There are a lot of factors to consider when picking a hotel for your trip to the Smokies. Location, budget, amenities, just to name a few. We have passed the Bearskin Lodge on the River in Gatlinburg, Tennessee many times and always thought about staying here. My family finally stayed at the Bearskin Lodge for the first time this summer. Read along to find out if we will stay again!
First Impressions
Nailed it. The Bearskin Lodge has great signage and was easy to find by following map directions. There is ample parking, some spots are even covered parking-garage style. As you approach the entrance of the hotel, you will feel immersed in the cozy vibe of the hotel. The bear decor and the rocking chairs set the tone before you even walk in the door.
The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly during the check-in process. Cookies and lemonade were available in the lobby from 2:00PM-6:00PM, this was a nice treat after walking back to the hotel after an afternoon on the strip. Brochures and discount offers to local attractions are also set up in the lobby. The hotel sells shirts and other cute memorabilia, along with select toiletries, sunscreen, pain relievers, etc. The elevators are located just a few steps from the entrance of the hotel.
Location, Location, Location
The location is perfect. Both, yes we already stayed here again, of our stays at the Bearskin Lodge were short stays. Because of this we wanted to maximize our time while visiting. Since the hotel is conveniently located on the Gatlinburg strip, we did not have to move our vehicle at all to access shopping and dining in downtown Gatlinburg. The hotel also sits right beside the creek. Balcony rooms sit right over the water. Bears are often seen at this location. We were on constant bear watch, which was unsuccessful. Maybe next time. We were able to walk next door for our dinner reservation at the Peddler which was convenient. There is also a pizza restaurant located just across the street.
Rooms
Both rooms that we stayed in were very clean. The hotel did have a distinct smell, neither good nor bad. Our rooms were cozy with the Great Smoky Mountain National Park decor. Both informative and a perfect fit for the location. The rooms included a mini refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. We felt very safe at this hotel.
Two Queen Size Balcony River View
For our first visit to the Bearskin Lodge we reserved the ‘two queen size balcony river view’ room. This room was perfect for our stay which included two adults and a nine-year old. I slept great. Although we did not use it, there was a fireplace. The room also included a love seat, and a small 2-person table and chair set. The bathroom did not have a bathtub, only a stand-up shower. A door separated the toilet room from the sink, which was nice. We loved the river view balcony, it was very peaceful. Highly recommend!
Junior Suite King Bed City View
The junior suite included a king-sized bed and a couch with a pull-out bed. This arrangement worked out just fine for our family of four for this stay. The pillows were good. This stay, and the previous, were located on the 3rd floor of the hotel. It did seem like we could hear a lot of noise around us, for example a lady coughing in the room next to us, and a kid screaming/crying in the room above us.
Hotel Amenities
There are two outdoor pools at the Bearskin Lodge, one is lazy river style and the other is regular. Temperature of the pools were perfect for our summer visits. There is a propane fire pit in between the two pools. The hotel has a small gym with a few cardio machines. Don’t expect to have a intense lift session here.
A complementary, continental breakfast was available 7:00AM-10:00AM daily. There were an abundance of options including pancakes, bagels, hard boiled eggs, fruit, and a large selection of cereal. There also were breakfast sandwiches to heat in the microwave, and of course an variety of juices and coffee. This breakfast was exactly what we wanted to fuel for our Smoky Mountain adventures.
Reservations
Our first visit to the Bearskin Lodge was the Tuesday and Wednesday night during the 4th of July week. We came specifically to attend the 4th of July parade, so location was everything. We wanted to be able to walk to and from the parade, which was literally a 5-minute walk. Our next visit was a brief one-night stay on the way through town in late July. I booked both of these stays just days before our arrival to town. Although in the middle of a busy, summer season, we had no difficulty in securing our rooms. I would consider the price reasonable given the location, breakfast and condition of the hotel. The hotel offers military, first responder and senior discounts. By joining the Guest Rewards Program, you can build up points to save money on future stays.
Final Thoughts
Although it was nothing fancy and could use a few updates, the Bearskin Lodge was a great place to stay without breaking the bank. I would absolutely stay here again. I would, and already have, recommend the Bearskin Lodge to any of my friends looking for a budget-friendly hotel stay within walking distance of the Gatlinburg strip. For more insight on choosing where to stay for your Smoky Mountain vacation check out this blog!
Link to hotel website: https://www.thebearskinlodge.com