SureStay Plus

SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Gatlinburg is a hotel at 218 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 37738, within the downtown area of Gatlinburg. The property, part of the SureStay Plus brand under Best Western International, Inc., contains 52 rooms across four floors. Originally constructed in the 1980s as the Riverside Motor Lodge, it was rebranded to SureStay Plus following a renovation completed in 2020, costing $2 million, which updated guest rooms, the lobby, and exterior signage. The hotel’s location places it 0.5 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 0.9 miles from the center of Gatlinburg, adjacent to the West Prong Little Pigeon River.

The building spans 35,000 square feet and features a single meeting room of 400 square feet, added in 2021. Each guest room includes a balcony overlooking the river, with an average size of 300 square feet, equipped with microwaves and mini-refrigerators. The hotel provides a complimentary continental breakfast in a 1,000-square-foot dining area and operates a 24-hour front desk with approximately 20 staff members employed as of February 2025. Parking is free in an onsite lot with 60 spaces, and the property includes a seasonal outdoor pool, open from May to September. The hotel’s position offers direct access to the Gatlinburg Trolley system, with a stop 0.2 miles away.

Reservations are available through BestWestern.com or by calling 865-436-5172, requiring a credit card and government-issued ID at check-in. The hotel enforces a no-pet policy, except for service animals, and a no-smoking policy with a $250 penalty for violations. The 2020 renovation introduced water-efficient fixtures, reducing annual water usage by 15%, according to management estimates. The property’s proximity to Ober Gatlinburg, 0.7 miles away, and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, 1.1 miles away, provides access to key attractions within walking or short driving distance.

Hotel Features

• Total rooms: 52 rooms across four floors.
• Room types: Standard rooms with one king bed or two queen beds; some with jetted tubs.
• Room sizes: Average of 300 square feet.
• Kitchen facilities: Microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and coffeemakers in all rooms.
• Bathroom facilities: Private bathrooms with showers or shower-tub combinations, free toiletries, hairdryers.
• Technology: 44-inch LED TVs with cable, complimentary Wi-Fi.
• Workspaces: Small desks with power outlets.
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant rooms with widened doorways and grab bars.
• Check-in time: 3:00 PM.
• Check-out time: 11:00 AM.
• Meeting space: 400-square-foot room, capacity for 20 people.
• Parking: Free onsite lot with 60 spaces.

Amenities

• Front desk: 24-hour service with staff assistance.
• Internet: Free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
• Pool: Outdoor seasonal pool, open May to September, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
• Dining: Complimentary continental breakfast, 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM weekdays, 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM weekends.
• Additional facilities: Vending machines for snacks and drinks, coffee/tea in lobby.
• Business services: 24-hour business center with one computer and printer.
• Safety: Electronic keycard access, smoke detectors, 24-hour surveillance.
• Housekeeping: Available daily upon request; linens and towels provided.

Nearby Points of Interest

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 0.5 miles, a 10-minute walk; 520,000-acre park with hiking trails.
• Ober Gatlinburg: 0.7 miles, a 13-minute walk; ski resort and amusement park with tram access.
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: 1.1 miles, a 20-minute walk; 1.4 million-gallon aquarium.
• Gatlinburg Space Needle: 0.8 miles, a 15-minute walk; 407-foot observation tower.
• Gatlinburg Convention Center: 0.6 miles, a 12-minute walk; 148,000-square-foot event venue.
• Anakeesta: 1 mile, a five-minute drive; mountaintop park with zip lines and gardens.
• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: 1.2 miles, a five-minute drive; 5.5-mile scenic loop.
• SkyPark: 0.6 miles, a 12-minute walk; rooftop park with mountain views.
• Dollywood: 9 miles, a 20-minute drive; 150-acre theme park in Pigeon Forge.
• Sugarlands Visitor Center: 2 miles, a seven-minute drive; national park information hub.

Other Important Information

• Ownership: Operated by Best Western International, Inc.; independently franchised.
• Opening date: Rebranded to SureStay Plus in 2020; originally built in the 1980s.
• Renovation: $2 million update completed in 2020.
• Construction cost: Original cost unavailable; renovation cost $2 million.
• Cancellation policy: 24-hour notice required; varies by rate.
• Child policy: Children 18 and under stay free with parents using existing bedding.
• Airport proximity: McGhee Tyson Airport, 42 miles, a 70-minute drive; Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, 6 miles, a 15-minute drive.
• Public transit: Gatlinburg Trolley stop, 0.2 miles, a four-minute walk; free seasonal service.
• Pet policy: No pets allowed; service animals permitted with documentation.
• Smoking policy: Non-smoking property; $250 fee for violations.
• Reservation contact: BestWestern.com or 865-436-5172.
• Employment: Approximately 20 staff members as of February 2025.
• Sustainability: 2020 renovation reduced water usage by 15%.