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2-star hotel Check-in 16:00 · Check-out 10:00

River Terrace Resort and Convention Center

Relax by the river at River Terrace Resort and Convention Center, featuring 2 outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly rooms, and proximity to Great Smoky Mountains.

240 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States View on map
7.6/10
Good Based on 4023 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free parking Accessible Outdoor pool Air-conditioned
What recent guests emphasize

Balanced comfort with excellent service in a convenient location

Guests appreciate the friendly and helpful staff and the hotel's prime location near popular attractions, while noting basic room amenities and some maintenance issues. The pet-friendly policy and timeshare sales efforts may affect some stays.

Guests often praise

  • Friendly, professional, and welcoming front desk staff, particularly Dani and Holly
  • Convenient riverside location within walking distance to major Gatlinburg attractions
  • Spacious rooms with river or terrace views and useful in-room appliances like microwaves and fridges
  • Cleanliness efforts including disposable shower curtains and well-maintained outdoor pools
  • Free parking and no hassle finding parking in downtown Gatlinburg

Worth knowing

  • All rooms are pet-friendly, which may not suit guests with allergies
  • Some rooms show signs of aging, with slow drains, outdated TVs, and occasional odors
  • No daily housekeeping and no on-site restaurant or room service available
  • Timeshare sales presentations and parking passes managed by sales staff might feel intrusive
  • Most buildings are motel-style with no elevators and limited secure access

Best for

  • Visitors prioritizing location close to Ripley’s Aquarium, Great Smoky Mountains, and downtown Gatlinburg
  • Travelers seeking budget-friendly lodging with basic amenities and outdoor pools
  • Pet owners looking for pet-friendly accommodations in a casual resort setting
  • Guests who value friendly customer service and a relaxed atmosphere over luxury updates
  • Groups or attendees needing meeting rooms and convention facilities in a riverside setting
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About this property

Welcome to River Terrace Resort and Convention Center

Situated along the banks of the Cliff Branch River in downtown Gatlinburg, River Terrace Resort and Convention Center offers a casual riverside lodging experience. The property includes multiple buildings with a mix of standard and extended stay accommodations, featuring air-conditioned rooms equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee machines. Many rooms provide terraces or river views, contributing to a relaxed atmosphere amid natural surroundings.

Facilities include two outdoor pools, a bar and grill, meeting rooms, a fitness center, and a business center. Free Wi-Fi and parking are available, and the resort is accessible and pet-friendly. However, it is worth noting that daily housekeeping is not provided, and guests should expect basic amenities without on-site restaurants or airport shuttle services. The property has a 3.8 rating from over 3,900 reviews, with guests often praising the helpful and friendly front desk staff while occasionally noting that some rooms and facilities could benefit from updates and deeper cleaning.

Located just a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and within easy reach of popular attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Anakeesta, the resort’s position suits visitors looking to explore the area's outdoor and family-friendly activities. It is approximately an hour’s drive from McGhee Tyson Airport, making it accessible for regional travelers.

Guests seeking convenient access to Gatlinburg’s attractions and a relaxed setting near the river will find practical value here, especially those comfortable with a modest, pet-friendly environment. While some reviews mention occasional issues like slow-draining sinks or pet-related allergies, the overall location and service tend to balance these concerns for many visitors.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Accessible
Outdoor pool
Air-conditioned
Business center
Pet-friendly
Kid-friendly
Fitness center
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Breakfast
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

CM(
Cheryl Moore (Che Che) Apr 12, 2026
10

Loved being in the mountains Most rooms have a terrace or river view. Staff is fantastic. Rooms spacious not updated but we had 2 dogs and were happy with the clean rooms and beds and bathroom. Even shower curtains are disposable between clients. Lovedbeing so close to attractions. Next door to Aquarium wonderful trip

AV
Aditi Verma Mar 28, 2026
10

Check in was hassle free with Dani at front desk. Hotel rooms are ok. No room service. Best value for money for its location. So convenient to walk around everything. Expect basic amenities of bed, blankets like a lodge. Room had microwave, fridge and coffee machine and steam iron. Hot water was also available with basic soap and shampoo. Property has multiple buildings. Have attached the map for reference.

