Sidney James Mountain Lodge

The barn-like architectural designs at the Sidney James Mountain Lodge create a cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere that's augmented by its location on a small creek and the occasional bear sighting. The lobby has a fireplace and some traditional, comfy furniture in a narrow area by the front desk, but most guests take advantage of the outside lounge areas, including charcoal barbecue grills along the creek and a covered patio with seating and more grills. Although there are business facilities, most guests are tourists with children, and the select pet-friendly rooms also makes this a popular choice for dog owners, and attendees of the Mountain Hounds, a special greyhound event that’s held on-site every autumn. 

Slightly removed from the bustling downtown scene, the lodge is located in a peaceful area by Mynatt Park, where there are tennis courts, a baseball field, and picnic areas. It's five blocks from downtown and right by the Gatlinburg Convention Center. The town trolley -- which stops out front -- travels along the Historic Nature Trail to the main strip, where there are eateries, shops, and tourist sights such as the Space Needle, Sugarlands Distilling Company, Fort Fun Family Entertainment Center, and Ripley’s Aquarium. It’s a 10-minute drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with hiking trails and Noah Bud Ogle Cabin. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park is a 15-minute drive, while the scenic route to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail takes 20 minutes. Driving to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge takes half an hour and it's an hour's drive to Knoxville. Nashville and Atlanta are each about a three-and-a-half-hour drive. 

Separated in three different buildings, homey rooms are decorated in typical budget hotel furnishings, with thin patterned comforters, low-pile carpeting, and classic wood furniture. Interiors are clean, but sometimes worn. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning, and irons are available on request. There’s a charge for rollaway beds. Tiled bathrooms are basic with shower/tub combos and hairdryers.

The main lodge offers Club Level Rooms with fireplaces. Rooms in the Creekside building have riverside balconies. Creekside Jacuzzi Rooms also have mirrored ceilings, whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, and wet bars with microwaves. The Courtside building has Economy Rooms with a range of amenities, including wet bars, whirlpool tubs, balconies and/or fireplaces. Cabins are also available, including the three-bedroom Owl’s Nest -- with a patio, a whirlpool tub, and a kitchen -- and the two-bedroom Maple’s Cottage, which has a fireplace, a kitchen, and a patio. 

The Sidney James Mountain Lodge offers plenty of amenities, especially for a value property. A cafe with indoor and patio seating overlooks the main pool and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's another seasonal outdoor pool in the parking lot, surrounded by a chain-link fence. The heated indoor pool at the main lodge has a steamy, cave-like setting, complete with a waterfall, a grotto, a hot tub, and a kids' pool. There’s also a sauna along with a fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows and weight and cardio machines. Up to 100 people can fit in the meeting room, which comes equipped with a kitchenette and audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there's plenty of free parking on-site.