MountainLoft and Laurel Crest Experiences

[JJ8881 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JJ8881]

We have a Bluegreen Resorts Sampler.
We want to go to the Smoky Mountains and were thinking of Mountainloft in Gatlinburg or Luarel Crest in Pigeon Forge. I know the difference in the actual towns/attractions.
IN looking up reviews on both Mountianloft and Laurel Crest it seems like 50% of reviews are negative for each resort. Complains range from terrible beds to outdated décor to small accommodations.
Would appreciate feedback from others. If both are bad we will see about going to some place else within Bluegreen Resorts.

[Missouri wanderer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Missouri wanderer]

We were at mountain loft last July and all in all the place is nice. Every resort has some problems and you can't please everyone. I would recommend this resort because when we had problems they took care of us.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

We stayed in Laurel Crest in 2003 or 2004. It was nice place. Laundry is on the floor, not in the room. Rooms were okay, I can’t remember anything special for plusses or minuses. I could see the mountains from my window. Think I did like about it is that it is easy access to the town of Pigeon Forge (groceries, live theater, and my first ever slaw dog). From what we saw for traffic, I would prefer Pigeon Forge.

We did the tourist stuff, did drive through the mountains on that small slow road. Stopped at the old cemetery and saw the wildlife on the drive. We did a rafting trip. We did not do Dollywood but did do the Dixie Stampede.

[thetaxqueen Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thetaxqueen]

We were at Laurel Crest at the beginning of October which happened to be "leaf season". The room was VERY small and outdated but certainly clean and adequate. We didn't go there to spend time in the room so it did not ruin our vacation.

The people were very nice and accomodating.

If you are planning on spending time doing "touristy" stuff, Laurel Crest is in a great location. If you are planning on spending more time at the national park (which was georgeous!!!) Mountain loft is a better location.

[crwisconsin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close crwisconsin]

We were at Laurel Crest The room was VERY small

When you say "the room" do you mean the hotel room? I agree that it is very small. But if is used as a second bedroom to the adjoining 1 bedroom lockoff, the entire two bedroom unit is not that small.

Charles

[thetaxqueen Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close thetaxqueen]

We only had a 1 bedroom unit.

The "kitchen" was kind of between the "very small" bedroom and the so so sized living area. It felt like kind of like the kitchen was in the hallway because they had no other place to put it.

[crwisconsin Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close crwisconsin]

Deluxe vs. Standard

We only had a 1 bedroom unit. The "kitchen" was kind of between the "very small" bedroom and the so so sized living area.

I checked the point chart for Laurel Crest. They have a 1 bedroom "standard" and a 1 bedroom "deluxe". We must have had the "deluxe".

Charles

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

I've been to ML a couple times. First was in a new lodge building and that unit was VERY NICE!

next time was lodge, older building. Nice, just not "WOW"-nice.

You can ask the reservationist for any special requests you have - newest building, near the activity center, whatever. they keep building, so units will vary as to newness.

I would not hesitate to go back to ML in any unit. proximity to park is excellent, I like not being on the strip. Also love how close the grocery store is - not such a big time waster if you forgot that one crucial item.

[VA_Traveller Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VA_Traveller]

We were in LC over the Thanksgiving holiday. The furniture is "dated" and the kitchen smallish, but it was clean and functional. Not like we spent alot of time in the room anyway. They mentioned that all the rooms were getting new furnishings this winter. I can't say if they have or not.

[iceeu2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close iceeu2]

For both resorts, if you are getting a 1 br, be sure to get a 1 br deluxe! It really is best just for 2 adults. Or if you get the 1 br suite at Laurel Crest, it's nice and spacious. My favorite is a 2 br townhouse at Mountain Loft even if it is just the two of us.

[greenwagonmom Member Find all posts View Profile Close greenwagonmom]

We've stayed in a one bedroom townhouse at ML and enjoyed it. We prefer being close to the national park. We also used the trolleys which helps with the traffic.

[yokelokie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yokelokie]

positive experience with Luaral Crest

My wife and I took our three daughters, ages 11 thru 16 to Laurel Crest March of '08. We found the accomodations wonderful. Our rooms were adequately spacious and comfortable. On a 1-10 scale, I would give the place a 7 or 8 overall. We would definitely go back. We stayed in the 2 BR model and were very pleased. The staff was great. The countryside is beautiful and the attractions in Pigeon Forge are very family friendly. If it were closer, we would definitely go back. Best wishes.