Find Out Where To Stay In Knoxville, TN — The Best Hotels, Vacation Rentals, And Campgrounds

Knoxville is a bit of an under-the-radar-vacation destination for many people – I actually overheard a tourist at a downtown restaurant call it “Asheville before it was Asheville.”

We have always had some tourists stopping while on their way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or because the University of Tennessee is here, but in the past decade, the city has started to become a vacation destination in our own right. And the hotels and vacation rentals have exploded to meet the demand.

As a born and raised local, I am thrilled about downtown’s resurgence but it can be confusing to figure out where to stay in Knoxville when there is so much to choose from. I will talk about all the different areas you could choose to stay in, the pros and cons of each, and what I think are the best lodgings in each area.

Everything you need to know to plan your Knoxville vacation. Or a staycation as my family does sometimes. Why not when the lodging choices are this much fun!

Buckle up everybody as this is a super long and detailed post. If you already know what area of Knoxville you want to stay in, use the Table of Contents below to skip ahead.

Heads up- There are potential affiliate links below. See our full disclosure policy to find out why we don’t accept freebies or sponsored visits and what our affiliate links mean for you cost-wise (hint- nothing).

If you are coming to Knoxville for a football game at Neyland Stadium, then check out this blog A Local’s Opinion Of The Best Places To Stay Near Neyland Stadium Or Thompson- Boling Arena In Knoxville. Also works if you are coming into town for a basketball game or concert at Thompson- Boling Arena.

Where To Stay In Knoxville In A Nutshell

We have a ton of in depth opinions in this blog but for those looking for a quick answer, we’ll just cut to the chase here:

Top Tips

• Stay downtown if you can get a hotel or vacation rental for a good price. Tons of restaurants, several theaters, museums, and fun things to do in a compact, walkable area make downtown an attractive spot for tourists.
• If you want a vacation rental for cheaper or quieter than downtown but still close-by, then look at VRBOs in South Knoxville near the Urban Wilderness or in the historic 4th and Gill/ Happy Holler area of North Knoxville.
• West Knoxville around the Papermill exit of the interstate is a good choice for cheaper, suburban hotels without being too far from downtown. There are some nice restaurants and a huge park in that area as well.
• Just remember that vacation rentals in parts of Knoxville, such as the Old City in downtown and NoKno in North Knoxville, can be more of an urban environment than say, suburban West Knoxville. Some people love this and others feel it is sketchy. I don’t find it unsafe personally but everyone’s comfort level is different.

Okay let’s talk in depth about all the different neighbourhoods to help you figure where to stay in Knoxville. I will cover the pros, cons, and what are the best lodgings in each one.

To Make It Easier To Figure Where To Stay In Knoxville, I Split It Into 6 General Areas:

1. Downtown Knoxville – includes Gay St, Market Square, Worlds Fair Park, and the Old City
2. University of Tennessee – includes campus, Fort Sanders, and “The Strip”
3. South Knoxville – includes Sevier Ave and SoKno (and the airport, Alcoa, and Maryville in this blog)
4. North Knoxville – includes NoKno and along I75 north
5. West Knoxville – includes Bearden and further along the interstate west
6. East Knoxville – includes along I40 heading east

Downtown Knoxville – Pros, Cons, And Best Lodging Choices

Generally speaking, “Downtown” is my usual answer when people ask me where to stay in Knoxville. It is a compact, walkable area with tons of restaurants, the Theater District, museums, galleries, and shops. You are going to want to take advantage of all of the fun stuff downtown without fighting traffic. So park the car for the weekend and walk or take a free trolley to all the interesting things to do in downtown Knoxville.

To see all of our top recommendations of what to do in downtown, check out our downtown Knoxville page. For restaurant recommendations, check out Where To Eat In Knoxville.

Downtown Knoxville is best for hotels as there are quite a few in a relatively compact area so there can be good competition on prices. Many of these hotels are recent builds or recent renovations, and some have gorgeous rooftop restaurants with views out to the mountains. There isn’t a hotel downtown that I would absolutely avoid and either I’ve stayed in or put visiting family/ friends up in almost all of them.

There are vacation rentals in downtown Knoxville as well but they tend to be small apartments, are often pricey, and can have noise problems. But again, the location can’t be beat so if you find one you like, I would go for it.

If you are worried about parking you really don’t need to- Knoxville has several parking garages within easy walking distance of almost all of the hotels in the central downtown area. They are free after 6 -7 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. Otherwise it is $1 an hour to a max of $7 for the day, which must seem laughable to visitors from big cities.

Read The Lowdown on Parking In Downtown Knoxville to find all the free or inexpensive places to park in Knoxville, we even have maps!

