Best Hotel In The Smokies: Econo Lodge Riverside: Pigeon Forge! #Smokies #SmokyMountains #Vacay

Well, everybody. We're now a few weeks into our first year of homeschooling, and I am a few weeks into college life. So, how's it going? Let's just say... I am SO ready for our vacation,and I am counting down the days until we hit the road for the Smoky Mountains! We had so much planned for our trip this past January, and with all of the snow, tornadoes, and vomiting inside random stores (Yes, all of this happened. I swear.), we didn't really get to cover everything as much as we would have liked. So, we're heading back at the end of September and I can not wait! Its my favorite place, from the shopping to the sights, to the outdoors and the mountains, it's the best place on Earth! 

This time, we are going to be staying at the Econo Lodge Riverside in Pigeon Forge! Now, most of you guys know me pretty well, and you know that when it comes to a hotel, I need to have affordability. I just do. It's in my nature, and I think even if we were millionaires, I would check out hotel rates and compare them to make sure I found the very best deal. Well, I am happy to report that the Econo Lodge Riverside has some of the very best rates in all of Pigeon Forge. But, if you know me, you know that affordability is not the only thing that I need from a hotel. 

I also need info. Lots and lots of info. Months before any trip we take, I scour the internet, reading reviews of every single place we plan on going, and making all of my decisions before we even arrive. I am a planner. So, sue me. Anyway, I was thrilled to see that the Econo Lodge Riverside is rated #10 of 94 hotels in Pigeon Forge! To me, that is a huge deal. I really trust my fellow Trip Advisors, and they have never steered me wrong on hotel reviews in the past, so we are really looking forward to staying at the Econo Lodge and seeing if things there are just as great as my Trip Advisor Friends say they are! 

What else do I need from a hotel? I need a pool. A good pool. Actually, this is not my rule, but my sweet three year old Bean's rule. You see, of all the vacations we have been on, all of the trips we have taken, even the overnight trips where the hotel was just a place to crash and drive home the next day, Bean's favorite part is always "the pools". No. Matter. What. So, for him, a good pool is a must. I mean, the rest of us do enjoy the pool, but nowhere near as much as he does. I swear, when we take this kid to Disney World, we're gonna come home, and ask what his favorite part was, and he's going to say "the pool". It's just his thing, so I have to pick a hotel with a good pool! 

What do you think, friends? Will my little fish be impressed with this big pool? I think so! 

What else do I need from a hotel? A free breakfast. I know, it might sound like a silly "must have", but it's true. When traveling with two kids as ahem, moody, and ahem, spirited as these two, waking up, getting dressed, and going out to breakfast every morning IS. NOT. HAPPENING. I found that out real quickly when I would drop $6.99 a piece on a kid's breakfast at some sit down restaurant. Somebody would take a bite of a banana. Someone would take a bite of a donut. Someone would spill their chocolate milk. And there you have it, breakfast is over. SO....  a hotel with a free breakfast is a must when it comes to my kids. I can either sneak them a quick little snack back up to the room, or if they are acting decent and presentable, they can come down and eat their one bite of food. Either way, no stress for me! Yay! 

Those biscuits and gravy are already calling my name!! What about you!? There's nothing like a no stress, no mess hotel breakfast! 

What else do I need from a hotel? Well, at the risk of sounding like an idiot, let's just say that I am a bit "directionally challenged." When we go on vacation, I drive. I just do. And, I get us lost a lot. So, a hotel that is easy to find, right on the main road? Yes, please! Especially in a place like Pigeon Forge, being right on the main road and in the middle of the action is important to me! I need to be able to walk to things, and I want to be able to have easy access to a trolley in Pigeon Forge so I can get where I need to go with no worries! So, yes, being easy to find is a must for hotels for my family! 

Can you tell that we are really excited to stay with Econo Lodge on this trip? The boys are also really excited that the hotel is on the banks of the Little Pigeon river, so we can hang out there and feed the ducks, how much fun will that be!?! Love it! I know, we haven't stayed there YET, so I can't give you guys the personal pictures and the in depth review that I want to do, but it is coming, so stay tuned! I really do have a good feeling about this one ( I have that hotel sixth sense you know, haha!!) and I can not wait to relax and get away here! But, you want to know the best part of all? I can not wait to wake up to a view like this!! 

Isn't it easy to see why this is my favorite place on the entire planet? Ahhh...... Get ready for us, Pigeon Forge, we'll be there soon! 

Make sure to check back regularly for our updates and reviews of our latest trip to the Smokies! If you are interested in booking a room at the Econo Lodge Riverside, click here!! You won't be sorry! Also, make sure to "like" their Facebook Fan Page for the latest news, deals, and promotions!! Click here to stay in the know! 

My family will be provided with a media rate discount and/or complimentary stay during our visit in exchange for our honest thoughts and reviews. No monetary compensation is provided, and all thoughts and opinions are always 100% our own.