Where to Stay in East Tennessee
From cozy mountain cabins and boutique hotels to family-friendly resorts and unforgettable vacation homes, East Tennessee has no shortage of places to stay.
But with so many options, finding the right one can feel a little overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
Here you’ll find places we’ve personally stayed, along with stays we’re discovering and adding to our list. Whether you’re planning a romantic mountain getaway, a family adventure, a girls’ weekend, or a big group trip, we’ll help you find a home base that makes your East Tennessee experience even better.
Find Your Stay
🏨 Boutique Hotels
Charming, walkable, and full of personality. Perfect for a city weekend, couples’ getaway, or girls’ trip.
🏔️ Mountain Cabins & Vacation Homes
Wake up to mountain views, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy having a little more room to relax.
🌿 Resorts & Outdoor Stays
For those who want the outdoors without giving up the comforts—or amenities—of a resort.
👨👩👦 Family-Friendly Stays
Places with room to spread out, plenty to do, and amenities that keep the whole family happy.
✨ Unique & Unforgettable
Because sometimes the place you stay becomes part of the adventure.
👯 Large Group Getaways
Big family trip? Friends’ weekend? Multi-family getaway? These are the places made for bringing everyone together.
Places We’ve Stayed
These are places we’ve personally experienced and would recommend for an East Tennessee getaway.
The Oliver Hotel
A charming boutique hotel in the heart of downtown Knoxville. Stay here when you want to step outside your door and be surrounded by great restaurants, coffee shops, shopping, and the energy of downtown.
- Best for
- Couples’ getaways, girls’ trips & exploring downtown Knoxville
- Our take
- A beautiful home base for a Knoxville weekend.
Little Arrow Outdoor Resort
If you’re looking for a mountain getaway without giving up a few comforts, Little Arrow is a great place to start. With cabins, glamping, camping, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors, it’s an easy fit for a Smoky Mountain escape.
- Best for
- Families, couples, outdoor lovers & a slower mountain weekend
- Our take
- One of those places where you can arrive with a plan—or no plan at all.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge
A fun, family-friendly resort that gives you the best of both worlds—the laid-back feel of a campground with the comforts and amenities of a resort. The Lodge offers hotel-style accommodations, while the property itself gives families plenty to do without ever leaving.
- Best for
- Families & a fun-filled Pigeon Forge getaway
- Our take
- More than just a place to sleep—there’s enough to keep the family entertained right on the property.
Smith Creek Reserve
For a Smoky Mountain stay that feels peaceful and a little more elevated, Smith Creek Reserve offers a beautiful place to settle in and enjoy the mountains.
- Best for
- Couples, families & a relaxing mountain retreat
- Our take
- Perfect when you want the Smokies to be part of the experience—not just the backdrop.
Excalibur
If you’re looking for a place where the house is part of the vacation, Excalibur takes that idea to another level. This enormous luxury mountain home was designed for large groups, with an indoor pool, duckpin bowling, pickleball, basketball, theater, game rooms, gym, putt-putt, and plenty of space for everyone to spread out.
- Best for
- Large families, multi-family trips, reunions & group getaways
- Our take
- You could spend an entire weekend here and never run out of things to do.
Notchy Creek Campground
A peaceful lakeside campground on Tellico Lake, perfect for camping, swimming, boating, fishing and enjoying a slower weekend outdoors. The small beach area for swimming was a family favorite.
- Best for
- Families, couples, outdoor lovers & a slower pace on the lake.
- Our take
- A true camping and nature experience. Removed from the busyness and noise, where nature is the focal point.