Park Vista, Doubletree - Gatlinburg TN - Stay or Pass? 4K

We finally went back to Gatlinburg and stayed at Park Place, a hotel by the Hilton family that we have frequented several times in the past. With several years passing from the last time we were in town, does the hotel stand up to the Hilton standard, or does it fail all together?

[@en392]

I have memories of this hotel from when I was a child. My brother was chased by a black bear and the bears used to come right up to the windows and sliders the big slide is not in my memory. It’s beautiful

[@TheNeverlanders]

Woah! Chased by a bear? That's something I'm sure the family will never forget. Glad you enjoyed the upload. Thanks for watching!

[@nugmit1]

I worked at the Park Vista in 1986 while attending UT Knoxville. Fun place, had a lot of good times there.

[@TheNeverlanders]

Hopefully this upload brought back a lot of good memories!

[@nugmit1]

@@TheNeverlanders Yes it did! Thank you. It hasn't changed much but looks very fresh up to date. The next time I get back to the Smokies, I'll have to drive up there. Thanks again!

[@feltro19]

I stayed there in 1987 and it was the nicest place in gatlinburg now we stay at Jimmy Buffets hotel,Looks like just like it did back then wow I can’t believe Hilton has not upgraded that place thx for the tour guys

[@TheNeverlanders]

That's crazy to know. I guess they did something right back in the late 80's! The rooms definitely need an upgrade.

[@feltro19]

I could not believe what I was seeing when you showed us those rooms and they were same it was like a time capsule,

[@bfree8062]

The PV restaurant is my must stop location for arrival and departure breakfast, it’s absolutely incredible and even better during off-season when it’s easy to score table with a view. I agree with your assessment of the rooms. They are O.K. , barely good, but stunningly poor considering the cost of the rooms most of the time, especially those with the Cityview. They are not in that condition because it’s to give them a rustic feel, nobody cares about that anymore or Gatlinburg wouldn’t look like a strip mine and logging operation. (I know some of that is environmental stuff, but the development since the fires and the environmental disasters is horrible, soulless and equivalent to building oil rigs off of Daytona Beach). They (PV) don’t have to worry about it because it is a super convenient location for conventions and large business meetings. My personal opinion is they will have to update soon because equivalently priced hotels have been built at the bottom of their entrance that are far superior except for the views. I completely disagree with your assessment about the outdoor gazebo/natural area needing a bar & TV screens and I think it touches on why I no longer go there 4 to 6 times a year. There’s something about the younger family that cannot go 5 feet without something blinking, buzzing, making a noise, or having a screen. It’s just not possible, it cannot be done. I’m not an outdoorsy rock climber guy either. I like having all the stuff that you talk about, except it does not have to be every single second of my life. I can take 30 minutes and sit at a table and look out and enjoy something then walk the entire 100 feet to the place that has everything that you wish was down at the gazebo. The TV screens, the bar, fire pits, noise, flashy lights,, all that stuff is there 100 feet away, but there cannot be 100 ft.² oasis of quiet or chill environment? I absolutely do not get it and I made a great living in all that type of flashing beeping stuff,,, technology area, radar, computers, automated tracking systems et all. Well, I do get it, it’s a cultural programming thing and since you don’t have a reference you will never get what I’m saying, the way I don’t get what you’re saying because Gatlinburg, not that long ago, was amazing and completely opposite pigeon Forge, or carnival,, a distinction that has now almost been completely erased. Even if there were no fires and natural disasters in the last few years I’m pretty sure Gatlinburg would still look like an old west strip mine because young families have to have the hillsides cut in a high wall for some distraction attraction just so they can go up there for 15 seconds and say, Yep this is cool, next. The old Gatlinburg had soul, character, and actually was a bit snobbish when I first drove through there, unable to afford to stay there as a young guy but I could still enjoy its Spirit and visit. Now I can easily afford to stay there and it’s nearing the point of just being pointless. The entire nation does not have to be a mall of America, or Disneyland Just to entertain the five second attention spans of what we have all become.

[@TheNeverlanders]

Thanks for your feedback! We literally just got back again and enjoyed our taking our time visiting some of our favorite spots. I could only imagine what it must have been like years ago.

[@jfamfun]

The woodwork and lighting remind me of the Grand Californian hotel

[@TheNeverlanders]

It totally does! Having the bear in the lobby helps too! 🤣

[@evinrude1236]

I have stayed there once....about 15 or so years ago. We were not impressed with the rooms either....and it looked the same as this. They've spent all their money on renovations on the grounds, entrance, and lobby area. But the rooms were seriously lacking. We were very disappointed..... and for the price you pay?? 😲

[@TheNeverlanders]

Yeah, unfortunately it still hasn't been updated from what we can tell. Love the location and being on top of the hill presents amazing views regardless of what room you get. Overall though, there are better options! Thanks for watching...and for leaving a comment!

[@starfishadventures223]

We had a renovated room on the 10th floor

[@TheNeverlanders]

So it IS true! Thank you so much for confirming!

[@lethaevans4227]

Room you show by the pool have bunch of chairs in it was an arcade room

[@TheNeverlanders]

I thought so! I wonder why they got rid of it? Thanks for confirming!

[@buffalobill5526]

Gatlinburg seems like a nice place to visit, but are there better hotels in the area? i kinda like more modern hotels myself And lol on the dads life

[@TheNeverlanders]

There really are a lot of hotels to choose from. I think the thing to watch out for is how close bears get to the properties!

[@buffalobill5526]

@@TheNeverlanders lol I’ll carry my s&w 500 mag :). But good call

[@TheNeverlanders]

That'll slow em down!

[@scottmccarthy1732]

It makes me snore

[@TheNeverlanders]

Well… that and a Dodger game!