Tennessee is known for its gorgeous natural vistas and beautiful hiking trails, crystal clear lakes, and rushing rivers. No matter how perfect the Volunteer State may be as a natural wonderland, we need a bit of comfort when the night draws near and bedtime gets close. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is perfect for daytime adventuring, and we found the perfect hotel near the Smoky Mountains for you to lay your head at night. Care to take a look?
The Great Smoky Mountains are renowned for their beauty, and finding a stunning, rustic gem in the heart of the national park is one of life's sweetest surprises. We came across the insane reviews for Dancing Bear Lodge and simply had to see what this darling spot in Townsend, Tennessee was all about.
The lodge is perfect for a relaxing weekend away or as a home base for all sorts of outdoor adventures within the park. Dancing Bear Lodge consists of a handful of luxury cabins dotting the perimeter of Townsend, Tennessee's Little River.
How far to the Great Smoky Mountains, you ask? A mere ten minutes will put you in the heart of the most visited national park in the United States. Plus, you won't find a prettier place to stay than Dancing Bear. Just look at the hanging lights and the glowing fire in this photo. Doesn't it look like something out of a fairytale?
The 36-acre estate has something for everyone, including an on-site coffee shop, restaurant, and bar. Breakfast is complimentary every morning and you also have free access to Wifi. The amenities are fantastic, your parking is free, and you really can't beat a weekend spent unplugging and enjoying the beauty of nature.
There are multiple opportunities for you to socialize with other guests as well as ample room to host an event or even tie the knot. The insanely beautiful panoramic vistas that surround the lodge make for a stunning venue.
If you're looking for luxury in the midst of Tennessee's wilderness, then a weekend at the Dancing Bear Lodge will do you a whole lot of good. Take a hike, cycle your way through the woods, and enjoy some of east Tennessee's best dining. Reservations are required, and we'd recommend you snap up a weekend pretty quick. This kind of place doesn't stay empty for long!
We'll see you on the east side of the state, friends.
Please head on over to the Dancing Bear Lodge page of Expedia.com for any more information and to reserve your room for your next stay. Being so close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a huge perk, and we would suggest you take a trip to Cades Cove. If you catch the day just right, you can even bike the whole thing on one of the vehicle-free days.
Sure, I'd looked at photos and studied the rides at Soundwaves with my six year old. I'd mapped out directions from the airport and looked into the resort amenities and nearby attractions. I'd done my research and planned accordingly. But what awaited my daughter and me upon arrival on a beautiful, early fall afternoon, was not what I was expecting. Not at all.
Let me back up.
A few years ago, I was invited to the opening of Soundwaves at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. It was during the busy back-to-school season and we had a conflict, but I remained on the media lists for events and openings, patiently staying on my radar as if waiting for the most opportune time to grab my attention.
My attention was grabbed this summer, as I began planning one-on-one trips with each of my kids. My youngest, Pearl, is happiest in the water and also a huge music lover. She's also a "yes, and" kind of gal and basically the coolest little human. So I reached out to my contact and arranged for us to spend a weekend at Gaylord Opryland, thinking we'd likely be at the Soundwaves waterpark the entire time, something I was 100% okay with because my daughter would be having a blast.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
I wasn't thinking I, too, would be having a blast. Nor was I expecting to be so completely taken by Gaylord Opryland -- and the town of Nashville, Tennessee.
We arrived on a Friday afternoon and driving into the resort was a magical experience. Think beautifully landscaped grounds, rolling green hills... Gaylord Opryland makes an impression. We pulled into the parking lot to check in, grabbed our bags, and were immediately, and warmly, welcomed. The lobby of the hotel is jaw dropping, with stunning artwork and a front-row seat to Opryland's famed atriums.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Yes - atriums, plural. There are three atriums at Gaylord Opryland that feature waterfalls and winding waterways, koi ponds, spectacular floral arrangements, and a robust array of flora that rivals any botanical garden. Twinkle lights at night transformed these gardens into an enchanting world of wonder -- an experience we enjoyed whilst dining at several of Opryland's on-site restaurants. Even better? Our room had a balcony that opened out to this glorious oasis, and we fell asleep to the rush of a waterfall each night.
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Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Gaylord Opryland is like Disney World, but if the latter were a music mecca in one of the coolest towns in the country. The resort is a world unto itself, complete with shopping, dining, entertainment, transportation (definitely take advantage of the shuttle!), and more. The front desk concierges were super helpful and learned our names after the first day; ditto for the valet drivers and restaurant servers. I recognize that getting valet service is a luxury, and while the resort covered the cost of our service, it was absolutely worth it for the convenience and also, surprisingly cost efficient as there's a daily rate for resort parking. Sprinkle in gorgeous scenery and greenery that made my tree-hugging heart happy, plus the incomparable service and hospitality you get at a Gaylord resort, and you have the makings of a truly memorable and special vacation.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
It's virtually impossible for me to relax, even on vacation. I'm sure you can relate. My mind is always buzzing with deadlines, multiple kids' schedules, my own think tank rabbit holes... it's a lot. While I enjoy traveling with my family, I've recently discovered the joy of solo travel and vacationing with just one of my kids at a time. In these scenarios, I am able to melt into the kind of relaxed, spontaneous, in-the-moment person I want to be; I love who I am. Travel gives me the opportunity to be my best self.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Of course, I was set up for success with this trip to Nashville. Not only did I have accommodations at a world-class resort that felt like a destination designed especially for me, but I had the very best travel partner: my six-year-old daughter, Pearl.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
There's a quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" where the unlikely protagonist says "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." My trip to Nashville both defined -- and defied -- this. On one hand, I got to spend three uninterrupted days with my youngest born who is hilarious and thoughtful and kind and spontaneous. She lives every moment to its fullest and all she wants from me is... me. This trip made me appreciate her in a whole new way, and also marvel at how very wise she's gotten.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
On the other hand, our three days in Nashville were lived. We woke up early and enjoyed breakfast by a duo of rushing waterfalls. We laughed hysterically zooming down waterslides and attempting to surf. We threw pennies into ponds and spent way too much at the hotel's arcade. We had fries and Shirley Temples for dinner. We walked hand-in-hand all over downtown Nashville, Opryland Resort, and the beautiful winding paths of the hotel's gardens. I took pictures -- but then put my phone down. I really, truly, lived every minute of this vacation and while I am sad it's over, I feel invigorated by the experience.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
We'll be back, Gaylord Opryland -- I have a Soundwaves surf challenge to conquer!
