If you’re a frequent visitor of Pigeon Forge or the surrounding area, you probably know that cabins are a main staple for the lodgings there. There are plenty of other options, too – hotels, motels, condos, resorts – but cabins remain a popular choice among tourists.
The first few years we stayed there we stayed at various condominiums. This was a good fit for us; we weren’t used to driving the mountain roads and found it convenient to stay closer to Parkway and the main attractions. But eventually something went wrong with where we had been staying, and instead of finding a new hotel to stay at, we decided to try out a cabin.
It can be totally overwhelming to be honest with you! There are so many horror stories warning you about places being horrible to stay at. It’s hard to know where to start. So I’ve got a few tips to help you start out.
- Write out a list of amenities and features that you want.
Wading through the hundreds of thousands of cabins available to rent in Pigeon Forge and in the surrounding areas is hard enough when you’ve whittled them down – starting with no preferences or a point of reference will be frustrating. We personally wanted a pool and a hot tub. We also didn’t want to be very far out from Parkway. Filtering those without pools/hot tubs and too far out of my parameters slimmed the amount of results down considerably! Also, this makes sure that each person you’re travelling with is happy with the end result.
- Once you’ve found “the one”, Google search its name!
I don’t know if it’s due to differing fees on websites, but the exact same cabin can be listed for a different nightly rate on different websites. The price can vary hugely!! I’m talking hundreds of dollars sometimes, it is absolutely crazy. VRBO, Homeaway, TripAdvisor, Airbnb are all different sites, so cross check to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.
- If you’re staying for a good amount of time, ask if they have a discount or ‘stay two nights get one free’ deal.
Ask politely, and don’t be mad if they say no (after-all, you know the price of the cabin. If they don’t offer this then that’s their choice). But I’ve found that many cabin owners are happy to give you a bit of a discount. The worst they can say is no, right?!
- Check reviews. And then double check reviews!!
I’ve heard so many horror stories of people turning up to their cabin to find it has been sold, or that their particular cabin is unavailable, or that it’s just plain dirty and not pleasant to stay in. Please double check the company you’re booking with, make sure to Google their name, and if in doubt, ask on the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg TripAdvisor forum. The people on there are more than helpful and your accommodation on vacation is so important.
- Look at the location tag on Instagram or Facebook.
This might just be me, but I like a proper look of where I’m staying. I’m a little particular and can spend a while choosing somewhere. This gives me so much information! People post about their cabins and the resort, often posting candid photos of the pool and the resort, giving you a look that isn’t the one being sold to you by the company.
- Check the policies before you book.
Sounds obvious, I know. But read the small print. Personally, I prefer to book through the owner of the cabin. That comes with its cons at times too (such as not being able to get in contact with them, one year…that was a tense hour!) but it also gives you a more personal experience. I also personally don’t like companies that add in the small print that they can put you in a different cabin if something comes up. I know emergencies happen but it rarely covers that, and more often covers overbooking IMO. I want to stay in the cabin I’ve chosen – I chose it for a reason!
So…where do you like to stay when you go to the Smokies? Let me know! xo
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