Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Review: A Family-Friendly Resort in the Smoky Mountains
If you’re planning a family vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, finding the right hotel can completely change your trip. You want to be close enough to all the fun of downtown Gatlinburg without necessarily being right in the middle of the crowds. Add in spacious rooms, a great pool, FREE breakfast and amenities the whole family can enjoy, and Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort checks a lot of boxes.
On our recent trip to the Smoky Mountains, we stayed at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg and it quickly became one of those hotels that feels like part of the vacation instead of simply somewhere to sleep.
Between the spacious suites, beautiful mountain setting, complimentary breakfast, evening reception and an outdoor pool area complete with a lazy river and waterslide, there is plenty to love about this family-friendly Gatlinburg hotel.
If you’re considering staying at Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort, here’s everything you need to know before booking.
Where Is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Located?
Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort is located at 604 Airport Road in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just outside the busiest part of downtown and right outside
For us, this was one of the biggest perks.
The hotel is less than half a mile from downtown Gatlinburg, giving you convenient access to restaurants, shopping and many of Gatlinburg’s most popular attractions while still providing more of a relaxing resort atmosphere.
You could easily walk right into Gatlinburg’s main district or take the FREE Gatlingburg Trolley into town.
It’s also located right on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it a great home base if your Gatlinburg itinerary includes hiking, scenic drives or exploring the national park.
Some nearby attractions include:
- Mynatt Park – approximately 0.2 miles
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail – approximately 0.2 miles
- Downtown Gatlinburg – approximately 0.5 miles
- Ober Mountain – approximately 0.5 miles
- Gatlinburg SkyPark and SkyBridge – approximately 0.8 miles
- Anakeesta – approximately 1 mile
Pigeon Forge is about a 15-minute drive away, making it easy to explore attractions in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during the same vacation.
That location gives you the best of both worlds: easy access to the action with a quieter place to return to at the end of the day.
The Rooms at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg
One of my favorite things about staying at an Embassy Suites property when we’re traveling as a family is having extra space.
When you’re traveling with kids, a standard hotel room can get crowded very quickly. Between suitcases, shopping bags, snacks, everyone’s devices and everything else we somehow accumulate on vacation, having separate living and sleeping areas can make a huge difference.
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg offers rooms and suites designed to give families more room to spread out. Connecting rooms are also available, which can be especially helpful for larger families or families traveling together.
The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment, which is always nice when everyone wants to relax after a busy day exploring Gatlinburg.
I can’t forget the amazing views everywhere you look from the balcony. This was my favorite spot to relax each morning while waiting for everyone to get up.
But while the rooms are great, the real reason families are going to love this hotel is downstairs.
The Pool and Lazy River at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg
If you’re traveling with kids, make sure you leave some actual hotel time in your itinerary.
Seriously. My 2 teens couldn’t get enough of the pool slide and the lazy river.
The outdoor resort-style pool area is easily one of the highlights of Embassy Suites Gatlinburg.
Instead of a basic hotel pool, you’ll find an outdoor pool area featuring a lazy river and waterslide, giving the hotel much more of a resort feel.
This is such a nice amenity for families because sometimes kids don’t want another attraction added to the itinerary. They just want to swim.
After spending the morning hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park or walking around downtown Gatlinburg, coming back to the hotel and floating around the lazy river is the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
And if the Tennessee weather isn’t cooperating, there’s also an indoor pool, giving families another swimming option.
Having both indoor and outdoor pools is especially helpful if you’re visiting Gatlinburg during spring, fall or another time of year when the mountain weather can be unpredictable.
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Breakfast Hours
Another major benefit of staying at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg is the complimentary made-to-order breakfast.
And I’m not talking about grabbing a muffin and cup of coffee on your way out the door.
Embassy Suites is known for its breakfast, and the Gatlinburg property includes a full complimentary breakfast for guests. In addition to the breakfast selections, guests can take advantage of the made-to-order options Embassy Suites is known for.
