Townsend Gateway Inn
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Townsend Gateway Inn
We are located less than 2 miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the scenic Little River in the heart of beautiful Townsend, TN. Easily accessible year-round and within a 30-minute drive of the Knoxville airport, our eco-friendly hotel in Townsend, TN is your perfect gateway to enjoy outdoor adventure and peaceful relaxation amid the natural splendor of every season.

A host of activities awaits you, whether it's horseback riding through Cades Cove, fishing for rainbow trout in the Little River or searching for that perfect treasure while strolling the many quaint shops Townsend has to offer. The Certificate of Excellence award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.
Services
The Townsend Gateway Inn offers travelers a comfortable, enjoyable and restful stay, providing luxurious accommodations in a unique environmentally friendly-family atmosphere. Family owned and operated, the Townsend Gateway Inn originally opened in 1954 with three cottages and was known as the Wears Motel & Cottages.
Our Double rooms include 2 Queen-size beds and are great for friends and families visiting the area! This room sleeps up to 4 guests comfortably. Wake up each morning with a cup of coffee as you sit in the rocker outside and watch the sunrise, and enjoy a peaceful night's rest in your cozy bed. These rooms come with everything you need and more for a comfortable stay.
Our King room is the best place to stay in Townsend, TN for both solo vacationers and couples! With one King bed, this comfortable guest room sleeps up to 2 guests. Enjoy everything this room has to offer, like outdoor rockers, a flat-screen TV and a coffee maker, all for an affordable price. We proudly offer Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Collection of sustainable, eco-friendly amenities including hand soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Our cottages provide the perfect home away from home in Townsend, TN. Each cottage features rustic furnishings throughout, a kitchen, a dining area and a private bedroom with a full bath. Our cottages feature a sleeper sofa and Queen-size bed to sleep 4 guests comfortably. We proudly offer Beekman 1802 Fresh Air Collection of sustainable, eco-friendly amenities including hand soap, shampoo and conditioner.
Our Single King/Queen rooms are located in our newly updated poolside building and offer spectacular views! Whether you're in town with your sweetheart or vacationing solo, you will love the comfort this room provides. You will have everything you need and more for a relaxing stay in the quiet side of the Smokies.
Reviews (21)
Thomas Schellenberg
Thomas Schellenberg
Nov 29, 2021
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I had a fantastic holiday getaway at Townsend Gateway inn. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly and kind, and the area is beautiful. They even had a little Thanksgiving gift bag in my room.
If you are looking for a little quiet getaway with great views and awesome driving roads look no further.
Sadly I was only there a few nights so I could not experience everything the area has to offer, but I would happily go back again and again.
Thank you Townsend Gataway Inn for a pleasant trip.
Milissa Lemons
Milissa Lemons
Nov 23, 2021
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Always, always the best place to stay in Townsend!! Clean, friendly, quiet. The accommodations are comfortable well supplied. We never stay anywhere else
Kimberly Bourgeois
Kimberly Bourgeois
Nov 07, 2021
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We got into a serious accident heading down for our weekend and when we called the hotel they refused to offer us a refund. Are you kidding me? We totaled our car and they couldn’t even refund us what we paid for the room? Absolutely awful. Do not recommend
Kristie Grizzard
Kristie Grizzard
Oct 26, 2021
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One of the best in all of the smokies area! Clean. 2 comfy chairs to sit in. Big enough TV. Plugs in that are open and accessible. Two rockers outside. Comfy bed. Awesome bath accessories. Mat to put in tub. Makeup cloth and remover. Good soap and shampoos. Good quality towels and wash cloths. Thoughtful snack bag upon check in and, again, clean ... also no carpets. Thank you Townsend Gateway Inn
Hannah Kilpatrick
Hannah Kilpatrick
Oct 17, 2021
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I have stayed here twice and I have not been disappointed either time. The staff is friendly and the rooms nice and clean. Will definitely stay here again!
Robin Rhodes
Robin Rhodes
Jul 16, 2021
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We stayed in the suite which was two rooms and a fold out couch. Also has a nice pool. They call Townsend the quiet side of the mountain and it's true! Make sure u make dinner arrangements before 8 pm cause the town pretty much closes down! Had a wonderful time.
Ankita P.
Ankita P.
Jun 25, 2021
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Stayed here with family on a last minute unplanned trip to Smoky Mountains! The drive from Gaitlinburg into Townsend is so scenic and pretty, lots of winding roads along waters edge!
Was worried since it's marked as a 2 star Inn via google reviews but was surprised to find that our rooms were overall good! Hardwood floors were clean. The staff was very friendly and even left little welcome bags for each of us in our rooms, there were 5 of us total.
Easy parking as it is right in front of your room. One of the rooms had an odd smell, perhaps was a smoking room? Not sure. But it was overall
Rae T.
Rae T.
May 11, 2021
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This was our first stay here. We normally stay in Gatlinburg. I am so glad we decided to stay in Townsend this time; because we found this gem! The room is lovely and very clean. It is so quiet and comfortable. This will be where we stay every time.
David G.
David G.
Jan 15, 2021
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Room was clean except for the tic crawling up my wall. The heat was not good. Service was rude. No laundry machines.
Rob P.
Rob P.
Oct 15, 2020
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Stayed here for two nights. We arrived late the first night, we called and informed them it would be a late check in. They had the room open and our key in the room. There was goody bag in the room waiting for us. Rooms are clean and owners/management were awesome.
Luanne M.
Luanne M.
Sep 11, 2019
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Exceptional! A LOVELY SURPRISE: retro-style motel with all the modern amenities including large room with comfortable king-size bed, new vanity/sink and shower/toilet room, wood floors, coffee maker, microwave, and complimentary welcome basket with snacks, tea and coffee. Modern, QUIET A/C with remote-control. Super friendly and accommodating staff who make you feel special. VERY reasonable rates. Multiple restaurants nearby. STAY HERE!
Jennifer H.
Jennifer H.
Nov 24, 2018
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Why is it so hard to find a decent, affordable room when you travel with a dog? This place may be the cats PJs when you aren't with pooch but with? Nope.
First....Im a Southerner....40 is downright cold. When I book a room, I expect working heat. TGI apparently disagrees. They have these teensy little heaters set high that maybe do a great jib heating the ceiling but not the room.
Now lets talk about these pillows. I could have gotten some comfy rocks outside instead. For the pleasure of sleeping in a frigid room you get summer blankets....at the end if November!
If that weren't bad
Vince R.
Vince R.
Oct 27, 2018
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We pulled into this cozy lil piece and were greeted with a smile! Nothing better to see after 9 hours of driving! Pete got me checked in fast and answered all of my questions without an issue. The staff went above and beyond expectations. Our room had a nice view, the amenities were good too! Awesome walking path in front of the property connecting you to everything!