K
Kim Feb 25, 2026
10

We have stayed many times and never had any problems. Location is great. So I had happy to book with them, for an extended weekend. We arrived at 4 o'clock on a Thursday and waited to check in, the staff was chatting about about "nails" and blah blah. I asked if I could check in she said she was going to be calling me up. I finally got checked in to our, the room smelled dankie so I went to turn the air on it did not work, went down they sent someone up to fix it. We were given a different room a few doors down, like the room before it smell dankie but air worked. I woke next morning stuffy and chest was tight, thats when I remember "pet friendly" I asked the front desk if only certain rooms were pet friendly she replied no they all were. Well I am allergic to dogs and cats so that explains alot, I was sleeping with Fido and Garfield. We left early, I was tired of not being to breath. While the room was fairly cleaned it definitely needed vacuumed and mopped.The bathroom needed alot of work. But, I would just like others to know what pet friendly really meant. Pl3ase dont get me wrong, I love animals but, I like to breath..

EMA
Elder Marcus A Sharp Feb 16, 2026
10

Everything was grand , But if I was informed of the up front free funding monies needed I could have participated in a more valued arrangement. Also the TV in the room at the River Terrance need upgrading. Hot breakfast would be great .

GL
Greg Labun Feb 14, 2026
10

Dani was a fantastic check in assistant. We found our hotel room okay. Drains on the sinks and tubs drain slow but not a huge issue just feedback. Any thing we needed was taken care of with no issues. Would recommend this hotel as the location is excellent as there is no trying to find parking in town.

SA
sarah adkins Jan 21, 2026
10

I’ve been visiting Gatlinburg since I was a kid, and I can honestly say this was one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had! Upon entering the office for check-in, I was instantly greeted by the nicest employee, Dani. She was kind, professional, and made me feel at home, right away. I was then greeted by a second employee, Scott, who gave me my parking pass and guided me to where my room was, ensuring I understood the directions. Again, very professional, kind, and welcoming. Without a doubt, I will be booking with this hotel for my next visit. It’s hard to find customer service this good in other places. I can’t thank Dani and Scott enough for such an enjoyable experience!

RH
Russell Hanks Jan 17, 2026
8.0

It is a Westgate property so there is a timeshare sales pitch. They wanted us to go to a free breakfast for several hours to get reduced price tickets too an attraction. They needlessly made you get a parking pass from the so-called concierge which is the timeshare salesperson. For a so-called resort most of the buildings are motel buildings without elevators. They do not have daily housekeeping. They do not have secure access buildings so anyone can walk in off the street. The rooms are clean but dated. They have formica countertops. The shower head is too short for anyone taller than 5ft 7in. All rooms are adjoining and you can hear the neighbor through the wall. They have seven buildings the only ice machine that worked was in the lobby. The location is absolutely amazing.

JF
Jeannie Furlong Jan 05, 2026
10

Quick weekend getaway that became a check off my bucket list thanks to the hospitality and above & beyond service by Holly and Dani at the front desk. Professional, kind, witty and so genuine, their personality made the start to a magical getaway in the mountains! THANK YOU LADIES!

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find River Terrace Resort and Convention Center

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA

Nestled at the foot of a forested hill in downtown Gatlinburg, this relaxed conference hotel along the Cliff Branch River is 11 miles from Dollywood theme park and a mile from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

  • Transit Center 5 min Walk
  • River Terrace 2 min Walk
  • McGhee Tyson Airport 1 hr 12 Car
  • Asheville Regional Airport 1 hr 55 Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in Tennessee. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park 1 reviews

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

United States

4.9 · National Park
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies 43,678 reviews

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

88 River Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States

4.6 · Aquarium
Anakeesta 15,855 reviews

Anakeesta

576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, United States

4.2 · Theme Park
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