Margaritaville Island Hotel – 131 The Island Dr Suite 5118, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

We traded in our Smoky Mountain hiking boots for flip-flops & a stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where we’re living life the Margaritaville way.

Ready for changes in latitude? Margaritaville Island Hotel is the perfect mix of mountain latitude & island attitude. We checked into Margaritaville Island Hotel on the last Sunday in August of 2022 for our first ever visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and this award-winning resort-style hotel, nestled at the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains, transported us to an island state of mind immediately upon check-in.

Accommodations

Relax in modern mountain luxury & escape the everyday the Margaritaville-way with a family-friendly taste of the tropics in Eastern Tennessee.

Located on The Island Pigeon Forge & built in 2014, this resort-style hotel offers 134 spacious contemporary-coastal hotel rooms with high-end accommodations featuring private balconies, a kitchenette, a spacious rainfall shower, and a seasonal stacked stone fireplace in every guestroom.

Standard Rooms sleep 4 & offer a private balcony, refrigerator, microwave, rain shower & Keurig coffee maker

Village Double Queen
River Double Queen
Village King
Fountain Double Queen
Village King

Premium Rooms sleep 6 & offer over 500 sq. ft., a sofa sleeper bed, private balcony, refrigerator, microwave, rain shower & Keurig coffee maker

River Double Queen
River King Whirlpool Room

Deluxe Rooms sleep 2-4 people & offer all the above-listed amenities with either a Fountain or Village view

Fountain King Deluxe Room
Village King Deluxe Room
Presidential King Deluxe Room

Suites sleep 4 – 8 people & offer all the above-listed amenities with separate bedroom & living areas

Village One-Bedroom Suite
River One-Bedroom Suite
Two-Bedroom Suite
Fountain One-Bedroom Whirlpool Suite
Five-Bedroom Penthouse Floor
Presidential One-Bedroom Whirlpool Suite
Penthouse Double-Queen Room
Penthouse Two-Bedroom Suite

TRAVEL TIP: Do yourself a favor and splurge on a Fountain View guestroom to enjoy The Island Show Fountain from high atop your own private balcony. The Fountain Show is a must-see while in Pigeon Forge, but there’s simply nothing like having your own reserved seating!

For our stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel, we were provided a Fountain King Deluxe guestroom, and it was hands-down one of the nicest hotel rooms we’ve ever stayed in. One of our favorite daytime activities was searching for wildlife with our binoculars from our room. In fact, we were so happy at Margaritaville Island Hotel that when the morning of check-out came, we both looked at each other and said, “do we really have to leave?” That doesn’t happen very often, but when it does – we know we had a good stay!

All guestrooms are spacious, comfortable & clean. Overall, the hotel itself is very well-maintained & easy to navigate. The guestrooms are attached to the main hotel lobby, pool & fitness center by enclosed corridors. The only time hotel guests are exposed to the elements are when leaving the hotel to visit The Island Pigeon Forge, Margaritaville Restaurant, or St. Somewhere Spa.

One thing Jared remarked that doesn’t happen often is how comfortable the mattresses are at Margaritaville Island Hotel. Throughout the year, we spend A LOT of nights in A LOT of different hotel beds, and they aren’t always the best – in fact, they generally are pretty terrible. From firm to soft, everyone likes a different mattress style but there’s something about the mattresses at Margaritaville Island Hotel that checks all our boxes! As Jared said, “Jimmy Buffett knows a good mattress!”

Amenities

Like a cruise ship on land, Margaritaville Island Hotel transports guests to an all-inclusive destination from the moment they check-in. No, we’re not docked in a tropical port! We’re at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee & aside from deluxe island-style accommodations, Margaritaville Island Hotel offers an array of amenities.

St. Somewhere Spa

If it’s relaxation you’re after, live the lifestyle of one of singer, songwriter & author Jimmy Buffett’s famous lyrics at Margaritaville Island Hotel’s St. Somewhere Spa. For the true Island experience, transport yourself directly to paradise by booking a treatment such as the Wastin’ Away Signature Massage, the Margaritaville Manicure & Pedicure in Paradise or a Signature Facial.

TRAVEL TIP: Request Mark or Joyce as your masseuse for the best message therapy you’ll ever have!

