We arrived at Inn At Christmas Place, in Pigeon Forge TN, just after 3 PM, December 26th. There were several people waiting to check in. When we got to the desk, we discovered our room was not ready. We sat in the lobby, admiring the wonderful Christmas decor and resting from our travels, while waiting. We were able to get into our room, just after 5PM. We believe the delay was due to the Holiday.Those who have been visiting the Back Porch for awhile, will know why we chose the Blue Moose Grill for supper, that first night. There are several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. We could see the Blue Moose from the lobby, as we waited for our room. As soon as we were settled in, we walked over to the restaurant. Wonderful food, great atmosphere and service. We recommend the Blue Moose Grill for a quick, informal meal. They have very good sweet tea. I hardly ever drink sweet tea, unless we are traveling across the southern US. You can always find an excellent glass of sweet iced tea, in the south!
The lobby of Inn At Christmas Place. Our stay at this hotel was lovely.
The Christmas Place Shops are across the street from the hotel.
The light, under the portico of the hotel.
Inn At Christmas Place portico.
The courtyard view from our private balcony.
A Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel. We have a deer, similar to this one. I see inspiration for his collar.
This table is across from the elevators.
A Nativity scene above the registration desk.
I photographed the lower level cuckoo clock fireplace, from the mezzanine. The breakfast room is just off the lower level lobby. A complimentary full breakfast, including an omelet station, is offered by the hotel.
The fireplace in our room.
A view of our bathroom.***********************************************
~After Christmas Shopping~
My china obsession began in 1981, when I started working for Famous-Barr, a May Company store, now Macys. My department was China/Crystal/Silver/Linens. I soon fell in love with all things to do with table setting. It was during this time, I began my collection of dishes. Working in this department was a wonderful learning experience.
Naturally, it was a pleasant surprise to discover a 50%-75% off sale at the Lenox Outlet in Sevierville TN, just up the road from our hotel. We no longer have Lenox Outlets in Missouri. The list of these outlets is dwindling quickly!
I entered the store, with the goal of finding serving pieces for my Lenox Winter Greetings Everyday. I was told this pattern sold out almost as soon as it arrived, before Christmas. While looking around, J found the Cardinal plate, part of the Winter Greetings collection.
The place mats and napkins, shown below, were 50%. I love the color and can't wait to use them!
One table, marked 75%, was stacked with dinner plates, salad plates and other pieces, in the Holiday pattern. These were seconds, which didn't stop me from looking through them and finding 12 perfectly wonderful dinner plates. Buying seconds is a great way to add to your china collection. Many times the flaws are so small, they aren't noticeable. My dinner plates were marked at 75%, $7.00 each! I added to this stack of beautiful dishes, 3 boxes of party plates, in sets of 4. I plan to use these small plates as bread and butters. While I was going through the plates, J was looking around at extra Lenox pieces, across the store. He found the cake plate. The party plates, Cardinal plate and cake plate were marked at 50%.
All Mikasa Outlet stores are closing. We found the Mikasa store in Pigeon Forge, where there was a 50% sale. I was in hopes of finding serving pieces for my Mikasa French Countryside. A stack of saucers was all that was left, in the pattern. I found 4 small platters from the Continental Collection and 4 sherbet bowls, in Garden Harvest. The square chargers are also from the Mikasa store.
I also shopped the Chico's sale, in Sevierville. Found some great buy one get one free/ 50% off lowest price bargains, plus I had an extra $25 off coupon in my file.
We left Inn At Christmas Place, very early Friday December 28th. We were on our way to Asheville North Carolina and our tour of Biltmore Estate. I'll write about this part of our adventure, Friday.