Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville opened a new 35-acre RV park and lodge hotel in a popular tourist town — take a look around

Brittany ChangOct 2, 2022, 19:37 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge Pigeon Forge celebrated its grand opening in September.
The 35-acre hotel and RV park property was almost completely booked during the summer.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville has introduced a new but recognizable slice of tropical fun to hot tourist destination Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Brittany Chang/Insider

In September, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge Pigeon Forge celebrated its grand opening …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… offering Margaritaville fans a laid back respite from the bustling mountainside vacation destination.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Margaritaville's grand entrance into the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee isn't the brand's first foray into the tourist hotspot.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This eastern Tennessee town is already home to the brand's restaurant and two additional successful hotels (or three if you're counting the other location in Gatlinburg, Tennessee just a short drive from Pigeon Forge).

Brittany Chang/Insider

This eastern Tennessee town is already home to the brand's restaurant and two additional successful hotels (or three if you're counting the other location in Gatlinburg, Tennessee just a short drive from Pigeon Forge).

The town may be packed with the brand's outposts, but Andy Hime, the property's general manager, says these Jimmy Buffett-branded properties don't compete with each other.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The town may be packed with the brand's outposts, but Andy Hime, the property's general manager, says these Jimmy Buffett-branded properties don't compete with each other.

"We have our own little niche and we coexist very well," Hime told Insider in an interview …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… attributing this to Camp Margaritaville's RV park and "family oriented" services like an entertainment center and food and beverage programs.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge, which sits just above another smaller RV park, towers above the other buildings in the area.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Besides its strategic Tennessee location and the addition of the hotel, the 25-acre Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge has amenities that are consistent with the brand's other RV parks.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Besides its strategic Tennessee location and the addition of the hotel, the 25-acre Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge has amenities that are consistent with the brand's other RV parks.

It is, after all, one of the brand's blueprints: Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge was one of its first RV parks.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike the company's other RV resorts, this one was built from the ground up.

Brittany Chang/Insider

From the beginning, this Pigeon Forge and "Parrothead" crossover has seen a fairly high occupancy rate.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And it's this success that has pushed Margaritaville to expand its RV resorts arm fast.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Jimmy Buffett brand is targeting 30 to 50 more locations in the next four to five years, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in 2021. The company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for a 2022 update.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Jimmy Buffett brand is targeting 30 to 50 more locations in the next four to five years, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in 2021. The company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for a 2022 update.

Unlike a traditional RV park, Camp Margaritaville has a strong sense of its brand, drawing in Jimmy Buffett fans to the Tennessee property.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Amenities like its full RV hookups, WiFi, bathhouses, pickle ball courts, laundry facilities …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and parks for both children and dogs create what Margaritaville calls a quiet "casual-luxe camping experience" with 158 RV sites.

Brittany Chang/Insider

A night in a RV spot can run travelers between $59 to $159.

Brittany Chang/Insider

These sites can then fit vehicles from camper vans to Class A RVs …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… but Himes notes it sees a "good percentage" of these giant Class A vehicles.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This RV site first began welcoming guests in June 2021, but its companion 128,000-square-foot Lodge didn't open until 2022.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike the RV park, Margaritaville didn't build the mountainside Lodge.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it purchased the large building for an undisclosed price and renovated it over a year, turning the older building into a shiny new Margaritaville getaway.

Brittany Chang/Insider

In its previous life, the building once served as a teddy bear factory and outlet and Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Now, it stands proudly as a hub of sponge cakes and sun bakes with enough amenities to rival a cruise ship.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The large hotel has subtle cabin-like details, fitting for its location.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Inside, there are 79 hotel rooms, a noticeably lower number of rooms compared to the nearly 160 neighboring RV sites.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Lodge's rooms are similar to any classic hotel rooms, just with a Margaritaville twist.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There are the typical king or double queen options …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… as well as a "deluxe room" that can sleep up to six people using a separate room reminiscent of a "glamping" tent.

Brittany Chang/Insider

These rooms — which have sleeping bag beds and a canvas tent-like exterior — have been a massive hit with travelers, Hime said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the opportunity to glamp indoors won't be as cheap as a RV spot: Daily rates in the deluxe room range from $159 to $459.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's the price guests have to pay for a full immersion into the world of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There are reminders of the famed musician sprinkled throughout the Lodge, creating a passive game of "I Spy" for Buffett fans …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… from the lyrics painted above the rooms' beds …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… to the recognizable Fins Bar and Chill Restaurant concept available at other Margaritaville properties …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and Jimmy Buffett's former Airstream parked just outside the entrance of the hotel.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Throughout the Lodge, there are several amenities that make it a true family destination (although it does see some empty nesters, according to Hime).

