Timbers Lodge Pigeon Forge — Hotel in Pigeon Forge

Pending review I gave this hotel one star, only because the lady at the front desk (not the morning shift supervisor) was kind and listened to my complaints without the ability to do anything about them. Otherwise, I would have just left it blank! First, there seems to never be anyone on duty who has the clearance to do anything besides book rooms. Not even the supervisor who was absolutely of no help and RUDE! The first night we stayed, I complained that there was a sewage smell in our room and a sink gurgling loudly in the middle of the night, anytime anyone in another room flushed or took a shower. Then, we started having issues with the upstairs toilet. It wouldn’t flush and the water ran all night. After letting them know, they sent maintenance in our room while we were away. We came back to the smell of an air freshener that masked the sewage smell and toilet that flushed but would run continuously until you jiggle the handle. It broke once more and my husband just fixed it himself. As if that wasn’t enough, the downstairs stopped working and we called for them to tell us to come get a plunger. On their website, they have it listed that they offer a “continental breakfast.” With us having four kids, this was one reason we decided to stay at this particular location. We went down to get breakfast only to find they only offered grits or oatmeal and they had make it for you. When the manager returned, I expressed to her our concerns about how their website was deceiving for stating they offered continental breakfast and in fact, they do not and perhaps they should specify that in their amenities description. In this same conversation, I told her about the frustration we had with the plumbing since we’ve been here. Her words were “I can’t do anything about the breakfast. As long as we offer you something, it is considered continental breakfast. As far as the plumbing, I can have the maintenance go back up.” I expressed that this was not enough considering what we experienced and what we paid for a 5 day stay. She said “do you want to leave?!! Huh? Do you want to leave?!” I took a very long deep breathe and told her that was not an option, as it was the day before New Years and we prepaid for the room and we planned to leave Friday (in two days). She said she would talk to the owner. Again, she is a supervisor/GM and she can’t make the appropriate accommodations for a customer, nor did she seem to care. I didn’t bother to bring up that in 5 days, our room was serviced ONE TIME, to give us fresh towels and take our trash. Later, we received a phone call saying we got a $50 credit. However, the room is already paid for so that was no true. We return to our room to find the ceiling from the loft leaking water and the floor is full of water down stairs and upstairs. This just added to the problems and again, no one here to help us! I emailed the owner and he still has not responded. Attached are pictures. I wouldn’t stay here. You would be better off sleeping in your car!

Side note: you won’t sleep! You can hear anything and everything going on in other rooms and...

We went into the motel after we had paid in full in advace nervous as heck because we read the not geat - scary reviews. Here are the things other people said and our experience.

Compaint of rude staff....FALSE. We told the front desk attendant our concerns (in a semi joking way). The front desk guy was really nice and assured us everything would be just fine. We had a question about our fridge and the housekeeping staff was so nice. She came in and made sure we were happy with our room.

Complaint of Bed Bugs - We went in and FULLY inspected the beds for bed bugs as they were referenced in a few reviews. My husband and I travel for work so we are very proficient in our search, even lifted UP the bedframes, box springs and took off the bed skirts looked behind the headboards, night stands with the flashlights...All the things, NOT a SINGLE sign of a bed bug or resude of bed bugs past. We checked into room 302, a jacuzzi suite.

Complaint of unclean rooms - our room was very clean. To the extent that we pulled out the couch to check on the fridge and it was even clean behind the couch.

Complaint of a worn down facility - yes this is true, there is definitely some wear and tear on the place BUT they are working hard to do renovations. You could tell our bathroom in our room was brand new. The elevators needed a good paint redo, some of the outside wood, things like that but they are working on all of that starting with the most important thing the actual rooms. Truth is, unless you are staying at the Dreamore Resort or one of the brand new properties, any PF motel is going to be worn. They are old properties..we have stayed at the Dreamore, Ramsey, Governors Crossing, The Christmas Tree Inn, Red Roof Inn, Margaritaville Hotel, Holiday Inn, Tru Hotel, Country Inn and Suites...we have stayed everywhere in PF and all of the hotel/motels that weren't a $$$$ price point needed some work. You get what you pay for.

What we DIDNT like - The pool was very dirty and the pool furniture wasn't out even though it was in the 80s temp wise. The cleaning staff told us that she was 3 hours over her off time because they were short staffed so if it's clean rooms or clean pool I'd much rather the rooms be cleaned. Not a deal breaker.

The towels were not great but again it's a lodge...to be expected.

There was a lot of renovation "stuff" everywhere like in the hall and thrown out back behind the motel. If I was management I would have just tried to do something to conceal the stuff a little bit better and clear out garbage.

What we DID like -

very affordable for 6 people to stay in one room

the location is GREAT we love the Island, and this is walkable to there.

plenty of parking

the view out the back is so pretty of the creek

loved the rockers outside overlooking Parkway

Overall, we would stay here again in this particular room if...

TLDR: DONT STAY AT THIS PLACE.

My girlfriend surprised me with a labor day weekend trip to Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge. When she first booked it, she found out that we would have an extra day so she booked this place last minute. She was super excited for the jacuzzi tub and the room, because all of the pictures on Google and Expedia looked great. Plus, the location was just a short walk from the main area of Pidgeon Forge.

When we booked in, we were given Room #108 on the backside of the building, ground floor. IMMEDIATELY upon entering the room, i was met with a strong odor of mold. So much so that the air felt thick to breathe. My girlfriend, who has terrible allergies, instantly started to react to the mold in the air. Upon inspection of the room, i found that the ground-mounted air conditioner was absolutely covered in mold. My girlfriend and I debated on cleaning it and just going with it, but I couldnt stand to see her get sick after paying over $140 for a one night stay. I walked across to the office and informed the employee behind the counter, who seemed like he could care less. I was very respectful and agreeable when i spoke with him, and he ended up giving us another room, no questions asked. I walked back to get my girlfriend and our things and we walked into Room 114, located along the ground floor hallway (across from all the construction materials just laid about by the stairwell).

When we entered Room 114, we were met with a much more pleasant smell of cedar, and the muskiness wasnt present. The room was much hotter, however, with the air conditioner being off when we walked in. When i walked over to turn it on, i found even MORE mold along the vents and the gridded panel. I also noticed a nearly 1/8th inch gap between the AC unit and the wall, which hadnt been properly sealed with caulk. Upon inspection of the bathroom, a questionable stain was observed on the floor of it. I, as anyone else, became irate. My girlfriend spent $140 on this?? I felt like they had defrauded her from the pictures online. I walked back down to the office and informed the same employee that this room also had a moldy air conditioner. My girlfriend begged me to not cause a scene, and so i begrudgingly remained composed and respectful. I told him that this was unacceptable, and he basically told me to get over it and that the room was non-refundable.

We ended up staying in the room since it was non-refundable, but my girlfriend's allergies did flare up. I cleaned the AC unit the best i could with a soapy rag. Needless to say, we didnt use the shower at all. Unless this is an absolute LAST RESORT, please don't waste your money on this place.

The photos listed below were all taken...