Exploring the Tennessee Mountain Retreat: A Sneak Peek into Dolly Parton's Latest Lodge

When news spreads that a petite blonde, renowned for her towering hairstyles and sky-high heels, will be appearing in a specific area of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, her dedicated fans swiftly make arrangements to attend.

Throngs of individuals congregate, eagerly searching with lifted necks and raised cell phones, yearning to capture undeniable evidence of this vibrant presence, exuding a warm grin and an engaging chuckle. A proficient singer-songwriter, astute entrepreneur, and universally adored performer, she fearlessly injects humor even with a risqué remark during her own media briefings.

Dolly Parton's presence in the Smokies creates an incredible atmosphere. She has recently opened her second resort hotel, which is connected to the Dollywood amusement park complex in eastern Tennessee. Her partnership with Herschend Family Entertainment, fueled by her star power, has an estimated annual direct economic impact of $1.8 billion. Additionally, there are plans to develop more Dollywood resorts and attractions to further boost the state's growing tourism industry.

On Friday, the HeartSong Lodge & Resort, consisting of 302 rooms, had its grand opening. Dolly Parton herself graced the event and launched the property in true Dolly-style. She entertained the crowd with witty jokes and treated them to a few minutes of singing and strumming, showcasing verses from her 1994 hit "Heartsong." This tribute to her rural Tennessee roots perfectly complements the rustic charm of the lodge.

Dolly Parton sang a few verses from her 1994 tune "Heartsong" at the grand opening of her new HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

Courtesy of The Dollywood Company, Parton's dazzling and charming personality does not overpower the resort's aesthetic, which she refers to as "high-fashion rustic." However, at the opening event, the 77-year-old star showcased her own glamorous style as she stepped on stage wearing a striking printed dress embellished with black ruffles at the hem, intricate black beading cascading at the waist, and her signature plunging neckline. Her outfit prompted her witty remark: "I'm the only person who ever left the Smoky Mountains and took them with her."

HeartSong showcases warmth and hospitality rather than extravagant embellishments. According to Parton, who was raised amongst amiable and relaxed individuals, the friendly and helpful nature of her upbringing has become an integral part of her identity. CNN Travel spoke with Parton in an interview after the launch event, where she mentioned that employees throughout the Dollywood empire warmly greet guests and promptly offer assistance.

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Dolly Parton jokes shell hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song someday before she ever retires

A high-fashion rustic lodge

Its Dolly Partons childhood in the foothills of east Tennessee that takes center stage here.

A stunning four-story stone fireplace with an iron grate showcasing a beautiful depiction of a young Dolly surrounded by trees and butterflies dominates the lobby. On the opposite side of the fireplace, a grand portrait of the artist takes center stage. Adding to the ambiance, a large screen behind the reception desk showcases rotating images inspired by the current season. During fall, guests are treated to the sight of a mama bear with her playful cubs, a majestic owl blinking its eyes, and the breathtaking colors of autumn adorning the mountain tops.

The hotel beautifully captures the essence of the natural world and its seasonal changes. Each floor of the guestroom hallways exhibits artwork representing the four seasons. The carpeting, inspired by young Dolly's fascination with fireflies, features intricate designs resembling the concentric rings found in tree trunks, symbolizing a lifetime of experiences. With almost half of the rooms equipped with balconies, guests can indulge in the refreshing mountain air and revel in the picturesque surroundings.

In the guestrooms, there are wall-length murals showcasing charming day or nighttime scenes filled with bears, raccoons, and butterflies. With over a dozen room and suite options available, you can choose from a variety of configurations. For families, there are even rooms with separate bunk areas for kids. These delightful bunk rooms feature beds adorned with a unique sleeping bag-sheet hybrid design, allowing you to easily unzip the covers for a cozy night's sleep.

Parton calls the new lodge's aesthetic "high-fashion rustic."

Courtesy The Dollywood Company

HeartSong offers a variety of activities for children, including Camp DW kids crafts and morning reading time inspired by Parton's Imagination Library. The resort boasts an outdoor pool with a waterfall and splash pad, as well as a hot tub and an indoor pool, all of which are supervised by lifeguards. In the evenings, guests can gather around a large firepit for singalongs, while smaller seating areas with firepits are scattered throughout the spacious patio. Additionally, the resort features a wood-burning firepit where guests can enjoy their own version of smores called "Roasties".

Although the lodge has a rustic feel, the lobby has a touch of elegance with subtle shimmer accents and luxurious smoky blue velvet sofas. The lobby also houses HeartSong's separate Acoustic Lobby, which is available for private dining. This uniquely designed space showcases a stunning chandelier made of acoustic guitars and displays of Parton's dazzling outfits. When not reserved for private events, guests are welcome to enjoy the Acoustic Lobby for their relaxation and pleasure.

There is a convenient grab-and-go market available, as well as the main restaurant called Ember & Elm, which offers a variety of Southern classics for breakfast and dinner. Adjacent to it is High Note, a relaxed restaurant and bar that serves all-day dining options.

Following the success of Dollywood's first hotel, DreamMore Resort and Spa, which opened nearby in 2015, HeartSong offers a similar experience. This property has a more feminine ambiance and includes a spa and salon for guests to enjoy.

Peak season rates at HeartSong Lodge begin at $319, while DreamMore rates start at $269. Throughout January and February, when the theme park is closed, rates typically decrease.