Okay we talked about all the pros of being downtown, what are the cons?

The biggest con to staying in downtown Knoxville is probably price. Because it is so fantastic, you are paying a premium to stay in downtown.

Also, free parking is not a thing at any downtown hotel, although generally it isn’t terribly expensive (see blog link above). And lodgings downtown might be noisier than you are used to. A high level room in one of the taller hotels probably won’t have that problem, but a room near ground level of a hotel or a VRBO apartment on the first floor will probably hear street noise. The flipside to being in a place with lots of fun stuff going on all the time.

Hotels In Downtown Knoxville

There are 3 hotels on Gay St, right in the heart of downtown, the Hyatt Place, the Embassy Suites, and a brand new boutique hotel- Hotel Cleo. They are all catty-corner to each other near the intersection of Union Ave and Gay Street so the locations are similarly fantastic – steps from the Tennessee Theater, short walk to Market Square and the Bijou Theater, and so many restaurants choices within a block or two. If you find a good price, I would stay in any of these hotels in a heartbeat.

Hyatt Place Hotel Downtown Knoxville

• Located in the historic Farragut Hotel on Gay Street, the Hyatt Place boasts a wonderful rooftop bar/ restaurant and a beautiful lobby. The building has had a recent, gorgeous renovation, with a nice mix of traditional decor and more modern pieces.
• The rooftop 530 Lounge is one of my go-to places for a drink if I am out in downtown Knoxville as it has wonderful views. The food is decent too- the sliders are the kids’ favorite.
• The Hyatt Place Downtown Knoxville has “One King” or “Two Queen” suites and all rooms have a sofa bed. Breakfast is included and there is a Starbucks onsite. No pool.
• You can self park in the nearby State Street Garage (1 block away, $7 per weekday and free on weekends) or you can valet park for a fee.
• The hotel is pet friendly – $75 fee, 2 dogs/cats max. Inform hotel ahead of arrival about pets.

Embassy Suites By Hilton Downtown Knoxville

• Besides being in another recently renovated building on Gay Street, the Embassy Suites has some of the best in house amenities of the downtown hotels. There is a mini Top Golf in the lobby, a K Brew outlet (a great local coffee shop), plus a Ham N’ Goodys outlet, which besides yummy sandwiches, has the lemon cookies that are my desert island food. (Seriously- it would be my one food. They are that good.)
• The Embassy Suites is a great option if you are traveling with a large family or group as it has suites that sleep 2-6. Some suites are 2 BR/ 2 Ba and separate living room and other suites are a 2 room suite that has 1 BR/ 1 Ba and separate living room. It also has your standard 1 room hotel rooms that sleep 2-4 and you can get those connecting.
• The rooftop pool and restaurant have fantastic views of downtown and even out to the mountains. (Warning- The pool is small.) And I think the lobby is gorgeous, definitely one of my favorites in downtown. Breakfast is included as is an Evening Reception (light snacks, house wine, and beer).
• You can self park in the nearby State Street Garage (1 block away, $7 per weekday and free on weekends) or valet parking is offered for a fee.
• The Embassy Suites is pet- friendly – 2 dogs/ cats total, $75 fee. Inform hotel ahead of arrival about pets.

Hotel Cleo

• A brand new (open Dec 2023) boutique hotel on Gay Street above the French restaurant Lilou.
• Hotel Cleo styles itself as a European pied-`a – terre, with antique furniture and no two rooms exactly alike. Rooms sleep 2 max.
• Has 16 rooms over 4 floors – 4 rooms per floor that share a common seating area where morning pastries from the french restaurant downstairs are put out.
• Looks beautiful and definitely a place to check out for a luxury retreat for 2.

There are 4 hotels just off of Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville – the Courtyard by Marriott, the Residence Inn by Marriott, the Crowne Plaza by IHG, and the Hilton Downtown Knoxville. They are all 1-2 blocks away from Gay St and all are still a convenient location. They may also be a smidge quieter by not being right on Gay St itself.

Courtyard By Marriott Knoxville Downtown & Residence Inn By Marriott Knoxville Downtown

• The Courtyard by Marriott and the adjoining Residence Inn by Marriott share a building just one block off of Gay Street and within a 6 minute walk of downtown’s Market Square. The location is terrific and perhaps a bit quieter by not being right on Gay Street itself.
• If you’re mountain biking at Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness, they offer laundry facilities. Bonus! Parking is either onsite ($23 per day) or cheaper at the State Street Garage a block away ($1 an hour, $7 a weekday and free on weekends). Neither hotel has a pool.
• The Residence Inn is geared more toward extended stay people, with complete kitchens in each room. They offer King studios and 2 room suites that have a separate King bedroom. All rooms have a sofa bed. Breakfast buffet is included and the hotel has a gym.
• The Courtyard by Marriott is quite nice and has fairly spacious rooms ranging from King to 2 Queen. The hotel has a gym but no included breakfast.
• No pets at the Courtyard by Marriott, $100 fee at the Residence Inn (2 pets max, inform ahead of time).

