Gatlinburg’s Charming & Unique Hotel History

As tourists packed their cars and loaded their families to head to the newly minted Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Lawson family flipped the switch on Gatlinburg’s first illuminated vacancy sign at the Historic Rocky Waters Inn. Recently renovated as a boutique hotel, the Historic Rocky Waters Inn shines on as one of Gatlinburg’s most envied destinations.

Owned by just two families – the Lawsons and Patels – in its 110-year history, the Historic Rocky Waters Inn offers a sumptuous night’s stay alongside rocky riverbanks. Here, relaxation is downright mandatory, with cushy rooms and chic amenities. Gorgeous finishes, thoughtful decor, and earthy hues throughout are a nod to the hotel’s natural setting and storied past. In case you need another reason to check in, the hotel’s onsite dining at The Heirloom Room features some of the best food and drink Appalachia has to offer. 

It just doesn’t get more nostalgic than The Historic Gatlinburg Inn. A landmark since Rel Maples Sr. opened it in 1937, The Historic Gatlinburg Inn replaced a family corn patch on the West Fork of the Little Pigeon River. Soon expanded, it became a hotspot for locals and visitors alike, housing Gatlingburg’s first Chamber of Commerce, the local newspaper, the town’s first bank and dentist – and even the City of Gatlinburg offices.

“Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top, down in the Tennessee hills,” begins the beloved University of Tennessee theme song, Rocky Top, which Felice and Boudleaux Bryant penned here in Room 388. Along with the Bryants, many famous guests graced the hotel through the years, including Lady Bird Johnson, J.C. Penney, Dinah Shore, Liberace and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

A destination that began with three cozy guest cottages, Zoder’s Inn & Suites remains a family-owned Gatlinburg gem more than 80 years later. Set apart by its variety of suites and accommodations, Zoder’s Inn & Suites is a favorite of couples and families too.

Serenely set on six wooded acres, Zoder’s Inn & Suites offers a natural setting and warm hospitality. With 90 guest rooms and suites and an indoor/outdoor pool, Zoder’s Inn & Suites can accommodate large groups while still maintaining its intimate feel.  In the heart of Gatlinburg, you’ll find Zoder’s Inn & Suites on the main parkway.

Nothing says family business like setting up shop (or motel, in this case!) right next door to your home. That’s exactly what Carl Gillette did back in 1957, when he opened the six-room Gillette Motel next door to his house at the corner of Cloverleaf and Reagan Drive. Mr. Gillette’s young family grew up onsite, helping their patriarch run his two growing start-ups – the motel and his plumbing and HVAC businesses.

Today, you can book a retro stay at the same address. The Gillette now houses 80 rooms and spans a whole city block, directly across the street from the Gatlinburg Convention Center and W.L. Mills Auditorium. Some newly renovated rooms and deluxe suites feature stunning wallpaper and drapes and completely rebuilt bathrooms. The Gillette has come a long way since 1957, but it still welcomes guests with classic Gatlinburg charm. 

Located in downtown the Sidney James Mountain Lodge is rich in history. Since 1958, this family-owned hotel has provided a place where friends, families, and loved ones can enjoy a comfortable stay at an affordable price. Relax in a rustic mountain lodge and listen to the sounds of the rushing creek outside your room while enjoying the convenience of being just steps away from downtown Gatlinburg and a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Continuing the theme of family start-ups, let’s look all the way back to 1897. That’s when a young Andy Huff came to Gatlinburg and established several sawmills in town. The generous entrepreneur opened his home to the lumbermen who came to find work cutting timber. The business – and Gatlinburg – grew, and Mr. Huff had a dilemma on his hands. Finding it inhospitable to charge people to stay in his home, he opened his first small hotel below it. That venture grew into the 100-room, three-story Mountain View hotel, a Gatlinburg destination until the 1980s.

Young Jack Huff was born into this family back in those days. A mountain man at heart, he eventually built and operated Mt. LeConte Lodge with his wife and children. After leaving that mountain home, the family continued their hospitable heritage, opening Jack Huff’s Motor Lodge in 1959. Today, Jack’s daughter Cookie and her husband Bruce continue to operate Jack Huff’s and carry on the family’s legacy.

