Riverbend Motel & Cabins

The town of Helen is a bit off the beaten path, so travelers who stay at this motel have made a special trip to the delightful area. Families are frequently seen here, including a fair amount of reunion groups. Like the town it’s part of, this motel has a cute Bavarian theme, with exterior gingerbread-style trim in white and crimson. The modest lobby has handsome hardwood flooring and traditional furniture. A corner space holds the continental breakfast items, but guests tend to retreat to their rooms or cabins to enjoy the riverfront scenery. It’s a common sight to see guests sitting their cabin porches or the riverfront swings throughout the day and into the evening. In summer, tubers on the river can be seen gently floating by this relaxed, friendly, and peaceful place.

The motel is located on a peaceful and scenic stretch of the Chattahoochee River. It’s just a four-minute walk into the heart of the quaint, Bavarian-themed town of Helen, where several restaurants and German beer gardens await. Several other hotels also are located downtown. Access to a hiking trail that winds along the river is just outside the hotel. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, and between two and three hours by car to Chattanooga and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Guests can choose from traditional motel rooms or cabins. The motel rooms are average in size and have a more modern, but rather dark, decor that includes deep red accent walls, drapes, and rugs as well as black furniture and dark brown, laminate wood floors. Microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs are standard amenities, and rooms come in King and Double Queen options. Granite vanities are placed outside the small bathrooms that have acrylic shower/tub inserts.Cabins are much larger but also more dated, with a homey, rustic decor that includes some wood paneling and blue industrial carpet. The cabins include loft bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchens, and porches overlooking the river. They also have gas fireplaces, sleeper sofas, and whirlpool tubs in the living room areas. Upstairs bedrooms have their own bathrooms with small acrylic shower inserts. Reviews of housekeeping and upkeep are decidedly mixed, with many past guests logging a litany of complaints, from stained sheets and mattresses to worn out furniture and malfunctioning appliances. The cabins especially could use updating, as we saw old-style tube TVs, old Formica-style counters, and mismatched, unattractive furniture. The rooms and cabins are generally quiet, and they feature lovely river views. Note that there are no elevators to takes guests to rooms on the second floor. 

This cozy motel complex on the Chattahoochee River has limited amenities, including a rather sparse continental breakfast typically consisting of coffee, juice, and pastries. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, but there are no laundry facilities, fitness center, or pool. Guests can make the most of their riverfront stays by enjoying the wooden swings, fire pits, and grills along a stretch of the river. Pets are welcome with a surcharge.