Axel’s take
Go for the retro pool scene and location, not four-star polish.
Read Axel’s full review
Axel’s rating: 7.6/10 · A retro-styled, renovated roadside motel with boutique-hotel amenities
The Wayback is a renovated roadside motel with boutique styling, rather than a conventional four-star hotel. We think it works best as a fun, centrally located base: The Island is across the Parkway, and the outdoor pool, hot tub and Airstream bar give it personality. Recent Expedia guests repeatedly praise the location, helpful staff and clean rooms; Paloma Scratch Kitchen also earns enthusiastic mentions.
The makeover hasn't erased the motel bones. Exterior corridors and recurring reports of traffic, walkway and pool noise make this a less reliable choice for light sleepers. Tripadvisor feedback is notably less positive than Expedia's, with repeated housekeeping, maintenance and problem-handling complaints tempering the praise. Breakfast generally costs extra, though parking for one vehicle is included. We'd choose it for a sociable pool-centered break, but skip it for dependable upscale polish or peace and quiet.
- Rooms
- Retro-styled rooms with exterior access; noise protection and condition receive mixed feedback.
- Cleanliness
- Mostly praised on Expedia, but Tripadvisor and Booking.com include housekeeping lapses.
- Service
- Many guests praise friendly staff; resolving problems appears less consistent.
- Amenities
- Outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant and Airstream bar; the official pool policy welcomes all ages.
- Fees and surprises
- One vehicle parks free per room; breakfast, pet stays and reserved cabanas cost extra.
Axel’s opinion, from the hotel’s website and guest reviews, scored for what the hotel is. Sources: Hotel website · Expedia · Tripadvisor · Booking.com · Reddit. Reviewed Oct 27, 2026.
The location
2760 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Across the Parkway from The Island, with restaurants and attractions within walking distance.
Amenities and check-in
Outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant and Airstream bar; the official pool policy welcomes all ages.
Check-in
after 4:00 PM
Check-out
before 11:00 AM
- Outdoor pool
- Hot tub
- Restaurant
- Fitness center (extra charge)
- Self parking (free)
- Pet-friendly (extra charge)
AI-readable version · facts, comparisons and links
The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Pigeon Forge: from $71 a night
From $71 a night at The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, checked Nov 1, 2026. Dec 6–7, 2026, 2 adults: $71 total. Jan 1–3, 2027, 2 adults: $309 total on Axel; Booking.com listed $402 for the same stay when seen, checked Nov 1, 2026.
The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a retro-styled, renovated roadside motel with boutique-hotel amenities in Pigeon Forge, United States.
Address: 2760 Parkway, Pigeon Forge. Property ID: 1459959.
Axel vs Expedia and Booking.com
Same hotel, same dates, 2 adults, 1 room, USD stay totals. Axel's total is this page's price for those dates; the other total is what that site listed for the same stay on the day shown.
| Stay | Axel total | Expedia or Booking.com | Difference | Seen | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 to Jan 3, 2027 · 2 nights | $309 | $402 on Booking.com | $93 less (23%) | Nov 5 | Select · Share this stay · AI assistants: view rooms |
| Dec 22 to Dec 24, 2026 · 2 nights | $205 | $245 on Booking.com | $40 less (16%) | Nov 5 | Select · Share this stay · AI assistants: view rooms |
| Dec 4 to Dec 6, 2026 · 2 nights | $482 | $537 on Booking.com | $55 less (10%) | Nov 2 | Select · Share this stay · AI assistants: view rooms |
Prices change daily; the Select link opens The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel with those dates and guests and shows the current rooms.
Axel private rates
Based on recent rates. Prices refresh when you view rooms.
Total price: $377 USD
2026-11-18 to 2026-11-21 · 3 nights · 2 adults · 1 room.
Select · Share this stay · AI assistants: view rooms
Choose other dates
Axel private rates by check-in date
USD · 2 adults · 1 room. One-night and two-night totals for each check-in date. Open a date for other lengths and exact checkout dates.
