Is Margaritaville Island Hotel worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Margaritaville Island Hotel is worth it if you want a themed, family-friendly hotel right on The Island with easy walking access to shops, restaurants, and attractions. It’s strongest for its rooftop pool deck, on-site dining and spa; weigh those perks against parking/destination fees and the 21+ minimum for the person who checks in.
In this guide
Location & what you can do nearby
Margaritaville Island Hotel sits at 131 The Island Drive inside The Island entertainment complex in Pigeon Forge. That means immediate access to the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, retail shops, the Island Show Fountain, restaurants and several family attractions within easy walking distance.
Because the hotel is on The Island, many dining and entertainment options are a short walk away; the Titanic Museum Attraction, Alcatraz East Crime Museum and the Comedy Barn are all nearby. Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are easy drives from the hotel for day trips.
- Steps to The Island shops, rides and fountain shows
- About 5 miles to Dollywood
- About 5–7 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance
| Nearby attraction | How close |
|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountain Wheel / The Island | Immediate walk |
| Dollywood | About 5 miles (day trip) |
| Titanic Museum Attraction | Short drive / a few minutes |
Rooms — who they fit and what to expect
Rooms at Margaritaville Island Hotel come in two types: Deluxe Room (1 King Bed) and Standard Room (2 Queen Beds). The property lists features such as rainfall showers and in-room stone fireplaces in guest rooms.
The hotel has 129 rooms total. The choice between Deluxe Room and Standard Room is primarily one of bed configuration and whether you prefer a king bed or two queens; consider which works best for your group.
- Deluxe Room — 1 King Bed (good for couples or solo travelers wanting a king)
- Standard Room — 2 Queen Beds (better for families or groups)
- Rooms include free in-room Wi‑Fi as part of the Island Destination Fee
| Room type | Beds |
|---|---|
| Deluxe Room | 1 King Bed |
| Standard Room | 2 Queen Beds |
Rooftop pool, bars and dining — big selling points
The rooftop outdoor pool deck is a major draw: a heated pool with hot tub, fire pits, private cabanas (for hire) and the Chill Bar serving tropical drinks and light fare. Pool hours and seasonal access can vary; the listed rooftop hours are Sunday–Thursday 7:00 AM–10:00 PM and Friday–Saturday 7:00 AM–11:00 PM.
On-site dining options include Margaritaville Restaurant (river-view patio, live performances) and Fins Bar & Chill (riverside casual dining). The Island Destination Fee includes two welcome margaritas at the Chill Bar per stay.
- Rooftop pool: heated, hot tub, fire pits, cabanas for hire
- Chill Bar: rooftop poolside cocktails and light fare (seasonal access)
- Margaritaville Restaurant: lunch & dinner with a stage and river patio
- Fins Bar & Chill: casual riverside dining and after-dinner drinks
| Venue | Typical offerings / hours |
|---|---|
| Margaritaville Restaurant | Lunch & dinner; Sun–Thu 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Fri–Sat 11:00 AM–11:00 PM |
| Chill Bar (rooftop) | Tropical drinks, beer, light fare; seasonal hours — check concierge |
| Fins Bar & Chill | Casual lunch/dinner with riverside patio; hours vary |
Spa, fitness and wellness
St. Somewhere Spa is an on-site full-service day spa offering massages, facials, manicures/pedicures and salon services. The spa is open to both overnight guests and local visitors; listed spa hours are Monday–Saturday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.
The property also has a 24-hour fitness center, access to which is included in the nightly Island Destination Fee. Spa bookings have a 24-hour cancellation policy (late cancellations incur charges).
- St. Somewhere Spa: Volcano Hot Stone Massage, Couples Massage, Tranquil Facial and other signature treatments
- Spa features include multiple treatment rooms, locker rooms and a nail bar
- 24-hour fitness center — included via the Island Destination Fee
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa hours | Mon–Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM–7:00 PM |
| Fitness center | Open 24 hours; included in destination fee |
| Spa cancel policy | 24-hour notice required; late/no-show charges apply |
Costs, fees and the small print
Expect a per-night Island Destination Fee (the site lists a fee that has been quoted around $20–$25 depending on date/source). That fee covers in-room high-speed Wi‑Fi, rooftop pool and fitness access, bell service, live entertainment and two welcome margaritas, among other perks.
Parking, valet and pet policies can vary by booking source — some sites list paid self-parking and valet surcharges, while the hotel FAQ lists paid parking options; pets are listed as allowed on the hotel's FAQ with a non-refundable pet fee, but some third-party sites list the property as non-pet. Confirm current parking and pet rules and fees with the hotel directly before booking.
- Island Destination Fee covers Wi‑Fi, pool/fitness access, bell service and two welcome margaritas
- Parking (self and valet) is typically available for a surcharge; confirm current rates with the hotel
- Minimum check-in age: 21 for the guest making the reservation (valid photo ID required)
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Destination fee | Budget for it; it includes Wi‑Fi, pool/fitness access and two welcome margaritas |
| Parking | Check current self-parking and valet charges directly with the hotel |
| Pet policy | Verify with the hotel — the official FAQ lists a pet fee, third-party sites conflict |
Who should (and shouldn’t) book Margaritaville Island Hotel
Good fit: travelers who want walkable access to The Island’s shops and attractions, a rooftop pool and on-site dining/entertainment, plus an on-site spa. Families can be comfortable here, provided the primary reservation-holder meets the 21+ check-in requirement.
Not a fit: travelers seeking an adults-only escape (the hotel is family-friendly) or those wanting all meals included — the property is not all-inclusive. Also, if you need certainty about free parking or a strict pet policy, confirm those items before booking because third-party sites sometimes list different rules.
- Best for: families, couples who like a lively scene, visitors to Dollywood or Smoky Mountains day trips
- Avoid if: you need a true adults-only resort or expect an all-inclusive rate
- Tip: check pool season/closures (rooftop maintenance has happened in past winters) and parking/pet details before you go
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families with children | Good — family-friendly rooms and kid menu options; adult making reservation must be 21+ |
| Couples wanting quiet seclusion | Mixed — lively location on The Island can be noisy at times |
| Visitors needing certainty on pet/parking | Confirm policies directly with hotel before booking |
