Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown by IHG

Reviews

• MG

  Michelle Gronroos

  2 days ago
  4.0
  James the overnight staff and young man with glasses and tattoos new guy they stood out. The staff for most part was friendly. The fact being unable to use a pool made it iffy. The place next door can utilize the amenities but not vice versa. The little pool and water park at express if geared at children. So the lack of adult amenities would make me not return to this location.
• BH

  B Haley

  2 days ago
  5.0
  We have stayed here twice and plan many more! The front desk always has a smiling face and never once made me feel like they didn't want me there. The whole place is clean and very family friendly. Perfect walk to downtown. The water park is the perfect size to turn your kids loose and not be overwhelmed. The last time we were there we ate breakfast 4 days and it was very good each time.
• CD

  Charissa Daman

  Aug 27, 2026
  2.0
  Unfortunately I have to give a low rating because I paid up front using Priceline and there was a $67.64 hotel fee that I already paid. I asked about any fees prior to checking in and they said onky incidentals. I did not use any incidentals. They charged my card another $67.64 without my permission and now I have to waste time correcting their mistake. When I called in the front desk guy brushed it off. Said it is a good fee, despute me telling him I already paid it exactly $67.64 I called priceline and they are agreeing to refund on their end because the hotel itseld is refusing. I hate dishonest business practices, so 2 stars only because the rooms were clean and the hotel was clean.
• SB

  Stephanie Brautigam

  Aug 12, 2026
  3.0
  Our stay at the Holiday Inn Express Gatlinburg Downtown was overall pretty average. The biggest positive for us was the location. It was within perfect walking distance to downtown Gatlinburg, which made it incredibly convenient to leave the car parked and walk to restaurants, shops and attractions. The view from our room was also amazing and definitely one of the highlights of our stay. Unfortunately, there were several things that kept this hotel from being a great experience. The breakfast on our first morning was extremely busy and overcrowded, and the food was just average. Because of that, we decided to go across the street to a restaurant for breakfast the second morning instead. Our room also did not seem as clean as we would have expected. The pull-out sofa mattress had quite a few noticeable stains on it, which was disappointing. The shower was another issue—the water pressure was horrible, and the water never seemed to get above lukewarm. We also noticed a musky smell throughout the hallway. Overall, I would say this hotel was just average. The location and amazing view were definitely positives, but the cleanliness, breakfast, shower, and hallway odor left something to be desired. It wasn’t our worst hotel experience by any means, but it also wasn’t anything amazing or somewhere we would rave about.
• DI

  David Ickes

  Aug 11, 2026
  1.0
  Don't book this hotel and dont use expedia!! When we arrived August 9 we were told the water park and pool were closed and they were working to get it open. They said they would work with me on the situation and would also do a full refund. Since the guy at the front desk was not a manager and said no manager was on duty until 11 pm, they said they could not do anything at that time. When we eventually talked to the manager that night, Robert said they were working with the company who runs the amenities side to get it opened but would not have an answer until 9 or 10 am in the morning when the GM came in. When I went to the Front Desk at 10 am, Miranda told me they did not have an update for the pool/water park opening. I asked to speak to the GM but she said the GM was not coming in for the day. I asked to speak to the manager on duty, but she said there was not one. I said I want to cancel my reservation as Marcus told me we could get on check in because the whole reason we booked the hotel was for the amenities, otherwise there are better options available with a pool for the kids. She said since booked through expedia, Marcus was wrong and should not have told you this. She called Robert but he never answered. She got a hold of Front Desk Manager Lance Maxium who agreed to the full cancelation and she put it in her system. Now 24 hours later, expedia is saying the property rejected this cancelation and I am out $500 for the remaining days we were staying there plus having to book a different hotel. How do you have a serious issue with your property and leave lower level employees on duty to handle it? Poor management, extremely disappointing and the last time I stay a IHG hotel or use expedia.

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