The Chalet Inn - Reviews

North Caroina, NC, WNC, Whittier,
Cherokee

Bob Benton, TRAVEL TODAY, A Supplement to the NEW YORK TIMES, "Small Town Treasures, Jackson County, North Carolina" "Large crowds don't visit this remote portion of the state, located southwest of Asheville, but it is truly their loss. In Jackson County we found stunning scenery, a wealth of activities, and the downright friendliness that made believers of the big city skeptics among us. In towns like Dillsboro, Cashiers and Balsam, the charm was pure Smoky Mountain . . . We drove down the winding roads of this delightful country, past scenic rivers and one perfect picnic place after another to (outside of) Dillsboro. Here, in the heart of the Smokies, I met George & Hanneke Ware, innkeepers of The Chalet Inn, a little piece of Germany transported to the foothills of the Balsam Mountains. As we drove up the steep hill, I remember thinking how absolutely appropriate the Chalet Inn name was to this alpine-inspired building. A personal welcome from my hosts, and my name posted on a slate sign at the door invited me inside, and a warm, cozy room with a gurgling stream just outside my window took away the fatigue of the day's drive. In the morning, Hanneke's unique breakfast breads and fruit compotes made breakfast special"

June Jurek, AAA CAROLINAS GO MAGAZINE, "Enjoy Romantic Bed & Breakfasts" "For Romance with a European touch, try The Chalet Inn . . . George & Hanneke Ware provide this mountain retreat in the Blue Ridge area. The Inn combines the warmth of an Alpine "Gasthaus" and rustic North Carolina ... Honeymoon accommodations overlook a babbling brook . . . Rooms are immaculate, comfortable and quiet . . . (and) bare of television sets to encourage the fine art of other communication. If the day is brisk, curl up before the fireplace in the Great Room or take a walk around the property and enjoy a spectacular mountain sunset . . ."

County Magazine

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Joan Dunlop, THE CHICAGO-SUN TIMES, "Jackson County, NC, makes most of nature's bounty" "The Great Smokies, The Blue Ridge and Balsam Mountains, ancient wrinkles on the Earth that Native Americans called the ÒGreat Blue Hills of GodÓ - converge in Jackson County, in the cool uplands of western North Carolina. Sweeping vistas, sheer cliffs, purling mountain streams, roaring waterfalls, rivers of whitewater and miles of hiking trails - nature's bounty in all its glory . . . For an Alpine Gasthaus, try The Chalet Inn near Whittier. George & Hanneke Ware converted an ordinary house into a charming european chalet, complete with ivy geraniums flowing from private balconies. Marked hiking trails on 24 forested acres, a picnic area, lawn games . . . are among the amenities..."

Nira Rosenberg, FAMILY TRAVEL TIMES, "Inn The Country" "Can't get to Europe this year? Check out The Chalet Inn . . ., where the Alps meet the Blue Ridge Mountains, only 20 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . . . the Inn (is) totally faithfull to the Swiss/German Chalet-style in both its architecture and interior appointments . . "

Judy Postal, CHARLOTTE PARENT, "Rekindle The Romance In NC Mountains" "(At) The Chalet Inn, complete with musical cuckoo clocks and wooden shoes, . . .we were greeted by the spritely and effervescent Hanneke before the car had even rolled to a stop. Inside we met George, and took a tour of their rustic home and Inn . . . After tearing down several parts of the (old) house and the roof, they brought enormous beams up the steep driveway and began the renovation. Today it is hard to believe that the inn is the same home in the original pictures . . . George has cut out clearings on the hiking trails, where he has hung hammocks for the guests to use. Each private clearing comes with an "occupied" sign for those who would like some quiet time to enjoy being out in nature together . . . George and Hanneke helped us learn more about what to do in the area but allowed us the privacy we wanted during our visit (they have) an array of maps and menus from area restaurants . . . The next morning, before leaving the Chalet, we enjoyed our first candlelit breakfast . . . the lovely buffet included homemade apple strudel, meats, dried fruit and cheeses, granola, poached eggs, hot fruits and breads and juices . . .We left to begin a driving tour of some of the mountain towns and shopping areas. Armed with sunglasses, our favorite jazz CD and a map from George, we rolled back the sunroof and began our journey . . . to see some of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina."