Pigeon Forge Paradise: Baymont by Wyndham's Island Drive Escape!
Pigeon Forge Paradise: Baymont by Wyndham Island Drive Escape - A Review That's Actually Real 😜
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average cookie-cutter hotel review. This is a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious look at the Baymont in Pigeon Forge. I'm talking stream-of-consciousness rambles, unexpected triumphs, and the occasional minor meltdown. Let's dive in!
First Impressions & the Dreaded "Accessibility" Question (with a dash of anxiety):
Okay, so Pigeon Forge. My inner child squealed with delight. My adult self… well, let's just say I was praying the Baymont lived up to its "Paradise" moniker. First off, let's talk Accessibility. This is a big one for me. I booked a room assuming everything would be cool, but let's be real: you’re never really sure. The website said accessible rooms, but websites can lie.
- Wheelchair accessible? Yes! I did a little jig when I saw the ramps and elevators. But let’s be real, a few things were imperfect. The bathroom door was a squeezze and it was a little bit of a tight squeeze. It worked!
- Elevator? Yup! Crucial for anyone with mobility issues, and I can personally attest these worked.
- Bathroom accessibility? The grab rails were in place, the seat was at a decent height, but, see above.
Overall accessibility: 7.5/10. Could have been better, should have been better, but at least they tried.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Smelly (but hey, it was clean!)
My room? It was okay. Let's start with the basics: Yes, there was Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank the heavens, because I practically live online. The Air conditioning blasted cold air (praise be!), the bed was cozy, and the blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in after those Dollywood adventures.
Now for the quirks:
- The smell… Okay, it smelled clean, but not in a "fresh laundry" kind of way. More like a "industrial cleaner done its job". Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.
- The room decor: Dated but fine, clean, and functional. You’re not going to be posting pictures on Instagram to impress your friends.
- The Extra Long Bed was great, I felt like a King!
- Free Bottled water this was convenient,
The "Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" Debacle (or, the great Spa mystery!)
Here's where things get… interesting. The website boasted a Pool with a view and a Fitness center. The pool was… a pool. Not much of a view, but it was refreshing after a long day of walking around. The Fitness center was tiny. Like, really tiny. One treadmill, a couple of weights, and a prayer. I opted out and went for a walk instead.
- Did the Baymont actually have a Spa? Nope. Not on the premises. False advertising? Maybe a little. I was bummed. I could really use a Massage!
- Sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap?: Nope, nada, zip. False advertising.
Okay, let's talk food: The Breakfast Buffet Battle
Ah, the breakfast buffet. The holy grail of budget hotels. This was the Breakfast [buffet]. It was fine. The usual suspects: Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Coffee, Tea, Drinks. No A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service, Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant
Cleanliness and Safety - The COVID-19 Reality Check:
Okay, I have to give them props here. They took COVID seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Seemed like it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol? Yup. Everyone wore masks, and I felt safe.
- Room sanitization opt-out available? Never got to experience this.
- Individually-wrapped food options? Mostly, yes.
- Safe dining setup? Yes, enough for me.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter? Attempted.
The "Services and Conveniences" Rollercoaster:
Okay, some good, some bad, and some…confusing:
- Free Car park on-site: Awesome!
- Elevator? Yup!
- Laundry service?: Yes! This was a lifesaver after getting ice cream all over myself.
- Breakfast takeaway service?: Yes! This was a plus, I was able to take food to go to the park.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Only at the front desk.
- Cashless payment service: Yes!
- Concierge: Friendly front desk staff were helpful.
For the kids (and the kids at heart):
- Family/child friendly?: Absolutely! Pigeon Forge is a giant playground for kids. The Baymont is a good base camp.
- Babysitting service?: No, I can't report on this.
The Verdict: Pigeon Forge Paradise… Kinda
Would I recommend the Baymont? It depends. If you're looking for luxury, this ain't it. But if you want a clean, safe, and reasonably priced place to crash after a day of Pigeon Forge adventures, it's a solid choice. The accessibility was good enough with a little help, the staff were lovely, and the location was perfect.
Final Score: 3.75 out of 5 stars. Missing a spa, it's a bit dated, but overall? I'd stay again. Just pack your own spa kit. And maybe some air freshener. ;)
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- Title: Pigeon Forge Paradise: Baymont by Wyndham Island Drive Escape - A Review
- Keywords: Pigeon Forge, Baymont, Wyndham, hotel review, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, Pigeon Forge hotels, Island Drive, Tennessee, family friendly, budget hotel, pool, breakfast, clean, COVID-19 safety
- Description: Honest and hilarious review of the Baymont by Wyndham Island Drive in Pigeon Forge. Accessibility considerations, room details, food opinions, and a look at the hotel's amenities.
