Cabin vs chalet – what’s the difference?
Have you ever asked yourself, “what’s the difference between a cabin and chalet? If you’re planning a Smoky Mountain getaway, you should!
When you decide to take a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, naturally you want a great place to stay while visiting. The region offers a wide variety of vacation hideaways, from condos to cabins to chalets, featuring every type of amenity – pools, game rooms, chef’s kitchens, fireplaces, hot tubs, spa showers and more.
Cabin
The term “cabin” is used to describe any mountain or vacation home in the Smoky Mountains. But in fact, a cabin is traditionally a small house built from logs.
Different from a true house, a cabin is usually a simple structure. A cabin is less “finished off” or less sophisticated in architecture. The log cabin is a symbol of humbler origins.
Cabins are generally associated with rustic and rural areas of frontier America. The log cabin originated in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. European settlers brought their traditions of using logs to build homes, barns, and other community builds with them to North America.
Log Home
Factors taken into considerations when early settlers built their homes were numerous. They include size, number of stories, type of roof, the placement of doors and windows, and even the type of labor available. The building site of the cabin was the most important consideration. A frontier cabin needed to provide adequate sunlight and drainage in order for the occupants to effectively cope with the trials of life in the frontier.
The modern-day log cabin is more of a “log home”, or a traditional style house built from milled logs. These logs are visible on the outside of the house and, for rustic appeal, often on the inside also. Modern amenities are now incorporated into the traditional design. Enjoy the best of the 21st century in a more humble dwelling.
Here are a few cabins we think you’ll enjoy.
Little Bear
Little Bear is a truly wonderful one bedroom, one bath cabin in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Enjoy a romantic weekend or extended vacation in this mountain home cabin that is only 10 minutes from the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area.
Little Bear boasts a king-sized bed, queen sleeper sofa, real wood fireplace, fully stocked kitchen with granite countertops, streaming on-line TV, Wifi, DVD, spacious screened back porch, and a level flat yard for your enjoyment. Kick your feet up and rock away your worries on the front porch swing, or in one of the rocking chairs under the covered front porch. A hot tub, privacy blinds and mood lighting in the screened-in back porch is the perfect place to relax.
Mountain Moonshine
Mountain Moonshine is a cabin distilled by mountain tradition like seasoned arcadian charm. It rests uninterrupted inside the safe and gated, Shagbark community. A great family sized cabin, Mountain Moonshine sleeps up to 6 with a fold-out, queen sized couch, and 2 separate king bedrooms.
This cozy cabin offers all the amenities that lure you to mountain living. With a wood burning fireplace (wood not included), an incredible mountain view, a screened-in porch, and a hot tub on the deck, you’ll be swept away in relaxation. With plenty of room to roam, this pet-friendly cabin sits less than 15 miles from the all the famous Parkway fun like The Island and Tanger Outlets. Enjoy access to the seasonal community pool or get your game on at the basketball and tennis courts.
Bearfoot Crossing
Bearfoot Crossing is the perfect cabin for your next Smoky Mountain getaway! Enjoy the outdoors right at your cabin.
Inside a king log bed and leather sleeper sofa accommodate up to 4 guests comfortably. You’ll enjoy the vaulted living room with real stone finished, wood burning fire- place, or the attached game area with pool table. Two bathrooms on two levels allow guests some privacy, and the fully appointed kitchen is perfect for preparing your favorite recipes. Located just outside Pigeon Forge off Goose Gap Rd getting back to the heart of the action is just a few minutes away.
Chalet
A chalet, on the other hand, is a wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging eaves. The chalet has its origins in Switzerland and other Alpine regions. This term usually describes the hut of a shepp or goat herder. The chalets were also used as seasonal dairy farms.
Today, the word chalet describes any cottage or lodge built in the traditional Swiss style. In some vacation spots, a chalet is a building that features dining areas, spas, and other tourist-focused amenities. Some don’t even look like the traditional Swiss structure.
Check out some of these American Patriot Getaways chalets: Smoky Mountain Chalet, Peak of Perfection and Almost Bearadise, just to name a few.
Stay minutes from Pigeon Forge but feel miles away when you stay at Smoky Mountain Chalet.
Amenities
This brand-new chalet is packed with thoughtful amenities. Downstairs, the game room provides hours of fun. Whether you want to play a few rounds of pool or beat the high scores on the classic arcade games, there’s something for everyone. Unwind after by heading into the theater room for movie night. Enjoying dinner together is easy with a modern kitchen and gas grill out on the deck.
After supper take an nighttime soak in the steamy hot tub. The living room offers a cozy ambiance for any evening with a stone electric fireplace. When you’re ready to settle in for the night there are three King suites where you can rest easy. A morning cup of coffee has never been more enjoyable than it will be out in the deck rocking chairs. Fuel up and you’re only a few miles to Dollywood & the attractions.
What could possibly be better than the Peak of Perfection? Nestled along the lush green of the Cobbly Nob resort, boasting Incredible Mountain Views, this 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom, luxury plus cabin sleeps up to 6.
Relax
Perfect for your next family getaway, this gorgeous vacation home is over 2,300 square feet of fun and relaxation! Chill out on the deck and fire up the grill to cook your evening meal. Watch the sunset and huddle around the firepit sharing stories and laughter. When it gets chilly, take your crew inside around the floor to ceiling fireplace, just make sure you take time to enjoy the hot tub. Meanwhile the kids will be in the game room playing shuffleboard, connect 4, and winning their way to the top score at the arcade! When it’s warm, take advantage of the seasonal resort pool and don’t forget the golf clubs! This home is just over 2 miles from Bent Creek Golf Course!
At Almost Bearadise, even the most discerning bear would be happy with the 4 king-sized log beds, log and leather furniture. This cabin is 3,000 square feet of bear luxury, which is big enough for the biggest of bear families, or maybe even 2 or 3 bear families.
The game room has a pool table, air hockey game, and a very nice foosball table with lots of room for all the little cubs to have fun.
Mama bear and Papa bear will truly enjoy the living area with the stone fireplace and large TV. This cabin has 6 TVs and easy to get to with no mountain roads to travel. Disabled folks can access the bottom floor with the game room, bedroom and bath. The “outdoorsy” bears will love the 12 ft. wrap-around porch with log swing and rockers. And everyone will enjoy a dip in the large hot tub.
The Great Smoky Mountains offer a wide array of rental homes. We offer traditional cabin and chalets. We also offer modern condos and a few traditional homes. Find your perfect Smoky Mountain vacation rental and enjoy!
Be sure to check out all of our specials for planning your Smoky Mountain getaway. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest area information!
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Published on Tuesday, August 6, 2024