Smoky Mountains, Tennessee · Virginia wine country
Many cabins. One family.
Book with the people who take care of them.
Who you are booking with
We built some, rebuilt others, and take care of every one.
We are Mike and Leora Merrell. Our family fell for the Smokies in 2014 and has been coming back ever since. Today we host guests in cabins around the mountains and in an old farmhouse in Virginia.
Mike is a contractor, so when something needs fixing, it gets fixed by someone who knows how the place was put together. Leora handles the details that make a stay easy. When you message us, you reach one of us.
Mike and Leora
The cabins
Find the right fit
Cabins for two, cabins for the whole family, and a farmhouse for a big group. Every one has a hot tub and a fire pit.
Liberty Lodge
Two king suites and a long view of Mt. LeConte.
Sleeps 8 · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths
Cumorah
A one-bedroom cabin for two that Mike built himself.
Sleeps 4 · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Kirtland
A two-story house Mike turned into a couples cabin.
Sleeps 6 · 1 bedroom · 1.5 baths
Nauvoo Haus
A mountaintop cabin with a bunk room for the kids.
Sleeps 10 · 2 bedrooms · 2.5 baths
Independence Lodge
Big views and a main level verified accessible.
Sleeps 10 · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths
Harmony Haus
A family cabin on a quiet hilltop with a trail out back.
Sleeps 10 · 2 bedrooms · 2 baths
Far West
An 1800s farmhouse in Virginia wine country, remodeled by Mike.
Sleeps 14 · 5 bedrooms · 3.5 bathsNothing matches that filter right now.
Builder's notes
Some of these we built with our own hands
Cumorah was built from bare ground. Kirtland was a house. Far West was a tired farmhouse. Here is what that looked like.
From bare dirt to a finished cabin
Why book with us
A family business, not a call center
You reach the owners
Questions before you book, or something at the cabin, go straight to Mike or Leora.
Repairs by the builder
Mike built or rebuilt several of these cabins. He knows where every pipe and wire runs.
Picks from a family that lives it
Our Smokies Guide is the list we give our own friends: hikes, shows and where to eat.
Book direct and skip the booking fees
Direct booking on this site is on the way. Join our list and we will let you know when it opens.
The Merrell Family's Smokies Guide
The list we give our friends
Hikes from easy to all-day, the dinner shows our kids love, the best mountain coaster, and where we eat. Free for anyone planning a trip.
Open the guideStay in touch
Hear about open dates first
A few emails a year: open weekends, new cabins, and our seasonal picks for the Smokies. No spam, and you can leave anytime.