Brittany Chang/Insider

The downstairs floor is a treasure trove of activities that could keep any child entertained, such as the giant foosball table …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… video game lounges …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… small duckpin bowling alley …

Brittany Chang/Insider

... arcade ...

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and children's center that hosts guided activities.

Brittany Chang/Insider

If you're feeling peckish, there's also a grab-and-go snack and bar for guests who want a mid-day bite in between rounds of duckpin bowling.

Brittany Chang/Insider

This indoor recreational area opens out into a large field where guests can find a fire pit, Adirondack chairs that face the mountains …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and games like giant Jenga with Margaritaville-branded blocks.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The lazy river is right next to this field, a perfectly peaceful activity for Tennessee's hot and humid summer days.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The bustling traffic, flashy attractions, and constant visual stimulation can make Pigeon Forge feel like a family-oriented Las Vegas.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But the property — located just a short drive uphill from the main strip — feels like a quiet getaway from the Pigeon Forge chaos …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… all while still being a destination in its own right.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Its proximity to attractions like Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes it a good home base for families looking to spend a long weekend in the mountainside Tennessee town.

The Dollywood DreamMore Resort.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Its proximity to attractions like Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes it a good home base for families looking to spend a long weekend in the mountainside Tennessee town.

And Pigeon Forge travelers have already begun taking note of this.

Brittany Chang/Insider

During peak season — summer, spring, and fall break — Camp Margaritaville is booked out almost everyday of the week, according to Hime.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The RV sites generally get booked out further in advance than the smaller Lodge, especially if the guests are planning a stop during a long-haul RV road trip.

Brittany Chang/Insider

On average, travelers booking the hotel stay for about 3.5 days, while RV goers are parked for about 5.5 days.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Winter in the Tennessee town can get chilly and that hasn't stopped tourists from craving the Margratiaville lifestyle.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The property still gets close to being booked out on winter weekends, Hime said, although it should be noted that the Lodge was not yet open last winer.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And during the weekday, it'll still hit a little over 50% occupancy rate.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Hime projects its popularity will keep growing as Camp Margaritaville continues to settle into its new location.

Brittany Chang/Insider

“Pigeon Forge can be stressful,” Hime said. “We try to create an inviting and calm atmosphere … so if you don’t ever really want to leave the property, you don’t have to.”

Brittany Chang/Insider

“Pigeon Forge can be stressful,” Hime said. “We try to create an inviting and calm atmosphere … so if you don’t ever really want to leave the property, you don’t have to.”

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Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville opened a new 35-acre RV park and lodge hotel in a popular tourist town &mdash; take a look around

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville has introduced a new but recognizable slice of tropical fun to hot tourist destination Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

In September, Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge Pigeon Forge celebrated its grand opening …

… offering Margaritaville fans a laid back respite from the bustling mountainside vacation destination.

Margaritaville's grand entrance into the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee isn't the brand's first foray into the tourist hotspot.

This eastern Tennessee town is already home to the brand's restaurant and two additional successful hotels (or three if you're counting the other location in Gatlinburg, Tennessee just a short drive from Pigeon Forge).

The town may be packed with the brand's outposts, but Andy Hime, the property's general manager, says these Jimmy Buffett-branded properties don't compete with each other.

"We have our own little niche and we coexist very well," Hime told Insider in an interview …

… attributing this to Camp Margaritaville's RV park and "family oriented" services like an entertainment center and food and beverage programs.

The Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge, which sits just above another smaller RV park, towers above the other buildings in the area.

Besides its strategic Tennessee location and the addition of the hotel, the 25-acre Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge has amenities that are consistent with the brand's other RV parks.

It is, after all, one of the brand's blueprints: Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge was one of its first RV parks.

And unlike the company's other RV resorts, this one was built from the ground up.

From the beginning, this Pigeon Forge and "Parrothead" crossover has seen a fairly high occupancy rate.

And it's this success that has pushed Margaritaville to expand its RV resorts arm fast.