- Metadata:
author: Your Namedate: 2024-05-06type: reviewcategory: travel, hotelslocation: Pigeon Forge, Tennesseerating: 3.75/5
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip, we're about to survive Pigeon Forge! This itinerary? More like a chaotic dance with a slightly deranged squirrel. Specifically, a squirrel who's obsessed with oversized pancakes and the siren song of a gift shop filled with rhinestone-encrusted everything. We're staying at that Baymont by Wyndham near Island Drive, which, bless its heart, is right in the freakin' thick of it. Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival and the Pancake Apocalypse
1:00 PM: Arrive at Baymont Pigeon Forge. Ideally. Realistically? We'll probably be battling highway traffic, listening to a podcast about true crime (because, why not?), and circling the hotel three times before finally finding a parking spot that isn't five miles from the lobby. My mood will hinge entirely on how crowded that lobby is. God help me if the line is long. I need my key card - a physical embodiment of the escape.
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Check-in. Pray the room is ready. Pray. Fingers crossed for a view that doesn't include the dumpster. If the room smells faintly of chlorine and regret, I'm blaming the water park across the street. Unpack. Critically assess the bed. Is it firm? Is it… bedbug-free? Mental checklist: phone charger, favorite travel pillow, emergency snacks (trail mix, always trail mix).
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: A quick dip in the hotel's pool, if its not crowded.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: The real reason we're here: Pancake Manor. This isn't just breakfast; it's a religious experience. Prepare yourself for a caloric onslaught. I’m not even going to look at the menu. I'll just point and say "I want all the pancakes." Maybe order some sausage on the side for… balance? I doubt it. The goal is pure, unadulterated pancake consumption. We will wrestle the pancakes into submission. My blood sugar will be either sky-high or plummeting. No in-between. I'm half expecting to see Elvis in the mirror.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Post-pancake coma recovery. A slow meander through the gift shops down Island Drive. This is my "research" phase - soaking in the atmosphere, judging the quality of the "World's Largest Rocking Chair" (will it… rock? Important questions!), and trying to resist the siren song of bedazzled t-shirts. This is where I will inevitably buy something I don't need. It is the Law.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Dinner at The Old Mill Restaurant. Touristy, yes. Delicious, hopefully. I'm envisioning heaping plates of comfort food. Stuffing myself silly again. It's all part of the plan to embrace gluttony. And gravy. Lots and lots of gravy.
8:00 PM: Crash. Hard. Possibly in a food coma. Dreaming of pancakes. Maybe the gift shop rocking chair.
Day 2: Mountain Majesty and Miniature Meltdowns
7:00 AM: Wake up, if I can. Residual pancake lethargy is a real thing. Coffee, quick breakfast at the hotel, and then we hit the road.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Drive into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is the moment to embrace the actual mountains. I need trees. I need fresh air (mostly). Maybe we'll do a short hike. I say "short" because… I'm not exactly a mountain goat. My knees may or may not betray me. My goal is to avoid bears. Avoid waterfalls that look too intense. Take a picture. Spend a little time at a scenic overlook and stare at the scenery.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Pack a picnic. Eat it amidst some scenery. Or at a picnic table. Whatever. The goal is to avoid overpriced tourist trap food, for a little while, at least. Sandwiches, chips, maybe a granola bar if I'm feeling aspirational.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Dollywood. Here is where things get messy. Thrill rides! Country music! Overpriced snacks! This is where I become a five-year-old again. The roller coasters are calling my name - specifically, the Mystery Mine. Okay, I’m lying. I'm scared of heights. But I'll pretend to enjoy the thrill. My husband will laugh. My stomach will attempt to stage a coup. I'll buy a ridiculously overpriced funnel cake. There might be tears.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM : Explore the stores at Dollywood - hoping to find a unique souvenir.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Miniature Golf. Because why not? I will inevitably lose. I will blame the putter. I will probably trash-talk my opponents. This is where the competitive (albeit pathetic) side of me emerges. This will be a chaotic display of clashing putters and lost balls.
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner. Somewhere casual. Pizza? Burgers? The search begins. I might be a little "hangry." Avoid me at all costs.
7:30 PM: Collapse in bed. Or maybe sneak back to Pancake Manor. Just a little snack, you know?
Day 3: Departure and Existential Dread
- 8:00 AM: Wake up (hopefully rested, but likely still recovering from the pancake explosion). Coffee. Pack. Try to remember where I put the charger.
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir hunt. One more visit to a gift shop. Maybe a t-shirt that says "I Survived Pigeon Forge."
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Final breakfast. Something lighter this time. (Lies.)
- 11:00 AM: Check out of the Baymont. The final goodbye. The freedom.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM: Last gas station stop. Grab snacks and drinks for the drive home.
- 12:00 PM: Hit the road. Reflect on the absurdity of it all. Contemplate my life choices. Mostly, I'll be planning my next trip back to Pigeon Forge.
So there you have it. My Pigeon Forge adventure. It's not a perfectly planned itinerary. It's not going to be all perfectly curated Instagram shots. It will be messy, imperfect, and filled with pancakes. And that's the point.
Escape to Paradise: Your Fort Myers Oasis Awaits at Residence Inn!
Pigeon Forge Paradise: Baymont by Wyndham's Island Drive Escape! - The Unfiltered Guide (You've Been Warned!)
So, is this Baymont actually paradise, like, REAL paradise? Because "Paradise" is a strong word, you know?
