Athens - Sweetwater Vacations from $394

If you're looking for a more affordable hotel room that can be your home base after a full day in Gatlinburg and the surrounding area without worrying about finding parking on the strip, this is your place (as long as you're ok with killing bugs yourself). If you're looking for a nice hotel where you can spend time inside with your family, this is not your place. Expedia says breakfast is included, but you probably won't want it. Pros- The staff was nice. The double queen room we stayed in had a nice amount of floor space, with a dresser/desk combo and a 2 person table. We liked the proximity to the Gatlinburg strip and that parking for our vehicle was included in the price. We walked everywhere along the strip instead of worrying about finding parking. Cons- There were parts of the room that they had missed cleaning. Our fridge set to the warmest setting froze most things we put into it. The tv remote didn't work. The shower floor seemed to have a bubble between the flooring and the base of the shower. We were on the second floor, which walked out to the parking lot, and the first couple nights we had to kill centipedes, millipedes, pill bugs, and ants that kept appearing in the bathroom. All of the units seem to be walkable to the Gatlinburg strip, but be aware some of them require you to walk up a very steep incline if you plan to walk. The included breakfast is a joke. There were greasy muffins, granola bars, lite yogurts, orange juices, oatmeal packets, and a keurig.

If you read all the reviews, they’re all true and vary depending on the room you stayed in, your priorities and perception. If your check-in isn’t smooth, don’t expect any special treatment. It’s not their problem, only yours. I agree a rug where a dining table is, is not ideal. The shower with barely a lip and water gets all over the floor and then you’re using up towels just to soak up the water is not ideal. Fruit flies from I don’t know where should be figured out. Bunk beds by the entrance door, not smart. But the place is worth the price if you have children. A water park doors from your reach for a wide range of ages, multiple additional playing areas. The indoor pool area is suffocating, unless you’re okay with that much chlorine smell. Park picnic tables to eat and grill outside. Walmart near by and many other attractions near by and not in your face, love it.

Our go-to for Pigeon Forge! Stayed several times. Brianna always takes care of us.

They don’t have enough staff in the bar. They arrived late. The hotel is new, clean and staff at the reception is very good. Nice location.

The cleanliness could have been a whole lot better. The hotel had a weird smell. But it was a good looking property. The breakfast was good but they cleaned my table and threw away my food before I was finished with it. But overall would probably stay again.