Best Western Thunderbird Motel
"A 4.2-rated retro motel with a pool, free breakfast, and strong value."
About The Hotel
Best Western Thunderbird Motel on S Jefferson Avenue is a 4.2-rated (709 reviews) long-running Best Western Thunderbird Motel in Cookeville, with a pool, free breakfast, retro charm, and a convenient location near Tennessee Tech and the waterfalls. A well-rated, character-filled value stay; the pool is the shared water feature, with jetted-tub rooms a category to confirm at booking. Guests rave about the friendly service, the clean rooms, the excellent breakfast, the retro atmosphere, and the strong value. It is a beloved local favorite offering character and exceptional value.
What Guests Are Saying
“I’m rather picky about motel rooms, and this one was clean, nicely appointed, and comfortable. The location was convenient to I-40, but not so close that the road noise was an issue. The two dog walking areas (I travel with a service dog for a medical condition) are at opposite ends of the motel, one next to a busy road and the other, unless your room is towards the far end, was a bit of a walk. Over all, this motel was clean and comfortable, the staff was friendly and helpful, the walkways (exterior doors) have good safety features, and the walkways are well lit. Another plus is they offer a good selection for breakfast — including protein choices. If you don’t want to wander around to find a place to eat dinner, there’s a very good Mexican restaurant immediately across the pull-up area for the lobby.” — Jan V., 5 stars
“Best breakfast that we have had at a hotel. Even though the hotel seemed to be full everything at the food bar was constantly being refilled, we have stayed at several hotels that if you did not get there early you were going to leave hungry. Pool was very nice and Glenda was like having breakfast and a show.” — mark L., 5 stars
“Clean room and parking in front of room was of importance because of traveling alone. The ice machine was on the other end of building was sort of uncomfortable getting ice. Closest ice machine wasn’t working. Otherwise everything was okay” — Carealine T., 5 stars
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- A 4.2 across 709 reviews — a well-loved retro motel
- A pool and free breakfast
- Retro charm and friendly service
- A convenient location near Tennessee Tech
- Strong value
Cons:
- A retro motel rather than a modern hotel — character over polish
- A roadside setting
- A jetted-tub room is a specific room type — confirm at booking; the pool is the shared amenity
- An older property, comfortable rather than upscale
The Location
In Cookeville near Tennessee Tech and the I-40 corridor. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.
Cookeville,
Cookeville.
Guest reviews
What guests are saying about Best Western Thunderbird Motel.
"We have stayed at the Best Western Thunderbird hotel almost every time we have traveled to visit family. We have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful, the breakfast hot and ready, and rooms to be cleaned. Would recommend over and over again."
— Lauren Evans
View on Google"Was moving from the Midwest to the east coast and had to spend the night on September 8th. The receptionists was very kind and helpful. She was super sweet and made me smile after all that driving. The room was exceptionally clean and everything was perfect. Me and my furbabies slept so good that night. Thank you all so much."
— Charity Harris
View on Google"We recently spent 4 nights at the Best Western Thunderbird. Check in was easy, and the front desk woman was pleasant. We did not eat breakfast here, but my husband did go to get coffee in the morning and said breakfast looked great and the woman helping in the breakfast area was extremely friendly. Our ADA room was clean, beds were comfortable, but pillows could use an upgrade. The only complaint I have is our ADA room showed photos of a shower with a shower bench on the website when we were booking. This was a main draw for me when booking the room… as a seat in the shower means I don’t have to travel with my own. After check in, I realized our room did not have a seat in the shower. I did not alert the front desk, or try to change rooms after check-in, and I suppose I could have done these things. But we had been on the road for 14 hours and I just let it go. There were enough hand holds in the shower for me to take a quick shower with help from my husband. At the very end of our trip, while loading out to leave, I did spy a single roach on the floor. But… also discovered our son had left a pizza takeout box with a slice still left in it on the floor by his bed. After many miles of travel through the years, and preferring to stay in rooms with an outdoor entrance, we’ve learned never to leave food in our room when traveling in warmer climates. This will invite pests into even the cleanest motels in the south."
— Julie Krueger-Higgins
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