Okay, hold on a second. Let's get real. Paradise? No. Not unless your personal paradise involves a slightly dated, yet charmingly nostalgic, aesthetic and the promise of a waffle-filled breakfast. Think more "Pleasant Enough Getaway, Especially If You're On a Budget and Love Being Near Everything." It's not the Garden of Eden, people. But it *does* have a pool, which is a major win in my book, especially after a day of screaming on roller coasters.
What's the deal with the location? Island Drive... is it an island? Did I miss something?
Nope. Not an island. Unless you're somehow imagining Pigeon Forge surrounded by water (which, hey, after a few moonshine cocktails, anything's possible!). Island Drive is just… well, it's the main drag. You're IMMEDIATELY surrounded by attractions. Like, you could practically throw a rock (please don't) and hit a mini-golf course. So, location? Spot on. Is it serenity? Debatable. You're gonna be surrounded by the chaotic, fun energy of Pigeon Forge, which is perfect if you're INTO that. If you're not? Maybe bring some earplugs and a REALLY good book.
The Waffle Breakfast... Tell me everything. Is it as glorious as the internet (and my stomach) makes it out to be?
The waffle breakfast is… an experience. Okay? It's not gourmet. Let's get that out of the way. The waffle iron *might* have seen better days. (Side note: there was a faint burnt smell one morning, but I'm pretty sure it was just a rogue waffle, not a fire hazard. Probably.) But picture this: You, bleary-eyed, stumbling down to the breakfast area. You've got your hotel-branded coffee mug. You're greeted by the glorious *whirr* of the waffle maker. You pour the batter. You wait. You flip. You *eat* the waffle. And for a few precious minutes, everything is right with the world. It's the little things, people. It's the little things. Plus, they have those little single-serve syrup packets. That's always a win. I mean, let's be honest, I probably had three waffles each day... it was that good.
The Pool! Is it actually a decent pool? Or just... a pool?
The pool is... a pool! It's outside. It's refreshing after a day of hiking in the Smokies or riding roller coasters. It *does* get kinda crowded, especially midday. I swear, it felt like every kid in Pigeon Forge was in there one afternoon, cannonballing and screaming. Which, you know, is part of the charm, I guess? But if you're looking for a quiet, zen-like swimming experience, go early. Really early. Like, sunrise-early. The water itself? Clean enough. The pool deck? Could use a bit more TLC. But hey, I saw a family having a water balloon fight, and everyone seemed to be having a blast. Overall, the pool is a win. Especially in context of the high heat I endured.
Are the rooms clean? That's a big deal, let's be honest.
Alright, this is important. The rooms *were* clean. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so take that with a grain of salt. I did the white glove test (kidding! ...mostly). But seriously, they seemed well-maintained. You know, for a hotel in a busy tourist town. The bathroom was clean. The bed was comfortable enough. My only minor gripe? The air conditioning was a little… noisy. But hey, it kept me cool at night. Plus, the staff are AMAZING, super friendly and helpful. One of them even gave me an extra pillow when I asked! So small things can be fixed. Overall cleanliness: solid B+.
What's the parking situation like? Will my car be stuck miles away?
Parking? Generally, it's fine. They have their own lot. However. And this is a BIG however... Try to arrive early in the day, especially during peak season. It can fill up, and then you might have to park a bit further away. I did have to circle the lot once or twice waiting for a spot. And, after a long day of Dollywood, that's the last thing you want. So, plan accordingly. Get there early, embrace your inner parking ninja, and you should be good. If not, it's a short walk. And hey, it means you get to admire the other excited cars pulling up.
Is there a gym? I need to work off those waffles...
Okay, let's be honest. If you're a serious gym rat, this isn't the place. There *is* a "fitness center." That I did not use. From what I saw from a quick peek when I happened to be passing by, it's pretty basic. A couple of treadmills, some free weights, and maybe a motivational poster or two. My advice? Embrace the Pigeon Forge experience! Walk around, hike in the Smokies, and enjoy yourself! And if you *really* need a hardcore workout, find a local gym. (Or just eat extra carefully. You do you). But seriously though, that waffle situation will get you, if you're not careful.
Nearby Attractions: Is it *really* as close to everything as they say? And what would you recommend?
YES! Seriously, yes. This Baymont is in the thick of it. Dollywood? Minutes away. Dinner shows? Right there. Mini-golf? Across the street! It's practically designed to be a launching pad for your Pigeon Forge adventures. Recommendations? Okay, depends on your vibe. Dollywood is a must, obviously. Titanic Museum? Creepy but fascinating. And, for a truly memorable experience, I stumbled into a fantastic little dinner show (can't remember which one, there are so many!). And, yes, I did get a souvenir t-shirt (don't judge me). Don't underestimate the power of a good ice cream shop after a long day of sightseeing. I found a great local place - I would suggest trying to eat everywhere you possibly can. You'll be walking so much, you'll need to eat! But overall? Location is top-notch.
Okay, let's cut to it. The price. Is it worth it?
Alright, the bottom line. ForSerene Getaways
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