Since it is no longer a Gold Crown, I expected less. As stated in other reviews, we were in a one-bedroom that was small, and you could hear people next door easily. The kitchen could not have more than one person in it at a time. We kept the coffee table standing on its edge because there was no place to put it when the sofa was open.

The room was overall clean, except for the mildew in the shower/tub/Jacuzzi. We could have probably got someone to clean it, but I did not want to bother with it. The kitchen did not have a pizza or flat pan or one of those nonstick-type pans. With the tall ceilings, we used the ceiling fans to help with the heat, as well to help cool. The views from the resort were nice and provided a natural environment.

There was no TV in the bedroom, and my wife called the front desk, and they said that they did not have any. We asked the maintenance guys, and in a matter of minutes they had one and set it up. We found the service people very cooperative and helpful. They provided a midweek tidy service that I was surprised about. On Tuesday night, they had a little reception for the exchangers. I thought it was a timeshare sale, but it was only a get-to-know-the-management. We told them our bed was hard, and before we got back to the room, they had put one of those egg-carton pad things on there.

The heated pool was nice (half indoors and half outside). My daughter really enjoyed it. It was a little dirty, but the water was clean.

Even though they had a washer and dryer in the room, they had towel exchange every day.

Best Things Nearby:
Gatlinburg strip is a shopper's delight! Many shops, with trolley service available.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location was quiet and off-the-beaten-path, and what a view! Spacious.

Resort Experience:
This resort is located on the outskirts of Gatlinburg. The lofts are spacious, tastefully decorated, quiet, and have fireplaces. It's a very romantic area, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We liked this resort and would return again.

• Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
Right across the street from the resort entrance was the trolley stop (at the post office). We rode for 25 cents each into Gatlinburg (2 miles max)to avoid the traffic and parking fees downtown. My husband enjoyed this over trying to navigate through an unfamiliar town.

The grocery store was a mile away and easily accessible.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was just minutes away.

The Christmas lights through town were pretty.

Best Things About the Resort:
The view was beautiful! Everything was very clean, and the pool was heated enough that the kids didn't want to get out!

Resort Experience:
When we first arrived on Christmas day, after a five-hour drive with two kids, we were told that they didn't show a reservation for us. Fortunately, I had my RCI confirmation papers with me and handy, so things moved along without too much difficulty.

Once in our room, we were surprised at how small the unit seemed. We've stayed at many resorts, and this was by far the smallest. Somehow, they laid out the floorplan in such a way that it provided plenty of room for the four in our family, even though I thought we would be tripping over one another.

Our unit was a deluxe villa. The master bedroom had a whirlpool tub, king bed, and a nice entertainment center with a TV and VCR.

The kids slept on the fold-out couch in the living room. They didn't like that idea at all, but sometimes you just have to get over it. It wasn't the couch that was the problem--it was the brother/sister thing!

There was a gas fireplace in the living room that we used every night. This gave such a nice, comfy feel to the room. Very holiday-like, with a mountain feel.

We had a patio and a beautiful view out the windows! The view seemed to change every few minutes as the sun moved. We took lots of pictures.

The unit was very clean--even the kitchen floor! The towels were plush, pillows comfortable, but my husband thought the sheets were a bit thin. We were given a large supply of dish detergent, dish soap, trash bags, etc. It lasted us all week, and we ate in EVERY night!

The kids enjoyed the swimming pool. It was heated very well! My husband enjoyed the fitness room. He used that almost every night.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good

Best Things Nearby:
The resort is only a mile or two from downtown Gatlinburg, but it's very close to a trolley stop. From there, you can ride to town for a quarter. The nearest local attraction is Ripley's Davey Crockett Mini-Golf, which is a very short drive and doesn't even require going into town. Following the same road, you can bypass Gatlinburg and go directly to Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

Best Things About the Resort:
The resort is built on a mountainside and provides some really nice views. The main clubhouse has an indoor/outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a sauna, and an exercise room. There was a small playground near our unit. The grounds are clean and well-maintained. Parking is plentiful. Staff is very friendly and eager to help.

Resort Experience:
We were in the one-bedroom side of a town home. The floor plan is available at the website. We took it because it became available at the last minute, just before we were about to book a hotel. It was nice and clean, but small for more than two people. With the sofa bed extended, there was little room to walk in the living area. The unit had one phone and one television, both in the living room, so we ended up putting our child to bed in the master bedroom so that we could use the TV, then moving him to the sofa bed when we were ready to turn in. For about half the week, we had neighbors in the two-bedroom side of the building who ran up and down stairs starting very early until very late, and they were almost loud enough for us to understand their conversations through the walls.

The phone system was malfunctioning when we got there, so that the phone was constantly clicking to indicate we had messages when we didn't. We unplugged it. Some of the dishes needed to be washed before use, especially the blender jar, which had been washed without being taken apart. The screen door to the deck had to be set back on its rails.

We recommend this resort and would stay there again, but only in a unit with more than one bedroom.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
Restaurants, Shows, and Shopping Strips

Best Things About the Resort:
Indoor/outdoor pool, rocking chair to enjoy the view, activities rm, gym, jacuzzi, sauna, game room and very nice people to assist you in get attraction tickets all located in the clubhouse.

Resort Experience:
It was very clean, with a master bedroom, master bathroom, and a private balcony upstairs in the townhouse. There were two twin beds in the guest room, full bath, full kitchen, combined dining-living room area with fireplace, washer and dryer, and balcony with grill. The decor is very nice. It is located not far from all the major shopping strips, crafter's shops, restaurants, and shows.

It is a must to see Dolly's Dixie Stampede and the Blackbear Jamboree. This is a relaxing kind of vacation. And if you are thinking of marriage, there are enough chapels to accommodate any kind of wedding you want--it is advertised as one of the capitals of wedlock, right behind Las Vegas. The restaurants are very good, and there is a Christmas Village Shopping Center open all year. It is the time of the year when the Christmas lights are starting to come down, but they are sure pretty to look at when driving at night. Some shops are closed and the places to mine are too, but the other things make up for it. There is a crafter's area of town also. I can't wait to go back at the end of October.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Very Good