Two Irish tourists have recalled how a hotel booking error during a road trip through Tennessee led to an unexpected night inside Dolly Parton's private penthouse suite, following the country music icon's death.
Dara and her cousin Sheila were travelling across the state 11 years ago while Sheila was writing a travel feature for the Irish Mail on Sunday. After enjoying what they described as a riotous stay in Nashville, the pair drove towards Pigeon Forge in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to visit Dollywood, the flagship theme park that Parton turned into one of America's favourite national attractions.
Their journey hit a delay when their vehicle was trapped in a heavy traffic jam of antique cars on a busy Appalachian road. The unexpected parade prompted Sheila to call their accommodation, Dollywood's newly opened luxury hotel DreamMore, to explain that they would be checking in late. They also had an evening reservation at the Dixie Stampede, a popular local tourist attraction.
Upon calling the front desk, the cousins panicked when hotel staff informed them that a date mix-up had occurred with their booking and that the resort was completely full. Unsure of what to do, the pair sat worried in the stationary traffic. However, within a few minutes, the hotel called back with a solution that turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Management explained that they would accommodate the pair in the Dolly Parton Suite, the penthouse where the singer stayed whenever she visited the resort. Parton had personally overseen the decoration of the penthouse, and the women noted that her personal touch was immediately evident the moment they opened the door.
The penthouse was decorated in bright shades of pink and purple, featuring rhinestone wallpaper, shag carpets, and a life-sized portrait of Parton. If a guest stood next to the picture at the right angle, it appeared as though the 9 to 5 hitmaker was standing in the room in person.
The accommodation included a kitchenette, a dining area, a living room, and one and a half bathrooms. The primary bathroom was designed in the style of showbusiness dressing rooms, fitted with glittering mirrors, a bathtub, a shower, and a vanity area. In the bedroom, which was decorated in camp Dolly style, the bed was raised so high off the floor that Dara laughed as she demonstrated to Sheila that getting onto it required a running jump.
Inside the Dolly Parton Suite
Although both cousins were already fans of Parton before the trip, knowing her primarily as the artist behind dancefloor favourite 9 to 5 at the Coppers nightclub in Dublin, staying at the resort transformed them into lifelong, diehard admirers. Seeing the extent of her work in the Appalachian region and witnessing how locals spoke about her almost reverentially gave them a deeper understanding of her impact beyond pop culture.
During their visit to the theme park, the cousins toured a replica of the tiny cabin where Parton grew up alongside her 11 siblings. The original structure began as a single room before later being expanded to two rooms, offering visitors a sharp insight into the poverty of 1940s Appalachia.
The replica cabin was constructed by Parton's brother, Bobby, and decorated by her mother, Avie. To shield the family from the bitter winter air, the original cabin walls had been lined with newspaper, a detail preserved inside the replica. Plaques mounted on the walls recounted family stories written by Parton's sister, Willadeene, illustrating the severe hardships the family endured.
Humble beginnings in 1940s Appalachia
The visitors found it humbling that the superstar had built a music and business empire from such modest beginnings. They were further impressed to discover that many of Parton's relatives were still employed at Dollywood or within her eponymous company in various roles.
The theme park originally operated under a different name before Parton purchased an ownership stake in 1986. Under her ownership, the site expanded and diversified to become the largest employer in the region, providing jobs for up to 4,500 people during peak tourist seasons.
Parton's efforts also extended to national wildlife conservation. Thirty-five years ago, Dollywood partnered with the American Eagle Sanctuary to host the largest presentation of bald eagles in North America. At the time the sanctuary was established, the bald eagle was an endangered species, though it has since been removed from the endangered list.
The sanctuary served to educate park visitors, including the Irish cousins, who described being gobsmacked by the sheer size of the majestic bald eagles. Viewing the birds up close behind glass, they noted that the eagles possessed an intimidating, shrewd, and steady gaze that appeared nothing short of regal.
Economic impact and eagle sanctuary
The development of Dollywood transformed the surrounding area, with Pigeon Forge growing into a bustling tourist hub filled with go-kart tracks, novelty museums, restaurants, souvenir shops, and entertainment venues.
Among these venues is the Dixie Stampede, an Appalachian spectacle featuring pig races, trick horses, country-style dinners served without eating utensils, and a playful division of the audience into Northern and Southern sides. Although the cousins found the Civil War theme somewhat flippant, they noted that the show was executed in good fun and provided employment for local performers that depended on Dollywood's proximity.
Dixie Stampede and local legacy
Local residents frequently refer to Parton as "Saint Dolly" or the "patron saint of Tennessee" in gratitude for her dedication to the region and its people.
Following news of Parton's death on Tuesday, Sheila messaged Dara immediately to share the sad update, attaching the photograph of Dara kissing Parton's portrait in the penthouse suite 11 years earlier. Both women expressed devastation at her passing, joining fans worldwide in mourning the iconic performer.
While neither cousin has returned to the theme park since that trip, both hope to visit again with their families. They recalled their stay as an experience filled with fun, heart, and down-home friendliness, stating that their unexpected night in Parton's suite ensured the singer would always hold a special place in their hearts.