Pedestrian Market Square in Knoxville’s front porch. It is where everyone comes to hang out and meet up. It is chock full of restaurants with large outdoor seating areas, a stage where they have live music, and a skating rink in the winter. The Farmer’s Market is here every Wed and Sat spring thru fall as well.

The Oliver Hotel

• The Oliver Hotel is the best (and only) hotel on Market Square. It is part of the Southern Living Hotel Collection and only has 28 rooms but packs a lot of charm into those spaces.
• The building dates from 1876 and was originally the Kerns Bakery. You’ll see references to that past throughout the hotel, especially in its hidden speakeasy, the Peter Kern Library (one of my favorite cosy spots for a fancy cocktail).
• Besides the hidden speakeasy, there is also an attached restaurant, the Oliver Royale, as well as Tupelo Honey, one of the most popular places to eat in Market Square.
• The Oliver Hotel offers 2 queen rooms, 1 queen rooms, 1 king rooms, and several large suites that have a separate bedroom with a single King or Queen and a sleeper sofa in the living area. Some rooms are louder than others due to their proximity to the Peter Kern Library, so ask for a quiet one when booking. I would call rather than book online to make sure.
• Parking is at the nearby Market Square Garage ($7 max per weekday, free on weekends) or valet parking for a fee.
• No pets.

Hotels Near The Knoxville Convention Center And Worlds Fair Park

Around the Convention Center/ Worlds Fair Park is a great area for families as there is a splash park, a playground, and a lot of green space to run around. And of course, the famous (infamous?) Sunsphere. You can go up to the observation deck for about $5 I think and get some good views over Knoxville.

Besides being next to a park, the hotels around Words Fair Park are my first choice if you are attending something at the Convention Center (obviously convenient), but they are also a good choice if you need to be near UT’s campus as they are a little closer than the hotels on Gay St.

There are 4 hotels near the Convention Center and Worlds Fair Park in downtown Knoxville:

1. The Tennessean Hotel
2. The Marriott
3. Hampton Inn & Suites
4. Cumberland House Knoxville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.

It is about a 5-10 minute walk from the Knoxville Convention Center to Gay St. There is a pedestrian skybridge over busy Henley St that connects the Convention Center to Clinch Ave and makes it easy to get to Market Square and Gay St from The Tennessean, the Marriott, and the Cumberland House hotels (the Hampton Inn is on the other end of Worlds Fair Park so it is not near the skybridge).

The Tennessean Hotel

• The Tennessean Hotel is Knoxville’s first personal luxury hotel. Everything in this hotel from the marble down to the hand towels has been considered and chosen for quality and design. The staff is top notch and you feel just a little more glamorous just by being here.
• The single rooms are huge, all 470 sq ft or bigger, and you can choose from king, queen, double queen, or double king rooms. Or you can opt for one of the expansive 1 BR suites that can sleep up to 4 in a whopping 875 sq ft of space. There’s even a themed Pat Summit suite with lots of basketball memorabilia or the super fancy Governor’s Suite that’s larger than my college apartment.
• There is no pool but you will find a very nice gym as well as an onsite restaurant that’s as stylish as you would expect at this hotel. Breakfast is not included.
• One of my friends recently stayed in this hotel when she came in town and I can speak to the massiveness of the room and bathroom. Just a general air of luxury and attention to detail as well. We ended up hanging out in the room for awhile as it was so comfortable and roomy. And the views out of the window over the Sunsphere were nice too.
• Valet parking is $30/ day in their private garage or you can self-park at the city- run Locust Street Garage a block away ($7 a day, free on weekends except Gamedays when it’s $20). The Tennessean does have a complimentary golf cart taxi service within a 3 mile radius which is cool. Not sure how that works for football games but that could be worth a call if you book here.
• Pet- friendly but must call ahead to book a special pet room. $100 fee and max 50llbs. You will get your own doggie bed and bowl though!

