Buckingham Palace

For many Tennessee families and groups looking to experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, a large cabin rental in Gatlinburg often seems like the ideal choice for reunions, extended family vacations, or group getaways. The allure of spacious accommodations, mountain views, and a host of amenities is a key draw. Among the numerous options in this popular destination is a property known as Buckingham Palace, located at 320 Poplar Point Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

Advertised as a substantial cabin with numerous bedrooms and features designed to host large groups (up to 28-32 people, with 9 bedrooms), Buckingham Palace aims to offer a "luxury Gatlinburg cabin rental" experience, complete with game rooms, home theaters, and multiple hot tubs. These types of properties are often presented as perfect solutions for large gatherings, promising comfort, entertainment, and ample space for everyone.

However, for our fellow Tennesseans considering this specific property, it is absolutely vital to look beyond the initial glossy photos and promotional descriptions. Recent reviews from actual customers paint a starkly different and concerning picture. These firsthand accounts consistently highlight significant discrepancies between advertised features and the reality on the ground, ranging from severe cleanliness issues and pest infestations to broken amenities, safety concerns, and misleading marketing. It is crucial to be fully informed of these potential drawbacks to manage expectations and ensure a truly enjoyable — or at least, predictable — stay in the Smokies.

Buckingham Palace is situated at 320 Poplar Point Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA. This address places it within Gatlinburg, a prime location for accessing the numerous attractions of the Smoky Mountains and the bustling towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

The property is reportedly located within the Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, an area known for its unique shops, galleries, and studios showcasing local artisans. This community offers a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, yet still provides a distinct local flavor and points of interest.

In terms of accessibility, Buckingham Palace is generally considered to be:

• Minutes from Downtown Gatlinburg: While review insights mentioned the view of mountains being obscured by grown trees, travel routes suggest it's typically a 10-14 minute drive (approximately 4-5 miles) to downtown Gatlinburg. This means easy access to popular attractions like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Anakeesta, the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, and the numerous shops and restaurants along the Parkway.
• Close to Highway 321: Its proximity to Highway 321 ensures relatively straightforward travel into Gatlinburg and also connects to other routes leading towards Pigeon Forge.
• Approximately 20 minutes from Pigeon Forge and Dollywood: For families or groups planning to visit the larger attractions in Pigeon Forge, such as Dollywood, Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, or the Titanic Museum, the drive is manageable.
• In the Mountains: As is typical for Gatlinburg cabin rentals, the property is located in a mountainous setting. While older descriptions promised "spectacular views of Mount Leconte," recent reviews indicate that trees have grown, obscuring the mountain view in favor of "a view of the trees in your area and the cabins below."
• Parking: The property reportedly offers parking for 8+ vehicles, which is a significant advantage for a large cabin designed to accommodate multiple families or big groups, as parking can often be a challenge in the Smokies.

While the location itself offers good access to the region's highlights, prospective guests, especially our Tennessee locals, should temper expectations regarding "spectacular views" based on recent feedback. Access to attractions will almost certainly require personal vehicle use, though the relatively short driving distances make this convenient.

Buckingham Palace, as a large cabin rental, theoretically offers a comprehensive suite of services and amenities designed for substantial groups. However, the critical caveat from provided reviews is the severe discrepancy between what is advertised and what guests actually experience.

Advertised/Intended Services (Based on typical large cabin rentals and some listed amenities for this property):

• Extensive Sleeping Capacity: Advertised as a 9-bedroom cabin sleeping 28-32 people, with a mix of king beds, queen sleepers, and queen bunks.
• Multiple Bathrooms: Listings typically show 7-9 bathrooms, crucial for large groups.
• Fully Equipped Kitchen: Designed for group cooking, with features like two large refrigerators, microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher, coffee/tea maker, toaster, and ample cookware, dishware, and utensils.
• Laundry Facilities: Includes a washer and dryer, essential for extended stays.
• Entertainment Amenities: Expected to feature a dedicated home theater room (with projector screen or large TV), and game rooms equipped with various arcade games (like Ms. PacMan/Galaga), a pool table, air hockey, and possibly pinball machines.
• Hot Tubs: Advertised to have one or more outdoor hot tubs for relaxation.
• BBQ Grill: An outdoor barbecue grill for group cookouts.
• Free WiFi: In-cabin high-speed internet access.
• Air Conditioning & Heating: Essential for comfort in all seasons.
• Linens and Towels: Typically provided for all beds and bathrooms.
• Parking: Ample on-site parking for multiple vehicles.
• Housekeeping (Limited): While often listed, the extent of housekeeping for large rentals can vary, usually a pre-arrival clean and post-departure clean.

