Recommended Housing Options for the LDotter Gathering


The following information includes some of the better options for housing for June 13th and 14th for the gathering of LDotters. The information is sorted by category, ranging from camping sites to a five-star resort. I could be wrong on some recommendations, and there is always the possibility of getting a bad place to stay, but I have sincerely tried to evaluate what is available in order to minimize problems for ya'll. Remember that this is a tourist area, and the better places and the less expensive rooms are likely to be booked early; so it would be to your advantage to reserve a place soon. Here is the info:

Personal comments and brief overview:

When my family decides to take a weekend away in the Townsend area (which may seem odd, since we only live about ten miles from there), we usually rent a cabin in the Laurel Valley area. The cabins are nice, the area is decent, and it is very convenient to the Townsend area. We go through Dogwood Cabins to reserve a cabin. There are some other cabins in other areas that we haven't tried that also look interesting, and I have included them as well (e.g., Top of Townsend). Cabins aren't the least expensive option, though. If you are looking for a less expensive option, but don't want to go camping, one of the local motels such as the Highland Manor Inn or the Econolodge would be a good choice; or perhaps one of the well-rated but less classic motels such as The Bunkhouse Inn or Riverstone Lodge. The Family Inn would perhaps be the least expensive motel that would be satisfactory to most.

Campgrounds:

The two most popular campgrounds, and probably the best choices, are the first two listed (Tremont Hills Campground and Townsend Great Smokies KOA). They are the closest to the National Park (except for the Park campgrounds themselves).

Tremont Hills Campground

This is the closest campground to the National Park that isn't actually in the Park itself. Both it and the next one listed (Townsend Great Smokies KOA) are in nice locations with some portions of the campgrounds along the Little River. Amenities include free WiFi, cable TV, and a swimming pool.

Townsend Great Smokies KOA

It lies at the edge of Townsend along the Little River and adjacent to the Tremont Hill Campground. It is shaded and has several amenities, including free WiFi, cable TV, a swimming pool, and a nearby convenience store. It's name has recently changed. It was previously knows as Little River Campground.

Big Meadow Family Campground

This site may be of interest to those with larger RV's. The site isn't shaded, but their website seems to indicate that they are a WiFi hotspot. The site provides easy access to Townsend.

Cades Cove Campground

Located in a wooded area near the beginning of the Cades Cove Loop, it is about nine miles from Townsend. There are very limited amenities (e.g., no showers). It would probably be of interest mainly to those who are primarily interested in the Cades Cove area. I have some tent only sites already reserved, as part of the pavillion rental, for Saturday night. If anyone is interested you can contact me.

Other campgrounds in the Townsend area that might be suitable include the Lazy Daze Campground and Mountaineer Campground.

Misty River Cabins and RV Resort might provide a second choice site for those with larger RV's if the Big Meadow site is full. The Misty River site is located between Walland and Maryville, and is about eight miles from Townsend. Like the Big Meadow site, it isn't shaded, but also has free WiFi.

Campgrounds are expensive in the Townsend area (unless you choose the no frills sites within the Park). You can expect to pay $40 to $50 a night for most sites in Townsend (although Mountaineer Campground and Lazy Daze Campground are a little cheaper.) The rates are a little better in some nearby communities such as at the River Plantation RV Park or Ripplin Waters Campground, both in Sevierville.

Motels/Inns--Moderately Priced:

Being a tourist area, you can expect to pay around $70 to $80 a night for a room in most decent motels during a summer weekend in the Townsend area. The Family Inn appears to be somewhat less expensive--perhaps in the $60 a night range. (There are a few older motels that may be less expensive, but I'm reluctant to recommend them.) Here are some of the better options:

Highland Manor Inn

Nice area, decent view. Nothing fancy, but seems to be a basic, solid, moderately-priced motel. They do, however, require a three day minimum reservation during June.

Econolodge

Also nice area and decent view. Has changed ownership a couple of times in the past five years. (I think that it might have been a Hampton Inn and then a Comfort Inn.)

Family Inn

Perhaps a step down from the Highland Manor and the Econolodge, but it is probably acceptable if they are booked. It does lie along the Little River and is less expensive than some of the others.

The Bunkhouse Inn

This is a peculiar little place, but it might be worth the visit. It doesn't look that great from the front (the fourth picture down on the website shows the front), but it is one of the best rated places in Townsend according to various traveler reviews. The rooms are interestingly decorated, and it is right on the Little River. Free WiFi is included. There are only six rental units total. It is near the Barn Event Center.

Other places in Townsend that would probably be acceptable include The Talley Ho Inn and the Riverstone Lodge. The Tally Ho Inn seems nice, and I might have given it a more prominent position, but I couldn't find many traveler reviews for it--plus it is a little more expensive than the others. Riverstone Lodge lies along the Little River and is well rated, but doesn't necessarily have a classic look to it. It is relatively close to the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center.

