16 Top-Rated Resorts in Tennessee
Lodging in Tennessee, whether you are taking a family road trip or a romantic getaway, is as diverse as the state's topography. From the mountainous region around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to the big city lights of Nashville and Memphis, the state is home to a mix of resort properties, which vary from good value to high-end luxury.
There are also properties to match different vacation goals. For instance, if you want to be right by the Dollywood Theme Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll want to look at a resort like Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa, which has easy access to both. But should you be seeking a property that lets you play 18 holes of golf along with relaxing, properties like Bent Creek Golf Village in Gatlinburg are a good choice.
In Nashville, the Tennessee capital and country music headquarters, you'll find some of the best resorts in the state, including the romantic, opulent Heritage Hotel in a coveted downtown location. Memphis, the birthplace of Elvis Presley and Rock 'n Roll, is another must-see city in Tennessee. Right on the Mississippi River, it has resorts for all styles.
Discover great place to stay around the state with our list of the best resorts in Tennessee.
1. The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville
Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel
The Hermitage Hotel, located right downtown, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the five-star, five-diamond property is one of Nashville's last old-world hotels. Designed in Beaux Arts style, it is an architecturally impressive property throughout with a very posh-looking lobby.
Expect rooms and suites that are elegant luxe here. They are done up in period decor, with thick draperies and upholstered furniture in bold colors, but also come with modern conveniences like large flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi.
Amenities include a spa and gym. There is also an on-site restaurant, the Capitol Grille, which serves up Southern classics paired with fresh, local produce. If you are looking to do a little shopping, the Hermitage also has a boutique on the grounds that carries products from almost 40 local artisans.
2. Blackberry Farm, Walland
Accommodation: Blackberry Farm
Blackberry Farm in Walland is a lovely retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains. This luxury property sits on a 4,200-acre farm, about 15 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 10 miles from Tuckaleechee Caverns.
The rooms and suites are done up in elegant farmhouse and modern country decor and come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. The suites are perfect for romance as they have soaking tubs and fireplaces. There are also cottages and multi-bedroom houses available for families.
On-site amenities include a gourmet restaurant (no children under 10), as well as a family-friendly eatery. There is also an outdoor pool, gym, and spa. The property can arrange all sorts of seasonal activities, including horseback riding, fishing, tennis, and hiking.
3. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa, Pigeon Forge
Accommodation: Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa
It is just a few minutes' drive to the Dollywood Theme Park from the Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa, making it ultra-convenient if this is at the top of your Pigeon Forge sightseeing agenda.
The resort has more than 300 design-forward rooms and suites that are all quite chic and come in a number of different sizes and shapes. If you're traveling with the kids, it is good to know that many of them are also family-friendly in layout.
The resort runs a free shuttle to the Dollywood park. It also features a few dining options, with Song and Hearth being its main affair. The restaurant focuses on Southern comfort food. There is also a luxe spa on-site; a kids' club; fitness center; and two swimming pools — one inside, the other outdoors.
4. Conrad Nashville
Accommodation: Conrad Nashville
Opened in July 2022, Conrad Nashville is the latest 5-star resort in Music City. Located in Midtown, just about 5 minutes off Music Row, it is beautifully appointed inside. The design incorporates Nashville's music history and has a bold modern look mixed with Tennessee charm.
There are 234 rooms and suites. These come in several configurations, but all are quite spacious. Even the entry-level rooms begin at 420 square feet. In-room perks include Frette Italian linens draped on comfy beds, Espresso makers, 55-inch high-def TVs, marble baths with rain showers, and Byredo bath products. Ask for a high floor for the best views. Suites add more space, a separate seating and dining area, and balconies.
For something different, book one of the Wellness Rooms. These let you get your workout on in your room with a Peloton bike, Echelon Reflect Fitness Mirror, and free weights.
Resort amenities include a rooftop swimming pool on a terrace with fab downtown views. There is also a fitness center. Blue Aster is the signature restaurant. It serves innovative southern-influenced farm-to-table fare on a menu that rotates with the seasons. There is a separate menu in its lounge that focuses on sharable plates.
