Category Archives: Branson Lodging

Celebrate Christmas in Branson with your family in Grand style, excitement and fun

One of Grand Countrys spacious rooms.

“Do you want to do celebrate Christmas with your family in a wonderful, exciting and unique way,” asks Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “How about spending part of your Christmas at the Grand Country Resort and Indoor Water Park in Branson. Missouri, she asked.”

Grand Country is located in the heart of Branson on the world famous “Branson Strip.” It offers an exciting variety of shows; dining experiences; shopping; games; miniature golf; an indoor pool and water park; and the “Fun Spot,” one of the most complete video and arcade game facilities in Branson does it all at one location.

Their rooms are clean, spacious, relaxing and offer a variety of accommodations to meet the needs of every family. Johnson said, “The staff of the Grand Country is noted for their friendliness and attention to their guests needs.”

Splash Country is 20,000 square feet of indoor water fun and excitment.

Colocated within the Grand Country complex is “Splash Country Indoors,” Missouri’s first-indoor water park. It’s open 365 days offering the guests of the Grand Country 20,000 square feet of squirting, falling and tumbling watery fun no matter what the weather is outside.

Also located within the Grand Country complex is the “Grand Country Music Hall” offering a variety of exciting shows. Amaze your family by taking them to see the Amazing Pets. This show will delight children and the young of heart as an amazing troupe cats and dogs, many who have been rescued from dog pounds and humane societies across the country, along with many other magical surprises puts a smile on your face as you see your family’s faces light up with excitement.

The Grand Country Music Hall is also the home to the fabulous “Grand Jubilee.” This musical and comedy variety show features the music of the “New South,” the comedy of Jamie Haage as “Jim Dandy” and emcee extraordinaire Mike Patrick. Another great show at Grand Country is the very funny and entertaining Comedy Jamboree starring Grand Country’s favorite son, Splinter Middleton and veteran Branson funny man, Jae McFerron.

The Fun Spot adds yet more fun and excitment to the things to do at Grand Country.

“The excitement and fun doesn’t stop there,” said Johnson. “There’s indoor miniature golf and the ‘Grand Country Fun Spot’ featuring the ‘White River Black Light Mini-Golf Course in 3D;’ Mini-Bowling with “cool lights illuminating the bowling lanes along with, rockin’ videos and music” and much more.” The Fun Spot is also a state of the art video arcade game facility and has the most popular video and fun arcade games for every style. From motocross racing to space exploring, the it has all the latest arcade attractions available and is bursting with great prizes in its ticket redemption center with gifts for all.”

It also has a “Comfyland” with a variety of places where toddlers can have fun while satisfying their curiosity through stimulation and challenges. The “Senses Corner” exposes them to the unique experiences of their senses; seeing, hearing, touching, and smelling; the “Music Corner” to enjoy listening to music while exploring and producing sounds and the “Cognitive Corner” allows them  to have fun and play as they develop varied cognitive skills.

“Couple that with the dining experiences offered at the ‘Grand Buffet,’ ‘Pappa Grand’s Pizza’ and ‘Glenn’s Frozen Custard,’ and there’s not another resort in Branson that offers the variety of entertainment and exciting things to do that Grand Country does,” said Johnson. For additional information on the Grand Country and all it has to offer or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Still Waters Resort a lakefront portal of family fun to Table Rock Lake

An Aerial view of Still Waters Resort's scenic location on Table Rock Lake.

“For over 50 years, three of Branson’s major attractions have been its wonderful live shows, the magnificent Table Rock Lake and the action and constantly changing excitement of Silver Dollar City.” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “The Still Waters Lakefront Resort (Still Waters), located on Indian Point, offers its guests lakefront beauty, fun and excitement on the shores of Table Rock Lake while offering the convenience of Silver Dollar City just a couple of miles away and being within minutes of all the shows, attractions, shopping and everything else Branson has to offer.”

Tammy and Greg Battaglia are Managers/Owners of Stillwaters and have been involved with the resort for over 33 years and its transition from a smaller cottage oriented resort to the full service resort it is today. Tammy said, “Our slogan says it all, ‘Still the one for family fun.’ As the resort has developed, we’ve paid a lot of attention to the details of people having fun with their family. She goes on to point out that Still Waters is ideally located right on an “elbow” of Table Rock Lake on Indian Point and is surrounded by the lake. “For those wanting a lake front experience while on their vacation,” she says, “there isn’t a better place to be.”

Interior view of deluxe two bedroom condo.

Greg said that Still Waters has one of the largest variety of lodging and room types selections of any lodging establishment in the Branson area with over 200 rooms of which 100 are 2-4 bedroom condos. From poolside to lakeside, standard motel rooms and studios to luxury condominiums with one to four bedrooms or a private lake house, the resort has affordable priced lodging to meet just about every need, budget and situation. “We get a lot of family reunions and gatherings because of the lodging choices we offer,” He continued. “We have the flexibility to meet just about any lodging need or desire,” He also pointed out that the rooms are smoke free and have a full complement of amenities including Wi-Fi and cable TV.

