Folks at this Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn., are right in the middle of Volunteer country. The hotel sits just five miles from the University of Tennessee, where the Volunteer athletic teams fill the stadium and coliseum regularly. Sightseers also can pile in their vehicles and scoot 30 miles up Interstate 40 to the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge, Tenn., home to Dollywood, the amusement park operated by country-music legion Dolly Parton. Shoppers also are across the street from Knoxville's largest mall, West Town, and an 18- screen movie theater. Chillhowee Zoo and the convention center are five miles from the Howard Johnson. The hotel also is close to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, the venue for theater, symphony and other performances.

Babe's Bar & Grill at the hotel provides live entertainment and happy hours with complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Harry's Restaurant, also at the hotel, dishes up steaks and fresh seafood, complimentary continental breakfasts during the weekdays, breakfast buffets on the weekends, and room service.

In addition to an outdoor and kiddie pools, other amenities at the 162- room hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access in the lobby and high-speed Internet access in some suites. The Howard Johnson provides facilities and catering for conferences, meetings, banquets, parties and family get-togethers.

Knoxville keeps east Tennessee hopping, especially when the Vols are in town, and the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel is a good bet to get folks as close as possible to the action for economical prices.