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2-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River

Stay at Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River in Gatlinburg, TN. Enjoy casual rooms, outdoor pool, free breakfast, parking, and easy access to Great Smoky Mountains.

310 Cottage Dr, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States View on map
8.2/10
Very Good Based on 758 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Free parking Accessible Indoor and outdoor pool
What recent guests emphasize

Reliable comfort with friendly service and great location

Visitors appreciate the affordable rates, cleanliness, and helpful staff at this laid-back hotel near key Gatlinburg attractions. Practical details like breakfast and parking add to the convenience, while some note minor maintenance issues.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly and attentive staff, with several mentions of standout employees going above and beyond.
  • Clean, comfortable rooms with good air conditioning and reliable hot water.
  • Excellent location close to Ober Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and local attractions.
  • Affordable pricing combined with complimentary breakfast and free parking.
  • Family and kid-friendly environment with conveniences like TVs and connectivity options.

Worth knowing

  • Some minor maintenance issues were reported, such as a makeshift door lock repair.
  • GPS can be unreliable in the area, so staff assistance may be needed for directions.
  • Rooms vary; guests have been accommodated promptly when changes were necessary.
  • Outdoor pool available but not frequently mentioned in recent reviews.

Best for

  • Budget-conscious travelers seeking clean, comfortable accommodations.
  • Families and groups looking for a kid-friendly hotel near local attractions.
  • Visitors wanting easy access to nature and outdoor adventures in the Smoky Mountains.
  • LGBTQ+ travelers, as the hotel is welcoming and inclusive.
  • Guests who value friendly, personalized customer service during their stay.
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About this property

Welcome to Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River

Located at 310 Cottage Dr in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River offers informal rooms and suites in a casual setting surrounded by trees. This laid-back hotel features an outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and free parking, catering well to visitors seeking straightforward accommodations near popular attractions. Check-in is available from 3:00 PM, with checkout by 11:00 AM.

The property benefits from a convenient location just a short walk from Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area, as well as the Gatlinburg Space Needle, while the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies within a mile. Guests appreciate its proximity to key spots such as Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies and Anakeesta, making it a practical base for exploring the area's outdoor and family-friendly activities. The hotel maintains a 4.1 rating from over 700 reviews, reflecting generally favorable experiences.

Rooms and suites are noted for cleanliness and affordability, with guests highlighting attentive and accommodating staff, particularly praise for front desk team members who assist with arrival and departure details. Some reviews mention minor maintenance issues, but these do not appear to detract significantly from the overall stay. The setting beside the creek offers natural views, occasionally including sightings of local wildlife like bears.

The hotel is LGBTQ+ friendly and well-suited for visitors looking for value and convenience rather than luxury. It lies about an hour’s drive from McGhee Tyson Airport and under two hours from Asheville Regional Airport. Nearby lodging options provide alternatives within a short distance, though none match the guest satisfaction scores of Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Free parking
Accessible
Indoor and outdoor pool
Air-conditioned
Kid-friendly
Hot tub
Fitness center

Not available at this property

Business center
Pet-friendly
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
Smoke-free
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

JV
Jennifer Vanblarcume Apr 10, 2026
10

Nikki was very helpful when our son left his iPad in the room. A+ customer service. even when my husband didn’t wear shoes. We will definitely stay again.

LB
Lexi Beauchamp Apr 08, 2026
10

Our tried and true favorite hotel in town! I’ve stayed at a lot of these hotels and is the cleanest and best price love the location. Our kid had his ps5 connected to the tv, kid friendly. stayed here multiple times,love this place. Dev is the man he will take care of you.

SB
Shanna Bird Apr 02, 2026
10

My mom and I stayed in this hotel last year and we were very happy. So this year when we were looking for a place to stay we remembered that it had been the cleanest and least expensive hotel we stayed in last year. The problem was we could not seem to find it, GPS was not working properly, it was dark, we were tired. We called the hotel and spoke with Jeet. He was extremely professional, helpful, and patient as we kept getting turned around. He stayed on the phone with us until we made it to the parking lot. Jeet was very quick to get us checked into our room. He made certain we knew the check out time and breakfast time. Jeet was a very pleasant, friendly young man. Thank you for all of your help.

CJ
Chuck Justice Mar 21, 2026
8.0

Good place to stay. Nice clean room. The TV was s.all but I didn't mind. The only thing that kept me from giving 5 stars was the fold lock on the door. It had apparently been broken off at one point. They repaired it with a wooden block and sheetrock screws that were stripped out. The block was hanging lose but the main door lock worked as designed. Nice room, friendly people, good breakfast (Waffle, O.J., Coffee and cinnamon buns. Fair price and easy walking distance to down town.

KD
Kurt Dugan Feb 25, 2026
10

Dev who worked the front desk took care of us. Our room was different from what we were told originally but he made sure we were happy. He got us in a different room which was better and made sure we were happy. Great customer service!

MS
Marsha Sutton Feb 05, 2026
10

Clean room bed was very comfortable the air conditioner was cold and we had plenty of hot water. Service was great , had a nice breakfast that you could eat inside office our take to your room, coffee juice milk. We will be going g backing a few months.Our room had the river view we seen 4 bears and lots of geese.

DW
David Waite Jan 30, 2026
10

I have stayed in this hotel many times, it is well known by the locals and while I have never met the owner he is well known by the establishments and always a good word. The location is perfect. I recommend this hotel over all the others in GBurg.

GG
Greg Greene Jan 05, 2026
10

We discovered this place on thanksgiving weekend. It is wonderfully located for what we like to do in Gatlinburg and is located off the main drag which we love. It’s also right on the creek with beautiful views. There’s a large bear that makes his rounds right down the creek which is cool. The staff is very friendly and Nikki goes above and beyond normal customer service. She’s very pleasant and knowledgeable always willing to go the extra mile if needed. This place is very affordable and very clean. We’ve been here twice now and it’s our new Base of Operations so to speak.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the River

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA

Surrounded by trees, this laid-back hotel is a 3-minute walk from Ober Gatlinburg amusement park and ski area, 9 minutes on foot from the Gatlinburg Space Needle and 1 mile from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

  • Ober Mountain, Bennetts BBQ, Big Daddy's Pizzeria 2 min Walk
  • Quality Inn, Howard's Restaurant 4 min Walk
  • Mysterious Mansion 10 min Walk
  • McGhee Tyson Airport 1 hr 14 Car
  • Asheville Regional Airport 1 hr 57 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Tennessee. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park 1 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

United States

4.9 · National Park
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies 43,678 reviews

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States

4.6 · Aquarium
Anakeesta 15,855 reviews

Anakeesta

576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States

4.2 · Theme Park
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