Want to have a memorable vacation? Why don’t you book a flight to Gatlinburg? It’s a small mountain city in Tennessee, famous for being the gateway to the 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Home to magnificent mountain views, skiing, and snowboarding lovers, this city is a great travel destination for travelers of all ages. Not to mention, it also features a selection of attractions, including waterparks, golf courses, and breweries. However, if you’re on a budget, you’ll have limited accommodation options. Don’t worry, though, as we will show you some nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN. So, which cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN should you book? Let’s find out together!
Table of contents
- Sidney James Mountain Lodge
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
- Brookside Lodge
- Hampton Inn Gatlinburg
- Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
- River Terrace Resort & Convention Center
- Edgewater Hotel and Conference Center
- The Appy Lodge
- Greystone Lodge on the River
- The Park Vista
- Old Creek Lodge
- Top Affordable Bars in Gatlinburg TN
- Top Affordable Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN
- Free Things To Do in Gatlinburg TN
Sidney James Mountain Lodge
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Kicking off this list is Sidney James Mountain Lodge, one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN that’s worth your money. Nestled on a beautiful mountain stream, this pet-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg offers affordable accommodations for travelers. Each room is fitted with a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and coffee machine. If you have a bit of extra budget, you can even book a room with a hot tub, balcony, or fireplace with views of the river.
This cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN, also has some leisure facilities, including two swimming pools! There’s an indoor pool open all year and a seasonal outdoor pool. As one of the best hotels in Gatlinburg with pools, you can access both of the pools for free! After a nice swimming session, you’re invited to the steam room and sauna. Or, you can relax and offer some snacks from the poolside cafe. There are also BBQ facilities on-site! Want to check out the surrounding attractions? This lodge is only around an eight-minute walk away from the Space Needle and a short drive away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
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Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown is a popular option among travelers, featuring everything you need and more. This cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN features an outdoor swimming pool that can help you relax and beat the heat. Meanwhile, those who can’t swim can lift weights in the well-equipped fitness center. There’s also a modern on-site restaurant that serves yummy daily breakfast. Later in the day, spend a dreamy evening hanging out on the outdoor terrace with a fire pit.
Airy, spotless, and contemporary, the guestrooms at this hotel are a great place to unwind and rest your tired body. From a fridge and microwave to a flat-screen TV, they come with everything you need for a comfy stay. As expected from one of the best cheap hotels in Tennessee Gatlinburg, there’s also free Wi-Fi throughout the property so you can keep in touch with your friends. Some places are a must-visit when you feel like exploring the surrounding area. They include the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Gatlinburg Sky Lift, etc.
Brookside Lodge
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There are dozens of nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN, but Brookside Lodge is probably the cheapest! Spread across large, landscaped grounds, this cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN provides everything you need for an exciting break in Gatlinburg. Here, there’s a wide choice of affordable rooms on offer, and each of them has a private balcony! That way, you can lap up the surrounding nature! To save your money, we recommend booking the Standard King Room. It includes a 32-inch flat-screen TV, coffee maker, microwave, mini-fridge, and free toiletries.
Although this Gatlinburg hotel is a budget hotel, it sure doesn’t act like one! Unlike other cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee that boast one swimming pool, this property boasts two! Apart from the seasonal outdoor pools, there are also basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts. What’s more, kids can also play around in the on-site playground! While your kids are having fun there, you can check out the sundeck, complete with a patio and BBQ area.
Hampton Inn Gatlinburg
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Like some cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee, Hampton Inn Gatlinburg is only seconds from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance. This means you’ll be surrounded by the scenery of the mountains, which is a huge plus for nature lovers. Thanks to its location, this cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN is an ideal option if you want to enjoy time away from the hustle and bustle of city life with your family or significant other. Not to mention, places like the Star Cars Museum, Gatlinburg Sky Lift, and Mysterious Mansion are only a few minutes away.
