Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg — Hotel in Gatlinburg

A Walkable Gatlinburg Oasis: A Review of Our Resort Stay

Our recent stay at this resort in Gatlinburg left us with a variety of impressions, some glowing, and some with room for improvement. Let's delve into the details of our experience, as it might provide some valuable insights for future travelers considering a visit to this location.

First and foremost, the resort's location is a real winner, especially if your primary aim is to explore the charming streets of Gatlinburg. It's ideally situated for those who enjoy strolling through this quaint town, with its charming shops, eateries, and attractions just a stone's throw away. A walkable location can be a significant perk for vacationers who prefer not to rely on their cars to get around.

However, a word of caution for those planning to venture outside of Gatlinburg during their stay. Gatlinburg's traffic can indeed be a nightmare, which could add significant time to your journey, even for short distances. So, if you have ambitions to explore other towns or attractions in the area, it's something to keep in mind.

One noteworthy aspect of the resort is its themed rooms, which are done quite well. The attention to detail in the room décor adds a touch of character to your stay, making it a unique experience. However, one minor downside was the comfort of the beds. If you prefer plush, cloud-like mattresses, you may be a tad disappointed here. The pillows provided can be likened to "pancake pillows," so if you have specific preferences, it might be a good idea to bring your own to ensure a restful night's sleep.

When compared to other hotels in the Gatlinburg area, this resort certainly holds its own. The uniqueness of the themed rooms, along with its proximity to the town's attractions, does set it apart. However, it's worth noting that room comfort can be a bit of a trade-off for that uniqueness.

In terms of cleanliness, the resort generally maintains a satisfactory standard. The rooms and common areas are well-kept, providing a pleasant and hygienic environment. However, it's not uncommon to encounter minor lapses, as we noticed with our bathroom floor, which appeared to have been overlooked during cleaning. Thankfully, we had packed some trusty disinfectant wipes, allowing us to swiftly address the dust and hair situation ourselves.

In conclusion, this resort in Gatlinburg offers a prime location for exploring the town by foot, making it a convenient choice for a leisurely vacation. While there are some quirks to consider, like the traffic congestion and pillow comfort, the themed rooms add a unique touch to your stay. When it comes to cleanliness, it's mostly on par with expectations, but the occasional oversight may require a traveler's touch-up. All in all, when weighed against the competition in the area, this resort certainly holds its ground, providing a fairly enjoyable and...

A Disrespectful and Discriminatory Experience – Management Failed Us -Not What We Expected

As first-time guests visiting Margaritaville in Gatlinburg, TN, we expected a peaceful and enjoyable stay to celebrate my fiancé’s birthday. We came all the way from Atlanta, Georgia, excited to experience what this hotel had to offer. What we got instead was an experience rooted in disrespect, poor management, and racial discrimination.

During our stay, we were aggressively approached and harassed by another guest on the property. The encounter was not only shocking but made us feel completely unsafe. When we reported this to hotel staff and management, their response was indifferent and lacking in urgency or care. They failed to take any meaningful action in the moment, offering no assurance of our safety. The lack of concern from the front desk was deeply telling—and frankly, it felt racially motivated. Their failure to respond appropriately to a very real situation made it abundantly clear that our wellbeing as Black guests was not a priority.

While Mr. Lee, the General Manager, did eventually comp our stay but this did not repair the emotional and psychological damage done. Even offering breakfast that was already free with our package, doesn’t erase the fact that we were put in a dangerous situation, and then treated like we were the inconvenience.

To make matters worse, we requested a late checkout the next morning due to the emotional distress and loss of sleep the night before. We made it clear at the front desk that our room should not be touched. And yet—housekeeping came in anyway, walking in our room, while we were getting dressed l, completely disregarding our privacy and instructions. This blatant lack of communication between hotel departments just added insult to injury. We didn’t feel safe, we weren’t heard, feeling violated and we certainly weren’t respected.

This wasn’t just a bad stay. It was a complete failure in hospitality, guest safety, and basic human decency. No amount of complimentary breakfast or comped nights can fix what we experienced.

If you value respect, fairness, and a safe environment—this is not the place for you. I wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone, especially people of color. Shame on Margaritaville Gatlinburg for allowing this experience to happen and handling it with such...

Hotel review:

This hotel is in a great location…very central to everything!! Angela at the front desk checked us in & she was so nice & helpful. Valet services left a little something to be desired. The gentleman was very nice but did not do a great job handling our luggage. When I asked him where the ice machines were located, he had no idea. Maybe he was new to the hotel. I got the sense that the valet employees are more focused on parking cars than assisting guests with their luggage, which is fine…just a bit unusual for a nice hotel.

Sheri & Holly at the counter service eatery were very sweet & helpful. They are open from early in the morning (maybe 6:30am) till about 10pm. The pretzel bites were delicious!! We ordered room service one night, which was delivered to our room packaged in boxes by one of these employees. The burger was delicious & huge!

Our room (King deluxe) was spacious and comfortable. Loved the balcony view of the mountains & the Main Street (Parkway) in Gatlinburg. The shower floor appeared dirty but apparently was just stained. When we mentioned this to Chad at the front desk, he informed housekeeping and Stephanie cleaned the shower again. Chad and Stephanie were both wonderful & didn’t make us feel bad at all about our concerns about the shower. The staff at this hotel are absolutely excellent. They have great attitudes and are always helpful & accommodating. Wifi worked well & the bed and bath linens were very nice. We even had 2 oversized bath towels, which I have never found at any hotel. The tv in the room is huge and offers almost any channel you would want to watch. Loved the fireplace. We used it almost every night since you are able to turn the heat off and it was summer. Loved having the small fridge & bar sink. Tons of storage in this room, except the closet is not huge. We cannot wait to return in the fall to see the leaves changing colors. I think we found our new...