The Inn at Christmas Place

With its Bavarian exterior, this hotel makes a statement in Pigeon Forge and features a Christmas theme throughout. The modern lobby has a huge glockenspiel that plays Christmas carols hourly. Garlands, wreaths, statues, and Christmas trees are everywhere. Festive green area rugs sit on wood floors, and there are red velvet couches next to armchairs that are -- you guessed it -- green, all set beside a lovely stone fireplace. Free coffee and nightly cookies are also offered and there are Singing Santa concerts on certain evenings in the lobby from the summer through December. The outdoor patio has marvelous views of the hotel's pond, and well-landscaped grounds with trees, flowers, stone waterfalls, and fountains. The uniformed bellhops complete the picture here, and guests are mostly tourist families and couples.

The Inn at Christmas Place sits on Pigeon Forge’s bustling main road with Christmas Place just across the street. Restaurants, shops, and convenience stores can be found by walking in almost any direction. The Tanger Outlets and the Hollywood Wax Museum are a little less than 10 minutes away by car, while WonderWorks and the Titanic Museum are within a five-minute drive. The Dixie Stampede and Dollywood are both around a 15-minute drive from the hotel and the McGhee Tyson Airport is a 45-minute drive. Parking at the hotel is free and easy. 

It's no surprise that the homey rooms here are have a Christmas theme, with red and green throughout plus wreaths or small Christmas trees. Winter scenes hang on the walls, and green patterned carpet, red bedspreads, and red armchairs add to the winter-ready decor. Microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers are housed inside mid-tone wood furniture and flat-screen TVs and DVD players sit on top. All rooms are air-conditioned. Sleep in Heavenly Peace mattresses receive fantastic reviews from past guests and some rooms have furnished balconies and gorgeous mountain or garden views. Additionally, some rooms have fireplaces and kitchenettes with granite countertops. Suites offer lots of living space, multiple bathrooms, and fully-equipped kitchens with breakfast bars and stainless steel appliances like Keurig coffeemakers, dishwashers, full-size refrigerators, ranges, and microwaves. Modern bathrooms have tan tile that matches neutral granite countertops and white-and-tan shower/tub combos. Makeup mirrors, makeup remover towelettes, and Gilchrist and Soames toiletries are provided, and some bathrooms have walk-in tile showers in addition to jetted tubs.

A dazzling, oddly-shaped outdoor pool features a blue waterslide, red brick trim, and white lounge chairs in addition to a blue splash pad with fountain features -- it's a great spot for families with kids, though it's only open seasonally. The indoor pool with red tile, a wood ceiling, and nutcracker statues in the windows is open year-round. Brown wicker chairs provide seating while the blue-and-red tiled hot tub is surrounded by plenty of windows. To carry along its Christmas theme, this hotel has a Santa mailbox where guests can send letters to Santa and receive mailed responses back.

There isn't a full restaurant or bar here, but the free hot breakfast gets rave reviews from past guests. Waffles, made-to-order omelets, bagels, yogurt, fruit, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, ham, and biscuits are just a few of the items served. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's a computer station with two computers and a printer. A large fitness center has cardio machines, a flat-screen TV, and a water dispenser. Coin-operated laundry facilities are a nice perk.