very good

pamela-james in princeton, wv

My husband and my little dog she is 15pds. we love the motel we got married in my hometown and we went down there in the smokies last oct.11,2008 first time we had stay there it was our honeymoon and the room was very clean and everyone at the motel was very great and very helpfull our dog we worried about barking and upsetting the next door guests but she done good we went back every couple of hours and check on her to make sure and walked her quite abit so i had no complaints and for that i am gratefull becuase most hotels will make a big issue out of dogs we had no kids so she is my kid, and upon leaving the hotel the day we check out the lady came out from behind the desk and tooked a picture of my husband and my dog and me. we love the motel and plan on returning when every we get a free weekend and stay there agian we love it and would recommend any one to stay there there rates are great and that's a plus when you go to looking for rooms dowm in the smokies and free breakfast is a plus we can't say thank you enough to the motel for all they do to make there guest feel at home on there stay there. it was my 44th birthday and my husband arrange a birthday cake and the works balloons and card and the motell seen we got that it was great again thank you so much and we will be back soon. thanks again pam-james-angel.

Very impressed!

Mary Ann in Marietta, GA

This was my first time traveling with our dog and I was kinda worried that a hotel that accepted pets wouldn't be the cleanest. I was wrong! The room was very clean, no signs of previous pets and the staff was very friendly. I would recommend Garden Plaza.

We loved it!!

Karen in Cleveland, TN

I highly recommend this hotel, especially if you are a family with pets. We have a boxer and couldnt find anywhere that would accept pets over 15-25 lbs. The rooms were very nice and very clean and the hotel is right in walking distance to every thing in Gatlinburg. The free full breakfast bar was fabulous too!

We will return

Freda in Lexington KY

The Garden Plaza hotel was great for our needs with our dogs. We were on the ground floor so we could park right at our door. There were lots of other pet owners staying there so we got to see several beautiful dogs. Our dogs were very happy with the king size bed and we would recommend this hotel to anyone traveling with dogs. Great walking area for the dogs and the hotel has a nice buffet breakfast. Location was close for all Gatlinburg events. Garden Plaza Hotel will be seeing us again!

highly recommend

Betty Ann in Kingston Springs, TN

I couldn't believe it, nothing smelled of dog or any sort of cover up. We will go back

Very pleased

Ronnie & Melinda in Magnolia, MS

Overall, we were very satisfied with facility as well as it's pet friendly policy. It is obvious the facility has considerable age, yet it seems to be well maintained. In sumary, proof that all "Pet Friendly" motels are not "Dog Houses".

Nice Stay

Mary in Morganton, NC

Friendly service, clean accommodations, everything seemed as it should be. We enjoyed our stay very much!

Will Be Back

the easts in cincinnati, OH

We really loved staying here, and our dogs loved it too. The staff was very accomidating and friendly. Rates were very resonable for the location. We will be back!!

Our stay

Debbie Duggins in Waynesboro,VA

our stay was very nice and quiet, the hotel is in need of a few repairs, But the room was clean and you couldn't smell that another dog had ever been there. The breakfast was very tasty and we will stay there again. Our Siberian husky just loved it too. Can't wait to go back!!!

Needs additional employee training

Tim in Johnstown, CO

When we went to check in we were first told we could not get the king size bed in the back by the walk area. We were place in a room off to the side with very difficult access to the dog walking area. You had to go up stairs over a bridge and then down stairs, not good at night and when the dog really has to go. Called the front desk asking please for a room in the back, same person. She then gave up exactly what we had reserved, king bed, lower level right across from the dog walk area. We are not sure why we had to fight for what we had origanlly requested. Otherwise the room met our needs.

Exceeded expectations!

Alicia in Nashville

We were very pleased with this hotel. As other reviewers have noted, the room we had showed no trace of previous four-legged occupants, no cover-up sprays or smells or anything. The dog walk area had a post providing "business baggies" and a trash can for them, and the walk area was very close to the room. My only negative for this hotel was noise- our room was on the ground floor, and we were trying to sleep in (didn't sleep well that night) and other guests just stood outside our room and talked. It was very frustrating, but not the hotel's fault. A very good deal, and we'll stay there again if we go back (just not in a ground floor room again).