If the other places don't work out, you might try the Valley View Lodge. This is the place with the most rooms in Townsend. A word of warning: The traveler reviews are sometimes abysmal, although some are fantastic. There are several buildings, varying widely in age. I personally checked out the rooms here, and I think that the variety in reviews might be due to the different ages of the buildings on the site. The older rooms are comparable to an older Motel 6; but the newer rooms in the newer buildings are actually very nice. Most of the buildings seem to have been renovated within the past year or so. It is a pretty decent place, and if you stuck with the newer rooms, you would probably do fine. However, because of the many negative reviews, I'm hesitant to recommmend it. (The Little River Lodge is owned by the Valley View Lodge and is located at another site in Townsend. It is a smaller place with only a few rooms. The building seems to have been remodeled recently.)

If you would prefer to stay at Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, some of the nicer, better rated and somewhat moderately priced places are Riverhouse at the Park, Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, The Inn at Christmas Place, Hilton's Bluff Bed and Breakfast, and Laurel Springs Lodge Bed and Breakfast . (We have stayed at the Inn at Christmas Place during the off-season. They raise their rates so much during the summer,though, that it probably should go into the ''more expensive'' category.) All of these are a little more expensive than the Townsend motels, but all are either quite nice or well-located.

Cabins/Cottages:

Cabins in the area come in two different styles: the classic cabin, and the one-room camping cabin. When you think of the camping cabins, think of a motel room in the shape of a cabin, and that will give you a general idea. Although they don't provide the luxury of a full sized cabin, many of them are competitively priced when compared to motel rooms.

Camping cabins:

Here are a few sources for camping cabins. Sorry, but I have no definitive information as to whether any of these camping cabins are worthwhile or not.

Lazy Daze Campground
Tremont Hills Campground
Townsend Great Smokies KOA

Typical classic cabins:

Here is a list of some places that have a large number of cabins available:

Dogwood Cabins
''Bear''ly Rustic Cabin Rentals
Cove Mountain Realty
Timberwinds Log Cabin Rentals

Here are some that have fewer cabins, but appear to have some nice choices available. Both have very good traveler reviews:

Top of Townsend (These are some of the best rated cabins in the area. I don't have any personal experience with these, so whether they are better than those at Laurel Valley or not, I am unable to say.)
Blue Smoke Mountain Cabins (We stayed at one of these a few years back. The cabin was nice, and the setting was private; but the out-of-the-way location and the steep winding mountain road might dissuade some.)

I haven't seen many reviews for the next group of cabins, but it also looks interesting, although I have gotten the impression that some of the units may be a little older:

The Wright Cabins

The following site, Vacation Rentals By Owner, probably has several cabins that are already included in the listings above, but I have included it because it is a sometimes helpful site that some of you might find useful in the future for finding and renting cabins and other rental properties in various places nationwide:

Vacation Rentals By Owner

There are numerous places in the area that rent cabins or cottages on a small scale basis. The following is an example (and perhaps one of the more economical ones) of a cottage rental:

Mary's Mountain Cottages

There are many additional cabins in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas.

Motels/Inns/Lodges--More Expensive:

Richmont Inn

We plan to eat here at some point. The exterior is not really that special looking. It is rustic but not charmingly so. I have not been inside, but the pictures of the interior look very nice. The Inn is located in a nice area--the Laurel Valley area. (Note: Some reviews have stated that not all of the lodging is handicapped friendly. Others, who are allergic to animals, have complained that the owner has a dog on site. But if these two circumstances are not a problem, it seems to be a nice place.)

Dancing Bear Lodge

A decent place and fairly conveniently located, but didn't strike my personal fancy as being as desirable as some others in this category. Your tastes may run differently. I'm not sure of the purpose of some of the pictures on their website. Not all of them are from the area of Dancing Bear Lodge. (The picture of the golfer about to drive a golf ball into the Pacific Ocean should be a clue.)

In the Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge area:

The Lodge at Buckberry Creek

Located about twenty-five miles from Townsend on a ridge above Gatlinburg. We have thought about staying at this place at some point. It is a bit pricey ($180 and up per night), but it seems to be a nice place with a great view. (What the view will be like in mid-June is hard to determine. The visibility decreases dramatically during the warmer months, particularly during late July and August.)

The decoration is rustic; the view is fabulous--particularly in the winter. The on-site restaurant is fairly expensive. It is on our list of special Valentine dinner sites for sometime in the future.

Buckhorn Inn

Also in the Gatlinburg area, the Buckhorn Inn has one of the best rated restaurants in the area. The views aren't quite as nice as their website seems to indicate, though.

Berry Springs Lodge

I don't know much about this one, but it looks nice and comes very well rated.

Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn and Cottages

Near Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. I haven't seen this one personally.

Braeside Inn

Near Sevierville. Well rated. I haven't been to this one either.

Luxury lodging:

Gracehill Bed and Breakfast

This bed and breakfast is the highest elevation home in Blount County. The rooms are $250.00 to $300.00 a night.

Blackberry Farm

This is a five star resort. It has been rated by Conde Nast magazine as the #1 resort for service in the United States. Travel and Leisure magazine rated it the #1 resort for service in the world.

Rooms vary from $745.00 to $1345.00 a night. Cottages and farm houses vary from $1995.00 to $4800.00 a night. (And, yes, I did get those decimals in the right places.) And I understand that there may be additional fees and an 18% gratuity as well. Exactly why it is so well rated, I'm not sure. Tastes vary. I personally would probably prefer The Lodge at Buckberry Creek or Gracehill Bed and Breakfast, or even a nice cabin--all of which are substantially less expensive.