Embassy Suites by Hilton Knoxville West

We stayed twice, once going to our regular destination and once coming back, and both times I was remembered, greeted, and treated like family. The pool, hot tub, and sauna were impressively clean and a lovely addition. The front desk is courteous, helpful, and quick to handle requests. The breakfast and evening restaurant staff are exceptional, too. If you meet Mort, ask him about his stories. He’s an incredible person with a heart of gold, and breakfast is a good chance to talk with him. We’re glad this works as a halfway stop for us and are already looking forward to another visit.

The free EV chargers were a major reason I chose this hotel, and all of them were working properly. That’s surprisingly rare and made a real difference for me. Breakfast was another high point, especially one of the best omelets I’ve had at a hotel in this category. The staff were consistently friendly and professional, the bar area was spacious and welcoming, and the property was clean. I appreciated seeing staff keep on top of snow and mess throughout the day. The hotel also seemed well organized and managed. There were a few minor maintenance issues in my room, but they didn’t spoil the stay. I didn’t have time to try the gym or pool, though both looked well maintained, and the gym appeared better than most hotel gyms I’ve seen. I’d absolutely stay here again.

The hot tub was a letdown. We’d hoped to soak away some aches, but the water wasn’t hot at all. I’d guess it was 80 degrees or below, without having a thermometer, and it felt even colder the next morning. A couple of kids were swimming in it the night we arrived, and they said they’d already tried to find a temperature control because it was too cold for them as well. Our room also had a disappointing outlook. The large windows faced part of the hotel roof, with some clutter, and a neighboring lot full of commercial vehicles, including tractor trailers and vans. I wasn’t expecting mountain views or pelicans over the surf, but for an expensive room I’d hoped for something better. We plan to stay again in a few months, though these issues may have us checking alternatives. Otherwise, it’s a very nice, modern-feeling hotel with a pretty lobby and comfortable, spacious rooms. The soundproofing was excellent. Though it’s fairly close to I40, we didn’t hear traffic. There are double-pane windows plus another pane set inside the openings, effectively making them triple-pane. An employee told me the hotel is 13 years old, which surprised me since it’s been so well maintained. It was clean, and the staff were courteous and friendly. The workout room was among the best I’ve seen in a hotel, with free weights, a rack, several cardio machines, and a good range of dumbbells.

Housekeeping kept missing things: towels weren’t left, used towels weren’t all picked up even though they were in the bathroom, and there were no coffee cups or regular coffee. Attention to detail needs work and probably some retraining. The room itself was spacious and elegantly designed, with lots of bathroom space, though the toilet paper holder sits incredibly low. My headboard looked nasty, as if someone had cut the padding with a ring. It wasn’t nice to look at.