
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Best for families or groups who want villa space, an on-site indoor/outdoor water park (Wild Bear Falls), and a wider range of on-site dining and activities.
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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is a villa-focused, family-friendly resort in Gatlinburg centered on Wild Bear Falls water park and multiple pools. Compass Hotel by Margaritaville is a Margaritaville‑branded hotel in Pigeon Forge with casual island styling, a lazy river and poolside dining—read this if you’re choosing between a larger family resort experience and a branded hotel stay near Pigeon Forge attractions.
Updated · about 7 miles apart

Best for families or groups who want villa space, an on-site indoor/outdoor water park (Wild Bear Falls), and a wider range of on-site dining and activities.

Best for travelers who want a recognizable Margaritaville vibe, poolside dining, and easy access to Pigeon Forge attractions in a hotel setting.
When Westgate wins: Choose Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park if you need villa-style accommodation for families or groups, want direct access to Wild Bear Falls water park (note: admission is usually sold separately), and prefer on-site options like multiple pools, a full-service spa (Serenity Spa by Westgate), mini golf and more casual dining outlets.
When Compass wins: Choose Compass Hotel by Margaritaville if you prefer a straightforward hotel experience with a Margaritaville theme, indoor pool and lazy river, poolside restaurant and bar, free buffet breakfast, and a Pigeon Forge location close to museums and entertainment venues.
Bottom line: Pick Westgate for a full “resort” stay with villa space and a large water park; pick Compass by Margaritaville for a hotel-style stay that leans on branded atmosphere, convenient Pigeon Forge access, and simple poolside fun.
| Category | Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park | Compass Hotel by Margaritaville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-focused resort with villa accommodations, mountain-lodge dining and a large indoor/outdoor water park. | Margaritaville-branded hotel with island-casual styling, poolside dining and family-friendly pools. |
| Location | Gatlinburg hillside, about 2 miles to attractions and near Great Smoky Mountains National Park. | Pigeon Forge, on Music Mountain Drive close to Titanic Museum and Island at Pigeon Forge. |
| Size / rooms | Villa and suite options (Studio (Villa); Room (Resort Select); Villa, 1 Bedroom; Villa, 2 Bedrooms; Deluxe Villa 1BR varieties). | 162 guestrooms (mix of Standard Rooms, Junior Suites and Family Suites). |
| Who it’s for | Families and groups needing space, on-site activities and a large water park. | Couples or families wanting a branded hotel experience near Pigeon Forge attractions. |
| Pools & water features | Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park (separate admission for most reservations), two outdoor pools, two hot tubs, pool lift and family rules for supervision. | Indoor pool, lazy river, outdoor seasonal pool and one hot tub; poolside bar and 5 o'Clock Somewhere Grill. |
| Dining & bars | Multiple on-site venues: Southern Comfort (full-service Southern/Cajun), Marketplace grab‑and‑go, Roaring Fork snack bar, Mountain Pizza, Mountain Top Pool Bar. | 5 o'Clock Somewhere Grill (poolside restaurant/bar), one on-site restaurant and poolside service; complimentary buffet breakfast. |
| Wellness & spa | Serenity Spa by Westgate with ~50+ services, fitness center and scheduled fitness classes. | No full-service on-site spa published; fitness facilities and accessible fitness center listed. |
| Known for | Wild Bear Falls Water Park (60,000+ sq ft, largest indoor water park in the southeast by the property’s claim) and villa-style accommodations. | Margaritaville brand, lazy river and family-friendly hotel amenities in Pigeon Forge. |
| Accessibility & family rules | Children welcome; adult supervision rules at water park (children under 10 must be accompanied); reservation holder must be 21 to check in. | Family-friendly; free breakfast; property lists ADA room types and accessible public facilities; check-in minimum age 21 (Compass check-in min age published as 21). |
| Parking & transport | Free self-parking; served by the free Gatlinburg Trolley (Purple Route). | Free self-parking (uncovered); near Pigeon Forge attractions and within short drives of major venues. |
Westgate sits on a Gatlinburg hillside a short drive from downtown Parkway and park entrances.
Choose Westgate if you want closer access to Gatlinburg and the national park.
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville sits on Music Mountain Drive in Pigeon Forge near museums and family attractions.
Choose Compass for proximity to Pigeon Forge entertainment and museums.
Westgate offers villa-style lodging across studios, one- and two-bedroom villas and resort-select rooms.
Pick Westgate when you need extra space, separate living areas or family-style layouts.
Compass is a hotel with standard rooms, junior suites and family suite options.
Choose Compass for a conventional hotel room lineup with some suite options and ADA choices.
Westgate provides varied on-site dining from full-service Southern Comfort to grab-and-go options.
Westgate gives more variety and a full-service evening restaurant option on-site.
Compass focuses on poolside dining and a single on-site restaurant/bar concept.
Choose Compass if poolside dining and a simple onsite restaurant + free breakfast are priorities.
Westgate’s signature amenity is Wild Bear Falls water park plus several outdoor pools and hot tubs.
Westgate is the pick for guests wanting a large, dedicated water-park experience on property.
Compass offers the hotel-pool experience anchored by a lazy river and an indoor pool.
Choose Compass for a relaxing hotel-pool layout with a lazy river and poolside dining.
Westgate offers a full-service spa and on-site family entertainment options.
Westgate is stronger for spa services and a broader mix of on-site entertainment.
Compass lists fitness facilities and evening poolside bar options rather than a full spa on site.
Choose Compass if you want simple fitness and poolside socializing plus easy access to Pigeon Forge shows.

Westgate — Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park and multiple pools make it the obvious choice.

Compass — Margaritaville name, lazy river and poolside restaurant give a consistent branded vibe.

Westgate — villa layouts (1- and 2-bedroom villas, studios) suit families and groups.

Compass — located on Music Mountain Drive near Titanic Museum, Island at Pigeon Forge and other venues.
For most guests, Wild Bear Falls water park admission is not included with the room and must be purchased separately; owners and owner-guests may have different access rules.
Westgate has multiple outlets including Southern Comfort (full-service), Marketplace, Roaring Fork, Mountain Pizza and pool bars; Compass lists a primary poolside restaurant (5 o'Clock Somewhere Grill) plus complimentary breakfast.
Compass Hotel by Margaritaville sits in Pigeon Forge near museums and the Island area; Westgate is in Gatlinburg about a 15-minute drive from Pigeon Forge.
Yes. Both list family-friendly amenities; Westgate emphasizes children’s attractions and a large water park while Compass provides family rooms and pools.
Explore how Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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