Mainstay Suites Knoxville - Cedar Bluff

The housekeeping team stood out: they kept my room spotless each day, replaced the essentials, and left everything neat without overlooking details. The staff were also warm, polite, and ready to help. My room was spacious, clean, well organized, and comfortable, and I was impressed by how well the place was maintained. A satisfying stay, and I’d recommend it to someone looking for a comfortable, well-run place.

For a daily rate in the $60s, this feels more like a small apartment than a hotel room. There’s a full-size fridge with a separate freezer, plus a toaster, dishwasher, coffee maker, microwave, and a nicely sized TV. The bathroom is a bit small, but still nice, and shampoo and conditioner are provided in the shower. The location is handy for lots of stores and restaurant choices, and the price is very good for the room. The front desk staff are nice, and there’s free coffee and hot water for tea. Laundry is available with quarter machines; detergent, dryer sheets, snacks, and drinks can be bought at the front office for $1-$2.

The place looked noticeably different from what I saw online. Our first room was already occupied, so the key didn’t work. The second smelled strongly of smoke and had no TV remote; once we got a remote, the TV still didn’t work. They offered a third room after we asked for a refund, but we left. We’re waiting for a call about the refund, since apparently returning it takes longer than taking a deposit that cost as much as the room. I’ve paid about the same elsewhere and had an experience exponentially better.

The fully equipped kitchen made it easy to settle in and cook some homemade Southern food, with everything thoughtfully provided. The Mainstay room had a cozy feel while still being spacious, and the bed and pillows were so comfortable I slept well. A wonderful stay, and I’d happily recommend it.