Historic Rocky Waters Inn Review: the Best Luxury Adults-Only Hotel in Gatlinburg, TN

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I recently visited Gatlinburg for the umpteenth time but this time I had the pleasure of staying in one of the only and certainly one of the best adults-only hotels in Gatlinburg. This is the Historic Rocky Waters Inn and it’s seriously a breath of fresh air!

This historic hotel was originally built in 1935, but was recently revamped, renovated, and reopened. Now, it’s not only an adults-only hotel, but it’s a luxury one at that. It has a fantastic location, a seriously delicious restaurant on site, and innkeepers who personalize your experience for a tailor-made time.

In this Rocky Waters Inn review, I’ll share exactly what to expect for your stay and why I encourage you to hit that “Book” button…like yesterday!

First Impressions

When I first pulled up to the Rocky Waters Inn, I wasn’t sure how this property could be luxury. Not to say that the building didn’t look lovely, but the structure is a motel. That’s because the building was an historic riverside hotel with exterior access rooms, no lobby, and direct access on the road.

However, all the presumptions of a roadside motel are so very opposite of the actual experience and new feel of this space.

I actually walked in at first because I went to the wrong parking lot (the one for the restaurant, which I approached first from where I was coming from, not the hotel’s entrance). But, because I walked in, I went straight to the podium under which three Innkeepers were waiting.

They got me checked in seamlessly and told me where to park. It was super easy, even if I was thrown by a lack of a lobby. That was on me!

Because the hotel is right up against the main road into Gatlinburg, I really appreciated that they’ve built a wall at the sidewalk to give hotel guests some privacy.

The most incredible thing happened, too, when I checked in! When my Innkeeper was showing me to my room, he asked if I like wine because they had a bottle for me. I told him, I actually don’t really drink and joked that I much prefer dessert and could scarf down pretty much any sweet treat put in front of me.

Cut to 5 minutes later while I was unpacking in my room, I heard a knock on the door and there was Claudia, the maitre d’, who had so kindly brought me a fresh chocolate tart with raspberries on top! Like what?! 

It was so thoughtful and honestly surpassed any expectations and shattered my presumptions. 

…and yes, I devoured it, as promised.

Location and Parking

Parking in Gatlinburg is notoriously plentiful, yet expensive. So, I was especially grateful for two things at Rocky Waters Inn.

First, the location is just a 5 minute walk to the edge of downtown’s Parkway (aka Gatlinburg’s Strip). There’s also free trolley stops just outside the hotel, so you can take this free form of public transit into and around town quite easily!

Second, they have their own free parking lot for guests.

A note on the parking is that it is tight. You’ll need to back into the spots, however there is one spot for each room, so you’re guaranteed space. Your innkeepers can guide you!

When I first parked, an Innkeeper directed me where to go and was even so kind as to compliment my parking despite me being horribly crooked (I’m usually the passenger navigator…okay?).

Food and Drink: The Heirloom Room

There’s one restaurant on site, called The Heirloom Room. They’re open for breakfast and dinner.

I had the opportunity to speak to the chef and the front of house, Terri, about their restaurant and menu. They shared that The Heirloom Room was inspired by the founding family of the original Rocky Waters Inn. It was designed to be an homage to the grandmother’s tea room, which is what the space would have been back when the family lived above the hotel.

The menu is full of Appalachian nods and is delicious and hearty with locally-sourced ingredients.

For breakfast, I had an egg white omelet that was filled with summer vegetables including zucchini, summer squash, and cherry tomatoes, and served with grilled tomatoes. It was vibrant, flavorful, and filling, which I can’t often say for egg white-based dishes. 

I’m eager to return to try their dinner menu!

Don’t miss their patio seating along the river.

Amenities

Internet

There is WiFi throughout the property and it was easy to use without any lapses or connectivity issues. I was able to stream movies and get some work done with no problems!

Accessibility

The hotel is fully accessible, with handicap parking, ramps to the second floor, wide, accessible doorways, and accessible seating at the restaurant.

Pets

Service animals are permitted as well as 1 dog per reservation, 75 lbs max. There is a surcharge for dogs at $150 per reservation. 

Innkeepers

I’m not sure I would classify Innkeepers as an amenities but they’re certainly a bonus and one of the most memorable parts of the stay. They’re there to help you with anything and everything and truly make the experience one of a kind. It was so nice to know if I had any questions about Gatlinburg or needed help with my room, they were there.

They also provided a lovely turndown service nightly, that I really appreciated.

Room Review

For my stay, I was in one of their rooms that came with a soaking tub and fireplace. These amenities dictate the tier of room as you can book a room with or without one or both of these options. 

I’ll say that I was certainly glad to have the soaking tub especially. In the winter, I’m sure that the fireplace adds even more serenity, although because I was visiting in summer, it was too warm to use it.

Overall, I loved my room so much! It was somehow both cozy and spacious. The decor made it feel personal and curated with Appalachian-inspired touches like old photos of the national park and hotel. 

I loved the little library of books that included hikes in the Smokies and one on mishaps and accidents in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

They also had a great lineup of Tennessee whiskey bottles that you could purchase including Jack Daniels and Roaming Man.

The room was well equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay including a mini fridge, sink, coffee maker with tea and coffee, robes, Grown Alchemist bath products, and an air conditioner and heater.

Sleep Quality and Noise

The bed itself was incredibly comfortable. It was a Goldilocks situation – not too hard, not too soft. The comforter was so fluffy and cozy.

While the room got plenty dark, noise is a concern if you are a light sleeper.

Because the hotel is right next to the main road, you can often hear motorcycles and cars, especially when drivers feel the need to rev their engines. The AC unit in my room also made inconsistent noise, so it couldn’t be used as a background ambient sound to cover up the road sounds. It’s possible it was just my unit, but if you are a light sleeper, I would be sure to pack earplugs or whatever you use to get to sleep.

Soaking Tub

I absolutely used my soaking tub and it was so luxurious to be able to submerge deeply, similar to a full size jacuzzi!

The views were great because I could look straight out at the trees. It was peaceful and serene.

The temperature was definitely hot enough and easy to control. The only (minor) complaint is that the water fills up quite slowly because of the small size of the faucet in comparison to the massive tub size. It took a good 20 minutes, but I definitely didn’t mind. Just something to note if you’re short on relaxation time.

Balcony

The balcony requires it’s own dedicated section, because this thing was the hallmark of the room in my opinion. I was on the second floor, but I guarantee it’s just as incredible from the ground floor.

That’s because the balconies all back up straight out to the river. That means your view is the most picture perfect riverside landscape. They even said that they often see black bears and other animals at the riverbank, especially in the morning and twilight.

Each balcony has two rocking chairs, an outdoor rug, and two small tables.

I definitely found myself out here reading more often than not when I had some downtime at the hotel. Books just read better with the sound of wind through the trees and water flowing over the rocks.

How much it costs to stay at Rocky Waters Inn

Rooms start at $145 per night and increase with room type and more so by crowd calendar. Expect $300 per night for weekends and as high as $500 for holiday weekends. If you’re on a budget and looking to stay here, I recommend a weekday or an off-season weekend (winter).

Who Rocky Waters Inn is best for

Because it’s adults-only, it’s obviously only fitting for adults. If you’re looking for a peaceful mountain getaway, whether that’s solo, with your partner, or even a small friend group, this is a great choice! I guarantee you’ll appreciate the location, little touches, and space.

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

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