When you stay at Newfound Lodge on the river in Cherokee, you'll be on a river, a 5-minute drive from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and 6 minutes from Harrahs Cherokee Casino. .This hotel is 12.2 mi (19.6 km) from Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Smokey Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine.
What's nearby
Smokey Mountain Gold & Ruby Mine - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Museum of the Cherokee Indian - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama - 2 min drive - 1.7 km
Oconaluftee Indian Village - 4 min drive - 2.4 km
Harrahs Cherokee Casino - 7 min drive - 5.1 km
Getting around
McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - 111 min drive
Restaurants
Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar - 6 min drive
Wicked Weed Pub at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino - 6 min drive
SoundBytes - 7 min drive
Brio Italian Grille - 7 min drive
Peter's Pancakes and Waffles - 1 min drive
About this property
Newfound Lodge on the river
Riverfront hotel in Cherokee with free parking
Newfound Lodge on the river offers 64 accommodations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps). Housekeeping is provided daily.
Make yourself at home in one of the 64 guestrooms. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected.
The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Conveniences
Limited-hour front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Outdoors
In the mountains
On a river
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 25.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Pet fee: USD 25.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Property is also known as
Newfound On The River Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Hotel
Newfound Lodge on the river Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Hotel Cherokee
Newfound Lodge on the river Reviews
Reviews
7.4
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 80 reviews
10 - Excellent
28
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 80 reviews
8 - Good
21
Rating 6 - Okay. 14 out of 80 reviews
6 - Okay
14
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 80 reviews
4 - Poor
10
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 80 reviews
2 - Terrible
7
7.4/10
Cleanliness
8.0/10
Staff & service
6.4/10
Amenities
6.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Stephen
Travelled with partner
9 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Its a bit dated, and needs an upgrade, but... the point of vacation isn't to stay in the room! Great balcony, wonderful location, comfortable bed, and great water pressure!
Carpet or sticky to walk on bathroom was dirty no hot water, told the girl at the front desk about no hot water. She said she would turn it on. We never did receive any hot water. The view out the balcony was nice, but that was the only part of the stay worth anything
I have stayed at newfound Lodge many times over the years. It was a little surprised that I did not have a phone microwave, coffee pot or refrigerator in my room was told not all rooms have them also a little surprised the last day of my stay the lady to clean my room went into my room 45 minutes before I was to check out I had not gotten everything out of my room also had a do not disturb sign on the door. She apologized, but still did not read her paperwork and the door handle note even though this happened, I will stay again. I’ve always called Cherokee, North Carolina my second home, cause I’ve been going all my life starting out with my parents taking me when I was a child.
The large balcony on the river with rocking chairs was great. We had a large room with a king bed and loveseat which was nice. Some road noise but not bad. We saw several elk very near the hotel. Canadian geese, hawks and other birds were on the river.
Be warned on your room location:
We had one of the worse rooms there. It was on the ground floor next to the laundry/boiler room where an industrial dryer's very large vent was mounted on the back wall next to our balcony. We stayed 3 nights. One day and a half was ruined from the very loud dryer vent almost continuously in use. We could not hear anything else. This totally defeated the reason we chose to stay on the river. I'm sure the room above ours and the room over the laundry was also impacted by the noise.
The small closet area was repurposed for the small fridge and microwave sitting on a table. Great idea but it left us with a tiny area to hang our clothing with 3 hangers on each side. And having clothing up against these appliances does not seem safe.
Teresa
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
Business traveller
2 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It was okay.
Lovely view of the river, but it is an older hotel and the age shows in the fixtures and bathroom.
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Luzminda
Travelled with family
2 Sept 2025
Liked: Amenities
In the back of the bedroom is a river.
Also accepting service dog.
Front desk is friendly
We had room 106, the room was very clean, the outside porch was very nice, wonder view of the river, location was ideal for good resturants, the staff was really nice and helpful answering questions. we will deinitely be back to this wonderful lodge.
The property is definitely dated and could use a deep clean, however, the staff was great, the beds were comfortable and the view was amazing.
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
1 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Verified traveller
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
4/10 Poor
William
1 Sept 2025
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Last minute get away
Check in time was 4 pm. We were not able to get in room untill 5:10 pm. Firt time we tried to get in room it had not been serviced yet. Then the second timer
We tried it had been cleaned but beds not made.
William
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
Daniel
Travelled with family
1 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Definitely had a great time here, would love to come again and stay!
Daniel
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
2/10 Terrible
John
Travelled with partner
1 Sept 2025
Liked: Staff & service
Liked being on the creek.
Didn’t like no hot water and very noisy from the party next store.
No complaints. Able to check in earlier than expected time. Room was clean, front desk receptionist was outstanding with customer service. Check on was very easy and fast.
Not the best kept rooms. It’s an older place. But sitting on the river with the balcony made up for a lot. Seen no. Staff once checked it so really not sure about them. They didn’t clean room while we were there. I guess that’s a new thing for a lot of places.
Good room with a great river view from the balcony. Rooms are right on the river. No maid service while we were there. Dated facilty and decor, but good value for the price.
Cherokee is just not the same as it used to be. Seems like most everything is not even Native owned or operated. Prices are just ridiculous for food. 6 o'clock and everything closes down. Looks like a ghost town after 6pm. Probably be the last time I 'll visit Cherokee. The bed was horrible! Could not sleep at all. Woke up sore the next day. Cannot watch TV from the bed with the paper thin pillows. And 1 smelled like pee real bad! No cleaning service the next day. Had to walk to front desk to get everything. Only 1 ice machine at the other end of the motel and limited to a bucket a day. See pictures attached. Would not recommend to a homeless person!
The room is dirty, with rust, holes, dirty carpet. Came back to someone changing the locks on our door with no notice that someone would be entering our room, even with the do not disturb sign. Good location but would not stay again.
Donald
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Download the lastminute.co.nz app and travel like a pro
We’ll send you a heads-up on any gate changes or flight delays
You can access all your itineraries, even when you’re offline
Easily contact your hotel
Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app