A Perfect Getaway at Bearfoot Chill’Inn and Vella’s BearBNB
Discover the magic of the Great Smoky Mountains—where misty peaks meet endless adventure, and every sunrise feels like a breath of peace. Whether you crave cozy cabin mornings with a steaming cup of coffee or thrilling days exploring scenic trails, ziplining through the treetops, and visiting Dollywood or Anakeesta, the Smokies deliver something for everyone. Make your stay unforgettable at Bearfoot Chill’Inn or Vella’s BearBNB, two incredible retreats designed for comfort and connection. At Bearfoot Chill’Inn, unwind in a bubbling hot tub with sweeping mountain views, gather around the fire pit, or enjoy endless games and cozy nights in style. Vella’s BearBNB offers that perfect blend of rustic charm and modern luxury—ideal for families, couples, or friends ready to relax and recharge. Your Smoky Mountain adventure begins here—where every stay feels like home and every view feels like a dream. Make sure to stay to the end to read an interview with the host, Nik Verret, about all the special touches that make these two places special!
Bearfoot Chill’Inn
Gatlinburg, Tennessee. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Sleeps 9.
Welcome to Bearfoot Chill’Inn, your luxurious Smoky Mountain getaway designed for relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable memories. Nestled in the heart of Gatlinburg’s Chalet Village, this modern-yet-rustic cabin perfectly balances high-end comfort with the serene beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Step inside to discover a spacious retreat that sleeps up to nine guests, featuring two elegant king suites, and a fun-filled bunk room with a rock-climbing wall!
Wake up to breathtaking mountain views from your private deck, sip a fresh cup of coffee from the fully stocked coffee bar (Nespresso, Keurig, and more), or whip up a hearty breakfast in the gourmet kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances, spices, and kid-friendly dishware. When it’s time to unwind, enjoy movie night in the plush media room, challenge your friends to classic arcade games or Xbox battles, or gather around the fire pit for stories beneath a canopy of stars.
Outside, relaxation awaits with a bubbling hot tub overlooking the mountains, a cozy porch swing, a fire-burning pizza oven, and a six-burner propane grill—ideal for evenings filled with laughter and great food. You may honestly never need to leave the porch to have an amazing vacation, but when you do - the cabin’s location means you’re close to all the best attractions: Anakeesta, Dollywood, Ober Mountain, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! If you know anything about Chalet Village, then you know there are some great amenities in the neighborhood too! Guests also have access to seasonal community amenities including three pools, pickleball courts, walking trails, and outdoor games, ensuring there’s something for everyone year-round.
This beautiful cabin is also loaded with thoughtful family touches! With added bonuses like baby gates, a high chair, and a pack ’n play, Bearfoot Chill’Inn has your family’s comfort and convenience in mind. Whether you’re soaking in the mountain views, watching for the local black bears, or simply unwinding by the fire, this cabin offers the ultimate Smoky Mountain experience. Check out this link to browse through more great photos, read more in detail about the amenities, and reserve those dates you need before they are gone!
Vella’s BearBNB
Sevierville, Tennessee. 1 Bedroom, 1 Loft, 2 Bathrooms, Sleeps 6.
Nestled in the heart of Sevierville, Vellas BearBNB is a charming one-bedroom, two-bath cabin is the perfect Smoky Mountain escape for couples, families, or small groups. Since you are in Sevierville, you will be located just 15 minutes from both the Parkway in Pigeon Forge and downtown Gatlinburg. The main floor features a spacious king bedroom, full kitchen, dining area, and cozy living space, while the open loft offers a bunk bed, sofa sleeper, and entertainment options including arcade games and shuffleboard.
Outside, you will find a great hot tub to relax in after you spend the day hiking or exploring. If you are a stargazer, there is a brand new fire pit area perfect for getting cozy and warm with friends and family. The fire pit area is definitely full of that Smoky Mountain charm. In the morning you can sip coffee and enjoy the sounds of nature from one of two great decks. This little cabin packs a big punch because it is simply loaded with amenities!
Whip up delicious meals in the fully equipped kitchen, curl up in the inviting living space, or take advantage of high-speed Wi-Fi and Smart TVs for cozy nights in. You won’t need to go far when you are ready to get out and explore, this cabin is just minutes from Dollywood, Anakeesta, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you plan on relaxing, reconnecting, and recharging! What are you waiting for? Get your dates booked before they are gone! Check out this link to find more photos and availability of Vella’s BearBNB!
We had the chance to sit down with Nik Verret, the owner and host, to talk about what makes these places so special - as well as some of his favorite things in the Smokies. Read along to get a glimpse into why these cabins are ready to welcome you home during your next trip!
