A Surprisingly Cool Hotel For Your Stay In Knoxville, Tennessee! (Hint: Its Initials are H.I.!)

By Delaina Dixon | September 20, 2017 | Travel

Making plans to travel to Knoxville, Tenn., but the hottest new boutique hotel in town is booked? The DivaGals have discovered a little secret that will put a smile on your face and save you some dough!

Knoxville, known for its music, football love and famed Market Square, is home to The Tennessean, a luxury boutique hotel with private powder rooms in each guest room, high-quality linens and concierge and butler service. During our stay, it was booked. We were directed to its sister hotel next door. Divas, don’t lose it here: it’s the Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown, located in World’s Fair Park.

What could these two hotels have in common? Well, they share the same owner, who has taken over the affordable chain venue. Holiday Inn offers an incredible view of the Sunsphere (which offers a 360-degree view of the original 1982 World’s Fair site). It is also just a short walk to Market Square, Knoxville’s historical street featuring shops, street fairs and eateries.

A stay on Holiday Inn’s Executive Floor means available room service and a complimentary Continental breakfast in the morning. Our double queen room served up all the basic amenities we needed: a controllable thermostat; toiletries from Bath & Body Works; and a coffeemaker with complimentary coffee and tea. WiFi is also free of charge.

What we loved most about this Holiday Inn was our room’s great view of downtown Knoxville, its huge lounge area and its on-site restaurant, Windows On The Park Restaurant & Bar specializing in fresh, seasonal American cuisine. We started our meal with fried pickle chips, seasoned to perfection, and jumbo shrimp cocktail. It was then on to our main entrees.

The farm-raised salmon topped with whiskey glaze was nicely cooked and served over tasty greens.

We couldn’t get enough of the 10 oz. sirloin, seared to perfection and served with a hearty helping of mashed potatoes, veggies and onion rings. You won’t leave hungry from Windows On The Park, which was getting a facelift that evening for the Knoxville’s upcoming football season.

This is why we’re glad Holiday Inn has a fitness facility, where we got in a decent morning-after workout. There’s also an indoor pool to swim season-round.

We have to admit, guest rooms are showing signs of wear and tear. But we DivaGals love to investigate. We discovered that they are getting a makeover! Newly renovated rooms will boast cool gray and cream interiors with new carpeting and curtains, chic bed framings and updated bathroom vanities and showers. Expect the changes to be in full effect by Fall 2018.

All in all, it’s a great cost-effective alternative to its luxury high-end hotel sister!

While in Market Square, make sure you stop in The Peter Kern Library for one of their signature cocktails. TV DivaGal loved the Pennywise with blackberry tequila…