Different sources may define “resort” in different ways, but there are some elements that these types of lodgings have in common, namely a lot of amenities in one centralized location. Although the accommodations themselves can range from hotel-like rooms to cabins and condos, it's their shared slate of on-site facilities, programs and activities that distinguish resorts from other types of options.
Also last week, we offered an overview of several specific properties: Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge and Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville. This week, we're back with a few more locations to consider when planning a vacation (or even a business trip) to the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
RiverStone Resort & Spa
This property has been on the scene in Pigeon Forge for several decades. It's uniquely positioned just off the Parkway, on Dollywood Lane, to provide guests strategic access to the best that Pigeon Forge has to offer, from its direct route to Dollywood to all the attractions, shops and restaurants dotting the Parkway. Its location near the Southern end of town also makes it easy for guests to hop onto The Spur and be in Gatlinburg in just minutes.
The accommodations are condos, each of which is professionally decorated and offers practical floor plans and a host of in-room amenities such as private balconies, fully equipped kitchens, stone fireplaces, large flat-screen TVs, full-size washer and dryers, and much more. If you're not interested in a condo, you might browse their selection of on-site cabins.
Guest amenities include a fitness center, indoor pool, outdoor lazy river, access to a Little Pigeon River nature trail, a playground and riverside picnic tables and barbecue area. The centerpiece of their amenities is the full-service spa, where guests can melt stress levels to zero with a menu that includes massage therapy, facials and nail treatments, body treatments, waxing and other aesthetic services.
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
We'll take you back to Gatlinburg for this resort property, which was a Condé Nast Traveler's 2023 Readers' Choice Award Winner. This destination is conveniently located on the north end of Gatlinburg and offers quick-and-easy access to Pigeon Forge via The Spur. Or you can be at the north entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in just a few minutes. Of course, all the great things about visiting Gatlinburg are at your disposal.
Accommodations range from studio villas to spacious two-bedroom villas, ensuring an option for everything from romantic getaways to family vacations. On-site services include the Serenity Spa (facials, manis, pedis, body wraps, massages, etc.), a fitness center (cardio and strength-training equipment) and multiple food and beverage vendors. One of the highlights of the property is Wild Bear Falls Water Park, an indoor oasis that boasts a state-of-the-art, retractable roof and heated water for year-round enjoyment. Features include a lazy river, giant water slide, interactive treehouse and more, all in a 60,000-square-foot facility that utilizes some 300,000 gallons of water.
The Resort at Governor's Crossing
We'll wrap things up with this Sevierville option, located on Collier Drive in the Governor's Crossing development. It's another property for those who enjoy the condominium format. Rooms range from one to three bedrooms, with both queen and king options available. Also look for features like full kitchens and baths with whirlpool tubs. Like some other resorts, The Resort also has a year-round, climate-controlled indoor water park plus a seasonal outdoor park featuring three swimming pools, two hot tubs, high-speed water slides, a sauna and a 250-foot-long lazy river. The Resort is strategically positioned, offering handy access to everything from Dollywood and Dollywood's Splash Country to all the music shows and attractions in Pigeon Forge.
If you're looking for a Sevierville zip line tour, however, you won't find it at a resort property. You'll need to wait just a few more weeks until Smoky Mountain Ziplines launches its 2024 season!
