Bent Creek Golf Village

Sitting on 18 holes of greens designed by golfing phenom Gary Player, this time-share property attracts both golf enthusiasts and returning owners who enjoy the secluded atmosphere and competitive prices. However, the removed location and lack of an on-site restaurant might not suit traditional tourists, who may be bothered by the time-share sales spiels and spotty cell phone coverage. 

The property is well-maintained and contemporary, including a welcoming lounge in the lobby near a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted mounted flat-screen TV. The grounds are grassy and surrounded by pine trees and feature picnic tables and barbecue grills. The two- and three-story brown clapboard buildings, with green railings, look more like condominiums than hotel rooms.

The property is located on a two-lane highway, in a remote-feeling area that’s a 15-minute drive to Pigeon Forge -- with Dollywood, the Dixie Stampede and the Lumberjack Feud -- and 30 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg features the family-friendly Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the lively Ole Smoky Distillery and Smoky Mountain Brewery, and the landmark Space Needle. The Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park is a 30-minute drive. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- with rafting, fishing and hiking -- is a 15-minute drive. The McGhee Tyson Airport is an hour and 15 minutes by car, while the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport is 30 minutes.

Bear Creek offers cabins along with condo-style units that are spread across two buildings (one with two floors, the other with three stories), and neither structure has elevators. There are four two-bedroom cabins with terraces featuring hot tubs and ADA accessible rooms are available.The resort repairs and updates all of their units annually, so everything feels fresh. 

The one- and two-bedroom units and cabins are cozy, even if some elements are slightly dated in style. Wood cabinets and white appliances in some units look distinctly 1990s, while some busy fabric patterns (on the window valences in bedrooms, for example, or the occasional chair) also harken to another era. Still, all feel homey and also have the conveniences of a home, including sitting areas, washer/dryers, and kitchens with refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, ovens, and a variety of appliances. Most also have stone fireplaces.  Most units have flat-screen TVs with DVD players, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, sofa beds, irons/ironing boards, dining tables, and screened porches, balconies or terraces that overlook the parking lot or forest landscapes. Simply designed bathrooms have toiletries and hairdryers, and while most have shower/tub combos, some come with separate whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers. 

Tea, coffee, and cleaning supplies are included in all rooms and additional provisions are sold at the front desk. Daily housekeeping is not included, but daily cleaning can be requested in advance for a fee.

The highlight of the Bent Creek Golf Village is certainly the par-72 golf course with 18 holes of valley and mountainous terrain. There are also two nicely maintained pools: an outdoor pool that’s open seasonally and a heated indoor heated pool in a windowed room that also houses a hot tub, lounge chairs, and a dining area. The small gym has modern cardio and weight machines along with free weights and a flat-screen TV. Families with small children should note that there's also an enclosed playground and a sandbox. Kids and adults alike can take advantage of the property's game room, featuring pool tables, air hockey, and arcade games. A lounge in the lobby has movie rentals along with a computer and a printer, which is helpful since the free Wi-Fi is sometimes spotty.