Timber Top Cabins: A Rustic Retreat in the Smoky Mountains

Timber Tops is one of many cabin rentals companies in Gatlinburg. I love staying at a cozy cabin with a big fireplace and hot tub during the winter season. The best thing to do this time of the year in the Smokies is relaxing and taking in the mountain scenery. Another benefit of renting a cabin in the area is enjoying the rustic location in the woods, while also being able to easily visit many of the best attractions including: SkyBridge, Ober Gatlinburg, hikes, scenic drives, quirky museums, and live shows.

We were in town running the Santa Hustle half marathon. I found out about Timber Tops and knew it would be a great choice that combined great amenities with scenic views. I wanted the ability to visit popular tourist attractions and still come home to a secluded, rustic mountain property. Mike and I stayed in the Wilderness at the Smokies waterpark hotel the first night of our trip (it was walkable to the starting line), and then enjoyed 2 nights of relaxing by the fireplace and soaking in the scenery on our gorgeous patio hot tub via our cozy cabin.

Benefits of a winter getaway

A December visit to this region is perfect because you still get that wintry feeling, although there is not enough snow to make driving miserable. It’s not like the northern cities where you will be driving through a foot of snow. This area sees the majority of its’ snowfall in January and February. You are able to enjoy yourself without being too cold.

It was just cold enough outside where we need to jump in the hot tub right away – basically the perfect temps. Around the holidays, there are tons of events to partake in and special seasonal shows to enjoy including the famous Opry Country Christmas. Christmas decorated cabins, holiday lights lining Main Street, and a Santa themed half marathon are just a few of the special treats you can enjoy during the holiday season. I recommend staying at a cabin for that mountain charm and driving into the city to enjoy the festivities.

Luxury with a view!

Timber Tops offers a variety of gorgeous properties, both in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Cabins range in size from 1 to 15 bedrooms. Many offer gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, while others offer spectacular views of the city. If you luck out like we did, you may get to enjoy both!

Top notch amenities

Amenities vary and include luxuries such as: hot tubs, arcades, pool tables, jacuzzi tubs, indoor pools, home theater systems, and holiday decorations. On their website, you can sort based on what you are looking for which is nice. In addition, several of the properties are pet friendly. Our main goal was to find a hot tub as I needed to recover after running 13 miles in the cold. We easily found a lot of great looking options and decided on a cozy 1 bedroom called Life’s a Bear.

When booking, you will be able to choose a secluded, semi-secluded or resort setting property. I highly recommend choosing one of the secluded properties for the most rustic, relaxing escape. Our property was semi-secluded, however, we did not notice many other cabins near us and the views from the deck were outstanding.

I also recommend choosing one with a spectacular view, which includes only those cabins with unobstructed views of the mountains. If you intend on relaxing most of the weekend, a scenic view will definitely be a priority. We were very pleased with the stunning views with our chosen property.

Life’s a Bear

We chose a smaller property called Life’s a Bear, a 1 bedroom/2 bath. It was actually a lot more spacious inside than we were expecting, especially with the high ceilings.

The outside features beautiful woodwork and design; it’s a really attractive building. A private path leads you up to the parking lot. The rental is a bit tricky to get to at first. The roads are very steep and I imagine even more difficult to drive through during the later winter months. I wouldn’t visit in January and February without four wheel drive and snow tires just in case. Luckily the weather was unseasonably warm and we got used to the mountain roads after a few times out.

Next to the front patio, you will find an outdoor fire-pit. Unfortunately, it was pretty rainy our entire trip so we did not get a chance to test it out. I imagine this amenity would be a real treat during the cooler, drier spring and fall months.

Upon walking in, my first impression was that the cabin was very clean and organized. The grand views of the mountains, high ceilings, and loft style layout made the space feel much bigger than a 1 bedroom.

I was awed by the gorgeous views of the mountains. There are plenty of large windows looking out into the gorgeous forests. We kept the blinds open our entire stay to enjoy the mountain scenery despite the strong sunshine.

We opted for a cabin decorated for the holidays (you can opt for an undecorated one as well). As a big fan of the Christmas season, we were happy to find a tree and a few holiday decorations scattered around. It added to the ambiance and went with the main activity we planned this trip, a holiday themed half.

