More and more people are drawn to the mobile lifestyle. Especially entrepreneurs, already living a laptop lifestyle. Working from their laptops, so they can work from anywhere! In turn, an increasing number of hotels are catering to the mobile lifestyle of people. You can decide if Dolly Parton's DreamMore Resort is one of them...
Mobile Lifestyle: A More Common Privilege
Do you work from your laptop? Can you work from anywhere?
Technically, me too.
While usually I am working from home, I consider the mobile lifestyle a privilege. When needed, I take my laptop and go! And I am not alone. Many people do the same. More all the time.
What led me to Dolly Parton's DreamMore Resort?
My husband and I were already in the Great Smoky Mountains for my daughter's wedding. We had finished up with follow-up event details a couple of days earlier than we thought we would.
We wanted to get a bit closer to home, but be somewhere we could relax, with options for entertainment. I needed a location where I could both work and enjoy.
This is how the mobile lifestyle works. You are on the go, you research what can work, and then you go. The area around Dollywood and Dolly Parton's DreamMore Resort was ideal in this situation.
Arriving At DreamMore Resort In The Great Smoky Mountains
We arrived in the evening. From the minute we got there, our surroundings were beautiful and the staff was super-friendly!
People were there immediately to greet us, unload our car, and get our luggage where it needed to go. After our previous days, we were happy to let them help!
At the front desk, we only waited a few minutes to check-in. Our guest services representative was happy, friendly, and answered every question we had efficiently (and we had lots of questions).
It was obvious, their goal for us was happiness and comfort.
It is important to note that this was during a time when staffing was short. Every workplace was battling the Coronavirus as well as people not returning to work due to government subsidies.
My Dolly Parton DreamMore Resort Experience
Style And Comfort
When there is expenditure involved, the room must be:
- Attractively decorated
- Comfortable
- Include WiFi
- Offer helpful amenities
Dolly Parton's DreamMore Resort gets an A in all regards.
The rooms are ready for any type of family. A single person, a couple, or adults with kids.
Something I found interesting - there are bunk beds in every room. During my summers growing up, my family toured the county, traveling to historic sites and battlefields in a mini-motorhome. My sister and I had bunk beds. But none as cool as these!
First, these are so well-built. Second, each has a groovy sleeping bag set-up with a cool pocket on the side for kids' mobile phones or other important items.
As a mom that raised a young girl with mobile phone, I was happy to see the attention to kid comfort. Part of me wished I could sleep in the bunk bed!
In The Smokies
Waking up, you can see the Great Smoky Mountains surround the resort.
If you've never been to the Great Smoky Mountains, understand that it is beautiful! Also relaxing. You will feel compelled to take a deep breath, appreciate the view, and any stress just melts away.
Here, it's like icing on a cake.
Yummy In Your Tummy
We are foodies. So dining options are an important consideration when we stay anywhere. At the DreamMore Resort, eating options were good. We tried:
- In-room dining the evening we arrived
- Lunch by the pool while I worked
- Lattes and snacks at the DM Pantry in the afternoon
- Breakfast and dinner at Song And Earth: A Southern Eatery, their restaurant
- Drinks in The Lounge one evening
We tried it all!
I really enjoyed sitting by the pool, eating lunch, and working in a relaxing environment. Bonus: the WiFi was strong. But I liked even more the breakfast and dinner at Song and Earth. There is a buffet with stations of deliciousness. The omelets in the morning were divine, and the evening salad and homemade biscuits were a real treat.
It is worth a special note: The staff was struggling with people being off with Covid-19, and others just opted not to come back to work due to government monetary benefits. That being the case, we had very friendly service at every turn. The hotel's General Manager should be applauded, as that comes from instilled values and consistent training.
On-Site Entertainment
I must say that the layout of the entire property is convenient for visitors. Easy to get to where you need to go, and it is not a forever trek to go enjoy something you want to do. Whether it is daytime or evening, there are plenty of choices of things to do.
On our first morning after breakfast, we explored the property just to see everything that was available to us. Families with younger kids would especially like the sign below. But everyone could enjoy a good story, right?
It wasn't until our second morning that we really got to appreciate the Dolly Parton 'Wall of Fame.' I have seen many of the movies and have some of the soundtracks. Classy, cool.
There is a very special time capsule with an interesting story (related with Dolly's earlier life) stationed just after the 'Wall of Fame' ends. I was impressed with what they've done. There is an old weathered board and a sturdy wooden treasure box enclosed in a glass case. You've got to go to see it to learn about it and appreciate it!
Kids at heart, we missed the evening bedtime stories at Camp DW, located just behind the pool.
We did stroll in just in time to find multiple fire pits lighted and surrounded by Adirondack chairs for guests to sit around and enjoy conversation around a campfire. This seemed most attractive to adult guests.
Our interest was in a different fire pit managed by a small group of "Camp Counselors."
Who doesn't love s'mores?
Each evening kids of all ages - yes, anyone - can come by the fire and make s'mores!! They make it super-easy to have fun and enjoy. You get a little kit of all necessary ingredients with your marshmallow stick, and everyone that wishes to partake can roast their marshmallow and enjoy a s'more freshly made over the campfire.
BONUS: There is music, and the counselor crew engage the kids to make it super-fun for them. We had a blast!!
Back inside the hotel...
The public areas are obviously meant as conversation areas. I loved the fireplaces with tables set up so you can:
- Play checkers over a coffee with family or friends
- Eat a quick snack picked up at the DM Pantry
- Catch up on the news via one of the TVs
Especially in the evenings, adults will be happy with the bar located close enough to the pool to enjoy a friendly libation indoors or outdoors.
The only thing I did not get to experience is a spa, to spoil myself a little, but it was closed temporarily.
Timing Is Everything
We were there during Dollywood's Harvest Festival. They carry that over to the resort as well. So, everything was decorated with pumpkins and fall leaves, in all the beautiful Autumn colors.
Had we known more about Dollywood and the DreamMore Resort before our arrival and had even one more day, we would have ventured over to the amusement park. But our goal was more to relax, so we did not head over to Dollywood.
A perfect excuse to return, right?
Conclusion: Considering The Mobile Lifestyle
Dolly Parton's DreamMore Resort is comfortable, fun, and conducive to the mobile lifestyle or the laptop lifestyle - however you consider it. The level of hospitality is superb ... We had a great time!
In addition, I have no doubt the HeartSong sister property will bring similar experiences for future guests.
Heading away from the resort and toward home, the extra-bonus is the drive through the rest of Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
