Lodging in the Gatlinburg area, including the neighboring town of Pigeon Ford, is limited to mostly motels, inns, and smaller chain hotels. However, sitting high above Gatlinburg, Tennessee, among the Great Smoky Mountains, you will find the Park Vista Hotel.
The full name of this hotel is the Park Vista – A DoubleTree By Hilton, and it turned out better in person than on paper. When I was looking up information on this hotel it came off as more of an older and antique lodge. While there is definitely a lodge feel at the Park Vista, some of the design elements inside the hotel combines mountain lodge with unique architecture. Overall the hotel is updated and has great amenities, while fitting in with the Great Smoky Mountains atmosphere.
The view outside of the hotel is great, as it sits up slightly higher above the town of Gatlinburg and is level with the mountains. It is about ten minutes from the main street in Gatlinburg, where there is shopping, food, and activities. Also there is a trolley that goes around Gatlinburg and picks up and drops off right in front of the hotel for $.50 a person. Park Vista is also about ten minutes from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.