Five years ago, Texas natives Grant and Amy Curran were burning the midnight oil renovating their first rental property in Gatlinburg. Grant lived in Sevier County full time, but Amy was back in Houston working as a night-shift nurse and flying to Tennessee at first light to help her husband. It was a grueling schedule that couldn’t last, so the pair decided to move to East Tennessee permanently and go all-in on their short-term rental business, renovating outdated properties and building their own new constructions from the ground up.
Today, Cloud 9 Cabins boasts a collection of 13 luxury homes designed to meet every need an out-of-towner or local staycationer might have. From elegant three-bedroom rentals to six-bedroom, jaw-dropping retreats, the Currans have created the kind of vacation homes you have to see to believe.
“We try to make our homes feel like they’re someone else’s second home on the mountain. We choose comfortable furnishings, from mattresses to sofas, so we buy high-quality pieces,” says Amy. “We also construct our kitchens so that if the house sleeps 12, then it’s going to have two refrigerators. We design everything with the clients in mind. We can even schedule chefs to come cook for them in the home, if they request it. Or a masseuse, or whatever they want.”
This is just one way Cloud 9 Cabins is set apart – concierge services on request. Shelby Moehlig is the point person for all guests, from the first time someone reaches out, whether through Airbnb, Vrbo, or the company’s website, to the point of departure. Shelby is Amy’s cousin, and her husband, Dustin, serves as the property manager, making sure everything is up to snuff at every house before guests arrive.
“We’re a family business in that way. They were teachers, and during Covid, I jokingly said one night that they should move to Tennessee and help us with our cabin business,” says Amy. “They said it sounded great! We were so thankful.”
When the Currans started their business, their goals were two-fold: create a rental company that attracts guests through upscale design, and then knock their socks off with stellar customer service. So far, so good. This is in part because of how they’ve traveled, places they’ve gone and notes they’ve taken on how other hospitality brands function. Sometimes, it’s the accommodations that make a place shine, while other times it’s a friendly face and attention to detail. At Cloud 9, they focus on making each guest’s stay a five-star review.
“We try to distinguish ourselves by not having orange log cabins on the inside. Our homes are light and bright with lots of earth tones,” says Amy. “We want guests to feel at home but also feel like they’re in their surroundings. All of our properties are in the woods or on a mountain with spectacular views. Then, we take care of our guests every step of the way.”
While the Currans have had plenty of out-of-town guests come their way, they are particularly proud to offer their Cloud 9 homes to locals who want to celebrate a milestone, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and reunions, or plan a staycation that feels as though they’ve been whisked away to another mountain range. They’ve even had a slew of corporate parties when conferences and businesses converge in Gatlinburg.
While they have some properties in Pigeon Forge, the bulk are in Chalet Village, one of the most desirable lodging areas in Gatlinburg. Chalet Village has swimming pools, pickleball courts, playgrounds, walking trails, and so much more, all of which Cloud 9 guests have access to.
But when it comes to in-house amenities, the Currans spared nothing. Hot tubs, game rooms, private pools, home theaters, outdoor dining, you name it.
“We offer a lot of en suite baths, so there are fewer people sharing bathrooms. There are also a lot of king beds so people can be comfortable,” says Amy. “We’re big on fire pits. We love the idea of people gathering around the fire, which is why we made that our logo.”
Additionally, every house is optimized for families, so guests will find kids’ dinnerware in the kitchen and playpens on request. They can also install baby gates at every staircase if needed. Some cabins, but not all, are pet-friendly.
“When guests book, they have an option to do grocery delivery, and people do it all the time. Our team will pick up the delivery and put everything away so it’s ready when guests arrive,” says Amy. “It’s a huge convenience.”
As for their new life in Tennessee, the Currans couldn’t be happier.
“We love it here. People are so friendly. We live in Sevierville, so while there’s a lot of visitors who come through, it’s still a small town,” says Amy. “We love going to the mountains for a drive or to hike. One of our favorite things to do is go to Peaceful Side Social.
“Having four seasons is huge,” she continues. “People always ask when the best time to come is but Gatlinburg offers something for everyone in every season.”
Learn more at www.Cloud9Cabins.com.
"We take care of our guests every step of the way."
"We try to make our homes feel like they’re someone else’s second home on the mountain."