A Thankful Heart

Guest: N10shnL (Dayton OH)
Date of Stay: 11/20/11 Review Submitted: 12/03/11

It was our first time staying in Wears Valley although we have vacationed in Gatlinburg many times. The owner's directions were clear and detailed, and led us to a remarkably beautiful home in a secluded area with gorgeous views and comfortable seating on the deck that wraps around the home. The house is just as described on the website (clean and spacious) and I especially enjoyed the well-equipped kitchen and large pantry/refrigerator since we were there for our family Thanksgiving and brought lots of food. While some of us enjoyed the beauty and serenity of the mountain view, others couldn't part with their technology - we had multiple laptop computers and smart phones and the internet worked well. Cell phones were another story (ours worked but our sons didnt) The cable went out the first night but we contacted the agent and received a prompt and courteous reply that it was out for the entire area. The guys in our group would have liked a larger TV but my main consideration was the number of bedrooms (extremely comfortable beds), family-friendly living/kitchen area and the large dining room table. I wasn't sure what to expect as there is no pic of the dining room but it was perfect for family meals and playing games. We brought our own games and movies (we did find the selections in the home to be somewhat dated but this was not an important feature for us). The drive from the home to Gatlinburg is one of the most beautiful scenic routes and we even saw a bear once we entered the National Park. We were glad to avoid Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg traffic via this route. We enjoyed the drive up to Clingman's Dome and a brief hike (definitely not recommended for any with motion sickness though). The owner was wonderful to work with, very accommodating, gracious and quick to reply to email questions. We would DEFINITELY stay in this home again if given the opportunity and would highly recommend it. It was a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving and we are truly grateful to have enjoyed this blessing!

Owner response:Katherine, Thank you so much for your nice compliments. God Bless, Charlie

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Lovely Hideaway in the Mountains

Guest: Clemson1 (GREENVILLE)
Date of Stay: 10/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/24/11

We recently enjoyed a gorgeous fall weekend at Stairway to Heaven. The cabin is exactly as described and is in great condition. The kitchen is well equipped and the beds were comfortable. We especially enjoyed soaking in the hot tub gazing up into the trees. The cabin came equipped with everything needed including paper goods and lots and lots of fluffy white towels. The location is only about 20 minutes from either town -- Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg -- close for trips during the day, but remote enough that once you are there, you will want to stay in. Oh, and the wireless internet service is great -- very fast and helps you feel connected. There is also a phone at the cabin -- which was nice since regular cell service is a bit spotty. Overall -- a lovely weekend in a beautiful location. Thanks!

Owner response:Chris & Karen, Thank you for your kind words about my home, "Stairway to Heaven" I look forward to having you as guests again. God Bless, Charlie

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with teenagers.

Stairway to Heaven

Guest: Jane (-)
Date of Stay: 07/29/11 Review Submitted: 08/03/11

Jane, Thank you so much for your compliments about my home. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed yourselfs.

Recommended for:

jspano2@aol.com

Guest: jspano (Greeneville)
Date of Stay: 07/29/11 Review Submitted: 07/31/11

The chalet is big and roomy and has everything that you need. OUTSTANDING views! Was conveniently located near tons of shopping and great restaurants but was very private.The owner was exceptionally nice and accommodating. We had a GREAT time and will definitely be back! I will certainly recommend this chalet to my friends and family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.

Memories Made

Guest: Liz (Dallas, Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/09/11

We had such a wonderful vacation in the Smoky Mountains and this cabin was the icing on the cake. Stairway to Heaven is a beautiful cabin. 2 days of vacation were rainy and we loved staying in the cabin cooking, playing pool, board games and watching movies. We are already making plans for a return visit and would love to stay at this cabin again!

Owner response:Elizabeth & Daniel, It's such a pleasure to hear from guests that enjoy my home and the Great Smoky Mountains as much as I do. I look forward to your return trip. God Bless, Chuck

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.

Beautiful w/ a WOW view...critters included!