The Jimmy Buffett brand is targeting 30 to 50 more locations in the next four to five years, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in 2021. The company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for a 2022 update.

Unlike a traditional RV park, Camp Margaritaville has a strong sense of its brand, drawing in Jimmy Buffett fans to the Tennessee property.

Amenities like its full RV hookups, WiFi, bathhouses, pickle ball courts, laundry facilities …

… and parks for both children and dogs create what Margaritaville calls a quiet "casual-luxe camping experience" with 158 RV sites.

A night in a RV spot can run travelers between $59 to $159.

These sites can then fit vehicles from camper vans to Class A RVs …

… but Himes notes it sees a "good percentage" of these giant Class A vehicles.

This RV site first began welcoming guests in June 2021, but its companion 128,000-square-foot Lodge didn't open until 2022.

And unlike the RV park, Margaritaville didn't build the mountainside Lodge.

Instead, it purchased the large building for an undisclosed price and renovated it over a year, turning the older building into a shiny new Margaritaville getaway.

In its previous life, the building once served as a teddy bear factory and outlet and Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater.

Now, it stands proudly as a hub of sponge cakes and sun bakes with enough amenities to rival a cruise ship.

The large hotel has subtle cabin-like details, fitting for its location.

Inside, there are 79 hotel rooms, a noticeably lower number of rooms compared to the nearly 160 neighboring RV sites.

The Lodge's rooms are similar to any classic hotel rooms, just with a Margaritaville twist.

There are the typical king or double queen options …

… as well as a "deluxe room" that can sleep up to six people using a separate room reminiscent of a "glamping" tent.

These rooms — which have sleeping bag beds and a canvas tent-like exterior — have been a massive hit with travelers, Hime said.

But the opportunity to glamp indoors won't be as cheap as a RV spot: Daily rates in the deluxe room range from $159 to $459.

It's the price guests have to pay for a full immersion into the world of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville.

There are reminders of the famed musician sprinkled throughout the Lodge, creating a passive game of "I Spy" for Buffett fans …

… from the lyrics painted above the rooms' beds …

… to the recognizable Fins Bar and Chill Restaurant concept available at other Margaritaville properties …

… and Jimmy Buffett's former Airstream parked just outside the entrance of the hotel.

Throughout the Lodge, there are several amenities that make it a true family destination (although it does see some empty nesters, according to Hime).

The downstairs floor is a treasure trove of activities that could keep any child entertained, such as the giant foosball table …

… video game lounges …

… small duckpin bowling alley …

... arcade ...

… and children's center that hosts guided activities.

If you're feeling peckish, there's also a grab-and-go snack and bar for guests who want a mid-day bite in between rounds of duckpin bowling.

This indoor recreational area opens out into a large field where guests can find a fire pit, Adirondack chairs that face the mountains …

… and games like giant Jenga with Margaritaville-branded blocks.

The lazy river is right next to this field, a perfectly peaceful activity for Tennessee's hot and humid summer days.

The bustling traffic, flashy attractions, and constant visual stimulation can make Pigeon Forge feel like a family-oriented Las Vegas.

But the property — located just a short drive uphill from the main strip — feels like a quiet getaway from the Pigeon Forge chaos …

… all while still being a destination in its own right.

Its proximity to attractions like Dollywood and Great Smoky Mountains National Park makes it a good home base for families looking to spend a long weekend in the mountainside Tennessee town.

And Pigeon Forge travelers have already begun taking note of this.

During peak season — summer, spring, and fall break — Camp Margaritaville is booked out almost everyday of the week, according to Hime.

The RV sites generally get booked out further in advance than the smaller Lodge, especially if the guests are planning a stop during a long-haul RV road trip.

On average, travelers booking the hotel stay for about 3.5 days, while RV goers are parked for about 5.5 days.

Winter in the Tennessee town can get chilly and that hasn't stopped tourists from craving the Margratiaville lifestyle.

The property still gets close to being booked out on winter weekends, Hime said, although it should be noted that the Lodge was not yet open last winer.

And during the weekday, it'll still hit a little over 50% occupancy rate.

Hime projects its popularity will keep growing as Camp Margaritaville continues to settle into its new location.

“Pigeon Forge can be stressful,” Hime said. “We try to create an inviting and calm atmosphere … so if you don’t ever really want to leave the property, you don’t have to.”

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville opened a new 35-acre RV park and lodge hotel in a popular tourist town — take a look around