Combining a strong island vibe with a casual but luxurious atmosphere, and absolutely wonderful service that will make any Parrot Head happy!
Published: October 31, 2019
By: Lori Chandler Pruitt
After a nice, long day of sightseeing and shopping in the Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, it was great to walk into Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg in the heart of downtown and experience …. a luxury beach resort!
In case you’re wondering, yes, it works. It works very well. Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg, which opened in June 2018, combines a strong island vibe, a casual but luxury atmosphere and absolutely wonderful service amidst the mountains. The magic includes a wonderful, fragrant lobby with plenty of comfy places to relax and fresh fruit flavored water.
It works so well that it has already been distinguished as the country’s Best New Hotel in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers Choice travel awards, ranked No. 1 among 20 finalist hotels from across the nation.
Part of the Margaritaville collection of hotels and resorts, it is seven stories tall, has 163 rooms, the full-service St. Somewhere Spa, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool area with a large two-loop waterslide, a children’s pool, a hot tub, water play, an outdoor firepit and gathering areas, three great casual restaurants, including a LandShark Bar & Grill, a fitness center, event space, an island-themed gift shop. There are many room combinations, including unique family suite options with a children’s room. Another of the many great features of the resort is Jimmy’s Hideaway, an exclusive bungalow on its own island with a secret garden and just steps away from the resort.
We ate at all three restaurants, and were very happy with the fresh, delicious meals served by the friendly and competent staff. Our room was beautiful, comfortable, quiet and so relaxing. The room combined the rustic with the contemporary, with a stacked-stone, seasonal fireplace and a spacious bathroom with dual rain shower features. We enjoyed a private balcony with a mountain view, too.
It’s very possible to just park the car and experience Gatlinburg when you stay here. That’s because it is on the main parkway, conveniently next to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, where the main trolley station also is located, all the great shopping and restaurants, and right across the street from one of the area’s newest and neatest attractions, the Anakeesta outdoor family theme park. The resort is only a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – great for outdoor enthusiasts – but if you just want a taste of the national park, take the city of Gatlinburg’s “tan” trolley route for a great tour.
For more information on the resort and to book your stay, call 888-447-0222 or see www.margaritavilleresortgatlinburg.com.