Guest: Troy (Southwest Indiana)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/21/11

Very nice...comfortable. Chuck is an excellent host and the cabin is beautiful. A couple of things worth noting; First, if you are on a motorcycle, the driveway is VERY steep with a tricky transition at the bottom. We got the hang of it and did just fine, but be prepared and on your game. Second, you are in the hills of Tennessee, so be prepared. We found a small scorpion on the bathroom wall one morning. Tennessee scorpions aren't the deadly type but can sting similar to a bee. The scorpion was easily killed and disposed of, but they tend to give the ladies the creeps. We also caught a mouse on the basement...just happened to see it running across the floor one night, so we baited a couple of traps with peanut butter and dispatched of our guest overnight. I don't think either critter is an indictment of this cabin in particular. I'm guessing that any cabin in the Tennessee hills would have the same potential to have critters. Also, the cabin is on a well so (1) the water tastes great but (2) showerheads tend to get clogged with minerals. A toothpick fixed a couple of balky shower heads, but I suspect the same problem in the washer as it took four score and seven years to fill up each time we ran a load. The view is unbelieveable and the beds were very comfortable. There were some signs of typical wear (looked like someone sat on one couch with a pocketknife in their jeans or something equally stupid). Amazingly enough to me, the cabin had cable (and not satellite) and wireless internet, which we were unable to take advantage of (didn't bring computers). For cell phone users, AT&T service is virtually nonexistent at the cabin although Verizon is decent. The nearest town is Wears Valley (very small but has a general store and a grocery) about 3-4 miles away. Townsend is a little bigger with more restaurants (about 8 miles) Gatlinburg is probably 15 miles away. If you get rained in like we did on our bikes one night, American Pie (pizza, subs, salads and I think even burgers) will deliver and is excellent. This cabin is best for larger groups of 6-8 people who can handle some steps. It would not work at all for someone in a wheelchair and probably is less suitable for elderly people or very small children. Was it perfect? No. Would I stay there again? absolutely.

Owner response:Troy, Thank you so much for your comments. I look forward to your future visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, families with teenagers.

A Gem In The Mountain Side

Guest: An Avid Traveler and user of VRBO (Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 04/29/11 Review Submitted: 05/01/11

This is a beautiful place to stay, it had the seclusion my husband and I wanted for the weekend. The views are breathtaking!. We were cozy by the fireplace, grilled steaks on the barbeque, rested in the hot tub, and in the morning sipped coffee while looking at the Mountains, and nature. We shopped in Gatlinburg getting great deals on jewelery and more. The owner was superb to deal with, Southern Hospitality! Thank you, we will stay here again.

Owner response:Brian & Sherry, It pleases me so much to receive your email telling me how much you enjoyed my home and the Great Smoky Mountains. I look forward to your return trip. God Bless, Chuck

Recommended for:Adventure seekers.

Spring Break

Guest: 8isenuff (Roscommon, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 04/16/11

We were fortunate enough to be able to escape the winter cold of Michigan during spring break and enjoy this beautiful home. If you enjoy being way up in the mountains....this is the perfect spot! Our family especially enjoyed the hiking trails that begin just down the road. The beautiful evenings sitting out on the front deck enjoying the mountain views are ones we won't soon forget. Our daughter turned 9 on this vacation so we celebrated with the usual, cake and ice cream but also made the short trip into Gatlinburg to enjoy the many shops and a visit to Ripley's Aquarium. She has assured us many times since our arrival back to the Michigan coldness that her birthday celebration was the best yet! If your family is looking for something just far enough out to be secluded but still close enough to the area attractions, we would strongly recommend this beautiful rental. We enjoyed every moment and are looking forward to a return trip.

Owner response:Jim & Faith, Thank you so much for having selected Stairway to Heaven as your home away from home. I look forward to having you back as guests. God Bless, Chuck

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Stairway to Heaven

Guest: Will12 (Adairsville, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 12/17/10 Review Submitted: 12/24/10

This was my second time staying at The Stairway To Heaven, and once again i was not dissapointed. It has a wonderful view of the mountains, and the Chalet itself is amazing i will be back again next year!

Owner response:Will, It's been a real pleasure having you and your family as guests of the chalet. I look forward to your return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.

Great Family Retreat

Guest: Mama Prev (Kentucky)
Date of Stay: 11/23/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Stairway to Heaven, which was newer and better equipped than the Smokey Mtn home we rented last year. The three levels provide private spaces for kids, parents, and grandparents. The high chair and baby gate were unexpected, but very helpful resources. I personally appreciated the wireless internet service and the office area in the loft (great space for those of us who can't resist bringing the laptop along). The home is also decorated in a style that is supportive of a Christian family gathering.

Owner response: Suzanne & William, Thank you so much for your kind remarks and thank you for having chosen Stairway to Heaven for your vacation.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.