Dolly Parton’s 2nd resort is officially open
At a recent press conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennesee, Dolly Parton joked that she's not a hotelier. But the irony of that comment was that the press conference was to celebrate the official grand opening of Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort, the second resort at Dollywood, the singer, actress, philanthropist and business mogul's East Tennesee theme park.
I might be wrong, but having two resorts under your belt certainly qualifies you as something at least akin to a hotelier.
The resort, at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a family-oriented, mountain lodge-themed stunner that pays tribute to the natural beauty surrounding the resort. And, to quote one of my favorite songs by one of the world's best songwriters, it's Parton's "Tennessee mountain home" but with an upscale twist.
"Well, I wish our house had looked like this," Parton said during the press conference. "Our little house was in the center of the trees in the woods, and I really love the idea that we have the lodge here. It does make you feel like you're really in the mountains."
Related: Dolly Parton shares her vision for the future of Dollywood, aka her 'Tennessee mountain home'
Introducing Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort
The 302-room lodge sits right near Dollywood and serves as a great home base for travelers looking to experience some Dolly Parton magic at the park, the national park or throughout the rest of the Smoky Mountains area.
Upon entering, guests are greeted with a larger-than-life portrait of Parton, a check-in desk with a screen showing scenes of wildlife and nature throughout the seasons in the Smokies and a seating area with a large fireplace, vaulted ceilings with subtle butterfly motifs (Parton's favorite) and an overwhelming sense of home.
Though the resort is tied to the theme park and was full of families over the weekend, it truly is an upscale resort with something for everyone.
Rooms are available in all shapes and sizes, from standard king-size rooms to ones with pullout couches or Murphy beds. For families, suites with bunk beds in separate rooms are available. Also, for the first time at a Dollywood resort, many rooms have balconies.
The resort has a large seasonal pool called The Cove, where you'll find a fun waterfall to swim under, plus a splash pad for the little ones. An outdoor hot tub is open year-round, as is an indoor pool.
For dining, guests can stop into Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies for an upscale take on Southern favorites like brick oven pimento cheese dip, rainbow trout from local English Mountain Trout Farm and even an East Tennessee-themed flatbread with ham, peach and burrata. At the accompanying all-day bar, you'd be remiss to skip a pimento grilled cheese and a curated cocktail. Or, for something on the go, Songbird Market has Starbucks coffee, salads, sandwiches and plenty of snacks.
For a really special dining experience, guests can request a meal in the Acoustic Lobby, a chic and moody private dining room surrounded by glass cases filled with Parton memorabilia like her glitzy outfits, instruments and other artifacts belonging to the "Queen of the Smokies."
The new resort also has big plans to host events and conferences, offering 26,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Throughout the lodge, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including "Roasties," a fun campfire experience with, you guessed it, s'mores; singalongs; reading experiences featuring books from Imagination Library, Parton's foundation that has given out over 2 million books to kids around the world; and Camp DW, where fun staff help kids and kids-at-heart do arts and crafts. Or, you can simply lounge by one of the many backyard fires and listen to musicians as they roam around playing the banjo or mandolin.
Related: The 10 best rides at Dollywood for the whole family
The resort also offers perks for guests who plan to visit Dollywood, like trolley service to and from the parks, TimeSaver passes, early entry on certain days and the ability to have your park purchases delivered back to the resort.
Changes coming to Parton's 1st resort
Changes are also on the way at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa, the first resort under Parton's belt. Parton and her team announced a refresh of certain parts of the resort next year.
"You know, every few years, I get a little facelift, a little nip and tuck myself," Parton quipped, "so I think it's only right that we should do the same for my favorite hotel."
While we wait for those refreshes at DreamMore, be sure to take a look at one of the latest changes at the resort: the Dolly Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience. Last year, Parton transformed her retired tour bus into an over-the-top suite experience (that comes with a hefty price tag), and TPG was there to experience it for ourselves.
There are a lot more exciting things in the works at Dollywood to share soon, too, but this new resort is just further proof that Parton is a gift to all of us, especially to her home near the Smokies.
"[I'm] proud to be a Tennessee girl, certainly an East Tennessee girl and be a part of the Smoky Mountains," Parton said. "I'm the only person that ever left the Smoky Mountains and took them with her."
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or an expert traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.