Curtis Stone - The R.
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My girlfriend is obsessed with all things Christmas, so for her birthday this year we booked a stay at The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge. I went in hopeful and we left completely convinced. This place didn’t just meet expectations, it blew straight through them.
The Inn is Christmas 24/7, 365 days a year, and somehow it never feels cheesy or forced which is kinda the magic here. What could easily have been a kitschy, Vegas-style Pigeon Forge gimmick is elevated into something genuinely special by the level of service and attention to detail. From the moment you check in, you realize this isn’t just a theme — it’s a fully realized experience tucked into the Appalachian Mountains.
The service alone deserves serious recognition. Every interaction felt intentional, warm, and unhurried. Staff members weren’t just polite, they were present, attentive without hovering, joyful without being performative. If Michelin gave Key Awards for hotels here, this place would be a lock based on service alone.
Then there’s the feeling of it all. Staying here feels like waking up on Christmas morning at your grandmother’s house.. that safe, cozy, nostalgic joy where nothing is rushed and everything is allowed to be wonderful. You can roam the hotel in your pajamas, and no one looks at you twice. It’s not weird, it’s encouraged. You just roll out of bed, head downstairs for biscuits and gravy, hang out with Santa, drink your body weight in hot apple cider, and let every worry slowly melt away.
The outdoor hot tub seriously sealed the deal for me. Steam rising into the mountain air, lights glowing, Christmas music softly humming in the background.. it’s the kind of moment that makes you forget what day it is, what month it is, and why you ever let yourself get stressed in the first place. This is easily one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in, and not just because of the theme. The Inn at Christmas Place succeeds because it understands something simple and rare: atmosphere means nothing without genuine hospitality. Here, you get both in abundance.
If you love Christmas, travel, or just the idea of feeling like a kid again, this is an easy recommendation. Not just for the holidays, but any time of year you need a reminder of how good it feels to slow down, be cozy, and let yourself enjoy something unapologetically joyful.