Budget Friendly Lodging at Older Hotel
After a bumpy beginning, we enjoyed our stay at the Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center.
Hubby and I were looking for an inexpensive place to stay for a holiday weekend of hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We found the Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center on a discount website, and for the price we thought "great!!".
We arrived around 8 pm, and it took nearly 30 minutes to get checked in - not sure why, since there were three desk clerks and we were the next person in line... While waiting, a man approached the desk to return his keys, saying there was already someone in the room...
We finally got checked in and rode the elevator to the 4th floor. As we studied the signs to see where to next, the lady who checked us in asked if we were looking for room ****. We said we were, and she replied there was already someone in that room, but if we would follow her, she would show us to our room. We followed her down the outside hallway - where the hall lights were all out - and she let us into our room.
The room was fine - clean, if a little dated. We couldn't specify room type when we booked, but we were still disappointed to find two full size beds, instead of queens. When I was single, I slept on a queen, so now that I'm married, we need at least that! But my wonderful husband just laughed and said we would be cozy this weekend. :-)
Anyway, it was still a nice weekend. The rooms were dated, and the staff needs some training, but the bed was comfortable (if small). The water pressure was great, hall lights were working by the next night, and the location is PERFECT! Right on the main drag, but still very quiet. For what we paid, I would stay there again, but I wouldn't pay more!
Unique Quality: Two swimming pools (one in the lobby, one outside). Rooms have a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and hair dryer. Restaurant inside the lobby. Walking distance to several restaurants, shopping, and activities. Just about a mile to Dollywood. Hotel backs up to the Little Pigeon River - I don't know if there are fish, but there were lots of ducks! :-)
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