The kitchen was a bit smaller than I expected, but adequate for a rental. And, the fact that they kept the log cabin design consistent, even in the kitchen, was a big plus. Everything you need to cook is included: pots and pans, plates, silverware, a coffeepot, blender, oven, microwave, a full size fridge, and more. The dishwasher was an added bonus that I wasn’t expecting. Plenty of mugs, glasses, and wine glasses are provided for your convenience.

The rustic design and black bear decorations add a festive mountain flair to each room. Normally, I like staying at resorts and enjoying on-site activities, but on this trip we were seeking a quiet getaway from the busy Providence/Boston metro area. We definitely got what we were seeking with this rental: rustic, quiet, and cozy – basically the exact opposite of where we are current living in a little city apartment.

The dining room features a full size table, which is perfect for families. It is connected to the living room which conveniently allows you to watch TV, play games, etc. while dining.

The living room includes a gas fireplace, recliner and large sofa. A large flat screen TV, Direct TV, and a DVD/Blu-Ray player are also included. The floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace was absolutely gorgeous and perfect for cozying up on cool mornings and evenings. The vaulted ceilings, grand fireplace, and holiday decor gave the room a festive, “cabin in the wilderness” feeling.

The master bedroom includes a jacuzzi bath and washer and dryer. The festive red sheets and curtains added a bit of spark for the holidays. You will also find a small flat screen TV.  My only complaint is no closet space. We had to leave all our clothes in our suitcase as there are no dressers and only a handful of hangers in the closet. This could be inconvenient if you are staying for more than a few days.

Upstairs you will find another bathroom and another bed.  You will also find a full size pool table, electronic dart board and 4 in 1 arcade game, along with more great mountain views. I haven’t played Pac-Man in years! We had a great time playing pool and darts, especially when surrounded by such fantastic views.

There are 2 decks, one that can be accessed upstairs and another downstairs. Both feature the same fabulous views of the city and mountains. The downstairs balcony features a few wooden rocking chairs for relaxing and enjoying the views, but it was a bit too cold on our trip. I imagine sitting outside with your morning cup of joe during the spring/summer season would be amazing. The upstairs deck features a large, modern hot tub. We both enjoyed a relaxing soak while taking in the city views of Pigeon Forge each night. Nothing beats looking up at the stars at night from a cozy hot tub!

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would likely book again depending on the price. We loved the rustic experience with the option to drive 20 min to the city to enjoy all the quirky attractions and museums. I have organized a handy list of my pros and cons.

Pros

• beautifully designed with gorgeous views
• starter toiletries and cleaning supplies included (soap, toilet paper, paper towels, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent)
• great discounts on local attractions included with your stay
• secluded, but still located within driving distance to town
• very clean, no bugs
• outdoor hot tub with fantastic views
• Direct TV with most channels included
• charming rustic touches found throughout the property

The check in process went smooth (we were even able to check in an hour early). We drove to the check in office in Pigeon Forge, although you can make arrangements to check in over the phone. Staff was friendly and available 24 hours a day by phone.

The biggest perk is the 2 for 1 deals to various local attractions. We received free tickets to the Country Tonight holiday music show, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium. You can use one pass on each day of your visit. This is a nice bonus that I have not seen offered at any other cabins. You will receive your credit at check in.

Cons

• slow maintenance
• no dressers in the bedroom
• limited hangers
• only 1 pack of laundry detergent included
• kitchen located right off the main door (fridge was located right next to the door)

We had one problem during our visit (the Blu-Ray player was broken). We were a bit disappointed as all amenities should have been tested prior to our arrival. The maintenance was a bit slow and did not bring a new one over until the next evening. However, I talked to the management and they were nice enough to apologize and credit us for the inconvenience.

Address, Reservations & Pricing Info

Note: A 2 night minimum stay is required. (3 nights for July and October visits, New Years, Easter, Labor Day, and Memorial Day. 4 nights is required for Thanksgiving and Christmas).

Nightly rates start around $250 per night. Rates may vary throughout the year. Expect higher rates during the summer and holiday periods.

Check in office is located at: 1440 Upper Middle Creek Road, Sevierville, TN 37876. You will receive terms and conditions, check out procedures, and address for your cabin after making your reservation.

For more info, including booking info