We stayed at the Microtel in Gatlinburg, TN and booked a queen bed room. Overall, I’d call it decent—perfect if your plan is to be out exploring and just need a place to crash at night, not somewhere to hang out all day.
The room itself is definitely on the smaller side, but it’s laid out efficiently. There’s just enough space to move around the bed on both sides, plus a small walkway leading to the door and bathroom. The bathroom was actually pretty nice—tub/shower combo, a big well-lit mirror, a fan (always a win), and a hair dryer. I’ve got to give them credit for the water pressure too—it was surprisingly great.
Storage was better than expected. There’s a good-sized closet with plenty of hangers (including suit hangers), plus an iron, ironing board, and a luggage rack. The mini fridge was empty (bless), so no overpriced snacks taking up space—you can actually use it for your own stuff. There was also what I’d guess is around a 42-inch Roku TV with a solid channel lineup, a window seat, and a long table for your bags and random clutter.
For a 2-star hotel at a very reasonable price, it checked all the boxes. No frills, but everything we needed was there. The bed was clean, mattress had a zip cover, and the floors were vacuumed. The only thing that looked a little questionable was the window seat cushion—it didn’t seem freshly cleaned—but we didn’t see any bugs or anything concerning.
Now, one funny (but real) complaint from my husband: the toilet water level sits a little high. Let’s just say… he made accidental contact 😅 and couldn’t easily adjust it because of how the toilet is positioned. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning for honesty’s sake.
I did appreciate some of the little extras: after a certain time, you need a key card to access the elevator from the parking garage, which adds a nice layer of security. They also offer free parking and a simple breakfast—coffee, juice, fruit, packaged pastries, fruit bars, and sometimes mini pancakes. Nothing fancy, but enough to get you going. There’s also ice, a vending machine, and a ton of brochures for local attractions.
All in all, I was satisfied with our stay. It’s not luxury, but it’s clean, functional, and budget-friendly. I’d definitely stay here again if the price is right.