Many thanks to Gaylord Opryland Resort for their hospitality. As part of my media visit, the resort covered our room, valet parking, and entry to Soundwaves. As you find yourself planning fall and holiday adventures, let this be your sign to visit Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Southern hospitality, loads of fun, and a truly magical experience in Music City await.
It's hard to beat any summer Sunday in recent memory than the brunch and rooftop pool day I had recently with a friend at the Holston House, a historic downtown Nashville boutique hotel. Having lived in Nashville for over 20 years, I heard about it just prior to my move a couple of hours south to Alabama. (After having brunch at the hotel's restaurant, TENN, I will add to my list of regrets missing the window of time when I could have enjoyed it often without a road trip!) I will get to the delicious details soon, but first, a bit about the hotel ...
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For starters, it's within steps of everything you might want to do downtown: concerts at The Ryman or Ascend Amphitheater, games at Nissan Stadium, attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame, and all the honky tonks of Broadway.
It's perfectly positioned for bachelorette parties, friend getaways, or a romantic retreat – and yet seems to have broad appeal. We saw guests who fit all of these categories and then some. We saw what I assume was a bachelorette group gathering for brunch and then what remained of a champagne toast setup in the garden area from a wedding proposal the night before. That full-circle feeling only seemed more appropriate the more we learned about the hotel's rich history and how it became what it is today.
Originally built in 1929 as the James Robertson Hotel, it's the second oldest hotel in Nashville and one of a handful of the most beautiful Art Deco treasures in town. If you're familiar with the Frist Art Museum (originally the main downtown post office) and the Tennessee State Supreme Court building, then you may recognize similar stylings. Then-prominent local architectural firm Marr & Holman designed all three historic structures.
While the building began as a hotel, it went through several different lives over the years, including serving as wartime housing in the 1940s and later as apartments in the 1970s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, it finally got a big ($70 million big!) makeover in 2017 and became the Holston House, a Hyatt Unbound collection hotel. Thoughtfully updated while preserved, it feels like a safe enclave amid all the ever-evolving growth and changes to the downtown Nashville landscape.
You can now retreat within one of the hotel's 191 stylish rooms – including two spacious penthouse suites adjacent to its oasis-like rooftop infinity saltwater pool and Heirloom bar that opened in 2023. We learned that space was once the city's tallest garden and the site of lively afternoon teas.
A cool tip for hot summer days: You do not have to be a guest to visit the pool from Thursday through Sunday. Garden access passes are available for $40 to $60 depending on the day.
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Anyone may also visit the restaurant, which is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and serves a brunch worth every indulgent bite and sip.
They were so pretty; how could we not? I ordered the turkey BLTA with bacon, arugula, tomato, and smashed avocado, with smoked mayo on multi-grain bread. My friend chose the smashed avocado toast, and this version is one of the best things I've tasted and just as beautiful to behold.
The smashed avocado toast at TENN includes whipped feta, balsamic onion, watermelon radish, local microgreens, and garlic chili aioli ... plus smoked salmon, which is an optional add-on.
We then chose cocktails to go with us as we explored the other parts of Holston House on our path to the pool - a Morning Berry Margarita and a classic mimosa.
Our drinks were as delicious as brunch and just a little taste of what you can expect at the full-service, upscale Bar TENN that overlooks the hotel lobby. It opens at 4 p.m. and serves shareable plates in addition to a vast selection of cocktails and mocktails.
It's also the best place to take in the full splendor of the lobby. The bar is elevated atop sweeping marble staircases and framed in original ironwork, while TENN, the restaurant, is tucked below.
The lobby design preserved important architectural elements with decor choices bringing in modern flair – and even those elements giving many nods to history. This place certainly has it, including its own musical roots in Music City – back in 1949, WNAH radio station started broadcasting from the penthouse and was the first Nashville station to air religious programs.
We especially loved the record selection in the lobby, where guests can choose selections and pick up a portable player for listening in their rooms. Another option is to hang out until the early afternoon social hour. That's when the staff rolls out a cocktail fountain near the record player for guests to mingle and spin records together.
For a good amount of the hotel's 6,500 square feet of meeting and event space, architects and designers renovated what was a basement parking area. The sleek hotel gym is located downstairs, as well. It's not at all basement-like, thanks to generous natural light filtering in plant-lined windows along the uppermost part of the wall.
No Pelotons for us that day! It was all about relaxation. We concluded our tour with a dip in that beautiful rooftop pool with sips from the Heirloom bar. While a selection of small plates and tapas are available there, too, we passed since we were understandably full from brunch. It's good to know you have that option if you want to hang out at the pool and have a lighter meal.
If you're planning a visit to Nashville, book a stay at the Holston House and I think you'll find it to be a visual and literal feast like we did.
Let us know if you go; we'd love to hear about your time! You can learn more about the property on the Holston House website and its latest events and specials on the Holston House Facebook page.
