Brookside Lodge

Filthy and run down My family and I stayed at the Brookside resort last night. The rooms were extremely dark and we had a light that was burned out in our room. Fireplace had ashes in it. My sister found not one, but TWO dirty washcloths hanging on the shower rod in her bathroom. There were bugs all over the room and bug splat smears on the walls . The paint on the wall in our room was chipped and scratched off . About 3 in the morning we were woken up to a loud banging noise that continued on for quite awhile. Not sure if dumpsters were being emptied but it sounded like that. There were little black flying bugs and daddy long legs all over the room. The room smelled dusty and dirty. I wouldn’t stay there again.

If you like clean give this a pass. We saw a bear and that was the highlight of our trip. The room had a balcony of sorts to sit on and look and watch the creek and that was VERY nice. While sitting there we saw a bear come down the hill and cross the creek and that was really cool. The room.... not so much. It was very dark, probably to hide how dirty it was. It was my husband and I on the trip so we only needed one of the beds in our room which was a good thing since I do not believe that they had changed the sheets on the one bed as there appeared to be crumbs in between the sheets. The floor was filthy!!! I do not take my shoes off in a hotel until in bed or the shower but my husband took his boots off to walk from the bed to the bathroom and the bottom of his socks were black. Also, please do not advertise that you are giving breakfast... I would not bother. There was literally nothing but carbs on the buffet (?). You had pepper gravy and biscuits, pancakes, bagels, bagged pastry and cereal. We ended up going to McDonalds where at least we could get some protein. As a diabetic, I literally cannot eat that stuff. We got awake at 1:20 AM and decided to pack up and go home. I gave it 2 stars because of the creek and the bear.

Beautiful creekside rooms Been staying here every time we come great location close to town you can catch a trolley rooms are large we always stay in a deluxe room in the B building which is super nice the pool is great the black bear activity we've had this trip has been amazing sitting on the balcony watching them and playing in the creek we will always stay here every trip.. room #419

Almost Perfect Okay there’s a bit to talk about here. Mostly good! Cons: If you are a bit of a clean nut - this place isn’t for you. The one *major* thing that bothered me was the bedding. There wasn’t a mattress cover between the sheet and the mattress and I just kept thinking about everyone who laid there before me. The carpet was in need of a steam because if you walked barefoot it made your feet turn black. I wore my flip flops the whole time. The room smelled a bit like smoke and we ended up going to get an air freshener. We did also have turn down service but they only did our bathroom and didn’t make our bed. Very funny lol but we weren’t too upset. I think the place just needs to be renovated/a deep clean and it would be perfect. I was in room 266. Also, the breakfast isn’t eggs and bacon etc. It’s biscuits and gravy which in my opinion was not the tastiest and simple things like cereal and bagels. It’s great in a pinch. Pros: That river balcony is everything. It’s such a soothing sound and you see bears almost every day. We saw 3 bears during our stay. I would come back just for that! There are two pools which are often never used. There is one that seems to be for adults which I had to myself one afternoon. The walk to town is about a mile one way - which after hiking the smokies all day is the last thing you want to do but it’s nice to be out of the crowds. Amazing breakfast and bbq spot across the street. The staff were so nice and helpful. Overall - happy with the experience but I am someone who is picky about sanitation and that’s why I docked the star. You get what you pay for. If you don’t mind an older spot that needs some love, this is a perfect place.

Coffee and creek views We have stayed at this hotel multiple times . I wanted to note that those claiming that the breakfast is just cereal and bread is a lie . The breakfast is buffet style with biscuits, gravy , cereal, fruit, eggs, potatoes, bacon or sausage, juice, water, coffee, tea and bagels and toast . It is exceptional and very cheap . I believe it’s 5 or 10 dollars a person . The hotels pool is older but has a wonderful cascade waterfall to swim under . Also two small slide for the kids and hot tub. There are fire pits on sight and outdoor bbq grills . The grocery store is down the street if you decide to bbq on site . The rooms are rustic and you have full access to the calming creek running from your balcony . You can sit on your balcony and enjoy the quiet sound of nature with a coffee . The rooms are rustic like with a wood burning fireplace in most . The trolly is free and picks you up out front to take you into town . It is also a short walk to town if you decide that route . For the price point and the location this place is an old diamond in the rough . Love it here. We’re going back this weekend .