During our stay bacon and eggs were always available and each day it rotated between pancakes, French toast sticks and biscuits. There’s also oatmeal, cereal, muffins and fruit available as well.
The sign during our stay said Embassy Suites Gatlinburg breakfast hours were 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on weekends. Because hotel dining hours can change seasonally, I always recommend confirming the current breakfast hours with the hotel during your stay.
For families, complimentary breakfast is a bigger benefit than it may initially sound like.
Feeding an entire family at a restaurant every morning adds up quickly. We easily spent about $125 on breakfast at a restaurant. Having breakfast included means everyone can eat before heading out for the day without adding another restaurant bill – or another stop -to your itinerary.
It also makes mornings much easier when you’re trying to get everyone ready and out the door for Dollywood, Anakeesta, the national park or a full day exploring Gatlinburg.
Complimentary Evening Reception
Breakfast isn’t the only food and beverage perk included with your stay.
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg also offers its signature complimentary evening reception.
It’s a nice opportunity to come back to the hotel, relax and enjoy some downtime before heading out for dinner or settling in for the night.
It’s also one of those little extras that helps Embassy Suites feel more like a resort experience than your typical hotel stay.
When I’m comparing hotels for a family vacation, I always look at what is actually included in the nightly rate. Complimentary breakfast, the evening reception, Wi-Fi and a resort-style pool are all amenities you’re able to enjoy without constantly adding another activity to your vacation budget.
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Roaring Fork Menu & Prices
You don’t necessarily have to leave the hotel when you’re ready for dinner.
The Roaring Fork is the on-site restaurant at Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort and features Appalachian-inspired favorites. I was delighted by how good the food here was. We actually ate here twice during our stay because the burger was just that good.
Having an on-site restaurant is especially convenient after a long day exploring the Smoky Mountains. There are nights on vacation when the last thing I want to do is get everyone back into the car and drive somewhere else for dinner.
If you’re searching for the Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Roaring Fork menu and prices, I recommend checking the current menu during your stay or contacting the property before visiting. Menu selections and pricing can change, and Hilton currently describes The Roaring Fork as serving Appalachian fare and favorites rather than publishing a complete static menu with prices on its main hotel dining page.
For me, simply having a full-service restaurant on property is another plus – especially on a family trip when convenience matters.
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Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Parking
Yes, there is on-site parking at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg.
Currently, self-parking is $15 per day, and guests receive in-and-out privileges. There is no valet parking, covered parking or on-site EV charging currently listed by Hilton.
I definitely recommend factoring the daily parking charge into your hotel budget when comparing Gatlinburg hotels since parking policies and fees vary from property to property.
The benefit here is that once you’re parked, downtown Gatlinburg is less than half a mile away. Depending on your plans, you may be able to leave the car behind for portions of your trip rather than dealing with finding and paying for additional parking downtown.
The Trolley also stops right outside the hotel so you can always catch the Trolley into town and save on the parking that way. To park at Anakeesta, we paid $20 and it was only good for 10 hours.
More Amenities at Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort
Beyond the pools, breakfast and restaurant, Embassy Suites Gatlinburg offers plenty of other amenities that make it a convenient choice for a Smoky Mountains getaway.
Hotel amenities include free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, concierge services, Digital Key, connecting rooms, streaming entertainment, room service, meeting spaces and pet-friendly accommodations.
The property is also pet-friendly for guests who want to bring their furry family members along. Hilton currently lists a $75 non-refundable pet fee with a maximum pet weight of 75 pounds.
For anyone visiting Gatlinburg for a conference or event, the hotel is also within walking distance of the Gatlinburg Convention Center and offers more than 12,800 square feet of event space.
A Great Home Base for Exploring the Great Smoky Mountains
One feature I think really sets Embassy Suites Gatlinburg apart is its proximity to the national park.
You’re not choosing between staying near downtown or staying near nature – you can have both.
The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is only about 0.2 miles from the hotel, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park is right on your doorstep.
