Mountain Cabin With No Air Conditioning

[Kyler J Sloan]

How important would you say air conditioning is for a cabin in the smokey mountains if it is at a high elevation point (3700') and does not have a prior system installed? 

I would prefer to spend the 15 K it would take to install a ductless system on bathroom renovations. 

Previous owners of this place did without an air conditioner because it stays relatively cool in the summer because of the elevation.

Then again, the updated kitchen and bathrooms may be out of place in a cabin with no air conditioning from the perspective of some guests.  

[Kyle Jensen]

I just went through the same debate with a property we purchased in Banner Elk, NC this year. It did not have AC previously, and although the summers are "mild", there were a few trees that were recently cut down in front of the property (to open up the view), but there will now be very little shade from the direct summer sunlight. We decided to bite the bullet and have a mini split system installed in the main living area and both bedrooms. We will be managing this STR remotely, so having the ability to control the temps remotely was also a selling point for me.