CRITICAL NOTE ON ACTUAL SERVICE DELIVERY (BASED ON REVIEWS): The actual state of services and amenities, according to recent guests, is severely deficient:

• Cleanliness: "Cabin was not clean when we arrived," "so many stains, spots were everywhere," "tubs are black." Guests reported having to wash towels and pillowcases upon arrival and bring their own cleaning supplies.
• Pest Infestation: "Are up with cock roaches!!!!"
• Missing/Broken Amenities:
  • "2 hot tubs --> LIE... only 1."
  • "Gas grill number 2 --> LIE... not enough for 28 people."
  • "NO WIFI."
  • "No multiple arcade games for the kids upstairs, just a golf game and one multi game device."
  • "Theater room seats are worn and peeling vinyl and a random recliner. One was completely broken with bolts on the floor."
  • "Shared shower didn’t work at all."
  • "Microwave 12"-14" the smallest microwave on earth."
  • "The laundry on-site sucks." (from a similar review for another property, but indicative of general issues in some rentals).
• Furniture Condition: "SEATING---> SAT AT YOUR RISK---> CHAIRS BROKEN," "kitchen tables and chairs/benches are all mismatched and sit at your own risk!"
• Misleading Photography: "Pictures are old and it does not represent the cabin. The last 20 pictures are the current state of the cabin." VRBO photos were described as being "when they were first built 20 years ago."
• Management Responsiveness: "The management company acted they they had no idea about a missing hot tub and the state of the cabin," suggesting a lack of awareness or responsiveness to serious issues.

Therefore, while Buckingham Palace is advertised with a robust list of services and amenities, the direct feedback from recent guests indicates that the property fails dramatically in delivering on these promises, raising serious concerns about habitability and value for money.

When considering Buckingham Palace in Gatlinburg, it's essential to delineate between its advertised features (what a large cabin should offer) and the actual highlights (or significant lowlights) as reported by recent Tennessee guests.

Advertised Features (Based on typical large cabin rentals in Gatlinburg):

• Large Capacity: Designed for big groups, with 9 bedrooms and capacity for 28-32 guests, making it ideal for family reunions, corporate retreats, or large gatherings.
• Extensive Entertainment Options: Promises a dedicated theater room, multiple arcade games (pool table, air hockey, various arcade classics), providing in-cabin entertainment for all ages.
• Multiple Hot Tubs: Advertised with two hot tubs, offering relaxation options after a day of exploring the Smokies.
• Full Kitchen & Dining: Features a generously sized, fully equipped kitchen with multiple refrigerators and dining seating for many, facilitating self-catering for large groups.
• Mountain Views: Promoted to offer "spectacular views of Mount Leconte" or general Smoky Mountain vistas.
• Ample Parking: Space for 8+ vehicles is a significant convenience for large groups.
• Proximity to Attractions: Located minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and reasonably close to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood.
• Private Setting: As a cabin in the mountains, it implies a certain level of privacy compared to hotel rooms.

Actual "Highlights" (Based on Provided Customer Reviews – Predominantly Negative):

The actual highlights, unfortunately, lean heavily towards severe deficiencies, making them critical warnings rather than positive features:

• Severe Cleanliness Issues: Guests consistently reported finding "so many stains, spots were everywhere," "tubs are black," and the cabin "was not clean when we arrived." This is a major detractor.
• Rampant Pest Infestation: Multiple mentions of "cock roaches" and "roaches and bed bugs are rampant" are critical issues that significantly impact guest comfort and health.
• Misleading Amenity Counts and Quality:
  • The claim of "2 hot tubs" is a "LIE," with only one existing.
  • "No multiple arcade games... just a golf game and one multi game device."
  • The "gas grill" is "nowhere near enough of 28 people."
  • "Smallest microwave on earth."
  • "Worn and peeling vinyl" theater seats, with one "completely broken."
  • "Shared shower didn’t work at all."
• Non-functional or Absent WiFi: "NO WIFI" is a significant blow to guests expecting connectivity.
• Unsafe Furniture: "CHAIRS BROKEN" and "sit at your own risk" for kitchen seating point to significant safety hazards.
• Obscured Mountain View: The once advertised "spectacular views" are now "just a view of the trees in your area and the cabins below" due to overgrowth.
• Outdated and Misleading Photos: Reviews explicitly state that the VRBO/promotional pictures are "old" and "do not represent the cabin," suggesting a deliberate misrepresentation of the property's current condition.

In conclusion, while the intention of Buckingham Palace is to offer a large-group luxury cabin experience, the consistent and severe negative feedback from recent guests indicates that the actual state of the property fails to deliver on virtually all advertised features, making its "highlights" unfortunately synonymous with its significant deficiencies.

As a large cabin rental in Gatlinburg, Buckingham Palace would typically be offered through various rental agencies that manage properties in the Smoky Mountains. These agencies often have their own set of promotions, though the specifics can vary significantly by season and booking platform. Given the extreme negative feedback from recent guests, any "promotion" would need to be viewed with significant caution, as the core issues of cleanliness, safety, and amenity functionality outweigh any potential cost saving.