Seems like the only option

Justin in Austin, TX

We have two 40+ pups, and as far as I could tell this was the only hotel that would accomodate them. Our room was really nice, and the free breakfast was better than most. The only gripe is that it appears that the roof leaks in the hallways quite a bit in several locations.

Satisfied

Carol in Oak Island, NC

Very satisfied with this hotel. Close to downtown, great walk with the dog. Convenient for both us and the dog. There were several dogs visiting at the same time, all sizes and varieties.

Garden Plaza Hotel

Jim in Rockville, MD

Facility was good (better than average)and so was the price. Staff was very helpful and supportive. Very pet friendly hotel. Great location close to hotel to walk the dog. I would have no reservations about staying there again.

Review for Koko

Richard in Saline, MI

Hotel originally was the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort but honored the reservation & pet fee of $15 for the two night stay. Some grass areas on site & a stream for the dog to get in. Sooopy bags provided in dog walk areas. Overall nice. Short walk to town (Gatlinburg)0.5 mile. Two places to have dog outside while you eat, Linebergers & Smokeys.

Garden Plaza Hotel

Christopher in Patrick Springs, VA

Our room was quiet considering the fact that there were dogs in rooms beside ours. Staff was very polite, and housekeeping was wonderful. We kept up the sign that said not to enter because our dog was in the room and they respected that, but we also came back to a large bag of supplies and fresh towels hanging from the doorknob. The continental breakfast was great considering that it was free, they had a great selection of different items. I gave them a 4 because the rooms were a little older than expected but considering that we only slept and showered there it wasn't bad. The only complaint I have is that other pet owners were letting their pets use the restroom in the designated areas, and sometimes in the parking lot, and not cleaning up afterwards, but this isn't the hotels fault it falls back on irresponsible pet owners, because poo bags were provided for you in the walking areas.

Not what I expected!

Donna Brinson in Scottsboro, Al.

This was our first time staying at the hotel. Since we have two small doggies we don't have many choices as to where we stay when we take them with us. It was our 47th anniversary and when I saw the room I was sadly disappointed! The curtains were very worn and wrinkled and the two sheers were even different lengths! The floor had many pet stains on the carpet that were nasty looking. We were very uncomfortable walking on that carpet. I was even concerned about our doggies being on it. However, it didn't smell. It just gave me a feeling that the whole room wasn't clean, although the rest of it appeared to be. The bed was comfortable, but that's about the only thing positive I can stay about the room. The staff was nice and helpful, It was too far to downtown to walk so then when you drive your car there is a big problem with parking. Overall, I wouldn't want to stay there agin unless they clean the carpets, update the curtains and make the rooms more attractive. The bathrooms are so small that you can't even turn around in them! I just can't stay in a hotel that is so run down! It desperetly needs some attention!

Positives and Negatives

Jason in Greenville

The Garden Plaza is an older property consisting of several buildings. The main building houses the registration desk, restaurant (serving breakfast only), bar, kid's play area, indoor pool and spa, and convenience store (serving pizza in the evenings). There are a few guest rooms in the main building as well. Another building houses the convention/meeting facilities. The other buildings feature guest rooms only, and one of those buildings contains the hotel's designated pet-friendly rooms. This was acceptable because there was a designated dog-walk area in the back of the property, and the guest room doors open to the exterior of the building, which is great for taking your dog out early in the morning or late at night. The hotel staff was helpful. Bringfido.com let the hotel know that we were traveling with our pet. Unfortunately, the first room that we were given was a smoking room. After a quick call to the front desk, we were given a non-smoking room. The hotel is an older property and the room showed its age. The two beds were doubles, rather than queen beds, which can make for an uncomfortable night's sleep if you are accustomed to sleeping in a larger bed. Overall, not bad. Plenty of hot water, and room temperature was easily controlled. The hotel now offers free breakfast. Although it was a hot breakfast, it was below average in quality. We skipped it after the first day and walked a couple of blocks down to the Log Cabin pancake house after that. Lastly, the hotel is a bit of a walk to the main parkway. For those who can't walk too far, there is a trolley service that stops at the hotel. The cost is $2.00 for unlimited rides per passenger per day. Overall, the hotel is a decent value for the money, especially if you are traveling with kids, as the pool and arcade area are great for children. If you are interested in more upscale accommodations or something very close to the parkway, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you are just looking for a good value in Gatlinburg that is very pet friendly, this place hits the mark.