You can rest assured that the rooms at this hotel are cozy and warm. Named one of the best cheap hotels in Tennessee Gatlinburg, all guestrooms come complete with fireplaces and dark wood furnishings. Some even feature a seating area. Why don’t you have fun in the outdoor pool when you have nothing to do? It’s perfect for swimming and sunbathing. As expected from one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN, there’s also a huge dining area where you can have hearty meals and your daily complimentary breakfast buffet!
Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown
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Modern and bright, Courtyard by Marriott Gatlinburg Downtown is a hotel that’ll exceed your expectations. At this cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN, you can stay in one of its comfy and contemporary guestrooms. Each is a warm and homey place that allows travelers to have a restful night. Even better, some rooms come with a seating area and balcony to relax in! This hotel sure knows how to spoil its guests!
That’s not all! Like other nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN, this hotel also has a great on-site restaurant for dining in the evening. You can also enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoor terrace while sitting around the fire pit in the evening. Want to explore the surrounding area? Sure! There are tons of restaurants and bars surrounding the hotel. Plus, popular spots like the Amazing Mirror Maze, Star Cars Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and more are only a short walk away!
River Terrace Resort & Convention Center
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We have a feeling you’ll love this two-star resort! River Terrace Resort & Convention Center, one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee, features a beautiful sun deck alongside the river, allowing you to admire the view. On sunny days, you can have meals out on the terrace, serenaded by the sounds of nature as you drink and dine. After that, you’re invited to the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool! It’s open all year and welcomes travelers of all ages.
The surprise doesn’t end there! Each sizeable room on the property is well decorated in a selection of natural greens and browns. On top of that, many of them come with a balcony that overlooks the water! Once you’re done enjoying the view, rest your tired body on the cloud-like bed, connect your phone to the hotel’s free Wi-Fi, and have fun listening to your favorite music as you have a quick nap. When it’s time to eat, a spacious on-site restaurant serves sumptuous American cuisine.
Edgewater Hotel and Conference Center
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Up next is Edgewater Hotel and Conference Center, a cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN, ideal for leisure and business travelers. Here, you can find classic, traditionally decorated rooms that feature warm carpets and views of the surrounding area. Standard amenities are also found in each guestroom, including a flat-screen TV, a desk, a microwave, and a small refrigerator. Best of all, there’s a small balcony! All of them are non-smoking too, which is another reason it’s on this list of nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN.
Deemed one of the best cheap hotels in Tennessee Gatlinburg, this property also has some on-site amenities to make your stay even better. Guests who want to stay active can work up a sweat in the fitness center. Meanwhile, those who wish to unwind and relax can soak in the hot tub after a day of exploring the city. You can even splash around in the indoor/outdoor pool! Then, feel free to have some fun in the games room! As a bonus, there’s also free on-site parking, perfect for those traveling by car.
The Appy Lodge
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There are many nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN, but The Appy Lodge is easily one of the best. If you decide to spend your nights here, you’re in for a great time! This cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN allows families and even solo travelers to have tons of fun in its outdoor swimming pool, which comes with a large water slide! If swimming isn’t your thing, you can enjoy a drink or two around the fire pit in the evening or lift weights in the modern fitness center.
Ranked one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee, this property boasts non-smoking rooms. Each of them is fitted with wooden floors and dark brown food furnishings, making you feel like you’re in a national park! Those on a budget should check out the King Room! Though it’s smaller than the suites, it still has everything you need, plus a private balcony! Other notable facilities include a convenient grocery store, laundry service, and 24-hour front desk.
Greystone Lodge on the River
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Only a stone’s throw away from Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is Greystone Lodge on the River, one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee. This relaxing spot houses clean, unfussy rooms decorated with natural colors and modern furniture. You can expect a desk, a flat-screen TV, free toiletries, and a spotless bathroom in each room. Even the cheapest room is extremely spacious and comes with a seating area and a private balcony with river views!
