
Margaritaville Island Hotel
Best for families and groups who want resort-style socializing, easy access to The Island and on-site entertainment.
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Margaritaville Island Hotel is a lively, family-friendly 4-star resort at The Island in Pigeon Forge with a rooftop pool, on-site spa and multiple bars and restaurants. Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel is an upscale, boutique riverfront hotel in Gatlinburg for travelers wanting a quieter, luxury-leaning stay near downtown Gatlinburg and the national park entrances.
Updated · about 7.5 miles apart

Best for families and groups who want resort-style socializing, easy access to The Island and on-site entertainment.

Best for couples or adults seeking a small, riverside luxury hotel within walking distance of Gatlinburg sights and attractions.
When Margaritaville Island Hotel wins: choose Margaritaville if you want resort-style amenities (rooftop heated pool with cabanas and a pool bar), a full-service spa (St. Somewhere Spa), multiple on-site dining choices, and instant access to The Island entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge.
When Historic Rocky Waters Inn wins: pick Rocky Waters Inn if you prefer a smaller, boutique riverfront property in Gatlinburg with a more intimate, upscale feel and close walking access to Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, and other Gatlinburg attractions.
Bottom line: Margaritaville is the louder, amenity-rich pick for families and those who want nightlife and poolside social scenes; Historic Rocky Waters Inn is the quieter, higher-rated boutique option for travelers prioritizing location in Gatlinburg and a riverfront boutique experience.
| Category | Margaritaville Island Hotel | Historic Rocky Waters Inn, A Small Luxury Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Lively, resort-social with tropical/Margaritaville theme | Upscale boutique riverfront and relatively quiet |
| Location | On The Island entertainment complex, Pigeon Forge | Waterfront on Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg (riverfront) |
| Size | 129 rooms | 36 rooms |
| Adults policy / check-in age | All ages welcome; booking guest must be 21+ to check in | Adults-only property (guests under 21 not permitted; min age 21) |
| Pool(s) | One heated rooftop outdoor pool with hot tub, fire pits, cabanas and Chill Bar | Not published |
| Spa / wellness | St. Somewhere Spa — full-service spa with multiple treatments and treatment rooms | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on-site venues (Margaritaville Restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill, Chill Bar, lobby Starbucks) | One restaurant (The Heirloom Room) and a bar/lounge |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available (charges apply; confirm current fees) | Parking (limited spaces); self parking (surcharge) |
| Nearby attractions | Steps from The Island (wheel, shops, rides) and close to Dollywood | Within walking distance of Anakeesta and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies; ~1.3 mi to Great Smoky Mountains NP |
| Signature rooms / suites | Deluxe Room (1 King), Standard Room (2 Queens) plus suites at the property | Majestic Glen; Majestic Glen with Fireplace; Majestic Glen with Fireplace and Soaking Tub; Heirloom Suite |
Margaritaville sits directly on The Island complex in Pigeon Forge, steps from shops, rides and live entertainment.
Choose Margaritaville if you want instant access to Pigeon Forge attractions and walkable dining/entertainment.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn sits on the river in downtown Gatlinburg, within easy walking distance of central Gatlinburg attractions.
Choose Rocky Waters Inn for a Gatlinburg-base that keeps you close to downtown attractions and the national park approach.
Rooms at Margaritaville reflect the resort’s tropical theme; the property offers 129 rooms including king and double-queen types.
Margaritaville gives larger inventory and family-oriented room types with island-themed details and in-room amenities.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn has 36 air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and riverside views.
Rocky Waters Inn offers a small collection of riverfront rooms that lean toward boutique, upscale finishes and private balconies.
Margaritaville provides several on-site dining and drinking options anchored by a two-story Margaritaville Restaurant and rooftop Chill Bar.
Margaritaville is the stronger choice if on-site variety, poolside drinks and lively dining are priorities.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn has one main on-site dining outlet, The Heirloom Room, plus a bar/lounge.
Pick Rocky Waters Inn if you want a quieter hotel dining experience with immediate access to Gatlinburg’s restaurant scene.
Margaritaville’s signature amenity is its rooftop heated pool deck with cabanas, hot tub and Chill Bar.
Margaritaville suits guests seeking a pool-focused stay with poolside drinks and social spaces.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn highlights its riverfront location rather than a resort-style pool amenity.
Rocky Waters Inn is for travelers who prefer riverfront proximity and a quieter outdoor setting over resort pool scenes.
Margaritaville offers a full-service St. Somewhere Spa plus frequent on-site entertainment through The Island.
If spa treatments and on-site entertainment matter, Margaritaville delivers both in one property.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn focuses on a quieter, boutique experience with concierge services and nearby Gatlinburg nightlife within walking distance.
Choose Rocky Waters Inn if you want low-key evenings and easy walking access to Gatlinburg’s downtown nightlife rather than an on-site spa scene.

Margaritaville Island Hotel — rooftop pool, multiple dining options and immediate access to The Island’s entertainment.

Historic Rocky Waters Inn — small, upscale riverfront hotel in Gatlinburg with intimate rooms and a high guest rating.

Margaritaville Island Hotel — St. Somewhere Spa with multiple treatment rooms and a full menu of services.

Historic Rocky Waters Inn — walkable to Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium and other Gatlinburg attractions.
Margaritaville Island Hotel — it’s family-friendly (though the booking guest must be 21+), has a rooftop pool, kid-friendly dining and direct access to The Island’s attractions.
Historic Rocky Waters Inn — it’s a small boutique riverfront property in Gatlinburg with fewer rooms and a quieter atmosphere.
No — the supplier listing indicates it is an adults-only property and that guests under 21 are not permitted.
Margaritaville Island Hotel — multiple venues including Margaritaville Restaurant, Fins Bar & Chill, Chill Bar and a lobby Starbucks.
Explore how Margaritaville Island Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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