On this trip we decided to spend a little bit more time in the mountains and we hiked to Grotto Falls. The hotel location made it easy to get to the trailhead and easy to get back to our room to relax after that hike!
You can spend your morning hiking or chasing waterfalls, come back to the hotel for an afternoon at the pool and then head into downtown Gatlinburg for dinner and attractions.
That’s pretty much my ideal Smoky Mountains vacation.
The hotel also offers access to Smoky Mountain Guides, with opportunities for guided hikes and outdoor adventures. For families who want to experience more of the national park but aren’t sure where to begin, having that resource available directly through the hotel can make planning much easier.
Why Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Is Great for Families
There are plenty of hotels in Gatlinburg, so what makes this one stand out?
For me, it’s the combination of location, space and amenities.
When we’re traveling as a family, I’m looking for more than a pretty room. I want a hotel that makes the entire trip easier.
At Embassy Suites Gatlinburg, you can wake up and have breakfast without leaving the property. Spend the day exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park or downtown Gatlinburg. Come back and let the kids hit the waterslide while you relax by the pool. Enjoy the evening reception and then have dinner at the hotel or head back downtown.
You aren’t spending your entire vacation driving from place to place.
And that matters.
The lazy river and waterslide also mean you can build a little downtime into a busy Smoky Mountains itinerary without the kids feeling like they’re missing out on something fun.
Is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg Worth It?
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Gatlinburg with a pool and lazy river, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort should absolutely be on your list.
It’s especially worth considering for families who want a little more space, complimentary breakfast and easy access to both downtown Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The resort-style outdoor pool area was a huge selling point for us, but when you combine that with the spacious accommodations, made-to-order breakfast, evening reception, indoor pool and fantastic location, you get a hotel that offers much more than just somewhere to sleep.
It’s a place where you can actually schedule a little time to enjoy the hotel.
And on a family vacation, that’s always a win.
Embassy Suites Gatlinburg FAQ
Does Embassy Suites Gatlinburg have free breakfast?
Yes. Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort offers guests a complimentary full made-to-order breakfast.
What are the Embassy Suites Gatlinburg breakfast hours?
Current hotel listings show breakfast from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on weekends. Hours can change, so confirm with the hotel for the dates of your stay.
Does Embassy Suites Gatlinburg have a lazy river?
Yes! The outdoor resort-style pool area includes a lazy river and waterslide. The hotel also has an indoor pool.
How much is parking at Embassy Suites Gatlinburg?
On-site self-parking is currently $15 per day with in-and-out privileges. Valet parking is not available.
Is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg close to downtown?
Yes. Embassy Suites Gatlinburg is located less than half a mile from downtown Gatlinburg, making it convenient for restaurants, shopping and attractions.
Does Embassy Suites Gatlinburg have a restaurant?
Yes. The Roaring Fork is the hotel’s on-site restaurant and serves Appalachian-inspired fare and favorites. Room service is also available.
Is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg pet-friendly?
Yes. Embassy Suites Gatlinburg offers pet-friendly accommodations. Hilton currently lists a $75 non-refundable pet feeand a maximum weight of 75 pounds.
How far is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg from Anakeesta?
Anakeesta is approximately one mile from Embassy Suites Gatlinburg.
How far is Embassy Suites Gatlinburg from Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
The hotel sits on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making it an excellent location for travelers who want to combine the national park with downtown Gatlinburg attractions.
Final Thoughts on Embassy Suites Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is one of those destinations where there is so much to do that it’s easy to completely overschedule your vacation.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort gives you a reason to slow down a little.
Have breakfast together before heading into the Smokies. Spend an afternoon floating around the lazy river. Come back for the evening reception after exploring Gatlinburg. Then wake up and do it all over again.
For families looking for a comfortable, amenity-packed hotel close to both downtown Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Embassy Suites Gatlinburg is a fantastic option and one we’d happily consider again for another Smoky Mountains getaway.
Dawn
