A beautiful log cabin in an even more beautiful setting, Artistic Mountain has even more going for it besides its good looks. The 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom retreat includes an outdoor hot tub, an indoor jetted tub, a pool table, and free access to a swimming pool in the summer. All that, and dogs are welcome too!

As part of the Black Bear Falls Log Cabin Community, Artistic Mountain is located close to everything Gatlinburg has to offer. Downtown, with its wealth of restaurants, shops, and attractions ranging from an aquarium to mini golf, is roughly 5 minutes away. Just slightly farther are Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area; the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Loop, an 8-mile trail of galleries, studios, and shops; and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can hike, bike, and ride horses among wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife. What’s more, you’ll have access to the Black Bear Falls clubhouse and, in the summer, its heated adult and kiddie swimming pools.

The convenience of Artistic Mountain’s location is rivaled only by the gorgeousness of its views. From the main floor’s expansive porch and the lower level’s deck, you can look out over dense woodlands to the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s tough to choose the best spot for listening to chickadees greet the sunrise or for stargazing as whip-poor-wills sing their lullaby: Perhaps it’s the porch rockers, or maybe the picnic table, also on the porch and large enough to accommodate the whole gang for dinner. Or maybe it’s the lower deck’s spacious hot tub… yes, the outdoor hot tub definitely has our vote!

The interior is nearly as lovely as the views. When the stone-surround gas fireplace is lit, the knotty-pine walls, ceiling, and floor take on a golden glow. The great room’s leather sleeper sofa is wonderfully sumptuous, whether you’re sitting on it to watch TV or converting it to a bed for 2. There’s plenty of space to play with the kids, kick back and surf the web (Artistic Mountain has free WiFi, of course), or stretch out for a nap.

The roomy dining table is positioned near the French doors to take full advantage of the view. And whether you enjoy your meals indoors or out—in addition to the porch picnic table there’s a table out on the lawn—you’ll appreciate having a modern, fully equipped kitchen in which to cook. You can barbecue outside as well, on the charcoal grill.

After dinner, head downstairs to the game room for our favorite kind of workout: a game of pool. In addition to a full-size billiard table, the game room has its own TV with DVD player and an arcade. There’s a futon too, which opens into a bed for 2. We have a feeling the kids will want to sleep there—who wouldn’t want to have an arcade in their bedroom?

The cabin has 2 “proper” bedrooms as well, one on each floor for maximum privacy. Both bedrooms feature a lofty king-size bed, a TV with DVD player, plenty of storage, and a bathroom. The main floor’s bedroom has one added perk: a jetted tub in its bedroom. Slip away for a soak; you’ll feel as if you’re in a private haven within the retreat that is Artistic Mountain.

One recent guest noted, “We could have just stayed in the cabin for the whole trip and been happy”—that’s how’s comfortable, welcoming, and amenity-packed Artistic Mountain is. Whether you’re coming to ski, hike, visit Dollywood, or simply revel in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, you’ll love having Artistic Mountain as your home base—and we look forward to having you visit!