
Margaritaville Island Hotel
Best for travelers who want resort amenities, on-site restaurants and immediate access to The Island entertainment complex.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Margaritaville Island Hotel is a 4-star, family-friendly resort on The Island in Pigeon Forge with a rooftop pool, full-service spa, and walkable dining/entertainment. A Top Notch Lodge is a 5-star lodge-style luxury cabin in Gatlinburg for travelers who want a private Smoky Mountains cabin experience close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Updated · about 7–7.5 miles apart

Best for travelers who want resort amenities, on-site restaurants and immediate access to The Island entertainment complex.

Best for travelers who prefer a private lodge/cabin feel, an outdoor private hot tub and direct proximity to Great Smoky Mountains attractions.
When Margaritaville Island Hotel wins: Choose Margaritaville for resort-style public amenities (heated rooftop pool, Chill Bar, St. Somewhere Spa), a range of on-site restaurants and shops, and immediate access to The Island’s attractions and live entertainment.
When A Top Notch Lodge wins: Choose A Top Notch Lodge for a quieter, lodge-style cabin experience in Gatlinburg with private outdoor hot tub, a full kitchen and free on-site self parking—suitable for travelers prioritizing privacy and nature access.
Bottom line: Pick Margaritaville Island Hotel if you want a full-service, walkable entertainment-and-dining hub with resort amenities; pick A Top Notch Lodge if you want a standalone luxury cabin in Gatlinburg with a private hot tub and easy access to Great Smoky Mountains attractions.
| Category | Margaritaville Island Hotel | A Top Notch Lodge |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Resort, tropical-themed, lively public areas tied into The Island complex | Lodge-style luxury cabin, private and nature-oriented |
| Location | On The Island in Pigeon Forge; immediate walk access to shops, rides and restaurants | Gatlinburg, within a national park area and near Chapel in the Glen |
| Distance between properties | about 7–7.5 miles to Gatlinburg | |
| Size / rooms | 129 rooms | Not published |
| Ages / policy | All ages welcome; lead guest must be 21+ to check in | All ages welcome (adultsOnly: false) |
| Pools / hot tubs | Heated rooftop outdoor pool, hot tub, cabanas, Chill Bar | Outdoor private hot tub in the cabin; no public pool listed |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Margaritaville Restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill, Chill Bar, Starbucks) | No on-site full restaurants listed in supplier details (self-catering kitchen provided) |
| Spa / wellness | St. Somewhere Spa — full-service day spa with treatment rooms and salon | Not published |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available (charges may apply); EV chargers on site | Free self parking available onsite |
| Known for | Immediate access to The Island entertainment complex and rooftop pool deck | Private lodge/cabin experience close to Great Smoky Mountains and Chapel in the Glen |
Margaritaville Island Hotel sits on The Island in Pigeon Forge, steps from shops, rides and riverside dining.
Choose Margaritaville for convenience and on-foot access to Pigeon Forge attractions.
A Top Notch Lodge is located in Gatlinburg near Chapel in the Glen and close to national park access.
Choose A Top Notch Lodge for quieter, mountain-area access and proximity to park attractions.
Margaritaville offers tropical-themed guest rooms and suites designed for families and couples.
Margaritaville’s rooms are standard hotel accommodations with resort conveniences and themed touches.
A Top Notch Lodge is listed as a luxury cabin rental with typical cabin amenities.
A Top Notch Lodge functions like a self-contained cabin with a kitchen and private hot tub—good for guests wanting more space and self-catering.
Margaritaville offers several on-site restaurants and bars, plus a lobby Starbucks.
Margaritaville is preferable if you want multiple on-site dining and bar options without driving.
A Top Notch Lodge provides an equipped kitchen for self-catering; no supplier-listed full-service restaurants on-site.
A Top Notch Lodge suits guests who prefer cooking in their cabin or dining out in Gatlinburg rather than using hotel restaurants.
Margaritaville’s signature public amenity is its heated rooftop pool deck and Chill Bar.
Margaritaville is for guests who want a social resort pool experience with bar service and views of The Island.
A Top Notch Lodge’s standout feature is a private outdoor hot tub at the cabin.
A Top Notch Lodge is better when you want private soaking and solitude rather than a public resort pool scene.
Margaritaville combines an on-site full-service spa with The Island’s live entertainment options.
Pick Margaritaville for spa services, fitness access and easy access to nightly entertainment.
A Top Notch Lodge is presented as a private cabin—no supplier-listed spa or nightlife offerings.
Choose the lodge for low-key, private evenings; go into Gatlinburg for spa or nightlife options.

Margaritaville — rooftop pool, full-service spa, multiple on-site restaurants and The Island entertainment at your doorstep.

A Top Notch Lodge — private cabin with full kitchen and an outdoor private hot tub.

Margaritaville — walk to restaurants, rides, live music and family attractions on The Island.

A Top Notch Lodge — free self parking onsite and a cabin layout suited for driving out to trailheads and Gatlinburg.
Margaritaville has an on-site full-service St. Somewhere Spa; A Top Notch Lodge has no spa listed in its supplier details.
No—both properties are all-ages (Margaritaville requires the lead guest checking in to be 21+).
Both are within easy driving distance to park access, but A Top Notch Lodge is described specifically as being within a national park area and very close to Chapel in the Glen.
Margaritaville offers multiple on-site restaurants and bars; A Top Notch Lodge lists kitchen facilities but no on-site full restaurants in the supplier facts.
Explore how Margaritaville Island Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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