The new Compass by Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge, TN is the latest addition to the brand’s hotels and one you won’t want to miss if you’re heading out that way. It has both indoor and outdoor waterparks, a huge free breakfast, and amazing family suites.
Thanks to Compass by Margaritaville for hosting us so we could write this review. All opinions are our own.
Any Margaritaville property I’ve ever stayed at has always exceeded my expectations and Compass by Margaritaville is no different. Walking through the lobby is an invitation to drop all your stress at the door and get on island time, even in the middle of the Smoky Mountains just three hours from Greenville, SC.
I loved this new hotel – as did my daughters (ages 10 and 14) – for the waterparks, delicious food, and comfortable and spacious suite. Read on to learn why this could be your next hotel destination in Pigeon Forge.
Compass by Margaritaville: The Rooms
We stayed in one of the two-bedroom family suites, which is amazingly spacious. There is a separate room for kids with two twin beds, a dresser, and television. The door even closes.
Down the hall is a table for dining, a Keurig with coffee pods, a counter top, and a mini-fridge. The bathroom is cavernous. There is a beautiful glass shower with a rain shower head, double sinks, and a tub. The main bedroom has two queen beds, a closet, a dresser, and a large television.
I felt so relaxed here. It was nice to be able to spread out and for the kids and I to each have our own space. The hotel offers a variety of other rooms to choose from but this one was just incredible. It’s decorated in the typical blues and teals of the Margaritaville brand.
Compass by Margaritaville: The Waterparks
There are few things my kids love more than waterparks. They were thrilled to learn this hotel has two of them: one indoor and one outdoor.
The indoor one has a large pool and small waterslide plus a great space for toddlers to run around and play in a pirate-themed splash pad. It’s adorable.
The outdoor waterpark has an infinity pool, those cool chairs where you can sit in the pool and in a lounge chair at the same time, a waterslide, pool, zero entry toddler area, lazy river, and hot tub.
The weather wasn’t particularly favorable when we went but we were determined to try everything out and ended up having such a great time. The lazy river and waterslide were our favorites. Don’t think for a second I didn’t go down the waterslide – I went down several times! It was a blast. I feel like there is something for everyone at these waterparks. Little kids will love the splash pads and zero entry pool while tweens will like the slides and teens can also play on the slides and hang out at the lazy river and infinity pool.
They have the bar and corn hole turf area right next to the bar so you can order up margaritas, hummus, or pretzels right from the pool. You literally don’t need to go anywhere all day.
The waterparks are open daily 8 am – 11 pm.
Compass by Margaritaville: The Breakfast
Honestly, the breakfast here probably deserves its own story. I took one look and was sad I wasn’t hungry enough to eat everything in front of me. This isn’t your typical hotel continental breakfast.
They have cereal, bagels, French toast, omelets, fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, sausage, salsa, some kind of pepper dish, and pastries. They have cranberry, apple, and orange juice plus coffee. Their pancake/French toast bar has every topping you could ever want.
I didn’t know where to start. The only other hotel breakfast that comes close to this is at another Margaritaville property I fell in love with a couple years ago: Camp Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge. I remember a good hotel breakfast and this one was excellent. I wish I could have tried everything here.
The best part about the breakfast is that it comes free with your stay at the hotel. Breakfast is from 6:30-10 am daily. We ended up eating enough for breakfast that we skipped lunch one of the days there and had an early dinner. That’s how fantastic this breakfast is. I mean, you could probably just stay here for the breakfast and be happy.
Compass by Margaritaville: The Game Room
I caught sight of the arcade game and foosball table before my kids did so it was fun to see their reaction when they finally saw it. They all but ran over to check it out. The game room is right off the lobby of the hotel and besides two arcade games where I taught my kids how to play Tetris, the room also has board games and a shuffleboard table. I had to Google shuffleboard rules so yes, we learned how to play while there. It was fantastic.
My girls indulged in a lively game of Monopoly while I ordered hummus and the Bavarian soft pretzel (since that is by far one of my biggest food weaknesses). Both were delicious and my daughters even ate vegetables with the hummus. Island time worked out well.
We had a great time hanging out with each other and enjoying the comfortable chairs and tranquil atmosphere. Margaritaville has completely nailed this whole relaxation thing.
One other thing to mention is that there is a complete fitness room at the hotel. We didn’t use it because my daughters were too young but I wish I could have gotten in a good workout there. They have weights, treadmills, bikes, and other equipment. You can easily take your workouts on the road here.
Compass by Margaritaville: The Location
Let’s talk location. It’s perfect really. The hotel is right off the main strip in Pigeon Forge so literally within a short distance of most of the cool stuff there like the Island at Pigeon Forge, Dollywood, all the dinner shows, and other attractions.
The hotel is about 25 minutes from the Sugarlands Visitor Center inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park so if you want to go hiking, you’re pretty close to many wonderful trails.
There is also Gorilla Tacos literally right outside the doors of the hotel. I didn’t try it this trip but I have to say the menu looked pretty good. Next time!
Booking Your Room at Compass at Margaritaville
Cost of the rooms depend on size and time of year. I personally think summer is the best due to the waterparks but really, anytime in this area is great.
You can check prices and book your trip at the Compass at Margaritaville website. Be sure to check for special offers.
The hotel is also pet-friendly.
Compass at Margaritaville
125 Music Mountain Drive, Pigeon Forge, TN
Compass at Margaritaville Website
For things to do in Pigeon Forge, TN with your family, check out our big Guide to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