5. The Peabody Memphis
Accommodation: The Peabody Memphis
Located in downtown Memphis within walking distance of its famed Beale Street, The Peabody Memphis is a historic property. The landmark hotel first opened in 1869 and is most famous for its resident ducks. The waterfowl parade through the lobby daily at 11am and 5pm, when they march down a red carpet to a fountain. It is quite a spectacle.
The hotel, which has been remodeled over the years to retain its elegant look, has smallish but still comfy rooms and suites. These are done up in a mix of modern and classic style. Walls have original art that pays homage to the city, the ducks, and even the Mississippi River.
The Peabody is pet friendly and allows dogs up to 75 pounds to stay in certain rooms. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool; a fine-dining restaurant, Chez Philippe, which is known for its bountiful Sunday brunch; and a spa with a full range of treatments.
6. The Lodge at Buckberry Creek, Gatlinburg
Accommodation: The Lodge at Buckberry Creek
If you're looking for a mountain getaway just a few miles from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, check out the Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg. It occupies 26 woodsy acres and even has its own on-site hiking trails.
The property was constructed to resemble the Adirondack Great Lodge style, which was popular in the 1920s, and as such has a rustic, grand vibe about it. The rooms and suites all feature comfortable beds, Jacuzzi tubs, balconies, and fireplaces. A continental breakfast is included and there is also a restaurant on-site for other meals.
7. Omni Nashville Hotel, Nashville
Accommodation: Omni Nashville Hotel
If you've come to Nashville for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Omni Nashville Hotel is a great pick as it is literally attached to this venue. The hotel has 800 rooms, which are bright and modern and come with floor-to-ceiling windows — ask for one on a higher floor with direct skyline views. There are also 54 suites, which are popular with families and have separate living areas and kitchenettes.
From coffee to fine dining, the Omni Nashville also boasts a number of restaurant choices on-site. Check out Kitchen Notes for traditional Southern fare or Bob's Steak and Chop House for one of the top steakhouse experiences in Music City. There is also Bongo Java with a range of espresso drinks and often live music on offer.
Other amenities include a rooftop pool and deck with stellar views, and a gym.
8. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
Accommodation: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is quite an extravagant affair when it comes to amenities. The property is home to nine acres of indoor gardens and waterways, including a quarter-mile-long river with boat tours, and botanical gardens with streams and walking paths.
The rooms and suites here are clean, comfortable, and modern. Families will like the extra space afforded by the suites, which have separate bedrooms, as well as pullout sofas in the living room.
There is no shortage of dining options on-site, with some 15 different restaurants to choose from. If you are craving Southern fare then check out Jack Daniel's, which is located in the Magnolia portion of the resort complex.
Other amenities on the ground include a number of different swimming pools and an 18-hole golf course.
9. MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, Kingsport
Accommodation: MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center
In Kingsport, in the rolling foothills of the Smoky Mountains in eastern Tennessee, MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center features luxe rooms and suites, which are done up with stylish decor and feature comfortable beds with quality linens. Some also offer great views of the 18-hole Cattails Golf Course, which is just one of the many amenities you'll find here.
When it comes time to eat, The Meadows Restaurant serves up American fare three meals a day. They also feature a hearty breakfast buffet, and locals come for Sunday brunch. There is another dining option near the golf course that does good barbecue.
Other amenities here include an indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, and 24-hour gym access. Staff is friendly.
10. Big Cypress Lodge, Memphis
Accommodation: Big Cypress Lodge
Inside the iconic Bass Pro Shops Pyramid, Big Cypress Lodge is a fun resort in Memphis. The hotel has a rustic-elegant look and is a four-star property.
Rooms and suites come in a few distinct looks: designed to resemble everything from a hunting cabin to a treehouse, a fly-fishing lodge to a duck cabin. The hotel also has a spa and fitness center on-site. Grab a bite to eat overlooking the Mississippi River at the outdoor Mississippi Terrace lounge.
