No matter what kind of vacation a visitor is planning at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, they will find nearly as many options for where to stay as there are ways to play at what readers of USA Today voted the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” and “Best Lake for Water Sports in the Nation.”
“For some of our vacationers, one of their favorite parts of visiting the Lake is choosing from the impressive array of places to stay,” says Lagina
Fitzpatrick, executive director of the Lake of the Ozarks Tri-County Lodging Association. “Whether it’s a resort, condo or vacation home, cabin or campground, bed and breakfast or national hotel chain, there’s no shortage of options to choose from, no matter the size of your group or your budget. I like to say that our accommodations have just as much variety and personality as the Lake does.”
Indeed, there is an incredible range of options when it comes to staying at the the “Fun Lake.” Seriously. With more than 5,400 “rooms” at the Lake of the Ozarks, there are plenty of places to accommodate the Lake’s more than 7 million annual visitors.
With so many options, how does one choose? Well, what kind of fun are you looking for?
Are you planning an outdoorsy trip for hiking, biking and kayaking? Perhaps the Lake’s 21 campgrounds and RV parks would be the best fit for you
and/or your group. One of the most memorable ways of experiencing the Lake’s great outdoors is sleeping under the stars and enjoying the splendor of an Ozark moon. If you don’t feel like pitching a tent or pulling a camper, maybe a rustic cabin, tree house or a fully-equipped “glamping” (glamorous camping) set-up is what you want? Regardless of where or how campers set up camp, they will be close to a wide variety of family-friendly attractions and activities so they can be as active or laid-back as they want to be.
Planning a getaway for a large group? Maybe it’s a reunion or a big getaway with family and/or friends? There are numerous resorts around the Lake of the Ozarks that cater to groups large and small, anywhere from a couple of guests all the way up to hundreds. Some of the Lake’s resorts also have impressive conference centers, banquet rooms and meeting spaces, regardless if you’re planning a trip for business or pleasure.
Or, if you’re looking for more of a “one-stop-shop,” the Lake’s full-service resorts offer guests a complete lineup of amenities and activities, all in one
location. Larger lakeside resorts offer top-of-the-line amenities like championship golf courses, fully-equipped marinas, nationally recognized spas and hair salons, along with luxury accommodations. With both casual and elegant on-site restaurants, dining won’t be a concern. Other amenities can include tennis, swimming pools, playgrounds, parasailing, Lake cruises and organized children’s programs. Visitors staying at one of these expansive resorts can experience both luxury and comfort while having an incredible Lake of the Ozarks vacation without ever having to leave their resort.
Many families and small groups appreciate the diverse offerings from over 200 condominiums and 275 vacation rental homes available at the Lake of the Ozarks. Lakeside
condominiums and vacation rental homes offer beautiful views and more, including boat slips for those who bring their own boats or personal watercraft.
Choosing a vacation rental – whether a stand-alone home or a condominium – allows travelers all the comforts of home and is a great way for families or
groups of friends to stay together but still have their separate spaces. Most come with fully-equipped kitchens, decks or patios, barbecue grills and just about everything else someone might need for a relaxing home-away-from-home.
If a golf getaway is your ideal Lake of the Ozarks vacation, visitors can choose to stay where they play. Several of the area’s golf resorts offer stay-and-play packages, as does the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail. A Golf Trail Getaway Package provides affordable stay-and-play options through its 12 member courses and numerous participating local lodging establishments.
Depending on the accommodations selected, golfers can enjoy a view of the fairways and/or greens or the shimmering waters of the Lake of the Ozarks when they are relaxing and kicking up their feet after their round is over. Visitors can learn more about the Golf Trail, the Lake’s different courses and stay-and-play packages at www.LakeOfTheOzarksGolfTrail.com.
Those coming to the Lake of the Ozarks to take advantage of the incredible fishing will love the Lake’s classic fishing resorts. These fun and family-friendly resorts come with fishing docks, boat ramps, boat rentals, submerged crappie beds and cleaning stations located on-site, to make sure their anglers have everything they need to enjoy their trip. The majority also sell Missouri fishing permits for out-of-state visitors or the casual angler that simply needs a daily permit.
The Lake’s charming bed and breakfasts provide the opportunity for a peaceful, romantic retreat and/or a best friends’ get-together getaway. These comfortable B&Bs dot the area and offer a quiet respite for guests to relax and reconnect with each other and/or celebrate a special occasion. Each bed and breakfast is unique and reflects the personality of the innkeepers. All feature personal touches from the innkeepers, well-appointed rooms, luxury linens, jacuzzis and hot tubs, stunning lakeside views and delicious made-from-scratch breakfasts. These things combined make for a quaint and memorable relaxing experience at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Vacationers who are taking advantage of many of the fun activities and adventures at the Lake and only using their rooms to catch a few winks between one fun day and the next can choose between roughly 20 different, convenient and comfortable hotels or motels located near all the action. There is a variety of national lodging chains as well as quirky and quaint local motels which offer economical family accommodations, many of which include complimentary breakfasts.
The Lake of the Ozarks’ wealth of attractions for fun-seeking visitors makes choosing the perfect accommodations a key part of planning a Lake getaway. Vacationers will want to pick the area resort, hotel, motel, condominium, private home rental, bed and breakfast, RV park or campground that’s an ideal match for their needs. Learn more about all the lodging options available at the Lake of the Ozarks at www.FunLake.com.
For a complete list of all the fun events, unique attractions and enjoyable year around activities, as well as dining options available at the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” and “Best Lake for Water Sports in the Nation” at www.FunLake.com or by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
