After writing guides for countless publications about Knoxville, including the best places to stay around the city, it became time for our own guide to accommodations. There is a large diversity in the types and prices of properties spanning every loyalty program.
We’ve denoted which ones are our picks and which ones come highly recommended on travel websites so that you can be sure that you’re staying in the best place.
We occasionally accept complimentary accommodations in exchange for a review to offset costs but write honestly about our experiences.
Accommodation Type
Don’t limit yourself to just one type of accommodation!
Knoxville Hotels
Looking for a Knoxville hotel? Look no further. In this city, you’ll find a little bit of everything, from the chains in all corners of the city to stylish boutique brands.
Hotels are the preferred type of accommodation for visitors to the city due to the abundance of options and relatively cheap prices. Shop around on multiple websites, but we prefer Booking.com and Hotels.com.
Knoxville Inns and B&Bs
Bed and breakfasts and inns aren’t as popular in Knoxville as they are in the nearby Smokies but there are a few. Marble Hill Inn Bed and Breakfast is set in a historic home in North Knoxville with daily meals and comfy rooms. Glenwood Inn Bed & Breakfast has modern decor with flat-screen televisions.
Knoxville Airbnbs and Rentals
Airbnb has a large presence in the greater Knoxville area with a wide range of accommodations. Expect to find everything from bungalows to cabins to treehouses. For a discount on your first stay, use our link.
Among the options in town are a tiny house at a yoga retreat, a houseboat on the Tennessee River, and a light-filled Old City loft. There are also rentals on Booking.com, including a restored schoolhouse and the NoKno Flats – The Little Lemon Lounge.
Knoxville Camping
Because of its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville is a great place for those traveling with a tent or RV. There’s the KOA Knoxville North/Clinton, which has all the bells and whistles. Norris Dam State Park is only 30 minutes from the city.
Would you rather be glamping? You can stay in an Airstream on a 12-acre property a few minutes from downtown or a vintage camper in nearby Powell.
Knoxville Neighborhoods
Most visitors stay downtown, which is where the majority of the hotels are located. But there are plenty of other areas to explore.
Downtown and Market Square
The majority of Knoxville’s attractions and restaurants are downtown. Here you’ll find the East Tennessee History Center, the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and the city’s historic homes.
There are plentiful restaurants around Market Square like Knox Mason, The Tomato Head, and Emilia. The bars are also clustered here like Scruffy City Hall and Preservation Pub.
South Knoxville
Outdoors lovers should head to South Knoxville, home to the urban wilderness in the city. Start at the Ijams Nature Center, a sprawling former quarry with mountain biking, rock climbing, and paddleboarding.
Then head to Suttree Landing, a city park along the Tennessee River with playgrounds and kayak launches. South Knoxville is also home to casual restaurants along with most of the city’s breweries.
Old City
As the oldest part of Knoxville, the appropriately named Old City is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and distilleries. Head to Pretentious Beer Co., a glassblowing shop and craft brewery.
OliBea is a favorite brunch spot while Kaizen is popular for its Asian fusion. Good Golly Tamale and Lonesome Dove are also in this area. Don’t miss the shops like Rala, which sells gifts and artwork from local creators.
University of Tennessee
The campus of the University of Tennessee is to the west of downtown. Visitors stay in this part of town for football games or to visit students, but there’s more than meets the eye.
The McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture is an interesting museum on campus with fossils and historic artifacts. Enjoy student favorite restaurants like Gus’ Good Time Deli along with The Saloon, a bar and restaurant owned by UT alum Peyton Manning.
Our Picks
After a number of visits to Knoxville, we have a lot of suggestions in terms of the best hotels and properties around town. We have personally stayed in each of the below-mentioned properties.
Graduate Hotel Knoxville
The Graduate Knoxville is the city’s outpost of the chain of hotels founded in college towns. Like in Oxford, Richmond, and Athens, the boutique property has decor related to the university, this time in orange.
There are king rooms and suites along with a family suite, which has rustic bunk beds. The rooms feature amenities like Malin + Goetz toiletries. The hotel also has a restaurant and coffee shop.
If You Like: free WiFi, onsite parking
Other Features: in-house coffee shop and restaurant, close to campus
Hyatt Place Downtown Knoxville
While a part of the Hyatt chain, the Hyatt Place Knoxville is located in the historic Farragut Hotel, which hosted celebrities like Babe Ruth and Merv Griffin and was where the SEC football conference was founded.
It boasts 165 spacious guest rooms with free WiFi throughout the property. There’s a rooftop bar, a restaurant, and daily breakfast. The hotel has an onsite Starbucks as well as a fitness center and business center.
If You Like: pet-friendly, Hyatt points
Other Features: paid parking, convenient location
The Oliver Hotel
From the same team as Hotel Clermont, The Oliver Hotel was Knoxville’s first boutique hotel. Set in a former bakery building, the hotel has a restaurant along with a speakeasy.
The spacious king and queen rooms and suites overlook Market Square, complete with flatscreen televisions, fridges, and coffee makers.
If You Like: free WiFi, artwork throughout the property
Other Features: private parking, fitness center
The Tennesseean
The Tennessean Hotel is located in the heart of Knoxville with 82 contemporary guest rooms. Guests can enjoy in-room espresso machines, flatscreen televisions, and fridges.
The hotel also has a fitness center, restaurant and bar, and a business center. Guests can even book “enhancements” like bottles of wine upon arrival and late checkout.
If You Like: butler and black car service, room service
Other Features: valet parking, turndown service
Other Recommended Properties
We haven’t had the chance to stay at these properties yet, but they are highly rated on TripAdvisor and other hotel review websites.
Aloft Knoxville West
- New property
- Free WiFi and parking
- Restaurant, bar, and seasonal pool
- Book here
Cumberland House Knoxville
- Hilton loyalty program
- New property
- In-room coffee makers and onsite restaurant
- Book here
Embassy Suites Knoxville
- Daily breakfast and cocktail hour
- Rooftop bar, restaurant, and Topgolf Swing Suites
- Seasonal pool and fitness center
- Book here
Hilton Knoxville
- Fitness center and pool
- Restaurant and lounge
- Free WiFi
- Book here
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