Move over Best Western Twin Islands, Margaritaburg is Coming to Town!
Best Western Twin Islands in Gatlinburg, surrounded by the west fork of the Little Pigeon River, has been a vacation getaway for families through the decades; however, the time has come for a newer and bigger island-themed getaway called Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies, or as we like to call it, Margaritaburg! The new resort promises to offer the same lush, island landscape along with a new laid-back atmosphere and oasis of amenities.
Two of the Best Western Twin Islands buildings on the smaller island will be remodeled to house the St. Somewhere Spa and hotel suites. The beautiful stonework from the demolished Twin Islands buildings will be preserved and used throughout the new 5-acre, island landscape.
In case anyone is wondering, the long-standing Best Western Twin Islands was not affected by the wildfires; this development is just progress and has been in the works for a while.
The four-star Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies will consist of a seven-story hotel with 174 rooms. Each room will have a wet bar equipped with a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. The resort will offer room service, bellhops, valet parking, concierge, fitness facility and indoor heated pool. The 4,000 sq. ft. outdoor pool will offer a two-loop slide, splash pad, and hot tub. Guests will also enjoy signature Margaritaville food, beverage and shopping concepts.
An additional part of the project includes the building of a LandShark Restaurant to occupy the space of the former Hard Rock Cafe Gatlinburg. Resort guests will have direct walking access to the new restaurant. According to a release by Margaritaburg, LLC, the consortium of local investors in the project, the resort will cost around $35 million and create about 150 jobs for the local economy.
The LandShark Restaurant is scheduled to open Spring 2017. Margaritaville Resort in the Smokies, located at 539 Parkway, Gatlinburg, is expected to open July 2018.