Room breakdown: Cinder block walls, laminate wood floors and a tiled bathroom area with a closet. Bathroom has a door you can shut separating the sink area from the toilet and shower. Ac /heat unit was quiet and effective. Flat
Julie T.
Julie T.
Jul 07, 2018
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On a road trip we needed a place to stay for the night. Took a chance and pulled in to this place. The cleanest place I've stayed in a long time & we travel a lot. I usually don't do the small roadside hotels. This place has totally changed my mind. I wish we had stopped earlier in the evening. We looked for National chain hotels. They were all booked. This place was so inviting. Had two rockers out on the front porch of each room to sit and relax. Had a fully stocked fire pit to use if we wished to. I will definitely come back to this place.
Liz H.
Liz H.
Sep 06, 2017
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Do yourself a favor and stay here! I have rarely stayed in a cleaner, more accommodating place. The room was beautiful! And the snack basket was an extra treat! A bonus was the paved trail in front for walkers, runners, and bikers. We biked many miles on it before returning to our lovely room.
Heather M.
Heather M.
Sep 02, 2017
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How great it was finding this cute, clean and quiet little place. From the minute we walked in to check vacancy to the time we checked out the next morning, management was exceptional. We needed two folding beds for the children traveling with us and they brought them right away, along with welcome baskets full of goodies for each of our three rooms. Having a comfortable room to relax in so close to the Smokey Mountain attractions was the highlight of our drive through Tennessee.
Dave G.
Dave G.
Aug 23, 2017
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Our stay at the Townsend Gateway Inn couldn't have been better! The room was large, comfortable, quiet and clean. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. The location is very convenient to the Smoky Mountains and Cade's Cove. There are lots of other activities close by like horseback riding, hiking and river tubing. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are also just a short drive away. I highly recommend the Townsend Gateway Inn!
Rhonda G.
Rhonda G.
Oct 05, 2016
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We booked to celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary,since our original honeymoon was in Gatlinburg for $13.00 a night. This place is over the top,in old fashion charm and modern updates,I have travelled the world and stayed in a lot of foreign owned hotels it good to see American owned and run with the owner on the premises,The owner had two flute glasses and wine delivered to help us celebrate.
Sarah V.
Sarah V.
Jan 05, 2016
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We stayed in one of the cottages. They were quaint. The owner was friendly and interesting and gave us a food basket both nights. It was great to stay in a small town away from the mayhem of gatlinburg. Recommended.
Chris S.
Chris S.
Sep 13, 2015
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Great little Inn on the quiet side of the Smokies. We were in town for a weekend half marathon and chose this for its vicinity. We were not disappointed at all. Rooms were quiet, beds were comfortable, owners were very nice and accommodating and the rocking chairs on the porch were a perfect place to relax and watch the evening roll in.

With the little local restaurants within walking distance, the great walking trail outside the doors a IGA nearby for groceries and the entrance to the park just down the street, we will be back for weekend getaways.
David N.
David N.
May 07, 2013
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We spent two nights here in one of the cabins. While we had originally reserved one of the King rooms, the owner upgraded us at no charge. Nice.

The place has been recently renovated and is definitely not one of those tired run-down motels. The bathrooms are new and everything shines. Appliances are new and everything in our cabin was in good shape. We liked that there was a recycling bin.

The owners are always on site and some of the friendliest folks you'd want to meet. We spent some time talking to Mike. You need to talk to Mike. Nicest guy I've met in a long time - even gave me