Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort was an absolute dream for me to visit. It’s been on my travel bucket list since it opened. Why you ask? Because I am a lifelong Dolly Parton fan, that’s right, DreamMore is the iconic singers resort in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Dolly aside, DreamMore is by far one of the most amazing five star resorts I have stayed at, all with a down home Tennessee feel. Pull up a chair, and sit a minute as I tell you about Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa.
DreamMore Resort
As you enter the grounds of DreamMore Resort you wind up the mountain to a beautiful entrance, and are greeted by a stunning fountain with the resorts signature on it.
Dream More, Be More, Learn More, Care More. – these words are all over the resort, and a reminder to do just that in life.
Accommodations
Being a family friendly resort, they have knocked it out of the park with their King Bunk Bed rooms. These rooms have ample space for families offering plenty of storage, large bathrooms with a tub/shower, and of course bunk beds so the kids don’t complain about sleeping together.
Room Amenities
- More than 350 square feet of living space
- Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access
- 42″ flat screen TV
- Cable channels
- Mini-refrigerator
- In-room safe
- Coffee maker with coffee/tea
- Clock radio with alarm
- Hair dryer
- Iron & ironing board
- Portable cribs are available upon request
If you need a larger room, they offer suites that sleep four or six. And if you really want to treat yourself, you can book The Dolly Parton Suite. This exclusive room is hard to come by, so call and book early. I wish I could have seen what was beyond those doors, I am dreaming of a stay there.
Dining
There are ample dining options at the resort. You can take a break and enjoy room service, sit down to a full buffet at Song & Hearth, grab a pizza at DreamMore Pantry or relax in the lounge. No matter where you decide to eat, you won’t go hungry.
Song & Hearth – A Southern Eatery
This is the signature restaurant in the resort, offering both breakfast and dinner buffets with a Southern menu inspired by Dolly of course.
The dinner buffet features Dolly’s family recipe for Stone Soup, a flavorful vegetable soup. You will also dine on fried chicken, prime rib, bacon wrapped meat loaf, chicken n dumplings’, veggies, potatoes and a plethora of desert options. If you want real southern fare, this is the spot, the collard greens were some of the best I have had.
For breakfast you can enjoy fresh fruits, omelet station, prime rib hash, grits (cooked perfectly), bacon, ham, a plethora of pancakes and more. You can also get a mini Cinnamon Bread! That’s right, the famous Grist Mill Cinnamon Bread is available at the resort.
DreamMore Pantry
Located in the lobby the pantry offers fresh pastries, Starbucks Coffee, grab and go salads/sandwiches and pizzas cooked to order, along with ice cream and snacks. You can also purchase the famous Grist Mill Cinnamon Bread here as well. The Cinnamon topped Banana Bread is absolutely amazing! Not once, but twice the girls enjoyed a pizza for dinner, they said it was that good.
The Lounge
Looking for small bites and good drinks? This is the spot! You can enjoy the lounge setting or grab carry out. I loved the Song & Hearth Margarita, it had just enough kick, I also enjoyed the Smoky Mountain Sweet Tea When it comes to food, holy cow get the Smoked Pulled Pork Quesadilla and the Tennessee Whiskey Burger, both were outstanding.
The Swimming Hole
If you are looking to relax, this is the spot. Just outside the lobby is the feature pool, with a cascading waterfall, a zero entry area, splash pad and hot tub. We spent ample time poolside, as the Smokies can get pretty hot in the summer months.
Poolside Dining
This is an abbreviated version of the lounge menu, but lucky for me they had my Smoked Pulled Pork Quesadilla! You may place an order poolside, and a server will bring your food directly to your numbered chair or table along the pool deck.
The Spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort
Did you really think Dolly would have a resort without a spa? The Spa offers a complete selection of customized treatments to help you feel pampered in Southern style. From facials, massages, manicures, pedicures and more you can relax the day away. You do need to make a reservation in advance by calling, 865-428-9684. I wasn’t able to visit the spa during this trip, but it’s on my list for next time.
Camp DW
Camp DW is an engaging and fun spot for kids of every age. These programs are designed to get your child’s imagination going. From arts and crafts to storytelling, Camp DW will delight and entertain. Many of the offerings are free, and perfect for the whole family.
During our stay Camp DW offered nightly S’mores by the campfire, Bedtime stories in the barn, out door movie night, and poolside games. For a small fee you could make your own travel pillow, or purchase a takeaway craft kit- all instructions included.
Amenities
There is no shortage of amenities at the resort. You truly can make DreamMore your home away from home. In the evening you can relax on the many porches or by the fire pits in a rocking chair, or you can play a game of corn hole or ladder ball with the family in the Meadow. All of this is included in your resort stay.
Garden House Indoor Pool
When the swimming hole is closed, or the weather isn’t great you can head indoors to the Garden House pool. Open daily from 8 a.m.- 11 p.m. this is a great way to unwind after a day exploring the park.
Fitness Center
Open daily the fitness center offers state-of-the-art equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights.
Game Room
The family game room includes classics like air hockey, foosball and board games as well as today’s most popular gaming consoles.
Playground
Let the kids get the wiggles out at the playground. This fun climbing structure offers slides, and climbing walls.
Shopping
Be sure to stop by Pokeberry Lane to get your Dolly merchandise, and DreamMore resort keepsakes.
Resort Benefits
When you stay at DreamMore Resort & Spa you have exclusive resort benefits, and let me tell you, they are worth it! You can take the DreamMore Trolley to both Splash Country and Dollywood for front door service. If you are visiting Dollywood, you have 1 hour early access to the park on Saturday’s as well as a time saver pass for 9 major attractions.
Dolly
Would it really be the resort that it is without Dolly- the Dreamer in Chief of Dollywood? All around the resort are subtle tributes to her legacy and career. My favorite spot was the album cover hallway, even as a Dolly fan I didn’t realize just how many she had! In the lobby you can find her instruments. And outside of Song & Hearth, is a plank from her Tennessee home as a child, as well as a box to be opened on her 100th Birthday with a song in it.
Family fun is a priority at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. Surrounded by the lush beauty of the Smoky Mountains, yet minutes away from the excitement of Dollywood and Splash Country. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort offers everything you could need to make family memories in the mountains.
It’s hard to put into words how beautiful this resort is, I feel like I barely scratched the surface. You will need to go experience it for yourself to really see the splendor that is Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.