11 best hotels near Dollywood

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Some people think that Disneyland is the happiest place in the world. Those people obviously haven't been to Dollywood, Dolly Parton's Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, theme park that's as country and kitschy as it is family-friendly and full of adventure.

Truly, Dollywood has something for everyone, from thrilling roller coasters and slower-paced rides to incredible live music and some of the best theme park food around.

If you find yourself heading to the Great Smoky Mountains, you're probably wondering about the best hotels near Dollywood, and I'm here to tell you there are plenty of fabulous options. There are dozens of hotels near Dollywood, including two resorts that are actually part of the theme park. The rest of the Pigeon Forge hotels can be found dotting the area, making it easy to get to the park that celebrates Dolly's "Tennessee Mountain Home."

Here, you'll find everything you need to know about the two best Dollywood hotels (HeartSong Lodge & Resort and DreamMore Resort & Spa), plus a handful of other hotels ranging from family-friendly properties with pools and waterslides to a brand-new motor lodge offering retro vibes and oozing cool.

Wherever you decide to book, know that here at The Points Guy, we'll always love you.

Staying in Gatlinburg vs. Pigeon Forge

Dollywood is in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a touristy town full of attractions like the Titanic Museum, live music, dinner shows, minigolf and more. The nearest major airport to Pigeon Forge is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, about an hour's drive away. Most visitors who fly in rent a car and drive in from there.

Pigeon Forge is one of the major touristy towns on the way to the Smoky Mountains (the other major town is Gatlinburg). The two popular towns are about 10 miles apart but be warned that traffic can make that seemingly short drive last longer than you'd expect. If your trip is solely centered around a visit to Dollywood or Dollywood's Splash Country water park, you'll likely prefer to stay at one of the best hotels in Pigeon Forge. However, if your trip is centered more around being out in nature and the mountains, Gatlinburg puts you closer to the northern entrance of the national park.

When it comes down to it, both towns are charming and unique. You can't go wrong with a visit to either.

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The best time of year to visit Dollywood

Like most theme parks, Dollywood is most crowded when school is out, especially during the summer months and on weekends. That said, according to Dollywood, "The weeks before and after summer break tend to be quieter, and the week after Easter often is slower because most spring breaks have ended." Another time with less crowds, Dollywood says, is on the Fourth of July and Memorial Day, as people are typically out taking advantage of the good weather and natural surroundings.

If you're wondering about the best times to visit Dollywood in terms of events at the park, you don't want to miss Dollywood in the holiday season, where thousands and thousands of lights, Christmas trees and even a holiday-themed drone show light up the park. In the spring through early summer, there's also the Flower and Food Festival, where Dollywood comes to life with bright colors, beautiful flora and special food offerings.

If you're curious about when Dolly herself might be in the park, keep an eye out for the opening days of special events, like the first day of the holiday season or when new attractions open. On those days, you might spot Dolly giving a press conference or riding through the parade in a horse-drawn buggy.

The first of two official Dollywood hotels, DreamMore Resort & Spa is an upscale property that's heavy on Southern charm and all things Dolly, from a hallway showcasing her album covers over the years to a displayed wooden box containing an unreleased song that's not to be opened until Dolly's 100th birthday in 2046.

At the resort, guests will find a handful of room types designed for different kinds of guests, including some with twin-size bunk beds for families and rooms with patios offering direct access to the pool. Like all of the resorts, the rooms are designed with Southern-style comfort in mind, and guests will find plenty of Dolly-themed surprises throughout.

On the dining front, coffee is available at the DM Pantry, while the upscale buffet at Song & Hearth offers Southern favorites (and a doughnut wall) throughout the day. There's also a bar with a small food menu, outdoor dining available at the pool and in-room dining.

For fun, guests can enjoy crafts and s'mores at various times throughout the day, take a plunge in the indoor or outdoor pools or kids' splash pad, listen to live music or storytellers and take advantage of a great playground. Parents should consider heading to the spa for some well-earned relaxation.

Folks planning to visit the park can enjoy perks like free shuttle service, complimentary TimeSaver passes, early access on certain days, and the ability to have purchases made at Dollywood delivered back to the resort.