The Marriott Downtown Knoxville

• The Marriott Downtown Knoxville is right next door to the Tennessean and steps away from the Convention Center as well. It was a Holiday Inn before undergoing a massive renovation in recent years and reopening as a Marriott. It is the only Marriott in Knoxville.
• All the rooms sleep 4 in 1 king/ 1 sofa bed or 2 king beds. I really like the vibe of the new lobby and onsite bar, quite trendy but still comfortable. No pool.
• Like The Tennessean, parking is valet ($30/ day) in their private garage (shared with The Tennessean) or self- park at the nearby city- run Locust St Garage ($7 per day, free on weekends except Gameday Saturdays which are $20).
• Pet- friendly- $75 fee, 2 pets total, max 50 lbs. Inform ahead of time.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville

• The Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville, is on the corner of Main St and Henley St, catty-corner to the Knoxville Convention Center and Worlds Fair Park. This is a relatively quiet area for commercial activity – meaning no bars, restaurants, or shops nearby.
• However the hotel is not as quiet as you might think as busy Henley Street has constant traffic. Ask for a room on the opposite side of the hotel from Henley Street if you can. The hotels puts ear plugs out on the beds if that tells you anything.
• Parking is $20 a night at the Hampton Inn and unfortunately there isn’t a cheap city owned garage close by. Breakfast is included though and it is a pretty good spread. Indoor Pool.
• I stayed here years ago and thought the hotel was nice and I don’t remember hearing traffic but I had been out late dancing at a party so it’s possible a jet airplane would not have woken me up. I had friends stay here with young kids more recently and they said that while they could hear traffic, it wasn’t bad and they enjoyed the hotel, especially the breakfast.
• Pet- friendly- $75 fee, 2 pets total.

The Best VRBOs And Airbnbs In Downtown Knoxville

Anything in downtown Knoxville will be a good location, but look for Market Square and Gay St in the listing descriptions to be especially close to everything. You will also find several listings in neighbourhoods without hotels, like the Old City or along the riverfront in downtown which can be a great reason to choose a VRBO over a hotel.

*Be aware that the Old City does have train tracks running though it so read the listings carefully for noise issues. Also parts of the Old City are definitely more unpolished than others (meaning more homeless people and dingier buildings) so be ready for that too.

“Garden” 2Br, 2Ba, overlooking the Square in Downtown Knoxville

• This 2 BR/ 2 BA apartment is right on the corner of Market Square, above Tommy Trent’s Sports Saloon. It is small but nicely furnished and you can’t beat the location. Noise can be a problem on weekends if you are a light sleeper so bring your earplugs or use the ones provided.
• Sleeps 6 total and averages $169 a night.
• The owners have 3 more apartments in this same building and they also own several restaurants/ bars in Market Square, like Preservation Pub, Bernadette’s Crystal Gardens, Scruffy City Hall, as well as Tommy Trent’s Sports Saloon on the ground floor. The owners clearly know how to run a successful hospitality business which is why all of these apartments have great reviews. The other 3 apartments in the building are “Market View” (2BR/ 2BA), “Lofn” (1BR/ 1BA), and “Zen” (1 BR/ 1 BA).
• “Garden” and “Market View” apartments are pet- friendly (2 total, max 50 lbs per dog) while Lofn and Zen do not allow pets.

Luxury Loft Downtown Knoxville- sleeps 6, New King primary bed, Pet Friendly

• A 2 BR/ 2 BA apartment next to the Mill and Mine, a live music and event place, and one block away from the Old City. You have the Marble City food hall nearby as well as several other restaurants and shops, plus you are only a couple of blocks away from Gay Street as well.
• Comes with a parking pass which is rare for downtown and has a washer/ dryer. The Mill and Mine can be loud if they have a show and you are near the train tracks, which can be a problem during the week. Generally well reviewed though so must not be a big deal.
• Sleeps 5 total and averages $169 a night.
• Pet friendly – $200 fee, 2 total, max 50 lbs.

Tailor Loft Penthouse with Rooftop Deck

• This is a luxury 2 BR/ 2.5 BA apartment in a fantastic location on Gay Street. With 1800 sq ft, you will have room to spread out and invite some friends over.
• This apartment can actually be seen in the first photo in this blog as it is the building on the corner with Slomski Tailor written on the window. I am dying to hang out on the rooftop deck with its view of Gay Street. It is on my dream list for a girls weekend staycation.
• Sleeps 6 total and averages $733 a night.
• No pets.

Tailor Loft Urban Apt. in the Heart of Knoxville

• In the same building as the apartment listed above, this smaller 2 BR/ 2 BA place shares a similar amount of luxury and fantastic location but without the rooftop deck.
• Sleeps 4 and averages $667 a night.
• No pets.

Trivia Time – The Tailor Lofts are in a historic building built in 1876 and the only building on the block that survived a massive fire in 1897. The front facade dates from the 1920s and includes antique glass blocks in the transoms above the first floor windows. So even if you don’t stay there, take a look at the cool exterior while you are walking on Gay St.

Amazing Heart of Market Square, outdoor veranda overlooking the Square!

