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 . . ."

 
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 "Great Blue Hills of God" - 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."

 
Lisa Majors-Duff, THE SYLVA HERALD — "Wares bring European Feel to Whittier With The Chalet Inn" "The Chalet Inn is nestled quietly at the end of a short, but steep gravel drive off Nations Creek Road in Barkers Creek Community. Meeting another traveler here calls for the "law of mountain roads" to come into play, giving the downward driver the automatic right-of-way. The sight found at the drive's end is quite unique to the surrounding area. The Chalet Inn stands tall against a rising mountain, two majestic forms complementing each other. What appeals to the eye first is the natural look of the building, with wood and rock taking center stage. But what a visitor to the Chalet Inn finds today was once only found in the imaginations of George & Hanneke Ware and is the result of years of searching and hard work . . . The Wares, always keeping in mind features of Europe, have reconstructed the small home into a charming, mountain get-a-way. The Chalet Inn features such european flairs in architecture as large, private balconies with carved wood railings and flower boxes; a large overhanging roof; heavy posts and beams; and German windows that open from the top to keep the rain out"

 
Janice Chavers, THE HERALD BULLETIN, "LIFESTYLES — The Inn Places" "One way to vacation in the slow lane is to spend a few days at a cozy Blue Ridge Mountain Inn where life seems much simpler and carefree. The first step in doing this is to select an Inn that best meets your needs . . . (At a) popular Inn in the area, The Chalet Inn . . . your mind plays a trick on you, making you think you are in the Swiss Alps. Beside the majestic Mountains, you see the authentic swiss/german chalet that was built with heavy posts and beams and has a large overhanging roof.. You also see private balconies with carved wood railings that are covered with flowers and a wrought iron sign similar to those found in bed & breakfast inns in Germany. The european ambience continues inside with the furnishings and authentic german/swiss windows that "kip" inward as well as open fully. Then you meet George & Hanneke Ware, innkeepers, who offer even more european flavor..."

 
Janie Graziani, AAA WORLD — "Mountain Mecca" "Fiery Mountain vistas and rapid rivers make Western North Carolina an exciting escape . . . The western end of North Carolina, sandwiched between Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on one side and the Blue Ridge Mountains and the border between Georgia and South Carolina on the other side is a scene right out of "The Andy Griffith Show." Small towns, mountain lakes and a laid-back, easy atmosphere are the rigeur for this small corner of God's country. So it's no surprise that the multitude of small hotels, cabins, and bed & breakfast inns here stay booked throughout the area's high season (about June through August). . . for a vacation, this area is one of the best and most accessible in the country. A day's drive from central Florida, (three hours from Atlanta or Charlotte) airports, and about one hour from Asheville, NC, is Jackson County, NC, tucked away in mountains serviced by the Great Smoky Mountains Railway. There are several small towns full of bed & breakfast inns and craft shops . . . Where to Stay: - - Resort, The Chalet Inn, - - Campground."

 
Stephen Harriman, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT AND THE LEDGER STAR — "Carolina Crash Course, More about Jackson County" "I spent a pleasant two nights at The Chalet Inn, a small B&B . . . the labor of love of George & Hanneke. He's a former U.S. Army Green Baret Colonel who met Hanneke, an Amsterdam Native when he was posted at a NATO outpost in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Their chalet is set in 22 secluded acres of mountain woodland, laced with hiking trails . . . A little brook babbled outside my room with its private balcony . . ."

 
Donna Braley, GRAND STRINGS WINGS NEWSLETTER of Chapter J, Region A, Gold Wing Riders Association, Myrtle Beach, SC — "Now its on to our destination, The Chalet Inn . . . We were greeted by our fellow riders and then George & Hanneke Ware stepped out. It was as if we had known them forever. If you ever plan to visit Europe and would like to know what a Chalet looks like, visit George & Hanneke. They will show you all the hospitality you can stand. George built a fire in the great Room in the morning and in the evening . . . you (could) sit there and chat or read or play cards or work on a puzzle by the fire, it was lovely. There was also room on the porch to sit and talk about what the days activities were going to be, and then in the evening to talk about how much fun it was. Breakfast was included, Oh what a breakfast it was! Hanneke was up early and baked fresh rolls (Brotchen). The meats were imported from Germany and they were delicious. Along with the meats was an egg dish. For those who only wanted cereal that was also possible. Fresh fruit was also provided. The drinks inlcuded juices and cofee or tea."