Resort Dilemma: Choosing Between Dollywood’s DreamMore and HeartSong

If you are visiting Dollywood soon and want to stay at one of its resorts, you have two very different but good options. Here is how the DreamMore Resort and Spa and HeartSong Lodge & Resort compare so you can choose the resort that will be the special fit for your family's needs.

DreamMore Resort and Spa

• Staying here at Christmas is special.

  • It has a stunning, enormous Christmas tree in the lobby.

  • The Christmas decorations are more evident.

  • It offers an opportunity for Christmas card-quality family photos with the tree and decorations by the fireplace.

• It has an overall more grand, striking lobby.

• It has a more upscale feel.

• The rooms seem more tightly configured, especially in rooms with bunk beds.

• The fire pits are more communal, with larger sitting areas along a pathway behind the pool.

• The barn has a fire pit (which would fit in well at HeartSong). Sitting in the barn is a great feeling when it is just you and your family, and you can take that picture of your shoes next to the fire. We have all done this; admit it.

• The “hustle and bustle” of entering the outdoor swimming and fire pit area, as well as the traffic going to the restaurant, is tucked away downstairs from the main lobby entrance.

• The lobby features two indoor fireplaces with small sitting areas near them and a sitting ledge in front of the fire for cold nights when you really need the warmth.

• It has two sets of elevators across from one another that are slow and unconnected, causing you to push the up or down button for each set to get the quickest elevator option.

• It has fewer seating options in the lobby.

• It is themed with butterflies.

Music and butterfly statue outside of DreamMore Resort and Spa

An overview of the outdoor space at DreamMore Resort and Spa

Communal fire pit in the barn at DreamMore Resort and Spa

A viewe out of the DreamMore Resort and Spa

Christmas tree in the DreamMore Resort and Spa lobby

HeartSong Lodge & Resort

• The Christmas decorations are much more subtle.

• It has a series of small, lit trees down a hallway with some sleighs and deer around some of the trees.

• It has a modern lodge atmosphere with minimal décor.

• The décor and atmosphere portray Tennessee's nature and hospitality.

• The lobby has a more relaxed, sit-and-talk atmosphere with more general seating available and tables for enjoying food.

• The layout of the rooms seems more functional than at DreamMore.

• The fire pits seem more personal for each group and are tucked away slightly in nook-like areas.

• It has a substantial communal fire pit in addition to smaller fire pits.

• The areas near the lobby follow a more traditional hotel layout, with the dining options, seating areas, fireplace, and hallways taking you to different amenities on the same floor.

• There is one fireplace with the view partially obstructed by a decorative metal hearth; the furniture is arranged such that seating is further away from the fire at this hotel.

• There are two elevators (with one button to press); perhaps the hotel was not extremely busy during our stay, but the elevator wait was minimal.

• One of the seating areas in front of the windows across from the fireplace looks out into the communal fire pit. There are tables and chairs outside of the grab-and-go pantry to the left of the check-in area for people to gather or eat. Although there are no small, individual areas for your family, plentiful seating is throughout the lobby.

• In addition to the modern lodge feel, it is themed with fireflies.

Porte cochere of HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Communal fire pit at HeartSong Lodge & Resort

A view out of the HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Christmas decorations at HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Hallway with Christmas trees, deer, and sleighs at HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Both resorts feature rocking chairs to enjoy the great outdoors. Both resorts offer guest benefits, including:

• A TimeSaver pass that allows quicker entry onto five rides (not Big Bear Mountain, and only one time each on Dragonflier and Firechaser Express) and special reserved seating for shows.

• Free trolley service to and from the park.

• Package delivery to your room for items purchased in the park.

• Park entrance one hour before opening to enjoy a select ride on Saturdays.

• Priority access to the parks based on ticket type and reservation stay dates.

The trolley does not provide transportation between the two resorts, and there is no safe walkway between them. If you want to go between the resorts, plan on driving and using free self-parking.

You can read my review of HeartSong here. You can also read about our meals at the signature restaurant, including an outstanding management of my food allergy orders here.

Either resort will be a distinctive part of your vacation. I know which one I will call home when I visit Dollywood and have an opportunity to stay there. I hope you make a special connection with one so that you know which one tugs at your heart when it is time to visit the Smoky Mountains.