Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg Downtown

The property's spacious lobby has an outdoorsy ambiance that’s highlighted by a massive stone fireplace. High ceilings and handsome butterscotch leather chairs give the space a cheerful energy, and free afternoon cookies, water, and iced tea entice guests to relax in the lobby after a day of sightseeing or hiking. The small lobby bar is a popular place in the afternoons, too, with half-price drinks during happy hour. This hotel attracts mostly sightseeing couples and families, but with the convention center within walking distance, it also draws business travelers attending conferences and trade shows. 

The Hilton Garden Inn is located on a relatively quiet stretch of River Road, just one block off the main drag in downtown Gatlinburg. It’s a central location with a several restaurants within about a five-minute walk. It’s also close to many top attractions; Gatlinburg Convention Center and World of Illusions is 10 minutes away on foot, and the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and Gatlinburg Sky Lift is a seven-minute walk. It’s a six-minute drive to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park headquarters, and the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge is a 25-minute drive. The nearest major airport is in Knoxville, which is about one hour away. 

Guest rooms are contemporary, but despite bright, lime-green accent walls behind beds and white duvets, they feel a bit dark. Expect dark brown drapes, olive-striped carpet, and espresso-finish furniture. Vintage black-and-white photos of Gatlinburg do little to add pizzaz. Still, rooms are comfortable and nicely equipped, with desks and ergonomic chairs, side armchairs with ottomans, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, microwaves, and free Wi-Fi. Some units have gas fireplaces framed by natural stone, and Suites inlcude balconies. Bathrooms are spacious, with wide vanities, shower/tub combos, and Neutrogena toiletries, and Suites boast whirlpool tubs. Units are tidy and quiet, and come in King and Double Queen options. 

This Hilton Garden Inn features amenities geared toward leisure and business travelers alike. The Garden Grille offers a buffet and a la carte breakfast (fee), and American classics for dinner. The Pavilion Lounge has daily happy hour specials, and there's a lovely patio with comfortable seating around a fire pit that's a good place to relax and enjoy drinks. Free cookies and iced tea are offered in the lobby each afternoon. 

The large indoor saltwater pool is set in a pleasant space with loungers and plants, and there's a whirlpool on the patio. For wellness, there's a fitness center with several pieces of Precor cardio and weight-training equipment, including treadmills and ellipticals with video screens. The business center has multiple computers and printers, and the hotel can accommodate up to 130 people in its meeting space. 

Other amenities include room service, a guest laundry room, valet dry cleaning and laundry services, and a 24-hour minimart that sells sundries, snacks, microwaveable entrees, and beverages including beer and wine. Wi-Fi throughout is free, as is on-site parking.