Also, for a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment, you can even sleep on Dolly's retired tour bus, which was converted into a special suite experience that costs $10,000 a stay. (In true Dolly fashion, a good chunk of that money goes back into her Dollywood Foundation, which funds Dolly's Imagination Library, a program that gives free books to kids.)

Rates at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa start around $144 per night.

Opened in November 2023, Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort was designed to "make you feel like you're really in the mountains," according to Dolly herself. And it certainly does, with a sprawling lobby featuring a massive double-sided fireplace, in-room murals depicting nature scenes of the Smokies and hallways on each floor dedicated to a different season in the mountains. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a gorgeous portrait of Dolly.

Like DreamMore, guestrooms at HeartSong feature an array of setups, including rooms with bunk beds, suites with multiple rooms and lots of rooms with balconies, something missing from DreamMore. HeartSong also has a much more contemporary feel and offers modern amenities and design.

The resort boasts a beautiful seasonal pool outdoors, while the neighboring hot tub and indoor pool are open all year. At night, gather for s'mores and a singalong, or join Camp DW throughout the day for various crafts and activities. There's also a playground for the little ones or firepits dotting the backyard to enjoy.

Dining is an elevated experience at HeartSong, with Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies offering elevated takes on Southern classics. There's also a grab-and-go market, a bar and a coffee shop.

Guests who stay at HeartSong will also get perks at the park, like a complimentary shuttle and TimeSaver passes, early access on select days and the ability to have in-park purchases delivered back to the resort.

Rates at Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort start around $269 per night.

In the thick of Pigeon Forge's kitschy tourist attractions, The Wayback, part of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, is a chic and fun new property set in an old motor lodge that was completely transformed and unlike anything else in the area. While most of the best hotels near Dollywood cater specifically to families or lend themselves to over-the-top mountain design, this one caters to the trendy set looking for something more unique.

At The Wayback, guests will feel like they've stepped back in time thanks to the motel's retro design. In the rooms, which range from doubles to multiroom suites, fun accents, bold patterns and upscale amenities (like Malin + Goetz bath products) make it the perfect retreat from a long day riding rides at Dollywood.

If you stay here, be sure to leave a free day to enjoy the Swim Club (which is 18-plus after 5 p.m.) to take advantage of the pool, a bar set in a vintage Airstream trailer, and handcrafted cocktails best enjoyed with your toes in the water. For food, Paloma, the on-site restaurant, serves up mouthwatering tacos, creative cocktails, local beer and an impressive collection of tequila.

Rates at The Wayback start around $93 per night or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Just three miles from Dollywood on Dollywood Lane, this Comfort Inn is an affordable and convenient option for visitors trying to make the most of a trip to East Tennessee.

There are a handful of different room types to accommodate different needs, including rooms with balconies, sofa beds to sleep more and even whirlpool tubs. Additionally, a few suites with fireplaces and hot tubs are available. Also, with every rate, guests can enjoy a free breakfast in the morning that will help stretch their money even further.

Though you'll probably spend most of your time enjoying the best Dollywood has to offer, the hotel does have an indoor pool and hot tub for even more fun.

Rates at Comfort Inn & Suites at Dollywood Lane start around $71 per night or 16,000 Choice Privileges points.

In places like Pigeon Forge, sometimes the best thing you can do is really lean into a theme. At Dollywood, that theme is Dolly Parton. At The Inn at Christmas Place, that theme is obviously Christmas, where Dec. 25 is celebrated every day of the year in a Bavarian-themed building that fits the bill.

At the hotel, guests enter a Christmas wonderland full of twinkling lights, wreaths and trees, snowmen and lots and lots of Santas, including one who performs live music every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evening (followed by cookies and milk).

The Christmas theme doesn't end in the lobby; even in the rooms, guests will find boughs of holly, Christmas pillows and wreaths. While the decor and furnishings aren't the most modern in the world, the rooms certainly make you feel like you're at home with family, especially in suites with their very own Christmas trees and fireplaces.

