If you are heading to the Great Smoky Mountains in search of the elusive black bear or taking a trip to Pigeon Forge for the wonderfully acclaimed Dollywood, you are probably wondering where to stay in the Gatlinburg area. Located in the foothills of the Great Smokies, Gatlinburg is famous for many reasons so finding a hotel or accommodation here provides a perfect hub to explore the region further.
Where to stay in Gatlinburg? Essentially it depends on what you are looking for and exactly what you intend on doing while staying in the area but we feel like we have the perfect place for you, providing a nice blend for all traveler types. Look no further than the gorgeous Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium!
Where is Greystone Lodge?
Whether you are a backpacker planning on hiking around the Smokies or a family planning a weekend getaway to visit Dollywood or other theme parks in the area, Greystone Lodge is a relaxing option situated in the perfect location along the Little Pigeon River.
Directly across from the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Greystone Lodge provides easy access to many of Gatlinburg’s leading attractions. Interested in visiting all of the Ripley’s entertaining museums? Perhaps you would prefer to walk up and down the main street in Gatlinburg and sample moonshine at a variety of locations? Regardless of your interests, Greystone Lodge allows you to experience all of this and much more!
Greystone Lodge is also located directly in front of the Galinburg Trolley station providing another unique experience right on your doorstep to access other parts of the town.
The Rooms
As we pulled into the parking lot of Greystone Lodge, we headed under the canopy of the reception and were pleasantly greeted by staff of the lodge. After checking in we were directed to one of the newly renovated rooms which was recently completed in June 2014. We stayed in one of the executive rooms but depending on your taste and budget, there are standard rooms, executive suites and even cottages available.
Visit Greystone Lodge for a romantic getaway and request to stay in a suite with a jacuzzi or fireplace. We can certainly attest to the management at Greystone Lodge doing everything they can to ensure your stay is perfect.
Greystone Lodge is unique and very different to other hotels that we have stayed in because the parking garage has a level for each floor of the hotel. Your room key gives you direct access from the garage to the hallway where your room is located and really provides a convenient option if you are visiting Gatlinburg by car.
Entering our room, we were immediately surprised by how spacious it was. The most eye-catching aspect aside from the obvious cleanliness and modern decor was the balcony overlooking Gatlinburg and river.
Opening the doors to the balcony and you immediately hear the relaxing sound of the river gurgling downstream. Imagine waking up to that every morning! The sense of seclusion and peacefulness that Greystone Lodge promotes is definitely present here as you sit on the balcony with your favorite drink.
From the crisp design in the bathroom to the extremely comfortable king-sized bed, everything we could wish for in a room was here at Greystone Lodge. Of course our time in Gatlinburg, just like any other trip, was not to spend too much time in our hotel but it’s nice knowing after a long day of exploring you have a comfortable room to go back to.
Added Amenities
Staying at Greystone Lodge is not just about the relaxing views from your balcony overlooking the Little Pigeon River. The customer focused attitude and distinct southern hospitality make your stay here one of the most memorable encounters. A breakfast buffet is included in your room rate and located in the reception hall, providing a perfect energy boost before heading out to explore the Great Smoky region.
If you are visiting Greystone Lodge in the summer and would rather spend time at the hotel, there is the perfect outdoor pool with slide for the kids to enjoy. A fitness room and 24-hour business center with complimentary hot beverages are available along with hi-speed internet/wi-fi access throughout all rooms at the Lodge.
Summary
You are probably wondering what makes Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium stand out from the rest of the accommodation options in Gatlinburg and surrounding region. I think the family owned and operated aspect of this property is essentially what gives Greystone a competitive advantage here. Combine this with a uniquely perfect location situated on the relaxing Little Pigeon river and I hope you are convinced that this is a place worth considering.
Everything about our stay at Greystone Lodge made us feel welcome and I have nothing but high praise for everyone associated with this accommodation choice. I am excited to see the future renovations take place that will really take Greystone to the next level and provide a myriad of other options that will really make this the best option for folks visiting Gatlinburg.
Disclaimer – We would like to thank Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium for hosting us on this trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.