The Ozarker Lodge, Branson
February 2025
My husband and I checked in at the coffee and wine bar. Serving specialty coffees incorporating their “Scenic Blend” custom roast, it also offers natural wines, Turkey Creek beer on tap and local pastries. With a curated welcome brochure in hand, I quickly reviewed the property map and on-site amenities as well as detailed recommendations for food and drink, museums, outdoor activities, tours and more. Morning perks include a hearty continental breakfast buffet served in the communal pantry that can also be reserved for small private events.
“We want to bring back the joy of the family road trip,” said co-owner Dustin Myers who, prior to purchasing it, first stayed at the property during a weekend trip with his son. “My business partner, Jeremy Wells, and I own Longitude°, a hospitality branding company in Springfield. We’ve worked on a lot of cool concepts across the nation and the world, but we wanted to reimagine something in Branson. This area is special to us because we grew up visiting here.”
Opened July 2023, the lodge’s 102 rooms include four suites and ever-popular double queen bunk rooms accommodating families. Thoughtfully planned, the renovation took 15-months to complete. Mid-century modern touches, cozy throws and found objects from antique shops reflect intentionality of design.
Creekside, guests unwind in Adirondack chairs surrounding firepits or enjoy soaking in the hot tubs. Umbrellas dot the deck of the new heated pool (open March through December) so guests can even take a dip on New Year’s Eve and warm up by the pool’s two firepits. There’s a small, natural play area for kids and, of course, the creek entices sloshing and splashing.
A highlight was the two-hour private fireside experience; pricing varies seasonally, and reservations are recommended. Under a canopy of trees, my husband and I relaxed in Adirondack chairs. Friendly staff started our fire and delivered a bottle of chilled wine, a generous charcuterie board and s’more fixings complete with skewers for marshmallow roasting.
Daily “Golden Hour,” from 4-6 p.m., offers discounts on wine, beer and charcuterie boards. The lobby’s Mercantile sells merch and regional quality crafts. The Ozarker hosts live music on Wednesday evenings, guided wine and cheese tastings, seasonal kids’ craft nights inspired by nature and movie nights by the pool through December 31.
Visit TheOzarkerLodge.com for more information.
Two Ponds Farm B&B, Weston
November 2024
Bud and Leann Hendrix’s log house is situated on one side of the gravel driveway while my destination lay on the other side. Leann spearheads the bed and breakfast while Bud, a retired union pipe fitter, manages their 25 acres. The Hendrixes lived in Independence for 26 years before buying the land. Only 45 minutes from downtown Kansas City and 40 minutes from Arrowhead and Kaufmann stadiums, this spot felt worlds away.
“Before we built our log house, we put up a Morton building,” says Leann. “Bud created an apartment on one end where we stayed on weekends. When our house was finished, we wanted others to enjoy it, so we turned it into a bed and breakfast.”
Leann’s flair for decorating is evident throughout the studio. Inside, a comfy sofa and wing back chair anchor interesting touches such as a farm-style wire cage floor lamp. Currier and Ives blue and white dishes rest on white shelves above the kitchen sink, and the compact kitchen supplies every amenity for cooking. The king bed downstairs and queen in the sleeping loft are accompanied by a tiled double shower, flat screen television and wifi. One wall features a rectangular electric fireplace for a cozy touch in winter. Built by Bud, the industrial-vibe air conditioner’s exposed pipe hangs suspended from the vaulted ceiling. He also built the loft from repurposed solid oak crates that once shipped commercial condensing units.
Guests can take out the canoe or two-seater boat and fish for bluegill, crappie and bass in the stocked pond for catch-and-release or take home. There’s plenty of space for camping, if several couples want to come together, and ample room for parking a horse trailer, making the acreage a lovely place to ride. Leann also rents the property for events or weddings.
A full continental breakfast includes fruits, cheese, juice and, this morning, delicious cinnamon rolls from an Odessa bakery and Leann’s lemon blueberry bread. The stocked refrigerator offers soft drinks, bottled tea and water.
“Our guests are looking for someplace to get away that’s very private. People come and don’t want to leave, so they just stay right here,” says Leann. “However, we’re a short drive to six local wineries and 15 minutes from Odessa’s restaurants and shops.”
Visit TwoPondsFarmBedAndBreakfast.com for more information.
The Hatchery House, Weston
August 2024
As the home’s fifth owners, Richard and Julie Jones moved from Dallas/Fort Worth in mid-2022. Richard’s family lives in Weston and the surrounding area so they spent holidays here. During those visits, the couple fell in love with Weston’s small-town charm and diversity of activities.
“Each shop on Main Street is unique,” says Julie, a retired nurse. “The pace of life and being able to walk everywhere is wonderful, but we’re still super close to Kansas City and only 20 minutes from a major airport.”
The Jones welcome guests primarily Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus additional nights for holidays, festival weekends and business retreats. All four guest rooms, plus the separate cottage, boast fireplaces. Some contain jetted tubs. A unique gathering spot, the former root cellar-turned-speakeasy and event space sits directly behind the house. Richard saw potential and sandblasted its original brick walls and ceiling, built a bar and added barrel tables. The cellar comfortably accommodates 12 people plus another dozen right outside the door. Guests can bring their own alcohol and food or opt for a package with local beverages and snacks.
