Bear Necessities

Don't be fooled by the name, Bear Necessities offers plenty of luxuries as well. This warm and welcoming log cabin includes an outdoor hot tub, a pool table, an arcade and an indoor jetted tub, among other amenities that make it a truly special place for a family vacation.

Bear Necessities can sleep up to eight people. The primary suite epitomizes cabin style with all sorts of modern comforts. The spacious bed, crafted of logs that echo the wood walls, rafters and cathedral ceiling, is flanked by nightstands with lamps so that one of you can read in bed while the other drifts to sleep. Other features include a flat-screen TV, expansive windows that let in plenty of morning sunlight and evening breezes, and perhaps best of all, a jetted tub right in the privacy of your room. When you're in need of some quiet time, you'll know exactly where to go! Prefer showers? The primary bath has one of those too.

The loft area upstairs has queen-size bunk beds, so another four people can sleep up there. The kids will rush to stake their claim, as the loft is also home to the game room, pool table, another flat-panel TV and a sound system. There's a full bathroom up there as well, making the loft a suite unto itself—one with spectacular views of the densely forested lands surrounding the house.

Have still more guests to accommodate? No worries! The marvelously comfortable sofa in the living room converts to a bed for two. Guests who sleep here have the advantage of a 51-inch TV and the stone-surround gas fireplace—just the thing for chilly winter evenings, or for creating a romantic ambiance.

Speaking of romance, check out the large hot tub on the back deck! Of course, a long soak is also a fabulous way to ease tired muscles after a day of hiking or biking, golfing or walking the grounds of Dollywood—activities that are all within easy reach of Bear Necessities. If you're not in the mood for a hot-tub session, you can relax on one of the deck's rocking chairs. You just might drift off to sleep while listening to the leafy tree branches sway in the breeze.

Another of the deck's amenities is a gas grill. If you reel in some trout on a fishing expedition, you can grill it right out here. Everything, from hot dogs to corn on the cob, tastes better when cooked outdoors!

There's a fully equipped kitchen indoors as well. Whether you plan to prepare a multi-course holiday feast or simply brew coffee and make PB and J sandwiches, you'll find all the cookware, tableware and appliances you need. The extensive counter also serves as a breakfast bar, if you'd rather enjoy a quick snack there rather than at the nearby dining table, which comfortably seats six people.

If your idea of a vacation entails no cooking at all, you'll be happy to know that Bear Necessities is just a five-minute drive from downtown Gatlinburg, where you can dig into a juicy steak one night, barbecue ribs the next, and everything from pizza to pancakes in between. Besides eateries, Gatlinburg offers mini golf, an aquarium and plenty of other attractions. Only slightly further afield is Pigeon Forge, home to more restaurants as well as Dollywood, go karting, zip lining and more. And let's not forget the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the country's most popular, with its hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife and wildflowers.