"The last stop to the Gatlinburg woods, this Rodeway Inn belongs to a chain of nine affordable Smoky Mountain lodgings. The plain brown facade won't win any design awards, but the motel gives good service, free off-the-griddle pancakes, and a pleasant stay at a low price.

Each room comes with the essentials: coffee maker, television, refrigerator, and most importantly, cleanliness. A larger three-bedroom apartment can also be booked. The grounds don't disappoint either in the hygiene department, including the outdoor pool (one for the adults, one for the kids). Swimmers can make a dramatic entry into the larger pool through the yellow tube water slide, installed in March 2003. Otherwise, the watery respite overlooking the Parkway is good for lounging at the end of one's daily explorations. The pancakes are part of an all-you-can-eat breakfast. If griddle cakes aren't your style, the Inn gives you a discount off its other menu offerings, a nice little consideration.

Some of the nearby haunts, besides of course the Smoky Mountains, are Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, Dolly's Splash Countries, a ski resort, Ripley's aquarium, the Pigeon Forget Factory Outlet Mall, and Gatlinburg's loop of artist studios and galleries. The inn is located on the trolley stop line, which makes exploration easy. "