• If you want absolutely the best porch in Knoxville, then check out this apartment with its huge veranda overlooking Market Square. This 3 BR/ 2.5 BA listing is next door to Soccer Taco and is on my dream list for a Game Day weekend with the family except I don’t think I would go to the game. I would just hang out on the veranda all day.
• Sleeps 6 and averages $1030 a night.
• No pets.

The Best VRBOs And Airbnbs On The Tennessee River In Downtown Knoxville

Downtown•Riverviews •Walk To Market Sq & UT•Get 3 Night Beach Trip by Booking

• This small but cute 1 BR/ 2 BA apartment in a historic building has a beautiful communal deck overlooking the river. It is a 5-10 minute walk to Market Square and also to Neyland Stadium or Thompson- Boling Arena.
• Comes with 1 parking space but it is in a small garage so if you have a big truck, you will need to use the pay lot across the street.
• Sleeps 4 and averages $138 a night.
• Pet- friendly but must contact owner for individual approval.

*The 2 boats listed above are managed by the same person and she has a golf cart, bikes, and kayaks to share between her 3 rentals at the marina.

You should absolutely take a paddleboard or kayak out on the river if you can while you are in Knoxville. It is one of my favorite things to do. This is the view of the sunset you will have while kayaking down river from Volunteer Landing Marina and then you get the nighttime view on the way back. So pretty!

Lodgings Near The Campus Of The University Of Tennessee – Pros, Cons, And Best Choices

The sprawling University of Tennessee campus adjoins downtown proper and 7 Saturdays a year, downtown becomes a sea of orange belting out Rocky Top as a 100,000+ fans head to riverfront Neyland Stadium. Football may be how many people know of Knoxville but there is lots going on outside of football season – there’s basketball season, soccer season, baseball season…

Just kidding, the city has lots going on outside of all things UT but it is a huge and beloved part of our hometown.

Near UT wouldn’t be my first choice of area to stay unless you had to be on campus for something. There is lots of massive and loud construction currently on Cumberland Ave (aka “The Strip”), which is the main commercial artery through campus. Also there are better restaurants downtown (except for Sunspot- it is fantastic), and the parking is something awful anywhere near campus.

There is a fun UT themed hotel on the Strip, The Graduate Knoxville, and if you are into the color orange (like a lot into orange), it could be an option. The hotel bar is called Saloon 16 and is owned by Peyton Manning (hence the “16”). This is really your only lodging choice very close campus. I would not get a vacation rental in the Fort Sanders neighbourhood (aka “The Fort”) as it is almost all student housing and tends to be loud.

Again, if you are coming to Knoxville for a football game at Neyland Stadium or a concert at Thompson- Boling Arena, check out A Local’s Opinion Of The Best Places To Stay Near Neyland Stadium Or Thompson- Boling Arena In Knoxville. There are a lot of similarities to this one but with more attention paid to ease of walking to the stadium/ arena or to public transport options.

South Knoxville – Pros, Cons, And Best Lodging Choices

South Knoxville is the best place to look for vacation rentals near the Urban Wilderness or to find a cabin in the woods. I use “South Knoxville” to loosely refer to everything south of the Tennessee River until you get out to the Seymour area or Alcoa.

Immediately across the river from downtown is a nice little area known as SoKno that includes the area around Sevier Avenue, the lovely Island Home neighborhood, and the Urban Wilderness. Sevier Avenue has a small strip of restaurants, breweries, and there are a couple more restaurants by Baker Creek Preserve, one of the parks in the Urban Wilderness so you don’t even have to leave the area for great food.

SoKno is my first choice for looking for lodgings in South Knoxville as it has a fun vibe all its own but you are also just a hop across the river from downtown.

To find out more about Knoxville’s fantastic Urban Wilderness, see our Urban Wilderness page. And if you are looking for places to eat in South Knoxville, we got you covered there too.

South Knoxville tends to be a more rural area once you get a little farther out from the river. If you are looking for a cabin in the woods or on a farm, but still within 20 minutes of downtown Knoxville, extend your search out a little bit from the river. There are a couple of main roads to know – Alcoa Highway, Chapman Highway, and John Sevier Highway – and as long as you are staying near one of them, it should be an easy and quick drive into Knoxville.

Knoxville’s airport, McGhee-Tyson, is about 20 min south of downtown Knoxville, just beyond South Knoxville in the neighboring city of Alcoa.If you wanted to spend some time in the Smokies while you are visiting Knoxville, the hotels out by the airport would be a halfway point.

