The Best of the Choice Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN

Orange and yellow Choice Hotels logo

There are 39 Choice Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN… or at least near Gatlinburg. Here is your list of the top 11, as ranked by customer reviews for each.

By Jeff Powell | Published August 26, 2025

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What are Choice Hotels Known For?

You have a wide range of options with Choice Hotels. They feature 22 different brands, ranging from budget-conscious to high-end accommodations. Brands include Comfort Inn, Econo Lodge, Cambria, and the Ascend Hotel Collection.

Brands such as Comfort Inn and Econo Lodge are recognized for their budget-friendly offerings. They are generally considered 2-star hotels in the hotel industry.

Brands such as Clarion Inn are recognized as mid-level, typically offering a range of amenities. At the same time, Cambria Hotels and hotels in the Ascend Collection are considered modern, boutique, and more upscale.

The following list includes all of the above!

The 11 Best Choice Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN

The following hotels all have three things in common:

  • They are a Choice Hotel Group property.
  • They are all within a 10-mile radius of Gatlinburg.
  • They all have a minimum 4-star average rating from guests.

The Inn at Apple Valley – An Ascend Collection Hotel

Upscale. Beautifully landscaped. Old-school, Smoky Mountains charm.

The award-winning Inn at Apple Valley boasts the highest review score on our list of Choice hotels in Gatlinburg, TN, earning a 4.7-star rating. You’ll find it just inside the city limits of Sevierville, north of Pigeon Forge, TN. This is the area where the traffic is lighter, and the shopping/dining/attractions are relatively new.

Don’t miss the Applewood Farmhouse Grill, the Apple Barn Winery, the Apple Barn & Cider Mill, and the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, all located just next door.

The Inn at Apple Valley, a white, 3-story hotel with red and white flowered landscaping

LeConte Hotel & Convention Center

Located at the other end of Pigeon Forge is the award-winning LeConte Hotel & Convention Center. It offers both rooms and suites, as well as rooms with kitchenettes.

The LeConte is a bit off the Parkway, which makes for a more relaxed stay – fewer people, less traffic. However, it offers numerous family-friendly amenities, and its convenient location near nearby restaurants means you won’t miss a thing!

Red brick entrance to the LeConte Hotel and Convention Center

Comfort Suites Gatlinburg Downtown – Convention Center

The Comfort Suites Gatlinburg Downtown – Convention Center is tucked back a short distance from the Parkway, just a seven-minute walk away, making the restaurants, shopping, and attractions on the Parkway easily accessible.

The two-star hotel is highly rated by guests and is an excellent choice for the budget-conscious traveler.

The blue and orange entrance to the Comfort Suites at twilight

Cambria Hotel Pigeon Forge

The Cambria Hotel features a distinct aesthetic. Instead of Smoky Mountains rustic charm, the Cambria has a modern, boutique vibe. It’s a very cool hotel!

It’s also a very convenient hotel. The Cambria is located near the LeConte Convention Center (a one-minute drive), the Ripken Experience Baseball Park (a one-minute drive), and the Parkway (a two-minute drive).

Pro Tip

Approach the Cambria Hotel from Teaster Lane, rather than from the Parkway. You’ll avoid a LOT of traffic this way!

The entryway to the 5-story Cambria Hotel as the sun goes down

Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside

Econo Lodge = Less expensive! But this lodge has a wonderful secret…

It backs up to the Little Pigeon River! It even has its own little “riverwalk”, with beautiful views.

Add that to a perfect location and the affordable rates, and the Econo Lodge Pigeon Forge Riverside is the total package!

The Econo Lodge. The bright, red sign is on the far left, with the three-story yellow lodge taking up the rest of the photo

Comfort Inn & Suites at Dollywood Lane

If you’re taking the family to Dollywood but don’t want to spend a fortune on lodging, consider the Comfort Inn & Suites located on Dollywood Lane. It’s only a seven-minute drive to the park!

