Sidney James Mountain Lodge - Downtown Gatlinburg — Hotel in Gatlinburg

Although this is probably the most I have had mixed feelings about a place to stay while vacationing, I’m going to do my best to make this review as honest, informative, and helpful to the visitors of Gatlinburg as I can. ||We booked our room months in advance which was a wise thing to do. Everywhere in town was packed and the Sidney James was no exception. We arrived early hoping to check in before the required 3 pm and the staff was very nice and willing to start our check-in process before our room was ready. They even offered us the use of the pool and cafe while we waited. More details on the pool and cafe later. We decided to come back in an hour and finish checking in, which we did. ||A tip for booking: whatever card you use for booking the room they will charge the morning of your arrival. Therefore, if you want to use a different method to pay for your stay call ahead and make arrangements. They assured me that they would work with you. It took a week for them to straighten out switching our payment methods once the charges were made, so it’s better talk to them beforehand. Once again, the staff was friendly and accommodating during this time. ||Once we checked in we went to our room, just as soon as we entered we could smell that someone had just cleaned it and it did look very clean even if it was quite outdated. The room was spacious for the price and it did have a balcony view of the creek. Unfortunately, we couldn’t open the window to hear the creek while we slept and the passage door to the balcony did not have a screen either. Even if it did the people staying in the building across the creek could see right in. Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly the romantic view I saw in the advertising. Also, the walls are paper thin. You could hear the people talking in the rooms on either side of you. If you are a very social person this may not bother you. Finally, concerning the room's thin walls, if your neighbor is like ours who partakes of marijuana, you can expect a second-hand buzz yourself. Again, this may not bother some people. If you bring leftovers home from the Dolly Stampede to have them for a midnight snack there is a working fridge but you will have to eat your snack cold because they do not provide a microwave in the room. You have to take the rather long trip to the lobby in your boxers for a reheat. ||We went to shows every night we were there which leads me to the parking situation. Although you are given a parking permit so that you can prove you are paying guest it may not matter because after 9 pm you will have a hard time finding a parking space. When I brought this to their attention the next day (and after parking down the street) they assured me that there is plenty of parking across the street in their other establishments parking lot. We did not find that to be completely true. I recommend Ubering or using the trolley that conveniently stops in front of the Sidney James if you want to stay out late. We could not find a parking spot on either property two of the three nights we were there. ||The cafe is a convenient place to grab a decent breakfast and bar/ concession stand-type food for the rest of the day. I had pancakes for breakfast in it was good. I was also satisfied with the wings. We did have to wipe down our own tables before sitting down. Vending and ice machines are provided throughout the property. ||The pool area is one of the nicest part of the motel. It has two heated pools, one outside and one inside. The one inside also features a hot tub, grotto and a waterfall. ||Let's be fair, we did pay less than the average cost of the average room in downtown Gatlinburg and we...

Although this is probably the most I have had mixed feelings about a place to stay while vacationing, I’m going to do my best to make this review as honest, informative, and helpful to the visitors of Gatlinburg as I can.

We booked our room months in advance which was a wise thing to do. Everywhere in town was packed and the Sidney James was no exception. We arrived early hoping to check in before the required 3 pm and the staff was very nice and willing to start our check-in process before our room was ready. They even offered us the use of the pool and cafe while we waited. More details on the pool and cafe later. We decided to come back in an hour and finish checking in, which we did.

A tip for booking: whatever card you use for booking the room they will charge the morning of your arrival. Therefore, if you want to use a different method to pay for your stay call ahead and make arrangements. They assured me that they would work with you. It took a week for them to straighten out switching our payment methods once the charges were made, so it’s better talk to them beforehand. Once again, the staff was friendly and accommodating during this time.

Once we checked in we went to our room, just as soon as we entered we could smell that someone had just cleaned it and it did look very clean even if it was quite outdated. The room was spacious for the price and it did have a balcony view of the creek. Unfortunately, we couldn’t open the window to hear the creek while we slept and the passage door to the balcony did not have a screen either. Even if it did the people staying in the building across the creek could see right in. Needless to say, it wasn’t exactly the romantic view I saw in the advertising. Also, the walls are paper thin. You could hear the people talking in the rooms on either side of you. If you are a very social person this may not bother you. Finally, concerning the room's thin walls, if your neighbor is like ours who partakes of marijuana, you can expect a second-hand buzz yourself. Again, this may not bother some people. If you bring leftovers home from the Dolly Stampede to have them for a midnight snack there is a working fridge but you will have to eat your snack cold because they do not provide a microwave in the room. You have to take the rather long trip to the lobby in your boxers for a reheat.

We went to shows every night we were there which leads me to the parking situation. Although you are given a parking permit so that you can prove you are paying guest it may not matter because after 9 pm you will have a hard time finding a parking space. When I brought this to their attention the next day (and after parking down the street) they assured me that there is plenty of parking across the street in their other establishments parking lot. We did not find that to be completely true. I recommend Ubering or using the trolley that conveniently stops in front of the Sidney James if you want to stay out late. We could not find a parking spot on either property two of the three nights we were there.

The cafe is a convenient place to grab a decent breakfast and bar/ concession stand-type food for the rest of the day. I had pancakes for breakfast in it was good. I was also satisfied with the wings. We did have to wipe down our own tables before sitting down. Vending and ice machines are provided throughout the property.

The pool area is one of the nicest part of the motel. It has two heated pools, one outside and one inside. The one inside also features a hot tub, grotto and a waterfall.

Let's be fair, we did pay less than the average cost of the average room in downtown Gatlinburg and we...

Smoothest and most helpful check-in ever, and close enough to the fun stuff! . To be fair, we didn't spend much time around the hotel at all. We were either in our rooms or down on the main strip of Gatlinburg. . The rooms and bathrooms were a little small, but for an older hotel that really isn't surprising, nor did it hinder us in the slightest. And, the beds -- in our opinions -- were really quite comfortable. . Most rooms do have a small balcony overlooking the creek that runs alongside the back of the building, and the balconies each have two rocking chairs and a small table. Very nice and cozy and relaxing generally. . There are two swimming pools: one outside and one inside. (These were both open during our stay, though we did not have time to enjoy them.) . The tiny little Cafe by the pools at first glance might not seem like much, but they are open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even beer. I'm pretty picky when it comes to breakfast foods, and especially gravy, but this little Cafe's breakfast gravy on their biscuits was really good. I didn't even have to add any salt or pepper at all. Matter of fact, I got biscuits and gravy with bacon both mornings. :) Even the husband liked the gravy, and he's even pickier! ;) . It is a good little trek down to the main strip, at least a half mile. *Wear comfortable shoes! It's easy walking down there, but keep in mind, it's uphill on the way back. ;) . We only spoke to any staff when we first checked in. I'm sorry to say I didn't get his name, but he was some sort of 'Check-In Superhero'. This man knew his stuff. He was armed with maps and a Sharpie, and was answering our questions before we even knew what to ask. . Also of note: this is a pretty family friendly hotel, so keep this in mind when planning your stay. There might be some kiddos running around having fun! . CONS: The hotel is pretty aged and could use some cosmetic touches along with regular upkeep. . We were really looking forward to the creek that runs alongside the rear of building. We were not aware of the construction going on out back that began directly at the opposite side of that creek -- so that was a surprise. But I'm sure it won't be long and all that will be done...