Big Bear Lodge by Jackson Mountain Homes

The view and cabin itself were the only things I’d give stars for. It could be a perfect getaway if it were clean, but it wasn’t. We found hair in the tub, mildew stains in the shower, toothpaste marks on the sinks, suspicious dishes and silverware, and blankets with a strange smell. I wasn’t sure the sheets had been washed, so luckily we brought our own. There were bugs everywhere, including ladybugs piled along the downstairs door, spiders in the bathrooms, and dead moths all over. The downstairs felt cold and damp and smelled of mildew. Several toilets were broken or leaking, and the upstairs air conditioning was out, making it very hot. The showers were small.

The cabin is about 25 minutes from the Gatlinburg strip and more than 40 minutes from Pigeon Forge, so it isn’t convenient. There’s only parking for three cars lined up, leaving two vehicles blocked in. The owners seem not to have addressed complaints from over a year ago, based on reviews I read, and guests are still being let down. There were thousands of ladybugs across ceilings, walls, between mattresses, under beds, in lampshades, cabinets, and elsewhere. The advertised WiFi never worked, and we used up our data instead. The heating and AC couldn’t keep the rooms at the requested temperature. Some railings dangled, held by nails that weren’t even in the wood on both sides. Water pressure kept dropping to a trickle, leaving people stuck in the shower with soap or shampoo on until it came back. These issues have reportedly gone on for years. This cabin deserves zero stars.

The view was pretty and the cabin was nice, but it needs some maintenance. The upstairs shower leaks, and the guestbook makes it look like the problem is being ignored. The AC also seems to struggle, and several nails sticking out of furniture snagged my clothes. It could be quite nice with just a little work.

The cabin was nice and the view was beautiful, though the shower was tiny. They have a notice about ladybugs, but instead of just posting that and spraying every month, they should try weather stripping and caulk. The photo of the ladybug pile was from one door on one day. To be fair, the sign says Jackson Mountain homes, not anything about management.