9 Unusual Places to Stay in the Smoky Mountains
Set your Smoky Mountain vacation apart by staying at unusual lodging options along the way.
Gloria Wadzinski
You can stay in a gorgeous glamping tent, at a family farm or in Oz. Here are our top nine places to stay in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area, if you are seeking unforgettable, adventurous experiences.
1. Roll out of Bed for a Naturally-hot Soak.
Sign outside of Hot Springs, N.C. It was a health resort since 1800, changed its name from Warm Springs in 1886, and was an internment camp for German prisoners during WWI.
For literally hundreds of years, people have visited Hot Springs to sit in the mineral waters that sit right at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. Managed by The Hot Springs Resort Spa, the springs are the only naturally-hot mineral springs in North Carolina.
Lodging at the resort includes tent and RV camping, cabins, vacation rentals, and suites that have their own private mineral tubs. There are 12 outdoor mineral baths in modern Jacuzzi-type pools, each offering some privacy. Baths range in temperature from 100F to 104F and every pool is drained, sanitized and refilled after each use. Massage therapy is also offered.
Hot Springs Resort and Spa
315 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743
www.nchotsprings.com
2. Glamp in a Modern Tent with a Bed and a Bathroom
Interior of a glamorous tent
Does falling asleep in luxurious linens in a king-sized bed with the sounds of a creek and a modern crackling wood stove sound dreamy? What about sipping gourmet coffee in the morning on your private deck? Welcome to vacation at Under Canvas' Great Smoky Mountains "glampground." Just 20 minutes from Great Smoky National Park, it's the kind of place where non-campers find themselves completely enamored with tented living. Choose among three options that feature in-tent bathrooms and three more affordable options where the communal bathrooms are steps away.
Under Canvas® Great Smoky Mountains
1015 Laurel Lick Rd.
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
www.undercanvas.com/camps/great-smoky-mountains
3. Hike to a Remote Mountain Cabin
LeConte Lodge on Mt. Le Conte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Courtesy LeConte Lodge
LeConte Lodge is the only lodging facility inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but it doesn't have a parking lot. That's because the only way to get there is a steep hiking trail - choose from five routes. Stocking the kitchen requires a llama train.
The mountain cabins have no electricity or running water. Never-the-less, LeConte Lodge is so popular that they do a lottery each year in the fall. After that, the only way to book a room is to wait for someone to cancel. A treat is in store for those that get a reservation since points for sunset and sunrise watching are east and west of the cabins.
LeConte Lodge
www.lecontelodge.com
4. Sleep in a Pullman Train Car
Lobby of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel
Flickr/London Looks
The Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel delivers on a theme straight from the song of the same title. Stay in a train-car hotel room restored to the railroad's heyday in the early 20th century, yet with modern conveniences and queen-sized beds.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo 20-acre entertainment complex features two hotel buildings, indoor and outdoor pools, an arcade, many restaurants, shops, galleries, live music venues, and a comedy club.
Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel
1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
choochoo.com
5. Sleep in the LlamaLlodge Glamping Tent
The LlamaLodge
Sandy Sgrillo, The Wandering Llamas
Guided llama treks
Have an unforgettable romantic getaway in a llama-themed glamping tent for two. Set on a raised platform, this 13-ft canvas tent has a comfy bed, log furniture, romantic lighting, a wine and coffee bar, and lots of fluffy rugs and pillows. Outside, relax under a covered canopy in a cedar rocker or swing. Chilly night? Cozy up at one of two fire pits. Bonus: The llamas used for guided hiking trips are housed nearby so you can visit with them.
The Wandering Llamas
495 McMillan Rd, Mosheim, TN 37818
thewanderingllamas.com
6. A House Built Into the Side of a Cliff
Outside of Asheville lies Cliff House, a 3,000-square-foot vacation rental home with walls of huge boulders and cathedral ceilings with old shipyard beams. Cozy up to the fireplace or relax on its large decks that overlook the Smokies. The home sleeps six, has three bathrooms, a kitchen, laundry, and TV.
Campfire Lodgings
116 Appalachian Village Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
www.campfirelodgings.com/Cliff-House-6-21.html
7. Stay on a Farm and Take Home Produce
Do you want the family farm experience without being assigned chores? The East Fork Farm has three quaint cottages that the Robertson family rents to vacationers.
You'll relax with views of sheep in the fields, poultry by the hen house, and rabbits in their hutches. Explore the farm's water grist mill where they stone-grind their own Hickory King White Dent Corn. Then soak in the outdoor cedar soaker tub.
What's to eat? Each cottage stay includes farm-fresh foods such as eggs, cornmeal, honey, and jelly. Even the soap is locally made. Visit the farm store to take some home.
East Fork Farm
215 Meadow Branch Road, Marshall, NC 28753
eastforkfarm.net
8. Dorothy's House Welcomes You to Oz
Public Domain/Flickr
Classic movie fans will love a stay at Dorothy's house, a classic farm cottage decorated with Aunt Em's old-fashioned sensibilities, movie memorabilia, and a yellow-brick road outside. The later is a favorite spot for weddings. Available from June through October.
Dorothy's House sits inside the infamous Land of Oz Amusement Park. The park had a rough start as its developer passed away six months before it opened in 1970. The Land of OZ entertained families for a decade before closing but is now a private garden available for events and the annual fall festival.
Emerald Realty and Rentals
2669 South Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC 28604
www.emeraldmtn.com/Rentals/dorothy/dorothys.htm
9. Celebrate Christmas Every Day
Janet Donaldson/Flickr
The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. doesn't pay much attention to the calendar. You'll feel the spirit of the holidays all year long with its Christmas tree, holiday garland, and singing Santa. Stop by the glockenspiel installation in the lobby. It's made of wood from Germany's Black Forest and has hand-cast bells which ring out carols and strike the time each hour.
The Inn at Christmas Place
119 Christmas Tree Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
www.innatchristmasplace.com
National park enthusiast, Gloria Wadzinski writes, photographs and shoots video to encourage travelers to try something new.
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