You can’t visit a Dolly property without eating enough to fuel a small parade. The hotel has a restaurant called Songteller’s Kitchen, and it’s pure Southern comfort. I ordered the fried chicken, which was so crispy it shamed every chicken I’ve ever eaten. The mashed potatoes? They tasted like they were churned by angels wearing aprons.
And here’s the kicker: every menu item is named after a Dolly song. I had the “Coat of Many Colors” salad, which was basically a rainbow of vegetables. My friend got the “9 to 5” breakfast platter, which had exactly five things on it. Coincidence? I think not. The waitress even sang a little when she brought our coffee. Unironically. It was terrifying and beautiful.
The Amenities: Where Dolly’s Magic Gets Real
Now, the real weirdness. There’s a songwriting studio in the hotel. Like, a professional recording studio with engineers who will help you write a song. I am not a musician. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. But I walked past that studio and felt a deep, primal urge to write a ballad about my cat. Dolly Parton has created a space where even your mediocrity feels celebrated.
There’s also a rooftop pool with a view of the Smoky Mountains. But here’s the wild part: the pool’s bottom is tile that spells out lyrics from “Here You Come Again.” So you’re swimming through Dolly’s poetry. It’s like a baptism, but with chlorine and lounge chairs.
Sneak peek of Dolly Parton’s Songteller Hotel – who13.com
And the gift shop? Dangerous. It’s not just t-shirts. They sell replica wigs, Dolly-themed board games, and a candle that smells like “backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.” I bought three. I’m not sorry.