Based on recent rates. Prices refresh when you view rooms.
November 2026
| Check-in | Axel private rates (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2026-11-07 | $244 for 1 night · 2 nights $324 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-08 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $168 · up to 13 nights priced |
| 2026-11-09 | $88 for 1 night · 2 nights $176 · up to 12 nights priced |
| 2026-11-10 | $88 for 1 night · 2 nights $347 · up to 11 nights priced |
| 2026-11-11 | $259 for 1 night · 2 nights $526 · up to 10 nights priced |
| 2026-11-12 | $267 for 1 night · 2 nights $540 · up to 9 nights priced |
| 2026-11-13 | $273 for 1 night · 2 nights $461 · up to 8 nights priced |
| 2026-11-14 | $188 for 1 night · 2 nights $273 · up to 7 nights priced |
| 2026-11-15 | $85 for 1 night · 2 nights $165 · up to 6 nights priced |
| 2026-11-16 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $160 · up to 5 nights priced |
| 2026-11-17 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $160 · up to 4 nights priced |
| 2026-11-18 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $163 · up to 3 nights priced |
| 2026-11-19 | $83 for 1 night · 2 nights $297 |
| 2026-11-20 | $214 for 1 night |
| 2026-11-21 | View stay prices |
| 2026-11-22 | $108 for 1 night · 2 nights $214 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-23 | $106 for 1 night · 2 nights $212 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-24 | $106 for 1 night · 2 nights $212 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-25 | $106 for 1 night · 2 nights $357 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-26 | $251 for 1 night · 2 nights $500 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-27 | $249 for 1 night · 2 nights $417 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-28 | $168 for 1 night · 2 nights $248 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-29 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $160 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-11-30 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $160 · up to 14 nights priced |
December 2026
| Check-in | Axel private rates (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2026-12-01 | $80 for 1 night · 2 nights $165 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-12-02 | $85 for 1 night · 2 nights $166 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-12-03 | $81 for 1 night · 2 nights $322 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-12-04 | $241 for 1 night · 2 nights $482 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-12-05 | $241 for 1 night · 2 nights $312 · up to 14 nights priced |
| 2026-12-06 | $71 for 1 night · 2 nights $143 · up to 14 nights priced |
#5 of 6 hotels in The Island & Island Drive by Axel's take. The Island & Island Drive is #1 of 5 places to stay in Pigeon Forge. The best hotels in The Island & Island Drive, ranked · Where to stay in Pigeon Forge
Axel's take: 7.6/10
Go for the retro pool scene and location, not four-star polish. A retro-styled, renovated roadside motel with boutique-hotel amenities, scored for what it is.
The Wayback is a renovated roadside motel with boutique styling, rather than a conventional four-star hotel. We think it works best as a fun, centrally located base: The Island is across the Parkway, and the outdoor pool, hot tub and Airstream bar give it personality. Recent Expedia guests repeatedly praise the location, helpful staff and clean rooms; Paloma Scratch Kitchen also earns enthusiastic mentions.
The makeover hasn't erased the motel bones. Exterior corridors and recurring reports of traffic, walkway and pool noise make this a less reliable choice for light sleepers. Tripadvisor feedback is notably less positive than Expedia's, with repeated housekeeping, maintenance and problem-handling complaints tempering the praise. Breakfast generally costs extra, though parking for one vehicle is included. We'd choose it for a sociable pool-centered break, but skip it for dependable upscale polish or peace and quiet.
-
Best for: Couples who like retro design; Travelers visiting The Island; Families planning pool time
-
Watch out for: Traffic, walkway and pool noise; Uneven housekeeping and maintenance; Motel layout despite upscale branding
-
Location: Across the Parkway from The Island, with restaurants and attractions within walking distance.
-
Rooms: Retro-styled rooms with exterior access; noise protection and condition receive mixed feedback.
