"They call me a hotelier now," laughs Dolly Parton at the opening of HeartSong Lodge & Resort at Dollywood on Nov. 3. "Well, I'm not so sure about that."
"But I do think back to 'Steel Magnolias,' where I played a hairdresser named Truvy, and when the character got a second beauty shop, she said, 'I'm a chain!'"
So now, I have two hotels; I'm a chain!"
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains next to Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa, HeartSong Lodge & Resort reflects Dolly's deep feelings for the area.
"I really love having the lodge here. It does make you feel like you are in the mountains.
I love all of this - the whole idea of a lodge versus a resort, which it is a resort, but I like having something a little more rustic. Although, I have to say this is high fashion rustic."
From its 4,000 square foot, four-story lobby atrium with a two-story stone fireplace with never-ending flame and lantern-inspired windows to The Cove, featuring a pool complex, communal fire pit, screened-in porch to the Acoustic Lobby and its acoustic guitar chandelier as the focal point, the property seamlessly blends Smoky Mountain adventure and the unparalleled Dollywood experience.
The well-appointed five-story property offers 302 rooms and suites in configurations suitable for solo and couple travelers, families and groups. Then there is on-site dining, and rest assured that HeartSong Lodge & Resort doesn't disappoint. Options range from the full-service signature restaurant Ember & Elm to High Note, with all-day dining options to grab-and-go at Songbird Market. All three are open to both resort and non-resort guests.
Need a souvenir or a gift item? Check out Honeysuckle & Pine Storied Good Mercantile for the latest Dollywood - and Dolly Parton-related merchandise.
Staying at a Dollywood property has its perks that include complimentary Resort Trolleys to the theme park and Dollywood's Splash Country, resort in-room delivery of purchases made from either park or gift shops.
Creating memories is an integral part of Dollywood and Dollywood's resorts. HeartSong Lodge & Resort provides families with various on-site activities that begin each morning with the Imagination Library Story House as Camp DW hosts read books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. During the day, Camp DW encourages creative family time through arts and crafts, storytelling and more. Evenings feature families gathering around the wood-burning fire pit for complimentary marshmallow roasting and a campfire sing-along.
Memorable times aren't limited to guests and families; group and corporate gatherings can enjoy the Dollywood experience, too. The property has 26,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space that can be arranged for various event needs and styles.
HeartSong Lodge & Resort is the third accommodation choice at Dollywood, following DreamMore Resort and Spa, with its spa, Dolly Parton Suite, and the Dolly Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience, and Bear Cove Cabins.