Best Western Smoky Mountain Inn

This hotel is highly regarded for its spectacular mountain views, offering guests a picturesque backdrop to their stay. Its unique motel-style layout, allowing direct parking access to many rooms, is particularly appreciated by motorcycle riders and travelers passing through. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's exceptional cleanliness, the friendly staff who often go above and beyond, and the comfortable beds that ensure a restful night's sleep. The hotel maintains a surprisingly quiet atmosphere despite its convenient location near major roadways, making it suitable for both families seeking a peaceful retreat and business travelers needing a calm environment. To maximize your experience, consider requesting a room with a mountain view, and be aware that while breakfast is provided, some guests find the hot food options limited. Additionally, light sleepers might benefit from bringing earplugs due to occasional noise from thin walls or older air conditioning units.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently commend the hotel's thoughtful outdoor seating areas, including rocking chairs, benches, and a fire pit, which provide relaxing spots to enjoy the scenic surroundings. The property features a clean, albeit small, outdoor pool where towels are conveniently provided for guest use. For those looking to stay active, a well-equipped fitness center is available, complete with a treadmill, elliptical trainer, exercise bike, and universal weight machine. Each room is equipped with a microwave and a refrigerator (often with a separate freezer compartment), adding convenience for longer stays or storing snacks. Guests also appreciate the in-room coffee maker and the presence of a large TV. A delightful touch noted by many are the welcome treats provided upon arrival, typically including bottled water, popcorn, and cookies, enhancing the overall welcoming experience.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently receives high praise for its exceptional cleanliness, with many guests describing rooms as immaculate and well-maintained, even within an older property. While some rooms are noted as recently updated and spacious, a few guests found certain furnishings or the overall decor to be somewhat dated. Most guests report the beds to be very comfortable and soft, though some found the linens to be stiff or rough, and a few mentioned issues with worn or sinking mattresses. Noise levels received mixed feedback; many found the rooms surprisingly quiet, but others experienced disturbances from thin walls, loud air conditioning units, or noise from neighbors and housekeeping activities like rolling garbage cans. The bathroom areas are generally clean, with good shower pressure and hot water, though some are described as small, and issues like low sinks/toilets, slow drains, or non-functioning fans/lights were occasionally reported. Some guests also noted a musty odor or other unpleasant smells in their rooms.

Dining & Food Quality
The complimentary breakfast at the hotel garners mixed reviews, with many guests finding it adequate and convenient, while others expressed disappointment over the limited selection, particularly regarding hot protein options. The breakfast typically includes a pancake maker, sausage biscuits, and microwaveable omelets, alongside continental staples such as cereals, oatmeal, bread, muffins, bagels, and various juices. Some guests noted a lack of fresh fruit on certain days. The breakfast area itself is frequently described as small and can become quite cramped or chaotic during peak times, though staff are generally diligent in keeping it clean and well-stocked. The coffee available in the lobby is consistently praised for its quality and is a welcome amenity for guests throughout the day. Overall, while the breakfast serves its purpose, those seeking a more extensive or hot meal might consider dining elsewhere.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's convenient location is a significant advantage, situated just off a major highway, providing easy access to popular destinations like Waynesville, Maggie Valley, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Guests appreciate its proximity to various restaurants, shops, and a nearby Walmart, making it ideal for both leisure and practical needs. The parking situation is generally well-received, with many ground-floor rooms offering the convenience of parking directly outside the door, a feature particularly valued by motorcycle riders. However, some guests noted that the parking lot can feel tight for larger vehicles, and there were instances of construction containers temporarily blocking views or spaces. The road entrance to the property received some comments, with a few guests mentioning it being in need of repair or poorly marked, especially at night, potentially due to ongoing construction nearby.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional helpfulness and friendliness, with many guests highlighting their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Most guests experienced a quick check-in and check-out process, though some encountered issues with specific front desk personnel, describing them as rude, unconcerned, or unwilling to assist with requests like early check-in or gift card redemption. Housekeeping is frequently commended for maintaining very clean rooms and providing daily service, though a few guests mentioned feeling rushed by staff near check-out time. While many interactions are positive, there were isolated reports of negative staff attitude, including instances of sarcasm or unresponsiveness to guest concerns. Maintenance issues, such as non-working TVs or lights, were occasionally reported, with some guests noting a slow response time for repairs.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of ongoing construction for a new hotel next door, which, while generally not disturbing, has occasionally impacted views or parking availability due to construction containers. The hotel features an older, motel-style layout where room doors open directly to the outside, a design some guests appreciate for convenience, while others might prefer a more traditional hotel setup. Feedback on value for money is mixed, with some finding the rates reasonable for the amenities and location, while others felt it was a bit overpriced. The cancellation policies for no-shows, particularly during unforeseen circumstances like hurricanes, have been a point of contention for some guests. While there is a designated smoking area, some guests reported others smoking directly outside their rooms, which can be a nuisance. Additionally, some guests noted limited TV channels and inconsistent water pressure in the showers. Concerns were also raised regarding handicap accessibility, with reports of broken shower chairs and unaccommodating management.