Upon check-in, my husband and I dug into Julie’s complimentary welcome box. We sampled charcuterie and chocolate, accompanied by local wine and beer. Homemade cookies are available 24/7, as are loads of snacks in baskets near the coffee and tea bar, creatively contained in a vintage white enamel stove.
Julie’s buffet breakfast is noteworthy—one of the best at any bed and breakfast we’ve enjoyed. In the cheery dining area, formerly a second-floor porch, guests sit at separate tables after serving themselves. We raved about the savory cheese and egg frittata, maple-bourbon sugar bacon, blueberry cornmeal muffins, creamy scalloped potatoes and strawberry pecan salad drizzled with homemade poppyseed dressing.
“I’m happy to accommodate any dietary need, and I’m always on the lookout when we travel for new spices to use in our breakfast dishes,” says Julie. “We support local and get our wine from around the corner and our beer from Weston Brewing across the street.”
Visit Hatcherybb.com for more information.
Hotel Frederick, Booneville
May 2024
Coming full circle, it started as a hotel before being converted to a Greyhound bus depot and then a retirement center. Abandoned and in disrepair, a four-million-dollar restoration brought the property back to life.
Enter current owner hometown girl Holly Bozarth Simpson, who loves all things historic. After she returned to Boonville, she worked as executive director of Friends of Historic Boonville and at Missouri Preservation. She took the job of the hotel’s general manager in 2013 and thrived in hospitality.
“I bought this hotel in 2020 during Covid,” says Simpson, “I actually live on property and often check guests in and enjoy meeting them and catering to their needs.”
Public areas sport original black-and-white tile flooring and are furnished with 19th-century antiques found at estate sales. Guests appreciate the artwork: prints from an antique field notebook, folk art, reproductions of antique maps detailing area trails and early settlements, and black and whites featuring Boonville’s 1940s architecture.
Rooms might be described as artsy and Old World with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and Carrera marble or mosaic tile in the bathrooms. In some of the 30 rooms, Simpson made the bedframes from repurposed barn wood. Other rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass bathroom walls decorated with artsy etched designs for privacy. Come morning, a hearty continental breakfast and coffee/tea bar are complimentary. The hotel also rents single and tandem bikes.
Adjacent to the lobby, the lounge’s arched doors and cozy leather couches invite guests to order draft beer, craft cocktails and wine along with a full menu. The Fred serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The scratch menu changes twice annually incorporating local produce and house-smoked chicken. One floor below, the speakeasy-style Brick Room hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
“During Prohibition, locals would go into a smaller room just off The Brick Room to play cards and drink from their own bottle of liquor which they would store in the rafters for a return visit,” says Simpson.
Given its central location, Hotel Frederick hosts numerous corporate retreats and meetings, offering guests and groups a personal touch as well as in-house catering.
Visit HotelFrederick.com for more information.
Lake Breeze Resort, Camdenton
February 2024
For water-lovers, Lake Breeze is a gem with a floating swim dock, water trampoline, tiny sand beach, barbeque grills and an outdoor fireplace. Mornings, we paddled the stillness with kayaks and paddle boards. Hydro-bikes, pontoon boats, a fishing boat and boat slips are also available for rent.
“This spot reminds me of childhood memories and old-fashioned fun. I spent family vacations at small resorts and California lakes,” says Gena. “While living in Colorado, Bruce and I would bring our boys to the Ozarks for vacation.”
Situated just off the Highway 5 Niangua Bridge, 17 totally remodeled cabins and units host approximately 70 people. Gena, who manages the resort, traveled the world as a software specialist. Bruce still works as a network administrator but spearheads upkeep. Living in Colorado for 20 years, Bruce never wavered on his dream of owning a marina. On a whim, they looked at properties in the Ozarks enroute to Iowa for Thanksgiving.
Although the resort was built in the 1950s and very rundown, the Aldrich’s saw potential. After purchasing Lake Breeze in 2011, they basically gutted each unit and replaced roofs and windows. Several units, such as numbers 11 and 12, lean toward a condo-like interior.
“Each unit is meant to be a bit vintage but cute and fresh,” says Gena. “We spend lots of energy cleaning. I traveled extensively in my former career, so that’s very important to me.”
The pool area contains complimentary floats and children’s life jackets. Ping-pong, games, books, more than 700 DVDs and loaner fishing poles are available. Fishing off the docks yields catfish, croppie and some walleye; guests need to supply bait. Guests can put ice creams or ice on their tab using the honor system.
The venue by the resort’s entrance hosts parties and weddings. Guests can grill out along the lakefront for a rehearsal dinner. Public events include Bikefest in September, a Memorial Day weekend craft fair and a haunted house at Halloween.
“We have 65-75 percent repeat business. Guests can book for the next year, and I’ll hold it until January when they can put down a deposit,” says Gena. “We like to think of ourselves as a home base for our guests and enjoy making them feel welcomed.”
Visit LakeBreezeResort.com for more information.