Service at St. Somewhere Spa is exceptional. The spa uses Aveda products & features treatment rooms, locker rooms with rain showers, a nail salon, & full-service hair salon/makeup bar.

Roof-Top Pool

It may look like we’re at an all-inclusive resort on a Caribbean Island, but would you believe this tropical oasis is just a short drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park & Appalachian Trail? Kick back in a sun lounger or private cabana by the rooftop heated pool & hot tub where you can drink in the views of The Smoky Mountain Wheel, The Island Fountain & Little Pigeon Forge River from high atop Fins Bar & Chill. In the winter, guests don’t even have to worry about cold feet when exiting the pool because the rooftop tiles surrounding the pool are also heated – major bonus!

We absolutely loved every minute of our time at the Roof-Top Pool. In the afternoons, it was the perfect place to watch the sun bake with an ice cold margarita & the perfect soundtrack. In the evenings, we’d watch the sun set and paint the sky over the Smoky Mountains. We were also lucky enough to catch a few Fountain Shows from the comfort of the Roof-Top bar.

Parking

Umbrellas are available on rainy days & free parking is available at a nearby lot with gated entry exclusively for hotel guests. However, we highly recommend the friendly & prompt valet service as it was worth the additional fee for us to not have our vehicle & bicycles onsite. After all, you’re on vacation!

Dining

When it comes to dining, there are four fantastic options on-site at Margaritaville Island Hotel.

Fins Bar & Chill

Opened in the Spring of 2022, Margaritaville Island Hotel’s newest dining venue is Fins Bar & Chill which offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Little Pigeon River. The décor is fantastic, and there’s not a bad seat in the venue whether you grab a table outside on the patio overlooking The Island Pigeon Forge, on the outdoor deck above the Little Pigeon River, or inside, this spot is one we never wanted to leave! We dined at Fins Bar & Chill on multiple occasions during our stay, and both the food and the service were outstanding. We always felt welcome at Fins thanks to both the fabulous bartenders and waitstaff.

Fins is located right off the hotel main lobby, but you can also access it from The Island Pigeon Forge as well. Live entertainment is offered on select nights, and even if you’re not staying at Margaritaville Island Hotel – this is definitely a must visit if you find yourself on The Island Pigeon Forge.

Margaritaville Restaurant

Grab a bite at the brand’s signature restaurant Margaritaville with multiple bars, a patio & plenty of live entertainment.

This isn’t our first stay at a Margaritaville Hotel or Resort. We’ve previously stayed at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort and Margaritaville Orlando Resort BUT the one thing missing from both of those locations is an on-site Margaritaville Restaurant. Yes, there is a Margaritaville Restaurant in Orlando which is located at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk – However, that restaurant is nowhere near Margaritaville Orlando Resort in Kissimmee. To have one of our favorite chain restaurants within walking distance of our hotel room was a major perk!

Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is a unique dining experience not to be missed & set in a welcoming laid-back atmosphere decorated with tropical island colors & weathered wood materials. If you’re lucky enough, there might just be enough Booze in the Blender for you as well 🙂

No matter where our travels take us, one thing is for sure – you will always find us at Margaritaville!

Margaritaville Coffee Shop

Wakeup with a morning brew and a light breakfast from the Margaritaville Coffee Shop – the perfect grab and go for all your quick bites throughout your stay.

This was a frequent stop for us each morning before we headed off to the nearby sites as we awaited the arrival of our car & chatted up with the valet. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and it is located right off the main hotel lobby.

Chill Bar

Drink in the views with a Margarita or two at Chill Bar, a casual rooftop venue overlooking The Island Pigeon Forge. There is plenty of seating from tables to bar tops overlooking the Island Pigeon Forge, and whether it was water or margaritas, the Margaritaville Island Hotel food & beverage team did a great job of making sure our glasses were never empty!

On a few of our visits to the Roof-Top Pool, we also enjoyed some delicious menu items from The Chill Bar for lunch and dinner including a very yummy wagyu hot dog while our bartenders dazzled us with their southern hospitality & even helped with recommendations on things to do in the area during our stay.

