Transforming a former Days Inn into a vibrant, retro-modern oasis, Dryden Studio and hotel developer Aatmos looked back to the mid-century heyday of motor lodges, particularly those in Palm Springs, California. “We really wanted to raise the bar for lodging and hospitality in East Tennessee,” Aatmos CEO Mahavir Patel explains. “The region has a lot of inventory, but it’s all pretty mainstream.” To make a strong visual statement in the town—home to Dollywood and other flashy country music venues—the collaborators whitewashed the exterior of the 60,000-square-foot property. “We’re surrounded by all of these crazy buildings with flashing lights and colors, so painting the Wayback white allows it to stand out and be quiet at the same time,” Dryden lead designer Maria Meyer explains. 

Seeking to attract a more adult clientele to the area, the team paired serene, escape-y guest rooms with more amped-up public spaces. “We imagined the lobby area to be the den at a quirky aunt’s house—an intentional mix of plaids and tweeds and animal prints, high polish and bohemian accents,” Meyer continues. The pattern-on-pattern lobby transitions directly into a bar, outfitted with a long banquette and modular seating. The outdoor pool area is a highly social space with a converted Airstream bar, myriad lounging options, plus cozy cabanas. The property—Pigeon Forge’s first boutique hotel, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio—is right near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and draws outdoorsy types and experience seekers alike. “People can go for a hike during the day,” Meyer notes, “and come back at night for some adult fun, including cocktails and good food.” And for decidedly grown-up, if young-at-heart, design. 

Explore The Wayback, a Hotel With Design Flair in Tennessee