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  4. I spent a night in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world. Take a look inside the Great Smoky Mountains cabin, which is worth a visit just for the views.

I spent a night in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world. Take a look inside the Great Smoky Mountains cabin, which is worth a visit just for the views.

Joey Hadden   

I spent a night in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world. Take a look inside the Great Smoky Mountains cabin, which is worth a visit just for the views.
Insider's reporter stayed in one of the world's most wish-listed Airbnbs: a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I stayed in one of the most wish-listed Airbnbs in the world next to the Great Smoky Mountains.
  • I spent $400 for one night in the two-story cabin with one bedroom, a hot tub, and a pool table.

I recently spent five nights in the Great Smoky Mountains.

I recently spent five nights in the Great Smoky Mountains.
The author enjoys a five-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I kicked off the trip with a one-night stay in a cozy cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

I kicked off the trip with a one-night stay in a cozy cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The author checks out of the Airbnb in the rain.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The cabin was located just seven miles outside of the national park.

The cabin was located just seven miles outside of the national park.
Gatlinburg borders a portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.      Google Maps

I thought this Airbnb stood out in my search because of its classic log-cabin look and stellar view of the mountains behind it. Then I found out that it's one of the most wish-listed new Airbnbs in 2023 and felt compelled to book it at $400 for one night.

I thought this Airbnb stood out in my search because of its classic log-cabin look and stellar view of the mountains behind it. Then I found out that it
The outside of the cabin.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Sources: Insider, Airbnb

After a two-hour flight to Knoxville followed by a two-hour ride from the airport in heavy traffic, I arrived at a hilly street lined with cabins to begin my trip.

After a two-hour flight to Knoxville followed by a two-hour ride from the airport in heavy traffic, I arrived at a hilly street lined with cabins to begin my trip.
The group of cabins on the property.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I looked for the house numbers and found my Airbnb towards the top of the hill.

I looked for the house numbers and found my Airbnb towards the top of the hill.
A hill leads up to the cabin the author found on Airbnb.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The one-bedroom, two-bathroom home opened up to a spacious room that included the kitchen and living and dining areas.

The one-bedroom, two-bathroom home opened up to a spacious room that included the kitchen and living and dining areas.
The Airbnb's living room and kitchen.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The floors and walls matched the exterior wooden paneling on the outside, which I thought made it look cohesive.

The floors and walls matched the exterior wooden paneling on the outside, which I thought made it look cohesive.
The author relaxes in the living room.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the kitchen's granite countertops and stainless steel appliances gave the room a modern feel.

I thought the kitchen
The kitchen near the entrance of the cabin.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Past the kitchen, the living area seemed to have all the components of a cozy night in: a comfy couch, a TV mounted above a fireplace, and vast windows with views of the surrounding natural area.

Past the kitchen, the living area seemed to have all the components of a cozy night in: a comfy couch, a TV mounted above a fireplace, and vast windows with views of the surrounding natural area.
The living space on the first floor of the cabin.      Joey Hadden/Insider

To the right of the living area, a dining table was placed next to floor-to-ceiling windows and a door that led to a covered balcony.

To the right of the living area, a dining table was placed next to floor-to-ceiling windows and a door that led to a covered balcony.
The author enjoys the mountain views in the morning.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On the balcony, there was a variety of seating surrounding a propane firepit, from metal patio chairs to rocking chairs and a swing.

On the balcony, there was a variety of seating surrounding a propane firepit, from metal patio chairs to rocking chairs and a swing.
The electric firepit on the cabin's balcony.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On the other side, I spotted a gas grill, which I didn't use since I was only there for one night.

On the other side, I spotted a gas grill, which I didn
The grill on the balcony.      Joey Hadden/Insider

This balcony had my favorite view of all my accommodations on this trip because it was high enough to see a wide portion of the mountain range and close enough to see the hazy "smoky" effect that the park is known for.

This balcony had my favorite view of all my accommodations on this trip because it was high enough to see a wide portion of the mountain range and close enough to see the hazy "smoky" effect that the park is known for.
The view from the balcony shows the bordering Great Smoky Mountains.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the cabin looked best from the balcony as well since the back windows are much larger than those in front. From outside the front door, I'd have never known the home had so much natural light.

I thought the cabin looked best from the balcony as well since the back windows are much larger than those in front. From outside the front door, I
An exterior view of the cabin from the balcony.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent more waking hours on the balcony than anywhere else in the cabin. When I arrived, I sat in a rocking chair looking out for the majority of the evening. The next morning, I did the same thing.

I spent more waking hours on the balcony than anywhere else in the cabin. When I arrived, I sat in a rocking chair looking out for the majority of the evening. The next morning, I did the same thing.
The author enjoys the morning air and mountain views.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Back inside, a spiral staircase at the back corner of the living space led to the bedroom.

Back inside, a spiral staircase at the back corner of the living space led to the bedroom.
The top of the staircase.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Then I took a look at the room. It was at least twice the size of my bedroom at home with a queen-sized bed that I found comfortable and a pool table that made me wish I'd brought a buddy.

Then I took a look at the room. It was at least twice the size of my bedroom at home with a queen-sized bed that I found comfortable and a pool table that made me wish I
The pool table was across from the bed.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the back of the room, there was a washer and dryer as well as another mounted TV.

At the back of the room, there was a washer and dryer as well as another mounted TV.
The washer and dryer (L) and mounted TV (R) on the bottom floor.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The room also had a large bathtub with jets. I didn't use it because I prefer to shower, but I thought it made the cabin feel luxurious.

The room also had a large bathtub with jets. I didn
The Airbnb's bathtub in the bedroom.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In addition to the tub, each floor had a full bathroom. I thought they looked almost identical.

In addition to the tub, each floor had a full bathroom. I thought they looked almost identical.
The bathrooms on the bottom (L) and top (R) floors.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the bottom of the stairwell, I noticed that grouped light switches were labeled. This was the case on the top floor, too. I found it quite helpful, as I usually end up flipping several switches in unfamiliar homes to find the right one.

At the bottom of the stairwell, I noticed that grouped light switches were labeled. This was the case on the top floor, too. I found it quite helpful, as I usually end up flipping several switches in unfamiliar homes to find the right one.
The spiral staircase (L) and the labeled light switched next to it.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The bottom floor had another covered patio with a different view. Although I couldn't see the mountains as well from below, I had a more intimate look at the trees.

The bottom floor had another covered patio with a different view. Although I couldn
Views from the patio on the bottom level.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There was also a hot tub out there, which I didn't have enough time to use.

There was also a hot tub out there, which I didn
The hot tub on the balcony.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I checked out of the Airbnb less than 24 hours after I arrived, I couldn't help but think that I would have needed more time as well as a travel buddy to truly experience all the aspects of the cabin, like the grill, the hot tub, and the pool table.

As I checked out of the Airbnb less than 24 hours after I arrived, I couldn
The author leaves the cabin while thinking about the hot tub.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But I could certainly see why this cabin is wish-listed by many, so I'm grateful I had the chance to sleep in it. And I did get to experience what I thought was the best part — that Smoky Mountains view.

But I could certainly see why this cabin is wish-listed by many, so I
The author relaxes on the porch.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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