Dining on The Island

If that’s not enough dining for you foodies, step out onto The Island in Pigeon Forge where you can grab a drink, snack, dessert and a full table-service meal at one of The Island’s full-service restaurants such as Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, Timberwood Grill, Dick’s Last Resort, & more.

We had breakfast one morning at Paula Deen’s which is on The Island Pigeon Forge and so incredibly close to Margaritaville Island Hotel that you can literally SMELL the bacon & biscuits from your room! We also enjoyed several other fantastic meals nearby The Island Pigeon Forge like the Pirates Dinner Show & The Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge.

Location

When it comes to location, Margaritaville Island Hotel simply can’t be beat!

The Island Pigeon Forge

There are hundreds of accommodations to choose from throughout Eastern Tennessee including hotels, resorts, campsites & cabins just to name a few. For us, amenities and location were our top priorities when choosing where to stay in Pigeon Forge. Margaritaville Island Hotel’s proximity to The Island Pigeon Forge is perhaps one of its biggest perks.

Whether you’re a big kid or just a kid at heart, this fun-filled family-friendly spot has over thirty shops, a dozen restaurants, games & attractions & we love the convenience of having endless food & fun literally within walking distance. There’s literally something for everyone at The Island Pigeon Forge from endless souvenir shops for lovers of everything from socks to hot sauce, attractions and of course the St. Somewhere Spa.

Absolutely everything you could possibly need is within walking distance from Margaritaville Island Hotel. Even if you’re not after food or fun, there’s nothing like taking a sunrise or sunset stroll through The Island. We could honestly get lost for hours among the charming surroundings of The Island Pigeon Forge. If that’s not your thing, grab a rocking chair in front of the iconic Island Fountain and fall asleep to the relaxing waterfront sounds.

We loved the convenience of having endless food & fun right at our doorstep – literally within walking distance. We used Margaritaville Island Hotel as our home base for our time in Pigeon Forge & we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Margaritaville Island Hotel’s proximity to The Island Pigeon Forge is one of its biggest perks and the reason you should run, don’t walk, to book your visit to Pigeon Forge. By the way, The Island Pigeon Forge isn’t the only major attraction nearby – Dollywood is just over a 10 minute drive away!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

For us, Margaritaville Island Hotel was the perfect combination of mountain life & island vibes. While Jared loves the mountains & Janine prefers the Islands, this spot was the perfect compromise of both our favorite things.

Margaritaville Island Hotel’s prime location offers access to all areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but here are just a few highlights that we visited during our stay:

Sugarlands Visitor Center – 22 minute drive
Twin Creeks Trailhead entrance – 20 minute drive
Newfound Gap (Appalachian Trail to Indian Gap) – 45 minute drive
Clingman’s Dome Trailhead entrance – 1 hour & 8 minute drive
Charlie’s Bunion Trailhead entrance – 38 minute drive
Cades Cove – 1 hour 5 minute drive

We spent mornings at Smoky Mountain National Park hiking, biking & taking in the sites and afternoons at Margaritaville Island Hotel’s rooftop pool & bar enjoying the Island life with live music, a margarita & a private cabana.

Pigeon Forge Parkway

If for some reason you can’t find what you’re looking for on The Island Pigeon Forge, then head on out to the Pigeon Forge Parkway where you will find an extensive array of shops, attractions and restaurants along a five-mile strip through the city. However, you will need a car though as there are no paved walkways and much of the parkway is quite spread out.

There are a TON of attractions like multiple mini-golf and go kart vendors, a titanic attraction, WonderWorks, and even a Hollywood Wax Museum! During our time in Pigeon Forge, we had dinner at the Pirates Voyage Dinner Show which is a fantastic dinner show put on by the folks that run Dollywood attractions.

Gatlinburg

Just a short 20 minute drive from Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg is a charming mountain town that is known as the Gateway to the Smokies.

Much like the Pigeon Forge Parkway, the Gatlinburg Parkway aka Route 441 is where you will find all the shopping, dining and attractions in town. However, Gatlinburg’s Parkway is much more of a main drag where you can walk from one end of town to the other with sidewalks lined with shops, pancake houses, wineries, attractions, and of course – moonshine distilleries! Downtown Gatlinburg you will find Ripley’s Aquarium, The Pancake Pantry, The Village Shopping Center, and Anakeesta – just to name a few.