Overall its OK

Richard in Vevay, IN

Room was a bit small and no separate dressing area which is OK if you are just a couple but if you dont particularly like getting dressed in front of others, (such as another couple), then you would have to dress in the rather cramped bathroom. The room was clean and the bed was real comfortable. There are no elevators so you have to carry your bags to and from your room. The walk from the hotel to downtown is .4 miles downhill which isnt too bad but the .4 miles back, all uphill of course, is a bummer. Bit too far from the shops for my taste. Bkfst buffet was fine and all staff were very friendly. There are dog walking areas but they are small. I doubt that I would stay here again basically due to no elevators and distance, (the straight uphill part), from town.

Good for the price

Vickie in Athens, Tennessee

After 4 tries we found a warm room on an outside room of the hotel. (They have gone green to save and reduce waste) The breakfast was great. Staff was kind and worked well with us regarding cleaning the room so that our puppy would not run out. The dog walking area was very small but worked for our short stay. The bed was very comfortable and clean. Bathroom was small. Plenty of indoor fun without having to leave our puppy for long. For the price, it was a good stay.

decent rooms

Cindy in Hammond, LA

The rooms were decent for the price. We stayed there for the pet friendliness of the hotel. Walking areas for our dog right across from the room, housekeeping very easy to work with for not coming in the room due to the dog.

Decent Hotel

Minette in Huntersville, NC

The hotel is very old and does not have elevator. Unfortunately, the only room available that time is on the top floor (4th floor). The inside is nice and is not too clean... I don't know if its because we have a dog, we are placed on not so clean room. The staff is accomodating wtih our requests which is a good thing. Breakfast buffet is a bit pricey with very few choices. Overall, our stay is fair, we don't mind staying there again if placed in a better floor.

Small but Nice

Carmen in Houston, TX

Room extremely small, the inside of hotel was nice, and so were the people that work there

Pretty Good

Kelly in Lexington, KY

This hotel was ok for the cost and location. It was close enough to walk to downtown Gatlinburg and fairly nice accomodations. The bathroom was a bit dirty, but the rest of the room was clean. The bed was comfortable. The dog walking ares were tiny however!

It was a room.

Lea in Franklin, TN

We were last minute travels on Memorial Weekend so we had to take our pet. The hotel carpet was rather nasty and the tube needed repair. The beds and overall cleanliness were okay. The pet walk area is too small. We were grateful for the ability to find accomadations at late notice. Does not encourae us to want to travel with our baby again. The breakfast buffet was sub-par. We were just glad to have a room.

review of Garden Plaza

janice in slifka, OH

The staff was pleasant. The room we stayed in needs much improvment. The carpet was very dirty and stained. I told the lady at the front desk of the condition but did not try to rectify the situation. The breakfast was OK but needs some variety from day to day. When I saw the maid what time the room would be cleaned, she didn't understand a word of what I was saying. The pool & hot tub was well maintained.

HORRIBLE

Travis in Sylva

Our experience was horrible. Yes, they are pet friendly but the outdoor pool and kiddie pool were closed, the hotel was very outdated, the air conditioner was obviously not being used in the common areas, the breakfast bar was cold two mornings, the pizzaria in the hotel is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, website says there are coffee makers in the rooms and this is not true, vending machines take money and don't dispense items selected (this happened at different machines), one of the indoor pools is on a smoking floor. We will never stay here again.