Econo Lodge Newport Smoky Mountains Gateway — Hotel in Newport

Very clean, friendly staff, good continental breakfast with lots of hot and cold food choices and fresh fruit, milk, four different juice types, coffee (decaf or regular), waffle mix and a waffle maker for the batter to be poured into and then cook the waffle within a couple minutes plus plenty of condiments for bagels, toast, english muffins, blueberry and other flavored muffins, multiple different cereal choices for milk and also hot cereal like oatmeal and grits with plenty of butter and sugar they also have a toaster oven and microwave with plenty choices of greek yogurt and fruit that is fresh or fruit in the little plastic container and the Jimmy Deans frozen sausage, egg and cheese biscuits that you have to heat up but are still good, nonetheless. They have a pool outside but it's mid March so it's not open, as of yet but it's quite nice during later spring and summer months, for those who like to swim.

There is a Love's truck stop and gas station right next door walking distance and it's a safe area so it's okay to walk over but I wouldn't leave my car doors unlocked or go that far but I wouldn't do that anywhere! I haven't seen any questionable activity from any guests or employees here and everyone is respectful and nice and we have been here for over a week now. I would say that this hotel is definitely in my top 3 of places I would stay overnight and pay for in this area and my first two are the new Holiday Inn Express on the other end of town but its costing around $120-$150 per night and the same amenities, or actually the Holiday Inn doesn't have a free breakfast that I am aware of so there are less amenities at the Holiday Inn Express than here at the Econo Lodge but the Holiday Inn Express is newer and yes nicer in terms of the layout and decorative items but that is about all and you are paying basically for the name when you go there or the new hotel itself and then the next choice on my list is Hampton Inn which is right beside the Holiday Inn Express and the Hampton Inn is a bit more expensive than the Holiday Inn Express starting around $150 per night but actually ranging around $200-$300 per night on weekends and maybe $179-$189 through the week because I got a discount for whatever reason at the time from the guy at the front desk and I remembered that he offered the room to me for a discounted price of $150 that night which was like half off the regular price. I remember now, it was because the time that I was checking in was late at night so I wasn't going to be able to enjoy the room for the entire time that someone normally would, when paying that amount for a night's stay so he offered me half off which was kind seeing how I know that isn't their typical policy so don't expect that based on my review because that isn't something they offer on a normal basis for late night check ins. My other choices for places suitable enough to pay for and stay would be Best Western and the Econo Lodge which is where I am located now and doing a review on but to be honest if I had to choose between all of the places I just mentioned then Econo Lodge would be my first choice based on cleanliness, friendly and down to earth staff and they do not bother you or come being nosey like some of the other awful motels in this town that are not listed on this review so I would not worry myself with staying anywhere if its not listed on this review in this town because I wouldn't steer anyone wrong when it comes to their money, safety, health and cleanliness of a place or the overall service and experience of a place so I am not steering anyone wrong when I refer everyone traveling or to try Econo Lodge because I (its clean, safe, quiet other than the daytime construction but its not too bad. Best of all is that it's priced 👌🏻. I have been booking per this app, Super, and it's been the cheapest so far at $47.00 + tax per night coming out to $58.00-$60.00 tax included per night, precisely. Laundry do yourself on site for $2/load. Only 1 washer & 1 dryer but works well and cheaper than a public...

On 4/10/25, I attempted to reach my fiancé, who was in OUR room at your hotel. He suffers from severe asthma and was not answering his phone, which was highly unusual and extremely concerning after I was visiting my sister’s room DOWNSTAIRS at the same hotel. As a registered nurse I understand the life-threatening nature of his condition. He always keeps his inhaler on him, and his failure to respond raised immediate red flags about his safety. In a state of legitimate concern, I approached the front desk for assistance, Dee (Caucasian woman looked to be in her 50s-60s) and clearly explaining the medical urgency of the situation. Instead of receiving a compassionate or professional response, I was met with complete disregard, lack of empathy, and, most disturbingly, behavior that I believe was racially motivated and discriminatory. After my fiancé paid for the room he went to the car to bring our bags up while I stayed down in my sister’s room but he never returned. After multiple attempts calling his phone probably an hour to a half hour later. The situation was explained to the reception and her response was “I can’t give you his room” (I didn’t have the room number because he went to pay at the counter and I waited in my sister’s room for him to finish and join us). And in regards to his health history her response was “call the police”. Although she knew we were together. As I cried and prayed for his safety she refused to assist in any manner. Finally another employee arrived and the situation was reiterated. She was so understanding and explained she couldn’t give me the room number but she can call and knock on the door to do a welfare check. Which I was greatly appreciative of. We still couldn’t get a hold of him so she kindly went up to the room and went inside to check on him and he was ok. Thank God for her. Afterwards my fiancé and I left in the middle of the night in search of other accommodations. We were also informed that this receptionist does not favor African Americans which surely does not fit the standards of any company’s customer service policy in 2025. We were respectful, never raised our voices and crying profusely but was still treated less than human at an established we paid for. In the year 2025, such conduct is not only unprofessional but also unacceptable. The representative offered no help in checking on my fiancé’s wellbeing and ensuring a guest's safety. I strongly advise any one of ethnic descent to choose another hotel accommodations that values your safety when visiting the area. No one should be treated properly simply because of the color of their skin, it’s so disheartening to know company’s hire these type of individuals in a customer facing position with such disgusting values and poor education. I never leave reviews but after receiving an email stating that the resolution being that the complaint would be documented in the locations permanent record seems unjust. So I’m spreading awareness to be cautions when lodging at this location!

4/11/25 Response to Jean,

Thanks for responding, I greatly appreciated your kindness as stated above. However prior to your arrival things were totally different hence why you arrived. The racial fact was provided by staff not an assumption. I would never visit any of your locations in the future. I wouldn’t simply make up a story and leave in the middle of the night with no refund just for a story. This is solely my experience with one employee. And yes my sister’s time has been great but she’s had an issue with this same employee (Dee) stating she is mean and rude. Instead of defending the racist a simple apology would’ve been...

My sister and I picked this hotel because it’s close to our parents house. They recently moved from PA to Tennessee so we were excited to visit them. We missed the turn to get into the hotel because it’s pretty poorly marked along the highway, but we got there okay. Check in process was quick and easy. When we got our room, the first thing I noticed was a musty mold smell and a dirty green carpet. We just put down our bags and out we went to see our family, but when we came back later we started to notice just how bad the room was. There were multiple, visible stains on the carpet that I assume we’re blood, blood squirts on the walls, and that horrible overwhelming mold smell. I went through almost half a can of Lysol just on the beds and carpet. I’m not a really picky person and I hate to cause problems, but I was actually crying at the thought of having to spend three nights in that room. Luckily, it was a Thursday night and the hotel was pretty empty, and the staff was really accommodating when we requested a different room. The receptionist seemed shocked when I told her how bad the room was but I don’t know how nobody else had complained about it. The room they moved us to was updated and pretty clean from what I could see, enough that I could sleep comfortably. So that and their willingness to move us so quickly and seamlessly is why I gave two stars rather than one. My advice is to try to get a room on the first floor if you can. I’d probably stay there again if I had to, but I would definitely check every inch of the room as soon as I check...