What inspired you to start hosting in the Smoky Mountains? How did you choose the names for Bearfoot Chill'Inn and Vella's BearBNB?
The Smoky Mountains are special to us as I proposed to my wife in Gatlinburg in 2016. And since then, we’ve visited over a dozen times. In some years, we have visited 2-3 times a year. So we definitely love the area, the mountains, the multitude of things to do, the outdoorsy-type activities – hiking, sightseeing, and rafting - that the national park offers. We loved the mountains at first sight and we haven’t turned back yet!
We developed the name for our first cabin, Vella's BearBNB, by making a play on AirBNB, with BearBNB, since bears are prevalent in the area our cabin was built. And of course, we had to incorporate our daughter’s name into it for good measure.
For Bearfoot Chill'Inn, the name was chosen to encourage a sense of relaxed, barefoot comfort amidst nature, highlighting the serene and laid-back atmosphere it offers. The playful nod to "barefoot" captures the carefree and cozy vibe of the cabin. The addition of "Chill'Inn" emphasizes the cabin's inviting and tranquil retreat atmosphere.
You did a great job at blending luxury and fun - what was your design vision?
The goal with the design concept was to give each room and space a bit of personality, if you will. For the main bedrooms, we wanted to give the feel of a luxurious hotel. For the movie room, we wanted to create a cozy, fun vibe for families to enjoy. The goal was to inspire a bit of luxury and fun at the same time.
The feature walls in the bedrooms at Bearfoot Chill'Inn are so unique! How did you come up with the idea for a rock climbing wall?
We gave rock climbing a try on one of our recent trips, so that spurred the idea of a rock wall to climb at the cabin. We thought it would be a fun, unique addition that is not commonly seen in cabins.
How do you want guests to feel when they step into one of your vacation rentals?
Firstly, we hope that guests feel excited when staying at the cabin. Whether it is the popcorn machine for movie nights, outdoor bowling for the family, or gazing at the stars on the telescope, our goals was to inspire excitement with some unique amenities that may not available at home.
Our favorite part of the Smokies is enjoying the outdoors. What is your favorite outdoor feature?
One of favorite things to do each trip is riding the 11-mile loop in Cades Cove. It is always an adventure and it is a blast to search bears and the abundance of wildlife. The views are phenomenal, and we always do a few hikes as well. We also love the hikes that have waterfalls, since we don’t have any back home.
What is a hidden detail or special touch that you are proud of?
For pizza fanatics, the pizza oven is must do. We are big pizza fans ourselves, and we decided to add a pizza oven as an amenity. Making custom pizzas offers a cool experience, especially with young kids.
Do you have a favorite time of year to enjoy these great cabins in the Smokies?
Without a doubt, our favorite season in the Smokies is fall. There isn’t much better than sitting around a firepit with family and friends on a cool evening. And being from south Louisiana, the occasional snow is a welcome from our (typically) mild winters.
Is there a story behind any of the unique amenities you want to share?
One of favorite family outings is bowling nights, so we wanted to re-create that at our cabin with our recently added outdoor bowling lanes. This allows some family fun and competition.
Is there a "local secret" in the Smokies that guests absolutely have to check out while they are in town?
For a hidden gem, we would suggest King’s Family Distillery. For whiskey and bourbon lovers, they offer a variety of options. Many have national awards and are top notch, in my opinion. My wife also loves the Tropical Lady, which is a coconut rum. It is a smaller distillery compared to others, but it is local and has a great selection.
Also, maybe a controversial take, but the best cider we’ve had to date is at The Fox and The Apple. It is so fresh and flavorful, it stands out above the rest. The bar itself is a very unique, fun design. Would encourage guests to make a trip to visit.
And lastly, Hometown Hero’s Subs has the absolute best Italian sub we have ever had. We would highly recommend. It is also veteran-owned and operated, so that is a big plus as well!
What do you love most about hosting?
To date, what we have loved most about hosting is hearing about the memories and unique experiences our guests have been able to make at our cabins. At Vella’s BearBNB, for example, guests periodically see bears. And for the kiddos, it is often their first experience seeing a bear. So those pictures and messages from guests are always a joy to see.
We’ve also hosted many newlyweds. They often ask for recommendations for things to do, restaurants, etc. And that allows us to reminisce on our first trips to the Smokies and offer recommendations for some of our local favorites.
Big shout to Nik for taking the time to chat with us and answer out quetions! We know that someone who has this much passion for their cabins will put together such an amazing vacation rental. Make sure you check out both Bearfoot Chill’Inn and Vella’s BearBNB when you are considering you next Smoky Mountain getaway!