The Historic Rocky Waters Inn, Rustic, Romantic Hotel on the River in Gatlinburg

Starlight
7 hours ago
3 min read

*An Adults Only, Romantic Hotel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

My photo of the view from our hotel balcony: 3 people fly fishing in a large creek with autumn, orange trees behind them. — *Watching the fly fishers from our room balcony.*

More Information & Availability for the Historic Rocky Waters Inn

The Rocky Waters Inn was one of the first hotels in Gatlinburg as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park began its journey as a top tourist destination around the world, opening in 1934. The Rocky Waters opened for business soon after in 1935.

Why We Loved This Hotel

For the price we felt this was a great deal. IF you are looking for a high-end luxury hotel and are used to paying top dollar, this may not be for you. I would call this a luxury hotel for regular, everyday people, who don't want to pay a fortune, but would like something special. We felt this hotel was special.

It has character....and a lot of cozy charm.

The small size allows for its charming feel, kind of like you are visiting a beloved relative, instead of staying at a big corporate chain.

Those who love history, will love to know that this hotel has been at the entrance of Gatlinburg on the Little Pigeon River since 1935! It underwent a huge renovation in 2024 and has since reopened as a "mini" boutique, luxury hotel.

The beds were sooo comfortable.

The Adults Only aspect was also very appreciated and allows for the romantic feel, peace, serenity and enjoyment of the calm.

My picture I took of the open bar full of high end bourbons in our hotel room. — *Quite a nice selection of bourbons in the room to enjoy, if you so choose*

We relaxed and loved browsing through the books in our room, the fireplace that doubled as a heater, and satellite tv service.

There is an onsite, upscale Appalachian restaurant that served us a free breakfast every morning. The Heirloom Room Creekside Restaurant & Bar is also on the water, just next door, and is just as adorable and nice as the hotel.

But this cute, rustic hotel has grown into the modern era as well, so you will have all the conveniences we have grown used to such as texting services, easy email check in & check out, online payments and other up to date communications. They are also easy to book at Hotels.com and other trusted sites.

My photo i took of the hotel we stayed in, the beautiful Smoky Mountains and Pigeon River view of Rocky Waters Motor Inn in Gatlinburg, Tennessee — *The Mid-November 2025 view from a cute bridge, just down the way....*

my photo of the view of our feet stretched out from our rocking chairs on the balcony showing the river view we have in Gatlinburg Tennessee at our hotel — *Peace and relaxation in our rocking chairs on the balcony over the river*

This is the old Rocky Waters Motor Inn, as it was previously known...before the renovation, pictured below....

an old photo of the Rocky Waters Motor In probably from the mid 1980s, before it was renovated, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Oh, and did I mention this is also a pet friendly inn?

And if you don't feel like walking everywhere, you can easily catch the trolley at the trolley stop right outside the hotel.

You can hardly beat the location; you have all you need right there. Breakfast next door, several excellent dinner options just a few doors down.

I highly recommend trying Pizza Rio but, on this night, we chose Chesapeake's Seafood, where the seafood is locally sourced and flown in daily as well. Excellent service there too.

See More Hotels I personally recommend in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

See Cabins I personally recommend in the Smokies

About Me & Who I Am

my photo of an old historic cabin still standing across the river from our hotel balcony in Gatlinburg. — *Cute historic cabin directly in view of our balcony, across the river*

my picture of the Heirloom Room sign outside the restaurant in Gatlinburg, TN — *Just a short walk over to free breakfast in the morning at The Heirloom Room*

My photo of the breakfast menu at The Heirloom Room Restaurant — *Some of the delicious items on the breakfast menu*

my photo of Grit cakes, served for breakfast at Heirloom Room in Gatlinburg — *the Grit Cakes were delicious*

My photo of poached eggs and potatoes and onions for breakfast at Heirloom Room — *Eggs Benedict Appalachia*

My picture of the full bar at the Heirloom Room in Gatlinburg, Tennessee — *The Bar at Heirloom Room, Gatlinburg, Tennessee*

my picture of a beautiful and colorful Mallard Duck on a rock outside in the river — *Sitting by the windows that gently open during breakfast, we saw some beautiful wild ducks playing in the river*

my photo of our dinner at Chesapeake's Seafood, a short walk from the hotel — *We walked to and from dinner a few doors down to the always fresh Chesapeake's Seafood*

my picture of our view and the hotel balcony at our room at the Rocky Waters Historic Inn, Gatlinburg — *November in Gatlinburg. It just doesn't get much better than this!*

More Information & Availability for the Historic Rocky Waters Inn

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