218 Ski Mountain Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA, United States | (865) 436-5121
Value property on the Little Pigeon River, near shops and restaurants
All rooms have riverside balconies, mini-fridges, and microwaves
Suites offer living rooms and kitchenettes; some have fireplaces and hot tubs
Outdoor pool, hot tub, and kids' pool with forest backdrop
Great picnic area with barbecue and pirate-ship playground
Homey breakfast room with free breakfast
Coin-operated laundry machines
Computer with printer and free coffee in lobby
Free on-site parking and hotel-wide Wi-Fi
Rooms have dated decor and thin walls
Breakfast is basic
No fitness center
On the border of Smoky Mountains National Park, the 112-room Best Western Twin Islands is a laid-back two-pearl property popular with families. Rooms are old-fashioned and have thin walls, but come with riverside balconies, microwaves, mini-fridges. Suites have kitchenettes and some even have fireplaces. A barbecue picnic area and playground add to the laid-back atmosphere, and there are an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a kids' pool, a breakfast lounge, and a laundry room. The Fairfield Inn & Suites Gatlinburg North offers more modern facilities, but at higher prices.
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Scene
Budget hotel on a small river and near downtown Gatlinburg’s attractions
The Little Pigeon River that wraps around the Best Western Twin Islands brings the tranquility of the great outdoors to this otherwise standard chain motel. The property is a 20-minute walk from the Smoky Mountains National Park, but guests don’t have to go far to fish, with a cement pathway beside the hotel that winds along the river, where there are also ducks to feed. Ramps and staircases lead to exterior hallways that hang over the river. At night the property is well-lit and a small grassy park encourages social gatherings -- particularly in the warmer months -- with a charcoal barbecue grill, a covered picnic patio, and a nicely maintained pirate-ship playground that makes the property a hit with families.
Location
Convenient location near downtown and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located just off Parkway -- the main thoroughfare that runs through town -- this Best Western is convenient both to downtown and the to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The popular No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina is right by the hotel and it’s a five-minute walk to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and lots of shops and western boutiques. There are plenty of family-friendly entertainment options within walking distance, including Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Space Needle, World of Illusions, Treasure Quest Mini Golf, and the Fort Family Entertainment Center. The Gatlinburg Sky Lift is a 10-minute walk away and the hotel is a 15-minute drive to the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where guests receive information and maps to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Dollywood in Pigeon Forge is a 25-minute drive from the hotel and it’s about an hour to the McGhee Tyson Airport.
Rooms
Cozy, if chain-like, riverside rooms and suites with river-facing balconies, mini-fridges, and microwaves
Comfy furnishings and homey conveniences such as microwaves and mini-fridges give rooms a welcoming feeling, and the river -- which flows by private or shared balconies and patios -- creates a calming vibe. Decor is generic and chain-like, but rooms are clean and feature peachy or cool color palettes. Most overlook the river. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, writing desks, and irons/ironing boards in wardrobes or closets. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers, and the vanity areas are outside of bathrooms in some rooms. Suites are more modern than the rooms. Some feature fireplaces and others have whirlpool tubs with pine accents that are oddly positioned beside kitchenettes. Cribs can be requested for a fee and three ADA-accessible rooms are available.
Features
Heated pool and hot tub, coin-operated laundry, and free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi
The hotel features a heated outdoor pool, a kids' pool, and hot tub set against a forest backdrop that contributes to a secluded feel. There's a wheelchair lift at the edge of the pool and towels are provided poolside. Other features include ice and vending machines as well as a laundry room with coin-operated washers and dryers. The breakfast room is cozily decorated, offering ample seating and a free morning spread of traditional continental selections, including eggs, cereal, and fruit. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's plenty of free on-site parking.
