Garner Hotel Pigeon Forge Downtown

We stayed four nights, and the value was very good. The room was clean and quiet, and the staff were friendly throughout, especially Georgia at the front desk. We'd highly recommend staying here.

The thin walls were the main drawback. I could hear water running in the next room. Still, it was a clean, new-feeling hotel for an affordable price, and the front desk receptionists were very welcoming. I'd definitely consider coming back.

We were delayed and treated differently after checking in because of my service dog, then given a room downgrade that we accepted only because we were exhausted and needed to sleep. Our original room had already been paid for. Staff said the room had to be changed because of my medical equipment, and the new room had none of the upgrade we'd booked. It also wasn't clean or ready: the floors were dirty, there was trash in the toilet, and the bed hadn't been made. When we went to report it, the staff member yelled at us and said it wasn't her fault. The fireplace didn't work either, and although someone came to try to fix it, they couldn't. No refund, discount, or other accommodation was offered. We paid full price for a room we never stayed in and ended up in an unclean room with an unusable amenity. This happened at Garner Hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN. After we checked in and received a room key, a staff member stopped us on the way to the elevator and said pets weren't allowed. I had my fully trained medical alert service dog with me, wearing a vest, though the ADA does not require service dogs to have identification or wear a vest. The staff member said she “hadn’t seen him.” We explained he was a service animal required because of my disability. Under the ADA, hotel staff may not deny or delay access, segregate guests, or treat them differently because of a service animal, and they may not demand documentation or details about a disability. Even so, we were sent back to the front desk. A staff member contacted someone who may have been a manager or owner, but wasn't clearly identified. Yelling at guests, especially disabled guests who have already faced discriminatory treatment, is unacceptable regardless of who was at fault. The ADA requires service animals to be allowed in all areas open to guests, and disabled guests cannot be downgraded, relocated, or penalized because of their disability or service animal. I'm documenting this incident and may report it to the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, which enforces the ADA. If you're disabled or travel with a service dog, avoid this hotel. What happened was discrimination, not a misunderstanding.

The drawbacks were thin walls and a tiny room and bathroom with barely enough room to move around. They also don't recycle, which seemed hard to believe in 2025. Still, it was a good stay. The hotel is newly renovated, sparkling clean, close to attractions, and has a decent breakfast. It's dog-friendly for an extra $50 per night. The reception staff were very friendly, and Carlotta and Georgia were wonderful. I'd give it four and a half stars if I could.