Home2 Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge

The breakfast had plenty to choose from, including omelets, bacon, bagels, waffles, fruit, cereal, juice, and coffee. The staff were polite and helpful, and check-in was quick. Our room was problem-free and had a fridge, kitchen items, dishwasher, and smart TV. There’s an indoor pool and an outdoor one, plus cabanas and seating outside, and parking was plentiful. The hotel is about a mile from the Island of Pigeon Forge, with food and activities within five miles. Great place to stay in the Smokies. You can ask the front desk for a temporary cooktop if you need one.

The location worked perfectly for us, and the bed was comfortable. The bathroom was clean, the shower worked well, and we had a microwave, fridge, and freezer. Parking is free. Breakfast was basic but fine, though the weekend lines got long. I liked having a hydration station with several tea options. There’s an outdoor pool, but the area around it was in serious disrepair during our visit. Bring earplugs. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, but noise from other guests was awful. Doors slammed throughout the day, and children ran up and down the corridors. None of the staff interacted with us, so I can’t comment on them.

The shower was good, and at least the water was hot for tea. Beyond that, this stay fell short of what I expect as a Hilton Diamond member. The room needed a deep clean and smelled strongly of hospital-style cleaner. Check-in was efficient enough, but the staff weren’t as friendly as I’m used to at Hilton properties. Breakfast was well below expectations, with no fruit and few appealing choices. It’s still one of the area’s highest-rated properties, perhaps because it was newer then. It seems to me that management isn’t giving the property and staff training proper attention.

The indoor pool didn’t look well cared for, and the water didn’t inspire confidence. The rooms were dim and gloomy, with flat pillows and cleanliness below what I expected. The doors slammed shut even when I tried to close them gently, so they made for unexpected wake-up calls. I spent the first three days of my 10-day Pigeon Forge trip at the Cambria before moving here. In hindsight, that may have been the highlight. For a similar price, I’d consider the Cambria, which I found cleaner and more modern.