Other reasons to book this Christmas wonderland include a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, a seasonal outdoor pool with a 95-foot waterslide that's open until midnight, a courtyard with a pond and even a fitness center decorated to reflect the holiday spirit.

Rates at The Inn at Christmas Place start around $189 per night.

For Hilton loyalists looking for a Dolly-fueled vacation, look no further than the Black Fox Lodge, part of Hilton's independent-spirited Tapestry Collection, just three miles from Dollywood and right by the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge.

At this family-friendly hotel, travelers get a taste of Southern comfort and design (think: wooden headboards in rooms, stone fireplaces in the lobby, antlers) alongside fun amenities like a seasonal pool with a waterslide and outdoor fire pits.

Rooms come in all shapes and sizes, from options with two queen beds to two-bedroom suites with four queen beds in total and everything in between. Amenities include 42-inch TVs, coffee makers and Bluetooth alarm clocks. For fresh mountain air, opt for a room with a balcony and views of the river.

The hotel is also home to the Fox Den Restaurant, which serves wood-fired pizzas and burgers, as well as Fox Den Bar and Fox Den Breakfast, which offers a standard buffet and a la carte options.

Rates for Black Fox Lodge Pigeon Forge, Tapestry Collection by Hilton start around $91 per night or 28,000 Hilton Honors points.

For those looking to make a real home base in Pigeon Forge for a few days of exploring Dollywood and the national park, Home2 Suites provides more than just a place to sleep.

For starters, some accommodations come with kitchens that include a fridge, a microwave, a dishwasher, cookware, a coffee maker and a toaster, plus the option to borrow induction-burner cooktops from the front desk. That means you and your crew can whip up your own meals instead of paying to eat out.

The pet-friendly hotel also has an outdoor pool with water park-like elements, an indoor pool to enjoy when it's cold outside, grills and outdoor tables, firepits with seating, a gym and laundry equipment. For those who love to start the day with a hearty meal, breakfast is included.

Rates at Home2 Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge start around $92 per night or 27,000 Hilton Honors points.

Looking for a taste of island life in the middle of the mountains? The late Jimmy Buffett has you covered at Margaritaville Island Hotel, coincidentally, at The Island, an entertainment district with shopping, restaurants and a 200-foot-tall observation wheel.

At the hotel, travelers will find tropical vibes and designs mixed in with charming mountain elements like a stone fireplace living on a sky-blue wall or wooden headboards and hanging prints of multicolored parrots. Rooms, all of which have seasonal fireplaces, range from standard king- or queen-size options to one-room suites with whirlpool tubs.

Originally a restaurant and bar combo, food is front and center at this hotel, starting with the classic Margaritaville restaurant, which serves dishes ranging from coconut shrimp to burgers. Other dining outlets include a coffee shop, a bar and restaurant at the rooftop pool and a casual lunch-to-dinner lobby restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill.

If that's not enough, there's also the St. Somewhere Spa, perfect for unwinding and kneading out the aches and pains of a busy vacation spent hiking or riding roller coasters.

Rates at Margaritaville Island Hotel Pigeon Forge start around $99 per night.

Chances are you know of Courtyard by Marriott, but did you know a Courtyard can also be a resort? If you need to see it for yourself, book a stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Pigeon Forge, where you get a place to sleep plus everything you need to make memories that'll last a lifetime.

What exactly makes it resort-like? Well, the outdoor pool, lazy river and hot tub certainly do the trick. Add in an indoor pool that's open all year long, fireplaces, firepits and a game room with videogames and a pool table, and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

In the rooms, expect beautiful and modern spaces with accent walls that reflect the area's many trees, smart TVs with streaming capabilities, microwaves and refrigerators. Accommodations range from a standard room to multiroom suites, and plenty of options with balconies.

In the mornings, breakfast is available in the lobby, as is Starbucks coffee. There's also The Bistro, open for breakfast and dinner, serving food, beer, wine and cocktails, available to enjoy there or delivered right up to your room.

