Wander Chatt Expands Its Unique Stay Options And Talks Current Travel Trends
Photo courtesy of Wander Chatt – The Merry Mushroom (the latest addition to Wander Chatt’s unique vacation rentals) was inspired by Teah Hicks’ love of the whimsical fungi.
Photo courtesy of Wander Chatt – The Merry Mushroom’s round room, round windows, and round door create a cozy stay with a woodland aesthetic.
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
Michael and Teah Hicks started their vacation rental business, “Wander Chatt,” at the beginning of this decade with a cargo container village on Lookout Mountain called “On The Rocks.” (See the June 1, 2022, Sentinel.) This year, the Merry Mushroom in New Salem became the newest addition to the company’s collection of unique stays.
Teah’s love for the whimsical fungi inspired the home. “She told me she wanted to build a house that looks like a mushroom,” said Hicks, so he found a retired Disney Imagineer living in Dade County who created the concept drawing. (Imagineers are the Disney creatives behind the brand’s iconic parks, resorts, cruise ships, and more.)
The husband-and-wife team finds that their builds can usually be completed in half a year or less, but the Merry Mushroom took a little over a year due to its unique details. All the wood used in the home is cedar. Hicks explained that before the Merry Mushroom, he had used cedar for flat walls and roofs but never for a mushroom-cap curved roof. The Hicks tried bending the shingles themselves but to no avail. They eventually found a company in Florida that could bend them.
Merry Mushroom guests are greeted by a rock archway, round door and windows, and bluff views. The circular home features a cozy reading nook, kitchenette, sunset views from the king-sized bed, and a majestically tiled walk-in shower. Outside, guests can enjoy the fire pit and copper soaking tub while taking in the views or gazing at the stars.
Photo courtesy of Wander Chatt – The Merry Mushroom is perched on a Lookout Mountain bluff in the New Salem area.
Before the Merry Mushroom, Wander Chatt added a few properties in Blue Ridge, Ga., others on Lookout Mountain, one on the Tennessee River, and one in Gulf Shores, Ala. Hicks said, “We want to have cabins in places where we like to travel but that aren’t too far away.”
The Hicks are getting ready to build along Tybee Creek on Tybee Island, Ga. They’re also adding a few mirror cabins next to On The Rocks. (These are exactly what they sound like: cabins made with two-way mirror walls so guests can see out, but no one can see in.)
Of Wander Chatt’s growth over its first five years, Hicks said the business is doing well—even though the economy has slowed down. Until late 2023/early 2024, business was booming, but the Hicks have noticed a slow down in travelers. They suspect this is because of the economy.
“We try to keep an eye on the market,” Hicks said. “From what we’re seeing, it’s a nationwide thing that fewer travelers are coming.” He recalled seeing comments online from people who said they can visit the Dominican Republic for the same price as a beach vacation in the United States or a week’s stay in a mountain cabin. “I think people are opting for other trips. I don’t know for sure, but there’s definitely been a shift in travel.”
Photo courtesy of Wander Chatt – In spite of its sometimes treacherous roads, Lookout Mountains serves as a plus for Wander Chatt because guests love views like this.
Hicks also noted that more short-term rentals have come to Dade County since he and Teah started their company—specifically more unique stays like the tree house rentals that have popped up in Dade and in Chattanooga. However, he doesn’t view this negatively. “I don’t call it competition. For me, there’s always room to work with those around us, but there are more accommodations now than there were in 2020.”
The Sentinel asked if it’s more profitable to be in the unique and/or luxury stay business than in the standard, less expensive rental business. Hicks answered, “It’s more affordable to build a standard house, but I think you open up the possibilities and number of possible customers by creating something that’s more unique—not only in the structure itself, but also where it’s placed.”
Wander Chatt guests love the mountain and river views, so location is a huge plus for the company. However, Hicks noted that Lookout Mountain weather can sometimes be an obstacle for travelers: Foggy nights and snowy mountain roads aren’t particularly welcoming to visitors.
Still, Hicks said, “We’re far enough out that we have serenity and peace and small-town feel, but we’re close enough in that guests can go to Chattanooga for dinner or for the day. We encourage them to visit and shop local, and we suggest the restaurants on the mountain, but they also have other options.”
