645 Park Vista Way, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States | (618) 248-8274
Secluded location with great mountain views
Huge private cabins with one to nine bedrooms and full kitchens
Many cabins have game rooms, hot tubs, and movie theaters
Cabins have large private balconies or decks
Two outdoor pool areas are well-maintained
Flexible event center holds up to 120 people
Fitness center offers a variety of equipment
Free parking
Many areas are in need of updating
Owner-rented property makes for widely varying quality
Cabins are packed close together, which can mean noisy nights
Far from downtown, with no attractions within walking distance
Not all cabins have Wi-Fi
No restaurant or bar
Gatlinburg Falls is a sprawling hillside resort packed with huge, individually-owned private cabins, surrounded by woods and views of the Smoky Mountains. The lodging varies from more intimate one-bedroom cabins to enormous nine-bedrooms, and because they have different owners, they also vary in decor and condition, and guests should be aware of this. Each cabin has a fully-equipped kitchen, game room, and one or more large decks, making them great for families or large groups on longer stays. However, no attractions are within walking distance, and there are no restaurants here. The resort, in a relaxed woodland setting, caters to those looking for seclusion from the tourist attractions and traffic of Gatlinburg.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Decked out wooden cabins in a rustic setting
Most of the 450 wood cabins have nearly the same structural style, inside and out -- think cookie-cutter suburban subdivision meets log cabin in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. The resort is divided into two sections, each with a large lobby in full mountain lodge decor. The Hidden Valley building has a lofted section on roughhewn timber columns, and a massive vaulted ceiling with a stone chimney that rises to the entire height of the room. The Park View building is a little less grand but cozier and filled with distressed leather furniture.
Location
In the northern hills outside downtown Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a resort town in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, known for its mountain views, hiking, fishing, rafting, and skiing. The Gatlinburg Falls Resort is hidden away in the hills at the northern edge of town, far from the tourist area's restaurants and shopping. There is no trolley stop nearby, and no attractions within walking distance, so guests will need a car to get around. It's less than a five-minute drive to downtown Gatlinburg and an eight-minute drive to the entrance of the Smoky Mountains National Park. Dollywood theme park is a 25-minute drive, and Knoxville is an hour's drive.
Rooms
Cabins in varying sizes and with varying amenities
Though they look identical from the outside, each cabin's decor varies, depending on the tastes of the owner. The number of rooms and amenities also vary, and there's a wide range between one- and nine-bedroom options. Some cabins are rundown with filthy carpets, and others are extremely well-maintained. All are constructed in wood -- floor-to-ceiling -- with carpeted bedrooms. Each cabin has at least one large deck with a view, with the larger cabins having up to four decks. Typical furnishings are leather and crafted log furniture, including numerous rocking chairs. The full kitchens have dining tables, dishwashers (sometimes two), refrigerators, microwaves, electric ranges, ovens, and coffeemakers. Bathrooms have tiled floors and either shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. Most cabins have at least one hot tub, and some have multiple indoor and outdoor tubs, even in-room heart shaped whirlpools. The electric fireplaces are underwhelming.
Features
Two outdoor pools, a rustic event facility, and numerous in-cabin amenities
The resort is spread out across beautiful woodland grounds with two outdoor pool areas. The Hidden Valley pool is small but has a fun waterfall and a small kids' pool and hot tub. The Park View has the larger pool but has a smaller sundeck. The resort caters to weddings (and wedding parties), and its lodge style event center can host up to 120 people. There's a fitness center with bikes, treadmills, and circuit machines. Most of the perks, though, are in the individual cabins -- most of which have one or two game rooms with a mix of arcade games, pinball, pool, and air hockey. Some have a carpeted home theater room with a projection screen and theater chairs.