SoKno VRBOs And Airbnbs

Cozy Cocktails At Mimosa Avenue- Apt Near Downtown Knoxville– is a 3BR/ 2 Ba house in SoKno. It has a great location walkable to Sevier Ave and even to downtown. There is a small 1BR/ 1 Ba attic apt for rent as well. No pets.

On the greenway in south Knox, near everything! This 3 BR/ 2 BA home would be great for mountain bikers looking to hit the trails in the Urban Wilderness. A fairly new rental, it looks to be renting only since the beginning of 2022 but has great reviews so far. Sleeps 6 and averages $189 a night. Pet friendly – 1 pet, 50 lbs max.

Urban Mountain Home Near City and Wilderness If you need a bit more room and like vintage, this historic 3 BR/ 2 BA home is for you. Originally built in the late 1800s and recently renovated, this house is just off Chapman Hwy and is technically walkable to downtown although Chapman Hwy is not super friendly for pedestrians. Sleeps 10 and averages $428 a night. *Has some stairs up from the parking area which could be a problem for anyone mobility impaired. No pets.

South Waterfront Light & Open Urban Apartment Bright, open urban living in a newly-renovated 2-story brick historic building. Enjoy the quiet, fully equipped 1 BR/ 1 BA apartment (#201) within 2 miles of downtown, UT, and the Urban Wilderness. They also have a 2nd private 1 BR/ 1 BA apartment across the hall if needed for a larger group (see apt #202 listing). Each listing sleeps 4 max and averages $294 a night. No pets.

Hotel In South Knoxville

Ancient Lore Village. If the Lord of the Rings is your favorite all-time movie then have we got the place for you! Imagine stumbling upon the Shire but instead of New Zealand, you are in South Knoxville.

Billed as a “whimsical, quaint, magical village,” you can stay in a fairy cottage, a leprechaun’s lair, or an orc home, among other choices. It isn’t a cheap stay but it is certainly guaranteed to be a unique stay. And the attention to detail is top-knotch.

Cabins And Other Vacation Rentals In South Knoxville That Are Farther Out

Historic Mid-Century Modern Gem If you’re looking for something unique, this one-of-a-kind mid-century modern gem is on the National Register of Historic Places. Has period MCM furniture and everything. 2600 sqft, 2 BR/ 3 BA. Sleeps 4 total and averages $253 avg/night. This listing is just off Aloca Highway, a bit south of UT Medical Center so very easy to get to downtown. No pets.

Log home on 50 acres. Private, convenient, beautiful. A little bit of paradise. If you wanted a 3 BR/ 2 BA log cabin on a horse farm where the owners could take you riding but you are still only 6 miles from downtown, this is your dream place. It even has a pool. This is a gorgeous property in south Knoxville, off of Chapman Highway, with a fishing pond, horses, llamas, goats, chickens, and peacocks. Sleeps 7 and averages $290 a night. No pets.

Old World Swiss Cabin Nestled In The Woods A charming 1930s log cabin in the woods with a shady porch, 2 Br/ 1 Ba and kitchenette that looks pretty perfect. It is right by Chapman Highway but tucked away so you don’t feel as if you are by a busy highway that can take you into Knoxville in less than 10 minutes. Sleeps 5 and averages $150 a night. Pet friendly- 1 dog, max 50 lbs, $100 fee.

Log Cabin near UTK on 16 acres, FP, hottub, fishing, trails This 2 BR/ 2 BA log cabin called Lil’ Joe is on a 16 acre property with walking trails and a pond for bass fishing. Pet friendly (up to 50lbs and with a fee), you are a bit far out from downtown but still within a 20 min drive. But you are closer to the Townsend entrance to the GSMNP which is just about 45 min away. (Google Maps will show the property as Ponderosa Cabins.) Sleeps 6 and averages $209 a night. Pet friendly- 2 total, max 50 lbs, contact owner for approval.

Hotels Near The Knoxville Airport And Towards The Great Smoky Mountains

Airport Hotels

Technically in the city of Alcoa, there are several hotels by McGhee- Tyson Airport that are about a 20 min drive south of downtown. Alcoa is a small town about halfway between the mountains and downtown Knoxville.

There are 2 new hotels, the Fairfield Inn & Suites Alcoa Airport and the Home2Suites Alcoa Airport, that have great views of the Smoky Mountains and are worth a look is you are thinking of splitting time between the national park and downtown Knoxville. The Fairfield Inn has a seasonal outdoor pool and no pets are allowed. The Home2Suites also has a seasonal outdoor pool and is pet- friendly ($75 fee) with a pet walking area.

