The Chalet Inn
Innkeepers
in the
Great Smoky Mountains
George and Hanneke Ware first talked about opening a Bed and Breakfast in the Spring of 1985, shortly after they met in the Netherlands, where Hanneke was born and George, a US Army Officer, was stationed with a NATO Headquarters.
After George's retirement,
they sought practical experience in the Hospitality business and began searching
for the perfect location. George knew it had to be in Western North Carolina
(having fallen in love with the area in 1979, on his way from Fort Bragg,
NC to Command and General Staff College in Kansas). George first managed
a restaurant with TPI Restaurants Inc.; then both George and Hanneke spent
a season with High Hampton Inn & Country Club. In the Fall of 1990, they
found and purchased the property they had been searching for. Three years
and a great deal of sweat equity later, George and Hanneke felt they created
a touch of Europe in North Carolina, and began sharing it with others. They
even commissioned an award-winning German artistic-blacksmith to create
an Aussenhangenschild (a wrought iron sign, originating in the Middle
Ages in Europe and still found today on many Gasthäuser (Bed
and Breakfasts) in Germany's older towns and cities) to hang on the front
corner of The Chalet Inn. With all the moves associated with military service George was never
able to be an active member of the community he lived in, and vowed this
would change when he retired. George and Hanneke are members of the Jackson
County, Swain County and Cherokee Chambers of Commerce. Hanneke was elected by the members of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce to their Board of Directors
and served two terms - the maximum allowed. George has served as Swain
County's representative to the Publicity Committee of Smoky Mountain Host,
the regional tourism agency, and he was appointed by the Jackson
County Commissioners to the County's Travel and Tourism Board of Directors
for three terms, and has served as Chairman of their Marketing Committee.
George and another board member did the research for and developed the map of activities, hikes, waterfalls, etc. that is the center piece of the County's brochure. So don't hesitate to ask for information or suggestions, he will be happy to prepare a custom sketch map based on your desires for your day's activities.
George and Hanneke are enjoying a significant number of repeat guests
and welcoming increasing numbers of new guests.