Dollywood

No visit to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee would be complete without a stop at Dollywood!

With its one-of-a-kind attractions, world-class entertainment & service, award-winning food & fun – day & night, Dollywood is the best & most affordable choice for your next theme park vacation & it’s only a 13 minute drive from Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge.

Service

Margaritaville Island Hotel is the perfect combination of that carefree & welcoming island attitude with warm southern Appalachian hospitality.

From the valet to the front desk & housekeeping, the staff is friendly & helpful. The staff really went out of their way to make us feel at home. We were always greeted with a smile every time we dropped off our car or walked through the door. They even welcomed us with coupon books and guide maps at checkin to help us become acquainted with the area & all of the local savings available to us as guests of the hotel. It’s the little things that mean the most to us, and Margaritaville Island Hotel really knows how to treat their guests.

No Pets Allowed

Honestly, the only negative we could find with Margaritaville Island Hotel is that these are not pet-friendly accommodations, unlike many of the other Margaritaville Hotels, Resorts & Campgrounds. However, we completely understand why that is the case with Margaritaville Island Hotel as there is not much greenspace adjacent to the hotel itself in order for pets to relieve themselves. There is a walking path (Pigeon Forge Greenways) along the Little Pigeon River which is a major plus for travelers like us who love to stay active while on vacation.

However, it is not the ideal situation for those with pets as it is quite a walk from many of the guest rooms and we know our senior dogs, Chloe and Coco ages 15 and 13, could not make that walk each time they have to do their business. In addition, the heat while we were in Eastern Tennessee would’ve been too much for our old girls. When traveling with pets, its best to stay somewhere that has an area close by for pets to relieve themselves and to visit during a time of the year when the heat and humidity are more bearable. As our girls get older, it’s harder to find somewhere that fits all of their needs (no stairs, greenspace nearby & a body of water for them to swim in).

Other than missing our dogs, but also knowing they wouldn’t have fared well given the location and weather, everything else at Margaritaville Island Hotel was smooth sailing!

Margaritaville Perks

Thinking about staying at a Margaritaville Hotel, Resort or Campground? Sign up for Margaritaville Perks, the brand’s totally laid-back & complimentary loyalty program at no cost to you.

Once you’ve enrolled, members can take advantage of three Welcome Offers such as Margaritaville at Sea’s onboard cruise credits, Radio Margaritaville trial subscriptions, and even a discount at Margaritaville Restaurants. These three perks are all free just for joining Margaritaville Perks – you do not have to book a stay at a Margaritaville location to take advantage of these rewards.

After you’ve booked a hotel stay with Margaritaville Hotels, Resorts or Campgrounds, you can select an additional TWO free perks from the FIVE options available. We enrolled in the program prior to our stay at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort and we selected two perks that gave us two free alcoholic beverages & a welcome gift upon arrival in our guestroom. Prior to our stay at Margaritaville Orlando Resort, we selected a $25.00 resort credit and two free alcoholic beverages for our stay. Since our stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge was a hosted stay, we simply decided to use one of our welcome offers and selected a discount coupon for dinner at Margaritaville Restaurant on The Island Pigeon Forge.

Long story short, this free program is available to anyone whose interested in patronizing the Margaritaville brand, and in our opinion – it’s one of the best loyalty programs available since there’s no point counting or expiration and everyone receives the same benefits regardless of “status.” If you’re thinking about staying at a Margaritaville hotel, resort or campground OR eating at a Margaritaville Restaurant – do yourself a favor and sign up for Margaritaville Perks at no cost to you!

We hope you have the opportunity to experience a stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel soon – you will not be disappointed!

Have you stayed at or are you planning a stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel in Pigeon Forge? If so, let us know in the comments down below! We want to hear all about your past stays, your trip planning, and any questions you may have in order to help you plan the best possible visit to Pigeon Forge!

The comments, opinions, and views set forth on this site are the reflected personal positions of the site’s creators. Although our stay at Margaritaville Island Hotel was a hosted stay in exchange for our review, this site is not an affiliate of Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts and all opinions are our own. The comments, opinions, and views set forth within this site are not the official positions of Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts, and they do not reflect the Company’s position.

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