Beautiful And Historic Lodge In Maryville

If you are in the mood for something different, keep heading south on Alcoa Hwy and check out RT Lodge on the grounds of Maryville College in Maryville, TN – about 30 min from downtown Knoxville. This is more like a very fancy inn than a hotel and it is wonderful.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, RT Lodge was built originally as a private house for the widow of Andrew Carnegie’s business partner. It is an absolutely gorgeous place with high attention to detail and set in the middle of Maryville College Woods so there are hiking trails and bike paths right out your door.

The dining is fantastic as well at RT Lodge and it is quite popular among locals to come here for special occasions, myself included. I love coming here. The Lodge is pet- friendly (dogs only, $75 fee).

North Knoxville – Pros, Cons, And Best Lodging Choices

North Knoxville is the best place to look for vacation rentals in historic houses near craft breweries.

North Knoxville can mean anything north of the interstate in downtown Knoxville going all the way beyond the I 640 bypass north. The area closest to downtown is sometimes called “NoKno” and includes Happy Holler, North Central St, North Broadway, and the 4th & Gill neighborhood so look for these watch words on vacation rental listings.

Much of the NoKno area was once a wealthy suburb of Knoxville served by a streetcar line and you can find lots of lovely early 20th century Craftsman and Victorian houses.

The NoKno area became less popular during the 1970s and 1980s as people moved to the newer suburbs of West Knoxville but it has seen a revitalization lately, as the historic houses are getting renovated and businesses are moving back into the area. This is the heart of Knoxville’s craft brewing business with several within walking distance of each other, like Schulz Brau, Yee- Haw Brewing, Crafty Bastard, Gypsy Circus, and Next Level Brewing Company.

There are no hotels in NoKno but this area is a good bet for vacation rentals not too far from downtown but much cheaper than in downtown itself. The area is quite mixed though, with some houses beautifully renovated and others still a bit ramshackle. You will either love its hipster, urban feel or decide you would rather be in a newer hotel in West Knoxville.

If you want a hotel in North Knoxville, you need to head farther north on Interstate 75. You will find clusters of chain hotels at some exits, especially the Merchant Drive exit which has about 14 chain hotels and is the first place I would look.

The Best VRBOs and Airbnbs In North Knoxville

• Historic 4th & Gill Area, Fun Decor, Walk downtown. A cute 2 BR/ 1 BA cottage in the lovely 4th & Gill neighborhood, you can walk, bike, or take a short Uber to all the craft breweries and restaurants in NoKno as well as downtown. No pets.
• 517 Townhome · ✧Luxurious East TN Townhome ✧ Walk to Downtown This large and gorgeous recently renovated 4 BR/ 3.5 BA brick home harks back to when NoKno was a wealthy suburb built around a streetcar route from downtown. In recent years, this area has undergone a revitalization and you will find great breweries and restaurants within walking distance. 3 floors mean plenty of space for a large group. Sleeps 12 and averages $594 a night. Pet friendly – 2 total, 50 lbs max, $50 per pet per night.
• Jennings – Downtown Knox! Walk To Food & Drink + Fire Pit A very cute 2 BR/ 2 BA bungalow very typical of the houses in the old North Knox area. It is on the block behind Schulz- Brau Brewing (my favorite brew- pub in Knoxville, looks like a castle and has a fantastic German- style beer garden that’s family friendly). The house backs up to Old Gray cemetery as well (a beautiful place for a walk) and the excellent Remedy Coffee is just down the street. Sleeps 8 and averages $261 a night. Pet friendly – 1 pet less than 50 lbs, $35 per night.

The Best Hotels In North Knoxville

There are at least 14 hotels at the Merchant Drive exit of Interstate 75, about 20 minutes north of downtown. All chain hotels and surrounded by a lot of chain restaurants and gas stations, the area around the exit isn’t particularly charming but the hotel prices are really good. The Hampton Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, and the Holiday Inn are my top picks out here but you can see all of the hotel listings on this page.

Pro Tip- If you do stay out near Merchant Drive, you might want to drive 20 min further north on I 75 to check out the excellent Museum of Appalachia and Norris Dam State Park- it would make a great day trip to a really pretty area.

West Knoxville – Pros, Cons, And Best Lodging Choices

West Knoxville is the best place to look for chain hotels near good restaurants and shopping in a suburban environment.

Stretching along the combined I 40/ I 75 interstate from downtown all the way out to Farragut, West Knoxville is a suburban paradise. You can find a lot of nice chain hotels in this part of Knoxville and this is where I would look first if I couldn’t get a hotel in downtown Knoxville.

Traffic can be a real issue for West Knoxville, with the interstate getting very bogged down at rush hour and the other main road, Kingston Pike, has a traffic light every 5 feet. (It is where I grew up so I know it well.) So while the hotel prices will get better and better the farther you go out, like at Cedar Bluff or even Campbell Station, you have to balance it with car time, especially if you are planning to spend a lot of time downtown.

