Grand Vista Hotel and Suites

The room was clean and modern. With a name like "Grand Vista," I expected to see more than a hedge from the window. Other reviews mention a beautiful mountain view, so maybe I was too close to the mountains that day to appreciate it.

The rooms are roomy, the beds are huge and comfortable, and everything else seems well cared for. The hotel is tucked away near Vonore courthouse, and the hotel itself is beautiful. But the breakfast is basically missing: just cold cereal, bread and a toaster, plus coffee, milk, and orange juice. Guests pay for the amenities advertised and expect to get them. That lack of breakfast pulled my rating down a couple of notches.

I was in town from NC to look at a house, then needed to rest before the 6+ hour drive home. After calling a few places, the $89 price caught my eye. I just wanted a decent, clean room for the night, without bedbugs, and this place turned out really nice. The room smelled good, the sheets and bedding were clean, and the lobby looked beautiful. There are ice and vending machines, and the location is close to food and other things you might need. It was quiet, too, so I'm happy with the place and know where I'll stay next time. One thing confused me: I was charged $101 even though $89 was quoted twice. That's not a huge deal, but that extra $12 could matter to someone trying to afford a room. Maybe Tennessee has some hotel tax, but where I'm from tax on $89 would be around $3, $4, maybe $5 at most.

The place felt like a dump, and the parking lot and area around the hotel seemed isolated and sketchy. I was there for a Mini Cooper get-together at Fontana Village, alone and without pets. The desk clerk, who called himself the manager, was rude and said he needed a deposit in case I destroyed the room. I offered Venmo or PayPal, then cash, but he would only take a credit card. I carry cash and payment apps, but that wasn't good enough for him. He called me a tough guy, gave me the middle finger, and told me to get out. I'll never return and would caution anyone considering it. If I could give zero stars, I would, but the rating requires at least one.