
Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park
Best for families who want villa space, on-site water attractions (Wild Bear Falls) and self-contained activities.
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Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park is a Gatlinburg hillside family resort with villa-style accommodations and an on-site indoor/outdoor water park; read this if you want roomy multi-night family stays and water-park access. Margaritaville Island Hotel is a branded, resort-style hotel at The Island in Pigeon Forge; read this if you prefer a central entertainment-district base with on-site spa and walkable restaurants and shops.
Updated · about 9 miles (14 km) apart

Best for families who want villa space, on-site water attractions (Wild Bear Falls) and self-contained activities.

Best for travelers who want to stay steps from The Island’s shops, dining and entertainment with a full-service spa on site.
When Westgate wins: choose Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park if you need multi-room villa layouts, kid-focused amenities (indoor/outdoor Wild Bear Falls water park, playground, mini golf) and free self-parking for a car-based Smokies trip.
When Margaritaville wins: choose Margaritaville Island Hotel if you want a downtown Pigeon Forge location at The Island with easy walking access to shows, shops and dining plus a full-service spa and a compact, resort-hotel experience.
Bottom line: both are branded, four-star Smoky Mountain options; pick Westgate for family-sized villa space and water-park fun, and pick Margaritaville for location and resort-hotel convenience in Pigeon Forge’s entertainment hub.
| Category | Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park | Margaritaville Island Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-oriented villa resort with on-site water park and activity program | Branded resort-style hotel with island/entertainment-district energy |
| Location | Hillside outside downtown Gatlinburg, shuttle/trolley access to Parkway | At The Island in downtown Pigeon Forge, steps from shops and entertainment |
| Size / rooms | Villa-style units from Studio (Villa) to Villa, 2 Bedrooms (exact total rooms not published) | 129 guestrooms (fireplaces, private balconies in many rooms) |
| Ages / audience | All ages — family-focused, playground and kids’ activities | All ages — not adults-only, family and couples welcome |
| Pools & water attractions | Two outdoor pools + two hot tubs, plus Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park (separate admission) | One outdoor pool and one hot tub |
| Dining & bars | Multiple on-site outlets (Southern Comfort full-service restaurant, Roaring Fork, Marketplace, Mountain Pizza, pool bar) | One restaurant, coffee shop/cafe, daily complimentary reception and a poolside bar |
| Spa & fitness | Serenity Spa by Westgate (50+ treatments) and a health/fitness center | Full-service spa and 24-hour fitness facilities |
| Known for | Wild Bear Falls Water Park and villa accommodations | Location at The Island and Margaritaville brand/entertainment vibe |
| Parking & transport | Free self-parking; no internal shuttle; Gatlinburg Trolley stop nearby | Self parking (surcharge) and valet (surcharge); walkable to Island attractions |
| Check-in / check-out | Check-in 4:00 P.M.; check-out 10:00 A.M. | Check-in begins 4:00 PM; check-out 11:00 AM |
Westgate sits on a Gatlinburg hillside a short drive from the Parkway and national-park access.
Choose Westgate if you want proximity to the national park and a quieter hillside base with parking.
Margaritaville Island Hotel is located at The Island, in the middle of Pigeon Forge’s restaurants, shops and attractions.
Choose Margaritaville for a walkable, entertainment-district stay and easy access to Pigeon Forge nightlife and attractions.
Westgate emphasizes villa-style units ranging from studio villas to two-bedroom villas for families.
If you need separate sleeping and living areas, Westgate’s villa formats are the practical choice.
Margaritaville offers standard and deluxe hotel rooms with resort-hotel features.
Choose Margaritaville for conventional hotel rooms with balcony and fireplace options in a compact property.
Westgate keeps most dining on property across quick-service and full-service options.
Westgate is convenient for families who prefer on-site dining options and casual meals between activities.
Margaritaville has on-site restaurant and cafe options and immediate access to many Island restaurants.
Margaritaville suits guests who want more off-property dining variety within a short walk.
Westgate’s headline amenity is Wild Bear Falls Water Park, plus outdoor pools and hot tubs.
If water-park attractions and multiple pool options are central to your trip, Westgate is the better pick.
Margaritaville has a single outdoor pool and hot tub as part of its resort-hotel offering.
Margaritaville works well if you want a standard hotel pool and plan to spend time off property at The Island.
Westgate offers Serenity Spa by Westgate plus fitness and family entertainment on site.
Westgate combines spa services with family-focused evening entertainment rather than a downtown nightlife scene.
Margaritaville pairs a full-service spa and 24-hour fitness with immediate access to Pigeon Forge entertainment.
Margaritaville is a better base if you want spa services plus easy access to Pigeon Forge nightlife and shows.

Villa layouts (studios to two-bedroom villas) and on-site family activities make longer stays easier.

Wild Bear Falls indoor/outdoor water park is the resort’s signature attraction (separate admission applies).

Steps from The Island’s shops, restaurants and rides — minimal driving required once you’re there.

A conventional hotel experience with a full-service spa and resort-brand feel in downtown Pigeon Forge.
For most guests, admission to Wild Bear Falls Water Park is not included and must be purchased separately; owners may have included passes per unit occupancy.
Margaritaville Island Hotel places you in Pigeon Forge’s entertainment hub for shows and is closer to many Pigeon Forge venues; Westgate is in Gatlinburg, a longer drive to Pigeon Forge.
No. Both Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park and Margaritaville Island Hotel accept guests of all ages.
Yes — Westgate has Serenity Spa by Westgate; Margaritaville lists a full-service spa.
Explore how Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·