The pyramid itself is also entertaining, with a wilderness adventure theme throughout. Besides the flagship Bass Pro Shops retail store, you'll also find a 13-lane, ocean-inspired bowling alley. You can ride the tallest freestanding elevator on the planet to the top of the pyramid, where you'll find a glass observation deck with impressive views of Memphis from its three glass sides.
Other amenities inside the pyramid include shooting and archery ranges and a number of dining options.
11. Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
Accommodation: Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
If you want to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Anakeesta Theme Park, then consider staying at the Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg. It is just a few minutes' drive from both. The resort has a mountains-meets-the-tropics style, and decor here includes a lobby filled with faux palm trees and foliage.
A family favorite, Margaritaville has rooms in all shapes and sizes. The double queen rooms are a good choice for families with younger kids and are also good value. If you need more space, try one of the king family suites that add separate living space with a sleeper sofa.
Amenities include a few restaurants on-site, including an American grill. There is also a spa with a full range of treatments and a swimming pool. More restaurant diversity is found just a short stroll or drive from the hotel.
12. ARRIVE Memphis
Accommodation: ARRIVE Memphis
Recently opened, ARRIVE Memphis is in a great location that is just a short drive from Beale Street. The hotel is set just across the street from the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, JR was assassinated in 1969. Today the motel is a somber historic site that is part of the National Civil Rights Museum.
ARRIVE is a fun boutique property with a fabulous lobby-meets-living-room space. Besides the front desk, it has a coffee shop serving beverages and light fare, including breakfast, throughout the day that can be eaten at one of many comfy couches and chairs scattered about the space. There is also a restaurant serving delicious wood-fired oven pizzas for dinner.
The rooms have a hip, industrial vibe, with exposed pipes and concrete floors warmed by area rugs, designer wallpaper, and big windows.
13. Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort, Gatlinburg
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort
Located just off Route 441 and within walking distance of Gatlinburg attractions, including the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, as well as restaurants and shops, the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort is a good-value choice. It is especially popular with parents vacationing with kids, as it is an all-suite property.
Choose from big one- and two-bedroom suites featuring full kitchens, living and dining rooms, and pullout sofa couches. All the rooms also come with balconies, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and in many cases, fireplaces. On-site amenities include a kids' club with activities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a games room, fitness center, and barbecue grills.
14. Bent Creek Golf Village, Gatlinburg
Accommodation: Bent Creek Golf Village
About 20 miles from the Dollywood Theme Park, Bent Creek Golf Village is a great choice in Gatlinburg if you want to play 18 holes on a Gary Player-designed course in a beautiful woodsy setting. The property is also near plenty of outdoor activity opportunities like hiking, biking, and ziplining.
For accommodations, choose from one- or two-bedroom villa suites. All come with fireplaces, full kitchens, living rooms with pull-out sleeping couches, flat-screen TVs, and large bathrooms with walk-in showers. There is also an indoor and outdoor pool, a games room, and gym.
15. The Inn On The River, Pigeon Forge
Accommodation: The Inn On The River
If you're looking for clean and comfy rooms right on the banks of the Little Pigeon River, check out the aptly named Inn On The River. Located just under four miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and just under six miles from Dollywood, it is a solid pick for couples or families and has a range of rooms and suites.
The best rooms have river views from walkout balconies, Jacuzzi tubs, and fireplaces. Rates include a full hot breakfast, and away from the rooms, you'll find amenities like an indoor pool and hot tub, a seasonal outdoor pool by the river, and nightly popcorn and tea service.
16. Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Gatlinburg
Accommodation: Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel - Gatlinburg
The Park Vista is a high-rise hotel in a beautiful mountainous location just about a mile from the Gatlinburg Space Needle observation deck. The hotel features an impressive, soaring atrium and a mix of tasteful, contemporary rooms and suites, which are comfortable and done up in warm color schemes.
The rooms have balconies with either mountain or town views, and the suites add a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and a living area with a pull-out sleeping sofa. Amenities here include a restaurant serving American fare, an indoor swimming pool with a waterslide, and a hot tub. There is also a gym, fire pit, and a mountain-view deck.
