In the Alps, Swiss Bear Haus would be described as “gemütlich”: welcoming, cheerful, and cozy. But you don’t have to travel to Switzerland to enjoy the comforts of this 4-bedroom lodge. It’s located right here in Gatlinburg, within 10 minutes of downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The cozy charm is evident as soon as you step into Swiss Bear Haus’s great room on the main floor. The wood-planked walls, floor, and cathedral ceiling, the stone-surround fireplace, the vintage ski gear adorning the walls, and the lantern-style fixtures above the dining table give the space a one-of-a-kind allure. The roll-arm sofa and the generous armchairs provide plenty of seating for watching a movie on the flat-screen TV with cable, catching up with friends over après-ski drinks, or playing Uno with the kids.

Just behind the sofa is the handsome dining table, and behind that, the large, beautifully equipped kitchen. Even if you normally avoid cooking while on vacation, once you see Swiss Bear Haus’s kitchen you’ll be eager to prepare a full-fledged feast. Along with stainless-steel appliances, cookware, tableware, and ample counter space, the kitchen boasts such niceties as a copper farmhouse sink and open wood shelving.

Downstairs is a 2nd living area, furnished in the same luxe-lodge fashion as the great room. There’s a fireplace down here too, along with another flat-screen TV and more comfy seating. When you’re not sprawled out on the leather sofa reading or napping, you can challenge the others to a game of foosball. If even foosball sounds too exhausting, step out onto the deck and into the hot tub. As many as 4 people can luxuriate among the steamy jets of water at the same time.

Swiss Bear Haus has 4 bedrooms, each as delightful as the next. The master bedroom includes a lofty king-size bed; the other 3 each feature a queen-size bed. All 4 bedrooms feature a flat-screen TV for late-night viewing. The log-style and carved-wood furniture, the toasty patchwork quilts, and the vintage and artisan accents give each room the feel of a private retreat. Should you have additional guests, the sofas in the great room and the downstairs living area open into beds for 2, so that Swiss Bear Haus can sleep 12 people in total.

The 2 bathrooms, like the rest of the chalet, marry old-fashioned charm and modern-day convenience. Each includes a combination shower/tub and a vanity made from a traditional dresser—ensuring plenty of storage—and topped with a copper basin. When you arrive at Swiss Bear Haus you’ll find plenty of clean towels for both bathrooms, all the beds impeccably made up, and extra bedding ready and waiting. Leave your towels and linens at home; in fact, feel free to pack lighter than usual, as the house has its own washer and dryer.

When you visit Swiss Bear Haus in summer, you can take advantage of the community swimming pool. And any time of year you can take advantage of its convenient locale. As mentioned above, in 10 minutes or less you can drive to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or to downtown Gatlinburg, home to thrill rides, distilleries, arcades, mini golf, restaurants, shops, and more. Equally close is Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area, which offers skiing and snow tubing in winter and ice-skating, amusement rides, and an animal attraction year-round. (If you do visit us in winter, a vehicle with 4-wheel drive or tire chains is strongly advised.)

A one-of-a-kind getaway begins with a one-of-a-kind place to stay—a place like Swiss Bear Haus. Book your stay today, and get ready for your best vacation yet.