Alice Hawkins/Courtesy Baron Books

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Devoted fans drove hours to attend the resorts opening

Partons music, kindness, and down-home charm captivate a devoted following, with many fans becoming devoted customers. Numerous individuals embarked on journeys to Pigeon Forge upon the resort's inauguration, eagerly anticipating the chance to catch a glimpse of their revered idol.

Allen Jones, a loyal Dollywood season-passholder, drove seven hours from Dothan, Alabama, a journey he has made numerous times. Initially accompanied by his now deceased family members, Jones has formed friendships with fellow passionate Parton fans from all over the country. These connections have turned into a makeshift family, as he explains while sitting in the hotel lobby. Sporting a T-shirt that humorously conveys his infatuation with Dolly Parton, Jones had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of his idol not once, but twice on Friday. The first encounter occurred during Parton's press event in the morning, followed by her departure from Heartsong later in the day.

Carol Malerbi traveled all the way from New Hampshire to Dollywood, hoping to catch a glimpse of Parton. Parton's music had played a significant role in Carol's life during a two-month coma she went through ten years ago due to complications from diabetes.

Expressing her admiration for Parton, Carol, accompanied by her husband Jim, had even created a unique cutting board featuring an eagle and a butterfly, which they gifted to HeartSong staff with the hope that it would eventually reach Parton. This visit marked their first time at Dollywood, carefully planned in anticipation of seeing their idol. Their wish came true, albeit briefly, as they caught sight of Parton for just "two seconds" while she was leaving the hotel on Friday evening.

The lodge is inspired by Parton's childhood in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Courtesy of The Dollywood Company, Autumn Martin, donning a pink Dolly sweatshirt, reveled in her inaugural HeartSong experience alongside her spouse, their 8-year-old child, and her in-laws. Hailing from Marietta, Georgia, this elementary school educator bears such immense admiration for Parton that she intertwines the singer's music and teachings within her own profession.

"My entire classroom is dedicated to Dolly Parton," she stated. Every year, Martin and her kindergarten students organize a year-end performance featuring Dolly Parton's songs, incorporating modified lyrics, such as changing "9 to 5" to "8 to 3" to better suit the school's hours.

Some fans consider a visit to Dollywood, especially during special events like the opening of HeartSongs, to be a spiritual journey. One enthusiastic young boy excitedly shared that he had seen the superstar herself on Friday when he peeked into a room near the resort lobby.

For Tennessee, Dollywood is big business

The enduring appeal of Parton resulted in over three million visitors to Dollywood last year, making it the largest ticketed attraction in the state. Sevier County, which includes Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg, saw visitor spending of nearly $3.8 billion in 2022, ranking it third in the state behind Davidson County (home to Nashville) and Shelby County (home to Memphis), according to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. This represents a 53% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures from 2018. Mark Ezell, the commissioner of TDTD, stated that Tennessee has been the fastest growing state in terms of visitor spending among the top 40 tourism states in America over the past five years.

Ezell acknowledged that Dolly Parton's influence on the state is immense and continuously expanding. He even went as far as dubbing her as "our second first lady of Tennessee." Additionally, HeartSong Lodge conveniently sits merely 10 miles north of the highly frequented Great Smoky Mountains National Park, renowned as the most visited national park in the United States.

HeartSong, under the management of Kevin Osborn, HeartSong's general manager, effectively utilizes its 26,000 square feet of event space. To optimize business opportunities, especially during the two-month winter closure of Dollywood, the lodge incorporates this additional space.

Dollywood theme park opened its Big Bear Mountain rollercoaster this year and is Tennessee's largest ticketed attraction.

Courtesy The Dollywood Company

Full speed ahead on new Dollywood resorts and attractions

All this, of course, started with a theme park.

Dollywood was established after three previous parks, including Rebel Railroad, Gold Rush Junction, and Silver Dollar City, occupied the site. In the 1980s, the owners of Silver Dollar City, Jack and Pete Herschend, collaborated with Dolly Parton to create Dollywood, which opened on May 3, 1986. The park experienced a significant increase in attendance compared to previous years. For those unfamiliar with Dollywood, it showcases a replica of Dolly Parton's childhood home in the Tennessee mountains, offering visitors a glimpse into her humble beginnings. Additionally, the park is home to a bald eagle sanctuary, housing over a dozen non-releasable birds within a wooded enclosure.

At Dollywood, there's a replica of the mountain home where Dolly Parton grew up.

Marnie Hunter/CNN

Many additions and updates have followed, leading up to the $25 million Big Bear Mountain roller coaster that opened in May.

For die-hard fans of Dolly, there is something exciting in store. Coming in May 2024, the Dolly Parton Experience will be a complete renovation of the former Chasing Rainbows Museum and nearby buildings. This immersive attraction will provide interactive insights into Dolly Parton's life, featuring her TV shows, movies, iconic duets, and her beloved Imagination Library program, which provides free books to children. Additionally, visitors can explore "Behind the Seams," a dedicated building exhibiting her stunning performance outfits, wigs, and more. For a glimpse into her extensive touring history, guests will even have the opportunity to step aboard one of her former tour buses.

The Dollywood Company's president, Eugene Naughton, revealed that in the coming years, the company intends to expand its offerings with three additional resorts. One of these resorts, a luxury RV experience, is scheduled for launch in 2026. Additionally, DreamMore has plans for a decor refresh in 2024. During the press event, Dolly Parton expressed her belief that, just like herself, her hotels should undergo occasional updates to maintain their appeal.

All these attractions, situated just a few miles from Parton's hometown, significantly contribute to the growth of tourism offerings in the area.

CNNs Brandon Griggs contributed to this story.