Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee existed before Tennessee was officially a state. As such it’s among the oldest public universities in the United States, serving more than 21,000 undergraduate students. The Volunteers, the University’s Division I sports teams, are often top-performers in NCAA’s Southeastern Conference. Dubbed for their native state’s nickname, the Volunteers (or “Vols”) have a fervent following in Knoxville.
Whether you’re coming to see some football, visit your kid in college, or receive care at the University Medical Center, here are some highly-rated cheap hotels that don’t sacrifice quality for affordability.
Looking for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga? Read our coverage of Chattanooga’s best hotels here.
From $93/ night
This property places you within walking distance of the University —and several other conveniences, like McDonald’s and Walgreens. If you don’t feel like walking, there’s also a convenience store on-site, as well as a fitness center, should your appetites be more athletic. In each room, you’ll find a microwave, fridge, coffeemaker, alarm clock, and a flatscreen TV offering free HBO. You can pair that premium cable with dinner room service, or you can dine at the Garden Grill and Bar. The Hilton is close to plenty of potential destinations, and its proximity is made even better through its complimentary transfer service (up to two miles).
From $95/ night
Less than a mile from both the University of Tennessee and Neyland Stadium, this property promises to put you “in the heart of Knoxville.” Apparently Knoxville’s ticker has plenty of amenities: tea and coffee, an indoor pool, free wifi, a fitness center, pet-friendly policy and a restaurant serving American cuisine, Hudson’s. The reception desk is staffed 24 hours a day, and if you need to send a few emails, a business center is available. Ambience is bright and warm, with the lobby and common areas providing splashes of saturation to lift your mood. Also invigorating is the bedding; several guests have praised the pillows for their fluffy goodness.
From $97/ night
This pet-friendly hotel is slightly farther from the University than our other selections, but it offers four-star service at a reasonable price. We researched pricing across several weeks, and rooms usually started below $100 per night. The hotel claims a ten-minute walk to campus or the Knoxville Convention Center. Elegant without being stuffy, this property’s hardwood-heavy architecture is invitingly grand. You can eat breakfast at Mahogany’s restaurant, or imbibe after dark at The Library’s full-service bar. Work off those calories any time at the on-site gym, open 24 hours a day. Have any old mix CDs lying around? Bring ‘em, since rooms come equipped not only with a flatscreen TV, but a CD player.