The five-story, buff-colored Comfort Inn & Suites seen from outside. A chimney and the Comfort Inn & Suites sign is visible

MainStay Suites Gatlinburg Downtown Area

The MainStay Suites is actually an extended-stay hotel, but it also welcomes short-term guests. It’s on the east end of Gatlinburg, between the Alamo Steakhouse (YUM!) and the Little House of Pancakes (a favorite of locals).

The east end of Gatlinburg features the Arts and Crafts Community on Glades Road, and the Greenbriar section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pro Tip

Please note that it is a 30-minute walk from the MainStay Suites to the main section of shopping, dining, and attractions in Gatlinburg. We recommend driving there or catching the free trolley.

Brown, yellow, green, and gray entrance to MainStay Suites, with the sun setting in the background

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Gatlinburg – Convention Center

Here’s another opportunity to save some money on lodging. The Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Gatlinburg – Convention Center is a little older than some of the hotels on this list, but it is still highly rated by guests and offers all of the essentials.

Plus, the Parkway is just a seven-minute walk away!

Entrance to the Econo Lodge. A Pepsi vending machine sits next to the door, and there are several cars in the parking lot

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River – Gatlinburg

Location, LOCATION, LOCATION!

First, the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River is…on the river – the Little Pigeon River runs right behind it. Reserve a riverside room with a balcony view overlooking the river. And take a stroll down the lodge’s riverwalk.

Second, although the lodge is not on the Parkway, it’s only a block or so away!

Third, the Econo Lodge is one of the closest hotels to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s only a couple of blocks from the trailhead to the Gatlinburg Trail in the park.

The balconies of the Econo Lodge facing out over the rushing Little Pigeon River. A large, stone wall holds back the river. Behind it a walkway, then a grassy area, then the motel

Clarion Pointe – Sevierville, TN

The Clarion Pointe is located north of both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, in Sevierville, although it’s hard to tell where Pigeon Forge ends and Sevierville begins.

Many people overlook this area, which is a shame, because there is a lot to do and see here, including some great restaurants and water parks.

The entrance to the blue and gray Clarion Pointe under a blue sky with wispy clouds. A few cars are in the parking lot

Quality Inn Near The Island – Pigeon Forge

The Quality Inn Near The Island is…near The Island. The inn is just across the Parkway from everything The Island has to offer – which is a LOT.

It’s also right across the Parkway from the Comedy Barn Theatre, Alcatraz East Crime Museum, and the Pirates’ Voyage Dinner and Show.

The entrance to the Quality Inn, with its tall gabled green metal roof. A mountaintop can be seen in the distance. A few cars are in the parking lot

Frequently Asked Questions

  • So which one is the best?
    • That depends on what you’re looking for in a hotel…
      • Econo Lodges, Clarion Pointes, and Comfort Inns are usually considered two-star hotels. They will have all the essentials – room, private bath, TV, internet, usually a pool – and will be less expensive.
      • The Inn at Apple Valley is a four-star hotel. You should expect numerous amenities, on-site restaurant(s), spas, convenience stores, larger rooms, and more personalized service. Four-star hotels tend to be pricey.
      • In between are the three-star hotels (in this case, the Quality Inn, the Cambria Hotel, the LeConte, and Comfort Inn & Suites on Dollywood Lane. These hotels typically offer a balance between price, amenities, service, and comfort.
  • Can I bring my dog?
    • Only two of these hotels allow pets – Clarion Pointe and Cambria Hotel.
    • The others only allow certified service dogs, but there is no charge for them.

To Summarize…The Best of the Choice Hotels in Gatlinburg, TN

If you’re a fan of Choice Hotels or if you have saved up your Choice Rewards points, you’ve got some great options here!

So book your room! Don’t wait – do it right now, before your favorite hotel sells out. You can make your reservation directly from this blog post.

Have a great trip!

More Posts about Lodging in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

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Jeff Powell

Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of two blogs - National Park Ventures and Smoky Mountains Ventures. He and his wife Mary Ellen are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers "supersize" their own national park ventures.

Jeff and Mary Ellen have been married for 35 years. They have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in a cabin in the mountains outside of Blue Ridge, GA.