Rates at Courtyard by Marriott Pigeon Forge start around $105 per night or 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

At Tru by Hilton, you'll find a charming hotel that's got everything you need for a great trip to Dollywood without the fuss of expensive extras. You'll also get free breakfast, giving you more money to spend on Dolly Parton-themed goodies at the park.

At this hotel, rooms are simple and smart, offering a minifridge, desk, expansive windows and a large TV. For families, kids will love the bunk bed options, with twin bunks set above larger beds in select room types.

The pool here is shared with the neighboring Home2 Suites (mentioned above) and features some fun water features like a mushroom-like waterfall. In the lobby, make new friends over a game of foosball or cuddle up by a firepit with your favorite book. Though there's no restaurant on-site, there is a market with snacks and free coffee available.

Rates at Tru by Hilton Pigeon Forge start at $70 per night or 19,000 Hilton Honors points.

Another tried and true brand where you can earn or burn points, the Residence Inn Pigeon Forge has a lot to offer, including a free hot breakfast, an outdoor pool with fun water features and a location less than 15 minutes from Dollywood.

An all-suite hotel, accommodations here come in studio and one-bedroom options, all of which include a pull-out sofa to sleep even more guests. These suites also feature a full kitchen with a fridge, dishwasher, stovetop, microwave and everything else you'd need to make a meal.

Outside, take advantage of grills to fire up some meat or just relax by a firepit to unwind. If you find yourself needing a snack, the lobby has a convenient market offering basic necessities and foods, and if you find yourself needing more, restaurants and stores are just a stone's throw away.

Rates at Residence Inn Pigeon Forge start around $97 per night or 31,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

Best credit cards for booking hotels near Dollywood

There are over a dozen excellent travel rewards credit cards out there for hotel stays. The right one(s) for you will depend on if you're loyal to a particular program or chain, whether you want premium perks, and if you value benefits like annual free nights, automatic elite status and lucrative earning rates.

Here are three great credit cards to use for booking stays across a variety of hotel chains and independent properties while still enjoying money-saving features and high-end benefits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates: This card earns 5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through the American Express Travel® portal (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). Plus, you'll earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. All other purchases earn 1 point per dollar spent. Remember, Amex points transfer to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio and to Choice Privileges at a 1:1 ratio, and there are sometimes transfer bonuses.

Benefits: This card is absolutely packed with perks, but among the travel-related ones you'll want to maximize, including some hotel-specific benefits, are:

• Up to a $200 annual hotel credit, in the form of a statement credit, on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Platinum (Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum).*
• Access to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection.
• Complimentary Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.*
• Up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidental fees charged by one airline you select.*
• Up to $200 annually in Uber Cash, valid on Uber rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (split into monthly $15 credits plus a $20 bonus in December).* Add your Amex Platinum Card to your Uber account and pay with any Amex card.
• Up to $199 in statement credits to cover your Clear Plus annual membership.*
• A $120 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or an up-to-$85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4 1/2 years (depending on which application fee is charged to your card first).
• Eligible card members receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights, limited to 10 annual visits).*

*Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).

Read our review of the Amex Platinum card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates: Earn an unlimited 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Benefits: Cardholders earn $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel, plus 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, starting on your first anniversary (worth $100 toward travel). Through the Capital One Premier Collection, cardmembers can enjoy free breakfast, on-property credits and room upgrades (if available) on stays at participating properties booked through Capital One Travel. They also receive up to $120 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Annual fee: $395.

Read our review of the Capital One Venture X.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

Earning rates: This card accrues 5 points per dollar spent on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 30, 2027) and on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases of $150 or more (through Dec. 31, 2027, with a limit of 25,000 bonus points). It also racks up 3 points per dollar spent on dining, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar spent on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.

Benefits: Cardholders receive a $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal upon opening the card and each following member's anniversary. They also receive a 10% bonus based on their total spending during the account anniversary year at a rate of 1 point for each $10 spent. This card also has some of the best travel protections in the industry, including trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance and primary rental car coverage, among other policies.

Annual fee: $95.

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Related reading:

• The best hotel credit cards
• Get free breakfast, upgrades and more with the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.