840 River Rd, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States | (888) 551-4925
Right at the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Large rooms, most with private balconies
Many rooms have gas fireplaces and whirlpools
Walking distance to downtown Gatlinburg
Heated outdoor pool has a fun lazy river
Free covered parking
On-site fitness center (though it's tiny)
Free Wi-Fi and HBO
Free continental breakfast with hot items like waffles
"Mountain stream views" consist mainly of the view to another hotel
Small breakfast room gets crowded
The pool is small, and the lazy river is tiny
Needs updating, especially the bathrooms
No on-site bar or restaurant
The Bearskin Lodge's location right outside the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park distinguishes it somewhat from other hotels in the Gatlinburg area, and means it's slightly quieter than hotels right on the main strip. There are even hiking trails that start practically at the hotel's doorstep. The outdoor pool and lazy river, while they might attract families, are small and crowded. Many of the "mountain stream views" offer little more than views across to another hotel's balconies, with the stream largely out of sight in the narrow ground below. On the plus side, most of the large rooms have gas fireplaces and whirlpools (either in-room or in the bathroom), making them cozy spots for couples. The nearby Old Creek Lodge isn't right on the Smoky Mountain hiking trails, but it has the same decor (due to the same owners), with better views and slightly lower rates.
