Chattanooga
The historic 363-room Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel completed an $8 million renovation earlier this year with an updated sports bar and grill and a new 500-person entertainment venue within the complex. In addition to standard rooms, the historic property also offers restored train cars as a unique lodging option.
The Holiday Inn & Suites Chattanooga Downtown opened this spring with 200 rooms, the Sports News Grill restaurant and meeting space.
Knoxville
The Tennessean Hotel & Residences, a boutique hotel, is currently under construction adjacent to the Holiday Inn across from the Knoxville Convention Center, and will open winter 2016.
Pigeon Forge
The Ripken Experience Pigeon Forge will open next spring. The $22.5 million facility will feature six lighted turf fields, a two-level clubhouse with more than 14,000 square feet, lighted training areas and batting cages. The attraction is designed for kids between the ages of 8 to 12 years, learning about sports and sportsmanship in the Ripken Way.
Margaritaville Island Hotel opened last October with 132 rooms, rooftop pool spa, bar, and a 2,500-square-foot-meeting room.
Gatlinburg
Hospitality Solutions, Inc., a Gatlinburg-based company, will open a new Courtyard by Marriott by late summer. The property is adjacent to the Gatlinburg Convention Center and will offer 130 rooms and suites, 2,500 square feet of meeting space and on-site catering.
The Lodge at Buckberry Creek recently opened a new 210-square-foot meeting space at Angler’s Perch. The lodge offers 44 luxury suites, a restaurant, meeting rooms and outdoor meeting space, and an onsite group coordinator.
The Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, a new attraction, opened last fall. Instead of a traditional roller coaster, riders hop into a single or double-seated sled car and zoom down the mountainside on a single rail track. The Coaster is open year round and offers group rates.
Johnson City
A new 90-room Fairfield Inn and Suites is currently under development and will open in spring 2016.