Best hotel in Pigeon Forge?

Thanks for starting this thread. I am planning to take the family up there next Thanksgiving so I'm interested on the suggestions on places to stay.

I'm kind of torn about staying in the Forge or even Gatlinburge vs staying out a ways in a cabin. Kind of leaning towards staying in town so we can just walk to the restaurants and cheesy entertainment and make the drive to the woods when we want to do that.

I went this summer with a lot of family (30+ people). Staying in Pigeon Forge has pros and cons. You get to be around a lot of the stuff for kids and all the cheesy entertainment and chain restaurants, but all of the scenic things are a little bit of a drive. Looking back we would have much rather stayed closer to Gatlinburg and made the hour drive to Dollywood. Most of our kids are under 5 years old, so we didn't do a ton of "kid things" like the small amusement parks and that stuff. Our cabin was in the middle of a neighborhood of cabins so that really killed the experience of being in the mountains. Also, anytime we needed to drive somewhere, there was a minimum of 20 minutes of sitting in traffic.

Growing up my family went to the smokies a lot so I've had some really great experiences. This was our first time staying in Pigeon Forge and it was disappointing.

I have done both cabins and hotels in PF/Gburg. We stayed in a cabin with the in-laws, kids, etc and it was perfect for that type of vacation. Secluded, cooked at the cabin, made a few trips into PF.

When just my wife and kids and I go, we stay at a place called The Resort at Governor's Crossing. It is perfect for us. We get a 2 bedroom suite with 2 baths, kitchen and living area for less than $200 a night. The resort has an onsite indoor/outdoor waterpark, and is located at the beginning of the Parkway (strip). It is convenient to the Veteran's Blvd which can get you to Dollywood and Gburg quickly by avoiding the Parkway. I can't recommend it enough. We don't even think about staying anywhere else. Our kids are 4&5 and we love PF. I know it is cheesy and hokey, but there is just so much for the kids to do.

Governor's Crossing;s website usually has an option to make them an offer on room rates, and you can get it for a little below listed price. I really can't recommend them enough. LINK

Do you have a link to a specific cabin or two that you can share?

We stayed in this cabin in Pittman Center, TN (close to Pigeon Forge) around Thanksgiving last time.

Excellent cabin. During the day, we'd hike, canoe, white water raft. We'd get home around 4:00...get cleaned up and cook. I'd make burgers, pasta, pizza, and of course a traditional Thanksgiving spread. Load up on wine and beer and relax Play pool with the kids, watch college football. Enjoy the views. I'm a fan of the Rocky Mountains as well, but sometimes...having coffee in the morning or a beer when the sun goes down on the porch in the Smoky's is tough to beat. The autumn colors in the Smoky's is tough to beat. It's something the Rocky's don't have.

LINK

That sounds great. I just don't want to screw it up and end up with a cabin in a neighborhood or something like that.

Gatlinburg is better IMO. That said the new resort at Dollywood is one of the better at Pigeon Forge I'm sure. Pigeon Forge is mostly Motel style, but they have a couple of nicer places closer to the edge of town.

What are youo looking for exactly? If just a decent room, there are plenty of those, if you want nicer hotel amenities they are harder to find. We usually get a condo at Oak Square, it's less than $100 and we get two rooms so the kids have a bed and we have a room. Plus I like having a kitchenette to save money on some meals.


I prefer Townsend with just the SO but with kids being able to Walk to attractions is nice.

Try the Riverstone Resort & Spa

There are hundreds of cabins in the area available to rent on websites such as VRBO.

My family is renting a cabin in Wears Valley this summer.