If you have never been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge during a busy season, sometime find a reason to go. It is a lessen in traffic patience to rival LA rush hour. When we finally got the the Riverhouse, we were greeted with a friendly face and a perfect spot just off the main strip. It is located only about 100 yards from the beginning of the main drag and over one block but is miles away from hectic.
On to naptime. The rooms are completely oversized. I will assume most of them are the same layout with a large vanity area with shelves, a small fridge and a microwave. The full bath is off this area. Be careful, the water pressure on high will but you through the wall. The beds are in the next room with a corner gas fireplace, and a small table and chairs, and a decent TV above the fireplace. There was also a reading chair and a loveseat (that our youngest daughter decided was her bed). Our room had a wide balcony looking over the river, which had it not been 24F degrees at night, would have been great to sit out and try a few different wines, even with 4-5 people out there. The beds were very comfortable but only had 2 pillow each. I know, small discomfort but I whine a lot. Overall the decor was very 70's but very clean and in really good shape. It was like we had stepped back 30 years ago and it was recently purchased.
The hotel amenities we were able to take advantage of were the hot tub and the breakfast delivery. The pool is next to the hot tub but I am guessing it would not have been refreshing in December. For breakfast in the morning, it was coffee, juice and donuts, delivered to your door, seemingly 2 minutes after you call the kitchen to ask for them. Donuts were great and fresh, and if the OJ was not fresh squeezed, as close to it as possible.
Checkout was a breeze and again friendly. We had to turn our keys back in, and these were actual metal keys, didn't know they existed anymore.
Some tips, rooms 201-205 are the closest to the pool and hot tub. Great for getting out of the tub and back to your room when it is 28F. Maybe not so great if you don't want to be near the pool. The hotel is at the corner of Ski Mt rd and River Rd. Ski Mt goes up to Ober Gatlinburg if you want to head up that way. River Rd runs parallel to the Parkway (main st) and generally has a bit less traffic. There is a general store diagonally across the street for some goods and has a deli/grill as well as a liquor store. There is a winery store next to it but skip that as they are way too pretentious and although I still bought a bottle to try, it was not good.
Overall, we had an excellent stay and will back again in the summer to enjoy the outdoors a bit more, and have some decent wine on that balcony.
- Riverhouse At The Park Gatlinburg