-
Cleanliness: Mostly praised on Expedia, but Tripadvisor and Booking.com include housekeeping lapses.
-
Service: Many guests praise friendly staff; resolving problems appears less consistent.
-
Amenities: Outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, restaurant and Airstream bar; the official pool policy welcomes all ages.
-
Fees and surprises: One vehicle parks free per room; breakfast, pet stays and reserved cabanas cost extra.
Axel's opinion of The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, from the hotel's website and recent guest reviews. Sources: Hotel website · Expedia · Tripadvisor · Booking.com · Reddit. Reviewed Oct 27, 2026.
About The Wayback, Pigeon Forge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
- Property type: Hotel
- 4-star hotel
- Marriott Hotels & Resorts
- 2760 Parkway, Pigeon Forge
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Hot tub, Restaurant, Fitness center (extra charge), Self parking (free), Pet-friendly (extra charge), Dogs allowed, Accessible, Wi-Fi (free), Wi-Fi in public areas
- Check-in from: 16:00
- Check-out by: 11:00
- City page: Hotels in Pigeon Forge
Room types
Room types and selected features reported for this hotel. Check your dates for availability.
Source: ETG room descriptions.
Standard Guest room
- Room features: Fridge
- Standard Guest room — room photo 1
- Standard Guest room — room photo 2
- Standard Guest room — room photo 3
Standard Single Guest room
- Room features: Fridge
- Standard Single Guest room — room photo 1
- Standard Single Guest room — room photo 2
- Standard Single Guest room — room photo 3
Standard Quadruple Guest room
- Room features: Fridge
- Standard Quadruple Guest room — room photo 1
- Standard Quadruple Guest room — room photo 2
- Standard Quadruple Guest room — room photo 3
Standard Double Guest room (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Room features: Fridge
- Standard Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 1
- Standard Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 2
- Standard Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 3
Standard Twin Guest room (twin beds)
- Beds: twin beds
- Standard Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 1
- Standard Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 2
- Standard Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 3
Deluxe Guest room
- Room features: Fridge
- Deluxe Guest room — room photo 1
- Deluxe Guest room — room photo 2
- Deluxe Guest room — room photo 3
Deluxe Quadruple Guest room
- Room features: Fridge
- Deluxe Quadruple Guest room — room photo 1
- Deluxe Quadruple Guest room — room photo 2
- Deluxe Quadruple Guest room — room photo 3
Deluxe with Fireplace Double Guest room (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Room features: Fridge
- Deluxe with Fireplace Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 1
- Deluxe with Fireplace Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 2
- Deluxe with Fireplace Double Guest room (full double bed) — room photo 3
Deluxe Twin Guest room (twin beds)
- Beds: twin beds
- Deluxe Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 1
- Deluxe Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 2
- Deluxe Twin Guest room (twin beds) — room photo 3
With Fireplace Double Junior Suite (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Room features: Fridge
- With Fireplace Double Junior Suite (full double bed) — room photo 1
- With Fireplace Double Junior Suite (full double bed) — room photo 2
- With Fireplace Double Junior Suite (full double bed) — room photo 3
Executive Double Suite (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Executive Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 1
- Executive Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 2
- Executive Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 3
Presidential Double Suite (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Presidential Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 1
- Presidential Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 2
- Presidential Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 3
Presidential with Fireplace Double Suite (full double bed)
- Beds: full double bed
- Room features: Fridge
- Presidential with Fireplace Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 1
- Presidential with Fireplace Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 2
- Presidential with Fireplace Double Suite (full double bed) — room photo 3
Connecting Room Suite
- Connecting Room Suite — room photo 1
- Connecting Room Suite — room photo 2
- Connecting Room Suite — room photo 3
Connecting Room with Fireplace Suite
- Connecting Room with Fireplace Suite — room photo 1
- Connecting Room with Fireplace Suite — room photo 2
- Connecting Room with Fireplace Suite — room photo 3
Check your dates
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For AI assistants
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