Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Gatlinburg at the Convention Center

This hotel's signature feature is its prime location, offering unparalleled walking distance access to the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, making it an ideal choice for sightseers and families eager to explore the area without needing a car. Guests frequently highlight the convenience of being just steps away from major attractions, shops, and restaurants. While the hotel offers a good value for its central position, feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is mixed, with some guests praising these aspects and others noting areas for improvement. The staff generally receives positive remarks for their friendliness and helpfulness. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room on an upper floor to minimize potential noise from the street or neighboring rooms, and be prepared for variations in room condition due to ongoing updates.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides several convenient facilities for guests, including a seasonal outdoor pool that many find refreshing after a day of exploring, though some note it can appear worn. Guests appreciate the presence of in-room fridges and microwaves, which are useful for storing snacks and warming up leftovers. While Wi-Fi is available, some guests reported issues with obtaining the password at check-in or experiencing low speeds. Ice machines and vending machines are present, though their functionality and availability can be inconsistent. Some rooms feature a balcony or rocking chairs outside, offering a pleasant spot to relax. An elevator is available, but some guests have experienced it being out of service, requiring stair use.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is notably varied. Many guests found their rooms to be very clean and praised the comfortable beds, ensuring a restful night's sleep. However, a significant number of reviews reported issues such as dust, dirty floors, stained sheets, and even the presence of roaches or concerns about bed bugs. Rooms are often described as spacious, but some are noted as dated and in need of refurbishment, with issues like holes in walls, loose fixtures, wobbly toilets, and water damage. Noise levels are a recurring concern, with guests frequently mentioning street noise, loud garbage trucks in the early morning, and thin walls allowing sounds from neighbors and flushing toilets to be heard. Bathrooms are often described as small and dated, with some reporting mold, low water pressure, or a lack of hot water.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a minimal breakfast option, primarily consisting of grab-and-go items such as cereal, granola bars, and honey buns, along with coffee and juice. While some guests appreciate that any breakfast is provided, as it was not always advertised, many expressed disappointment with the limited selection. Guests often wished for more substantial or hot breakfast items to be available. The coffee itself receives mixed reviews, with some finding it good and others describing it as bland. This basic offering means guests often choose to dine at nearby restaurants for a more comprehensive morning meal.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset, placing guests within easy walking distance of virtually all major attractions, shops, and restaurants on "the strip." It is conveniently close to landmarks like the Space Needle, SkyLift, and Ripley's, eliminating the need for driving once settled. Parking is a significant feature, with free parking and sometimes covered parking available, which is highly valued in a busy tourist area. However, some guests found the parking areas to be tight or limited, leading to challenges in finding spots, especially during peak times. Despite the central location, the hotel is often described as being just far enough off the main thoroughfare to mitigate excessive street noise.

Staff & Service
The staff generally receives positive feedback for being friendly, helpful, and accommodating, contributing to a pleasant stay for many guests. The check-in process is frequently described as quick and easy. However, there are instances of mixed experiences, with some guests encountering unfriendly staff or issues with reservations and key card deactivation occurring prematurely. Housekeeping service is inconsistent; while some guests reported daily towel changes and trash removal, others noted a lack of thorough room cleaning, failure to restock supplies like toilet paper, or not changing bed sheets throughout their stay. Some guests also reported issues with maintenance requests not being promptly addressed.

Additional Information
The hotel is frequently described as an older property in need of significant updates and renovations to match modern standards, with many areas showing signs of age and wear. While some rooms have received budget updates like vinyl plank flooring, other aspects like textured walls and old molding remain. Guests should be aware that the hotel's overall value for money is often tied directly to its exceptional location rather than the condition of the facilities. Recurring issues include key card issues where cards are deactivated before checkout time, and various water issues such as constantly running toilets, leaking faucets, or inconsistent hot water supply. Some guests also reported concerns about security in specific ground-floor rooms with unlocked back doors.