The Park Vista is aptly named, as the only circular high-rise Gatlinburg hotel, featuring panoramic views of the mountains and downtown. A Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, this property merges the best features of a chain hotel with the charm of a unique mountain getaway. Choose your view – mountain or town – and check in for a clean, comfortable stay.

While The Park Vista is convenient to all of Gatlinburg, there’s no need to venture far if you’d prefer to stay close to your vacation home-away-from-home. The onsite Vista Grill serves three meals a day in a casual environment, while Firefly’s Patio Lounge features mountain views, firepits and interesting bites and sips.

Among the last family-owned and operated properties remaining in Gatlinburg, the sprawling Greystone Lodge on the River has been welcoming weary travelers for generations. Originally “Hotel Greystone,” built by Dick Whaley on the site where Ripley’s Aquarium now stands, Jack Miller, Sr. built Greystone Lodge on the River in 1962.

Today, guests can experience that same level of excellent hospitality at Greystone Lodge on the River, now run by Mr. Miller’s children and grandchildren. With private balconies or patios in each room – many featuring river views -- and mid-century rustic architecture, this is a comfortable oasis right in the heart of town.

Built in 2009, the Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Gatlinburg offers 118 guest rooms and luxurious suites with a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and scenic beauty, located just steps from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and downtown Gatlinburg attractions. This 100% smoke-free, modern hotel provides well-appointed rooms with cozy furnishings, an indoor pool, a fitness center, 24-hour business center and an on-site full service restaurant serving delicious meals. Guests can relax by the outdoor fire pit or unwind in the hot tub after a day of exploring.

Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Gatlinburg is also the very first (LEED) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified hotel in the state of Tennessee and at the time of the hotel’s opening, was one of only seven in the United States. It even earned the coveted U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED Silver Level certification in 2010. This hotel blends modern comfort with environmentally conscious design, featuring energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and sustainable building materials. Guests can enjoy upscale accommodations while knowing their stay supports green initiatives, making it an ideal choice for travelers who value both luxury and sustainability.

Looking for retro Appalachian vibes in a perfectly modern establishment? The Appy Lodge is the place for you. Founded by David Ogle, an eighth-generation descendent of Martha Jane Huskey Ogle, Gatlinburg’s first settler, The Appy Lodge offers much more than a great night’s sleep.

Staying true to the Ogle family heritage of showcasing Gatlinburg’s majestic natural world, The Appy Lodge is a hybrid resort hotel, heritage museum and educational outfit for all things Smokies and The Appalachian Trail. The Appy Lodge rolls out the red carpet, Smoky Mountain-style, from its buffalo check décor and real hickory furniture to the inside scoop on all things outdoors.  

Beach person on a mountain vacation? Look no further! There’s no wastin’ away at Gatlinburg’s Margaritaville Resort, drenched in Jimmy Buffett’s Key West Parrothead vibes. Guests of all ages enjoy the resort hotel’s island getaway vibes right here in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Whether you’re bringing the family, traveling with friends or on a couple’s getaway, you’ll find plenty to do here. Slip into St. Somewhere Spa for luxurious treatments sure to put you in an island state of mind. Dive into the sprawling outdoor pool, with a children’s splash pad and waterslides. Amenities including a hot tub, covered outdoor firepit and multiple dining and drinking destinations make this upbeat getaway hard to leave.

The latest addition to Gatlinburg’s unique hotel history, Embassy Suites by Hilton continues our tradition of guest-focused hospitality. Gorgeous rooms await, along with our zero-entry indoor/outdoor pool with lazy river – open year-round. Expect the excellence of a Hilton property with a strong dose of regional expertise at this resort.

Plan your outdoor adventure at the Guide Room in the lobby, with concierge service from locally owned and run Smoky Mountain Guides. There, you can map out your local exploration while shopping a curated selection of outdoor gear. Fuel up for your hike – or relax afterwards – at onsite restaurant The Rolling Fork, serving up Appalachian flair and favorites.