However, generally, for large cabin rentals in the Gatlinburg area, you might typically find the following types of offers:

• Extended Stay Discounts: For properties like Buckingham Palace, designed for large groups and longer stays, rental companies often provide discounted weekly or monthly rates compared to booking individual nights. For example, some rental agencies offer "Buy 5 nights, get the 6th night free" or similar deals.
• Off-Peak Season Savings: The Smoky Mountains have peak and off-peak seasons. Prices for large cabins are generally lower during less popular times (e.g., late winter, early spring excluding holidays, or late August/September before fall foliage). Booking during these times often leads to better deals.
• Last-Minute Deals: If a cabin has unbooked dates close to the arrival, rental companies might offer last-minute discounts to fill the vacancy.
• Early Booking Discounts: Conversely, some companies offer discounts for booking far in advance, especially for popular properties or peak seasons.
• Special Event Packages: Less common for individual cabins, but some larger rental companies might bundle experiences with a stay (e.g., discounted attraction tickets), though this is more typical for resort-style accommodations.
• Newsletter/Email Subscriber Discounts: Signing up for email newsletters from cabin rental agencies in the Gatlinburg area can often yield exclusive discounts or early access to promotions.
• Group Booking Incentives: Occasionally, for extremely large bookings (multiple cabins or very long stays), there might be additional incentives.

CRITICAL ADVISORY REGARDING PROMOTIONS FOR BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Given the severe and consistent complaints regarding cleanliness, pest infestations, broken amenities, and misleading representations ("LIE" for hot tubs, outdated photos), any advertised "promotion" for Buckingham Palace should be considered secondary to verifying the property's current condition. A discount means very little if the basic standards of accommodation are not met. Prospective guests from Tennessee should prioritize confirming that the fundamental issues highlighted in reviews (like the functional number of hot tubs, cleanliness, pest control, and working WiFi) have been definitively addressed before considering any price-based offer. It would be prudent to inquire directly with the management company (if contactable and responsive) about specific measures taken to rectify these extensive problems.

For inquiries regarding Buckingham Palace, particularly its availability, pricing, or to address any concerns stemming from the widespread negative reviews, you would typically contact the property management company responsible for its rental. The provided contact information is likely for this purpose:

Address: 320 Poplar Point Way, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

Phone: (865) 430-4043

Mobile Phone: +1 865-430-4043

When contacting them, especially as a local Tennessean planning a significant group gathering, it would be highly advisable to:

• Directly reference the critical reviews: Ask pointed questions about the alleged issues, such as pest infestations, broken amenities (hot tubs, arcade games, theater seats, grills), and cleanliness standards.
• Request recent, unedited photos or virtual tours: Specifically ask for photos or video that accurately represent the current state of the cabin, not outdated promotional materials.
• Inquire about recent renovations or pest control measures: Ask what specific steps have been taken to address the severe problems reported by past guests.
• Clarify all listed amenities: Confirm the exact number of working hot tubs, the types and functionality of arcade games, the condition of seating, and the presence/reliability of Wi-Fi.

Given the significant discrepancies reported, thorough and direct communication before booking is paramount to avoid disappointment and ensure your group's comfort and safety.

For Tennesseans planning a trip to Gatlinburg, especially for a large family reunion or group getaway, the notion of a spacious cabin like Buckingham Palace can initially seem perfect. The dream of gathering loved ones in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, with ample bedrooms, a full kitchen, and entertainment options, is deeply appealing. In an ideal scenario, such a property would indeed be highly suitable, offering a cost-effective and communal alternative to booking multiple hotel rooms.

However, based on the consistent and alarming customer reviews, it is with a heavy heart and a strong sense of caution that we must conclude: Buckingham Palace, in its reported current state, is largely unsuitable for locals or any guest seeking a comfortable, clean, and safe vacation experience.

The suitability of a rental, for Tennesseans and beyond, hinges on fundamental expectations: cleanliness, functionality, safety, and accurate representation. The reviews for Buckingham Palace indicate a profound failure in all these areas. The widespread reports of:

• Rampant pest infestations (roaches, bed bugs)
• Severe cleanliness issues (stains, black tubs, dirty upon arrival)
• Numerous broken and missing amenities (hot tubs, arcade games, non-functional WiFi, broken chairs, non-working showers, inadequate grills)
• Misleading, outdated photographs
• Obscured mountain views

...collectively paint a picture of a property that does not meet even basic standards of guest accommodation, let alone the "luxury" it purports to be. For families and friends planning a cherished reunion, encountering such conditions would not only be a massive disappointment but also a significant health and safety concern. The additional burden of having to clean the cabin yourself, deal with pests, or find alternative entertainment options negates any perceived value.

While the location in Gatlinburg is inherently desirable, and the idea of a 9-bedroom cabin for a large group is appealing on paper, the tangible negative experiences reported by previous guests far outweigh any theoretical benefits. As proud Tennesseans, we expect a certain standard of hospitality in our beautiful mountains. This property, as described by those who have recently stayed there, falls drastically short. Until there is clear, verifiable evidence of comprehensive renovations, thorough pest eradication, and a significant improvement in management oversight and honesty in advertising, locals would be better served by exploring other cabin rental options in the Smoky Mountains that can genuinely deliver on the promise of a comfortable and memorable group getaway.