Apart from that, this cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN, also does a great job spoiling its guests. You can make a splash in the outdoor swimming pool that’s open in the summer during your free time. Or, you can also train your muscles in the on-site fitness center. Even better, there’s free Wi-Fi that can keep you connected to your friends 24/7 and on-site parking, which is super handy for those on a road trip. When it’s time to venture out, you must make a stoop to the Guinness World of Records Museum, which is ridiculously close to the hotel.
The Park Vista
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Want to surround yourself with the beauty of the mountains? Look no further than The Park Vista! This cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN is set right outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park. Guestrooms at this towering hotel are pretty affordable, and all of them boast unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Trust us; you’ll never get tired of those views! Relaxed rooms come in a wide selection of sizes and styles, and some even feature balconies, although they’re a bit more expensive.
The gorgeous mountain views aren’t the only thing this hotel offers. As with some nice cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN, this property also has several amenities that’ll make your day memorable. Families will enjoy playing in the multi-level indoor pool, and kids can try their hands at the arcade. What’s more, the on-site restaurant serves nothing but addicting menus! In the mood for a glass of wine? There’s an on-site bar for evening drinks. No wonder it’s named one of the best cheap hotels in Gatlinburg TN.
Old Creek Lodge
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Located outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, Old Creek Lodge is a cheap hotel in Gatlinburg TN, that boasts tons of amazing facilities. During your stay at this awesome property, take advantage of the heated outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and free high-speed Wi-Fi! Since it’s in the downtown area, visiting the city’s top attractions is a breeze. Places like Star Cars Museum, Amazing Mirror Maze, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park, Ski Area, and more are only a short walk away! And when your stomach is growling, there’s no need to worry as dozens of restaurants and cafes are sprinkled around the hotel.
With rustic charm, every guestroom at this romantic Gatlinburg hotel comes with wooden floors, a leather armchair, and a fireplace for that old-school atmosphere. On top of that, there’s also an outdoor seating area next to a creek. There, you can rest your legs after a day of walking. There’s also a pleasant dining room for meals all day long if you’re too tired to visit the nearby restaurants. Like other cheap hotels in Gatlinburg Tennessee, guests who arrive by car can park their vehicle in the designated parking area!
Top Affordable Bars in Gatlinburg TN
- Puckers Sports Grill – Those looking for a cheap bar in Gatlinburg should visit Puckers Sports Grill! It’s a no-frills sports bar known for its drinks, karaoke, and American bar food. Everything here can be purchased for under 12 USD!
- The Fox & Parrot Tavern – This is a British-themed, two-story haunt with pub grub, hot tea, and many beer choices. Thee are 33 draft beers to choose from, and they’re all affordable.
- Shamrock – We’re sure you’ll have fun here! This is a cute little pub where you can enjoy drinks and listen to live music. Even the bartenders are friendly!
Top Affordable Restaurants in Gatlinburg TN
- Parton’s Deli – While the exterior of this restaurant is unassuming, inside, you’ll find tons of yummy steamed sandwiches and hot dogs. You must also try its famous deviled eggs and potato salad. You can fill your stomach by spending no more than 10 USD.
- Old Dad’s General Store – This is a must-see place to eat while in Gatlinburg. It offers a classic deli counter with a delicious variety of food to satisfy your appetite at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From the salads to hot dogs to chicken tenders, everything is under 10 USD.
- Hot Diggity Dawg – Hot dogs lovers should visit this restaurant. It offers affordable hot dogs and cheap toppings, so you can customize your order any way you like. Make sure also to grab dessert while you’re here! Our favorite is MaMa’s Coconut Cake.
Free Things To Do in Gatlinburg TN
- Covered Bridge at Emert’s Cove – Crossing over the Little Pigeon River, this bridge is just east of the Gatlinburg Parkway. It’s a perfect spot for pictures, so make sure to bring your camera along with you!
- Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen – While in Gatlinburg, stop by the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, especially if you’re here with your kids. Here, you can watch how candies are made by hand.
- Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill – This is an open-air museum that boasts an old mountain farm and a working mill. Since it runs along the river, you can rest assured there are lots to see.