Site Visit to the Margaritaville Resorts in Tennessee — Fun, Food, and Moonshine!

The Margaritaville resorts in Tennessee can bring a vacation state of mind to any kind of traveler because of the high-end accommodations, island-inspired vibes, welcoming amenities, and easy access to fun and the outdoors.

Recently, a team of our reservations specialists had a whirlwind weekend at four of the five Margaritaville properties in Tennessee:

• Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg
• Margaritaville Island Inn in Pigeon Forge
• Camp Margaritaville RV Resort & Lodge in Pigeon Forge
• Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge

Michelle Droz, manager of revenue strategy at Margaritaville Enterprises, was our host for each day — and what a fun, activity-packed weekend we had!

All of these Margaritaville resorts treated us exceptionally well, attractions and adventures (and margaritas) were everywhere, and our teams benefited from the direct experience and the in-depth knowledge provided to us at each property.

There is so much to do and see in this area near the Greater Smoky Mountains — incredible variety of attractions and entertainment, outdoor adventures, shows and entertainment, countless shops and restaurants, and beautiful mountain views.

Among the many highlights for our team included going to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains; taking a sky lift to Anakeesta, a huge outdoor theme park with zip lines, gondola rollercoaster rides, treetop bridges to all kinds of fun and attractions; and having unique moonshine tastings at Sugarlands and other distilleries.

And of course, the very friendly teams at the Margaritaville resorts make the entire experience outstanding by giving guests the white-glove treatment.

Day 1
We first arrived at the stunning Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg, which features high-end amenities and easy access to the Smoky Mountains. General Manager Richard Ebright provided us with a tasting of assorted margaritas, including strawberry, peach, and raspberry flavors.

This resort has friendly, fun, and casual atmosphere; spacious rooms with large bar areas and beautiful soaking tubs; some rooms with fireplaces; and a pool with an expanded deck.

It is at a great location, right on the strip — with an easy trolley ride to Dollywood, two Ripley’s museums, restaurants and bars, and other attractions.

Plus the food at the Landshark Bar & Grill was hearty and delicious!

Day 2
The next day, we headed to the Margaritaville Island Inn in Pigeon Forge.

Revenue Manager Jason Nubile gave us the VIP treatment with a tour, and we had many outstanding impressions from our visit — the fragrant ocean/beach atmosphere, complimentary breakfast, the indoor and outdoor pools, and rooms with balconies so guests can see activities and exhibits on the strip.

The location is superb — right at the entrance of the Island, a one-of-a kind, family-friendly destination with many shops, casual restaurants, and amusement rides.

In the evening, we stayed at the Margaritaville Lodge in Pigeon Forge, a brand-new resort that opened in 2022. The rooms are uniquely great for families with children because kids can have a private area with teepee tents and custom sheets that resemble sleeping bags.

The Lodge’s activities director gave us a tour of the incredible amenities, such as:

• an outdoor pool with waterslide
• Fin City with a video arcade, rec rooms, and bowling alley
• fire pits for gatherings — the biggest, central fire pit is available for movies, smores, and other group fun
• the “lazy river” — set to open on July 4, 2022

The meals at this resort were wonderful, and we had another delicious dinner at this property’s Landshark Bar & Grill as well as an inexpensive buffet that included a full breakfast.

Day 3
The following day, we went to the Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge. Revenue Manager Renie Caroll, who oversees this hotel and the Lodge in Pigeon Forge, gave us a tour of this property and all of the activities that guests can experience.

The Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge is very close to a variety of shops, attractions, and entertainment. We experienced the SkyFly, a theater where guests have the virtual sensation of being transported across the countries National Parks, and we saw Ferris wheels, carousels, bungee-jumping, and other family-friendly options.

Oh and we had more moonshine and margaritas!

The resort is above all the shops on The Island, and it surrounds a “dancing” fountain that has hourly shows, like Michael Jackson’s Thriller, as well as nightly shows. The rooms have a cabin feel, and fireplaces are in the standard rooms.

Guests have the option of staying in rooms that face the fountains (with all of its shows) or staying in rooms (with a peaceful, quieter atmosphere) that face the Little Pigeon River.

Day 4
On a final morning of our very full weekend, we ate at Paula Deen's Family Kitchen, which was tasty and inexpensive, and then we did some shopping at her store.

The customer service across all of these Margaritaville resorts was notably outstanding, and all of Margaritaville’s people clearly love doing their jobs.

What is particularly special for guests is that the location for each resort accommodates every traveler’s interest — whether it’s having outdoor adventures, finding an ideal destination for families, going to Dollywood and other entertainment/amusement venues, and much more.

Our team had a wonderful time at these Margaritaville resorts. At Advantage Reserve, our reservations specialists act as extensions of the premium services that our 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotel partners provide.

Site visits like this one give us unique, valuable insights and advance our expertise about our properties, so that we can deliver optimal guest experiences and revenue conversions to our hotel partners.