I think the Bearden area in West Knoxville is the next best place to look for a hotel if you can’t find one in downtown Knoxville. You are only 10-15 minutes away from downtown, either by the interstate or on Kingston Pike, unless you are trying to make the trip during rush hour. Don’t do that.

The Best Hotels In West Knoxville

Near the Papermill/ Northshore exit from I40/ I75 in Bearden, you will find four good chain hotels:

1. Courtyard By Marriott West/Bearden
2. Hilton Garden Inn Knoxville Papermill Drive
3. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Knoxville West- Papermill, an IHG Hotel
4. Hampton Inn & Suites Knoxville Papermill Drive

The Bearden area has a lot going on, plus the price will be half that of a downtown hotel. There are several restaurants I really like — Aubrey’s is a popular local restaurant chain with a location at Papermill, there’s a Krispy Kreme (best doughnuts ever!) on the corner of Kingston Pike and Northshore Dr, Calhoun’s is a local favorite BBQ place and it has a location on Kingston Pike up on Bearden Hill.

Nama Sushi is amazing sushi fusion, First Watch is a packed breakfast/ brunch place, Holly’s Gourmet Market is another packed brunch place, and Soccer Taco is the place to watch all things soccer while also enjoying great Mexican. There is a Ham N’ Goody’s branch also in this area and I already talked about my love for their lemon cookies when I mentioned the downtown location.

If you like a craft brewery that’s family friendly and has food, Abridged Beer Company is a favorite.

If you are looking for a fantastic park for hiking, running, dog- friendly, and has a great playground, check out Lakeshore Park near these hotels.

If you keep heading west along the interstate you will find more hotels, especially clustered around the Cedar Bluff exit. The price will be good but avoid coming in or out of downtown anytime around rush hours in the morning and the afternoon. It will not be pretty.

The Best VRBOs, Airbnbs, And Cabin Rentals In West Knoxville

• Charming cottage near campus This 3 BR/ 2 BA cottage is in Westmoreland, a pretty neighbourhood not far from downtown and near lots of shops and restaurants in the Bearden area. Sleeps 6 and averages $236 a night. No pets.
• Knoxville’s Historic Tile House, Private Pool! A historic 1940s home with 4 BR/ 3.5 BA that is on Sullins Street, one block back from Kingston Pike and is walking distance to campus (if you don’t mind a bit of a hike). It has a huge pool and lots of room for a big family. Sleeps 12 and averages $325 a night. Pet friendly – $48 per pet per night.

East Knoxville – Pros, Cons, And Best Lodging Choices

There is not a lot in East Knoxville hotel or vacation rental- wise until you get all the way out to the Strawberry Plains exit from I 40 where you will find a cluster of chain hotels and restaurants. I would only stay this far out if price was a major issue or you wanted to split the difference between Sevierville/ Pigeon Forge and Knoxville. If you were spending a couple of days in Knoxville and then a couple of days at Dollywood, this area could be a good compromise.

Hotels In East Knoxville

At the Strawberry Plains exit of I 40, there is a cluster of hotel listings right by the interstate. It is about 25 min from downtown but this would not be my first choice of places to stay unless price was a real issue or you wanted to stay closer to Sevierville.

VRBOs In East Knoxville

There are some pretty interesting vacation rentals in this area. There is a glamping retreat that looks super fun as well as some nice cabins. Vacation Rentals Around Strawbeery Plains And Kodak, TN.

And A Bonus Section of “Where To Stay In Knoxville” For Those Special Travelers Who Bring Their Lodgings With Them…

The Best RV And Tent Camping Spots In Knoxville, TN

Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum. If you have an RV, then check out the spots on the top deck of the parking garage for the Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum in downtown Knoxville. Full Hookups with water/ sewer/ 50 amp electric are $65 a night while non-hookup spots are $40. If it is a home football game weekend then everything changes (mostly the price) so check the website for that info. *Be aware that the water and sewer may be shut-off Dec- Apr due to outside temperatures. This is a great location as you can walk to Gay St in about 0.5 miles. You are also close to the restaurants and greenways by the river.

Low Meadow Farms. 13 tent/ RV sites in a 4 acre meadow surrounded by a creek sounds pretty great right? It’s like primitive camping but they have potable water and a port-a-potty onsite. The property is in South Knoxville, very near Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area, one of the parks in the Urban Wilderness. You could ride your bike to the trailheads from here. It is also just 15 minutes to Market Square from Low Meadow Farms. Tent sites sleep 2 and cost $30/ night unless you get one of the two bigger sites that sleep 6 and cost $50/ night. Book through hipcamp.com. Dog friendly.