We always use vrbo.com to book our places in the Mts. You'll be hard pressed to find a pool unless you opt for a hotel, & few have indoor pools. We have pretty good luck w/Best Westerns & Hampton Inns in that regard. We just stayed near Black Mt. & there is one of our favorite parks in Montreat. That locale also gives you fairly close access to the Parkway & there is some good hiking around Montreat as well. Are you flying into CLT ? If so, how much time will you have ?

Here are some books that may help you plan your trip - "Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge", "Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Regional Hiking Series)" & "Best Easy Day Hikes Blue Ridge Parkway (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)".

Another question, does your toddler ride (like in a backpack) or are they already past that..?

You might consider Cherokee and Bryson City for your stay. Lots of good hiking in the Park near both of these places. If you want to camp there is a Jellystone Park campground right on a creek. I think it will be too cool to swim unless you stay some place with an indoor pool.
We have camped there to go trout fishing--it is a bit kitschy but really not bad. Cherokee is definitely still kitschy, even with the casino, but our kids liked it when little.

Hi - Thanks, all for the replies. No, our toddler is too big to be carried (she was 40 pounds and near 3ft at age 2.5 although I carried her then down/up the Grand Canyon! It nearly killed me though) Gretchen, is Cherokee really tacky? We can handle kitsch, but tacky and noisy or overcrowded might be another story. Thanks!

Too me Cherokee is very tacky but it is in a beautiful area. I'd go the cabin route (if you can forgo the pool). I also like the Sylva area which would be well located. It kind of depends on how much time & how far you want to drive (from CLT) as well.

Agree that Cherokee is "tacky" but it is also close to the park, and it also has the authentic Cherokee exhibit of the Okonoluftee. Tacky came before the Indians got their true respect. BUT it is still the closest place to the Park for commercial hotels. And if you want to talk "tacky", try Pigeon Forge!!
If you are going to camp, really the Jellystone Camp ground is nice. It is about 5 miles up the road into the reservation from Cherokee, and just like a "campground" and on a lovely creek.
But further out, Bryson City is also a sort of gateway to the Park from another entrance, and it is VERY nice out that way.