Cherokee Outdoor Resort — Hotel in Vonore

We’ve had our boat(s) at this marina since 2018. We were optimistic and hopeful that we would see updates and improvements when it came under new ownership in 2023.

With steady increases in rent, coupled with new ownership one would expect to see noticeable improvements to amenities as well as customer service.

The waste pump out station is inconsistent and unreliable making it hard to plan for maintaining the waste management system for your boat.

And don’t dare expect you can count on the bathroom facilities provided to be adequately cleaned, stocked and/or operational! They are consistently stopped up, out of TP, soap or paper towels. They no doubt, probably get stopped up because tenants are forced to resort to paper towels in lieu of TP. We have voiced our concerns multiple times and have only seen temporary improvements.

The locks for the bathroom facilities have been replaced with each tenant having their own private code. We appreciate that management is trying to keep random people from using the facilities. But with this system we each have a 6 digit passcode we have remember and are limited to the hours we can even use these amenities! This creates problems because when people can’t remember their passcode or know that they may need to use the amenities outside of the operatational hours, they just simply leave the door ajar for just anyone to use… Defeating the entire purpose of having locks with passcodes!!!

There were some nice physical and aesthetic improvements to the restaurant and the menu. However, the food looks and sounds much better on paper than it actually tastes… especially considering the price increases to make it appear more upscale. At the end of the day, it’s still marina food quality.

The previous owners/management saw to it that, like clockwork, the ladies that maintained the restrooms, were there bright and early tending to the them. We seldom see anyone except for the “marina manager” doing anything to the restrooms. Clearly that’s not his job and apparently deligating someone for it must be a challenge.

We don’t have a problem with justifiable rate increases. We do have a problem with continual increases with the decline of services and amenities...

On May 21st, we made reservations for a pontoon for the 4th of July and paid $388. for a four hour rental period. On the 3rd of July we received a phone call that the pontoon had experienced significant damage the day prior and would not be able to be used. We were told that we would receive a full refund within four days. On the 8th, after not receiving our funds back, we called and spoke to Stormy (manager). She said that we would be receiving $368 back. When questioned about the $20 difference, she requested that we send a snapshot of the receipt and statement showing that we paid $388. This was done via email. On July 10th, after checking with our bank, we have still not received our money. When we had again called, Kat said that the manager (Stormy) had left for the day (it was 3:45 pm) and the owner is out of state, which is forcing us to have to go to the establishment in person. Being local, that is not a problem, but with many visitors coming in from other areas of the state or out of state, it's not an option. Taking one's money for the entire purchase immediately and not being able to refund it within a week is not good business practice. Then to try and not refund the total amount and asking the customer to verify they paid it is ludicrous. With so many other choices of where to rent a recreational vehicle in East Tennessee, I would highly encourage others to research and use one of those others. Cherokee Outdoor Resort and Marina is definitely the...

Cherokee Outdoor Resort is the perfect getaway if you’re looking to combine natural beauty with a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, the resort offers a peaceful and scenic environment with well-maintained facilities, cozy cabins, and excellent amenities for both RV travelers and campers.

What really made our stay exceptional, though, was the staff—especially Sydnee Hughes. From the moment we arrived, Sydnee went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. She was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely kind. Whether it was giving us local recommendations, answering our questions, or just making sure we felt at home, Sydnee’s professionalism and warmth truly stood out.

It’s rare to find customer service that feels this personal. Thanks to her, our visit felt less like a resort stay and more like being welcomed into a community. If you’re planning a trip to Cherokee Outdoor Resort, you’re in great hands—especially if Sydnee is working!

Highly recommend and can’t wait...