Description

I'm asking you to think of a memorable holiday celebration, where everything is just as it should be, and everyone is enjoying the hospitality of being together in a family home. Make that dream become reality by bringing your loved ones to gather at Papa Bear's Den in Wears Valley, TN.

This modern 5 bedroom, 5 bath mountain lodge is a residence in the upscale Parkside Village neighborhood development. The home's location is securely settled on a ridge top with impressive and expansive views of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Framed below with treetop canopy, and overlooking an unbuilt perspective of wilderness peaks, hollows, and valleys, broad scenes of the mountain range can be viewed to the horizon on clear weather days. Breathtaking in any season!

Come and explore the main level with me. Upon first inspection, you quickly realize that this is a beloved, comfortable family home with upgraded finishes and furniture not found in a standard spec-built rental cabin. Woodland-themed design and mission-style furniture is featured throughout the home, as are details like interior dovetail construction, richly stained wood finishes, and buttery soft leather. The large entry foyer opens to the grand great room, which centers around two stories of walled windows and a soaring, full height mountain stone gas fireplace and hearth.

The efficient and compact kitchen features convenient amenities like glass-front cabinets, an oversize paneled refrigerator, and granite counters. A smooth top range and double wall oven provide plenty of cooking space for all those holiday menu favorites. The work island is open to the living area and includes elevated bar seating, so cooks are not isolated from the family while preparing meals.

Dining together here is an easy and simple pleasure. Two rectangular dining tables and the island seating allow up to 19 people to enjoy sharing a meal.

Double doors from the great room open to a separate sunroom sitting area, a carpeted and cozy spot to put your feet up and laugh at old memories.

An adjacent hall off the kitchen leads to two bedrooms on this level. All bedrooms contain substantial wood-paneled or mission-style beds and area rugs or carpet for warm paws on the floor. The main level king master suite includes vintage accents, and its spacious ensuite bath has his and hers sinks, a separate enclosed shower, and a corner Jacuzzi jetted tub with privacy glass that still allows sunlight to stream in through the windows. The other queen bedroom on this level has a shared hall bathroom. This light-filled space features colorful, quilted country bedding to create a soothing and cheerful escape for hibernation.

Just outside is the covered main floor deck, with multiple outdoor living spaces. Sip your morning coffee in one of the Adirondack rocking chairs while watching the natural vista before you come alive with a new day. Enjoy an alfresco lunch on the picnic table in the outdoor dining area, with burgers that have been prepared on the gas grill. Food just tastes so much better outside, and the children have a safe open play area here too. In my humble opinion, the best seat in the house is beneath the swirling water of the corner hot tub, with National Park scenery by day and a starlight canopy above by night.

A stairway leads to the upper level loft sitting area, which overlooks the great room below. It offers a comfortable daybed with conversation space to relax and plan tomorrow's activities in town. Glass doors open to a separate open upper deck, a great spot to absorb both nature and the intimate details of a private discussion, while gazing over the trees to the peaks beyond.

A wide mezzanine hallway creates a nice place for child floor play without being underfoot, where toy cars and building blocks can spread out. The king suite here is a spacious, private refuge tucked in the ceiling eaves. It boasts a whimsical, black bear theme and a sitting area with a rocker recliner: perfect for rocking a child or a quiet moment to nap. The queen suite on this level has a lovely four-poster bed and a large reading nook with a wing chair and comfortable ottoman, where you can focus on that exciting novel without interruption.

This vacation home's lower level boasts another additional complete living space, with a large stack stone gas fireplace and large screen TV. Grab a video game controller or watch a comedy show and laugh together. The great area game room has a foosball table and claw-footed pool table, with plenty of seating to enjoy while you wait your turn to play. An open wet bar snack area with microwave eliminates the need to go upstairs to prepare the late night treats necessary to fortify both competitors and spectators. A clever, corner installation of aspen log, full-size stacked bunkbeds and even a queen Murphy bed in the opposite corner make this space transform to a late-late slumber party hangout for those still young enough to endure all nighters.

Also on this level is a shared full bathroom and a separate, additional room for playing cards and boardgames, which adds to the full complement of serious competition that can occur here. From Texas Hold'em to Clue to Candy Land, everyone can get their best game going.
The adjacent king bedroom is styled with a barn wood paneled bed and tile floors, and is perfect for the brave chaperones to the party in the great room. Or make this level a teenager retreat, for those who require their own privacy and space.

There are still more amenities throughout the home. There are plenty of spaces to gather together or spend downtime in a secluded corner, even with a large group. Four total satellite TV's are available for personal media entertainment, and there is free wireless internet for online needs. A useful laundry room is located on the main level for convenience. Your stay here also includes free guest access to both a community swimming pool and a catch and release fishing pond.

Thorough attention to detail has been applied throughout this creative place. Curated artwork and carefully-placed decorative elements make this both a personal and peaceful dwelling. Just as a large and strong bear commands respect, it's easy to admire the thoughtful design that has been built into this log cabin.

Warm, comfortable, relaxing, and pleasant. This is truly a place that you will find to be "just right". Everyone in your family, from grownups to cubs, will be eager to gather at Papa Bear's Den. Don't miss the opportunity to stay here during your visit to the Smokies. Book this fabulous vacation home today.