Tammy said that in terms of resort amenities Still Waters offers a 20 person hot tub; three swimming pools, one with a swim through water fall and another with a water slide; play grounds; basketball courts; bicycles; volley ball; paddle boats; kayak; inner tubes and just about anything else a family would need for a fun filled vacation along with five boat docks, 78 boat slips and a full service marina with boat rental. In addition, the resort has the “Bayside Market” on property with fresh cinnamon rolls in the morning, breakfast, pizza and sandwiches etc. for sale.

When asked what is the one thing you want people to know about Still Waters Tammy said, “If you want to have fun with your family in Branson the Still Waters Lakefront Resort on the shores of beautiful Table Rock Lake is the place to do it.” “But,” said Greg, “The fun doesn’t stop at the resort. It is located only two or three, virtually traffic free minutes away from Silver Dollar City and about 15 minutes from the Branson Strip and all that it has to offer.

New " Oasis " pool with swim through waterfall and 20 person hot tub.

Tammy said that it is a leisurely four or five minute drive from the resort, at the busiest time of the day, to Branson’s largest and most popular attraction, Silver Dollar City, the award winning 1880’s theme park, its festivals and everything else it has to offer. It is so close and convenient that guests can go to Silver Dollar City for a few hours, come back to the resort to have lunch or relax and then go back to Silver Dollar City later in the day. That is convenient at any time, but particularly for families during the colder weather and later operating hours of Silver Dollar City during its Old Time Christmas.

“In addition,” she said, “Still Waters is only 15 minutes away from the Branson Strip and all the fun and excitement it offers. Where else can you enjoy the peace, serenity and natural beauty of Table Rock Lake while enjoying the fun of a full service resort and the Ozarks, have immediate access to Silver Dollar City and be only minutes away from Branson’s shows, attractions, shopping, fun and excitement?”

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson said, “Still Waters offers a unique combination of lodging choices, fun and a lake side location that makes it an ideal resort to enjoy the best that Branson and the Ozarks has to offer, Table Rock Lake, Silver Dollar City and Branson’s excitement and entertainment.” For additional information on the Still Waters Lakefront Resort or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center for value luxury Branson lodging

The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center

“The Official Branson Hotels and Lodging List‘ on Branson.com has a wide variety of Branson hotels and lodging facilities from which Branson visitors to pick,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “From Four Star Diamond rated luxury resorts to lake shore cabins and a variety of clean, comfortable and conveniently located hotels and other lodging choices, Branson has lodging for just about every budget and need.”

In referring to one of those choices, the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center, Johnson said, “Although certainly not a secret to the members of the many groups and guests it has hosted over the years, one of the best kept lodging secrets in Branson might be the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center (Stone Castle).” She points out that it was formerly known as the “Settle Inn,” provides a value priced luxury experience and is known for its hospitality and customer service.

In a recent interview, David Hartman the General Manager of Stone Castle said that in 2008 they completed an extensive multi-year renovation project that took everything down to the concrete floors. He said it was a complete room renovation including the replacing all the carpet, furniture, lighting and drapes down to the bed spreads, pillows and every bed in the hotel.

One the spacious standard double bed queen rooms.

Hartman said that the Stone Castle has 300 rooms separated into two general types, Standard and Suites. Their very generous sized Standard Room has two queen sized beds and comes with, among other amenities, an iron, ironing board, hair dryer, coffee maker, cable TV, free Wi-Fi and a full hot breakfast.

In addition, they offer four different suits “Themed,” “Family,” “Executive” and “Presidential” Hartman points out that one of the big things separating the Stone Castle Hotel from other properties in Branson is its 35 themed suites. Each is decorated according to a different theme such as the “Medieval,” “Gone With the Wind,” “Aloha” and “Jungle” etc. providing guests with a unique lodging experience.

There are two “Presidential Suites” the “Oval Office” and the “Cabinet.” Hartman said that they are our largest guest rooms with a two person whirlpool, four poster King bed with stair step, wet bar, mini-fridge, a breakfast nook and dark cherry furniture. Part of the suite sits in the “tower” of the building providing a living area. Hartman describes them as the “Best rooms in the house.”

He said the “Family Suites” are two room suites with one common entrance. From the interior of each suite the rooms are separated by a door that can be shut. They have two queen sized beds in one room and a king in the other. Each room has its own bathroom, heating and air conditioning, and TV. In addition to the other amenities that are common to each room at the hotel each Family Suit also has a micro wave and refrigerator.

One of the two indoor pools.

Hartman said that two of the features of the property that the guests appreciate is the safety of interior corridors for access to all the rooms and suites and the elevator system that eliminates the need to use stairs. He also points out that Stone Castle has two indoor pools, each with a hot tub; a game/arcade room that includes air hockey and conveniently located coin operated guest laundry facilities.

He said that although pets are allowed in certain designated rooms they are not allowed in any of the suites. As of this time there is no size limit and there is an additional charge for pets.

One of the most popular features at the Stone Castle is the expansion of the free breakfast in May of 2009. Hartman believes that it is one of the best free lodging breakfasts available in Branson saying, “It is a complete hot breakfast, not a continental breakfast, and it is all you can eat.”

Hartman pointed out another feature of the Stone Castle, its location. He said, “We are basically in the heart of Branson, in the center of it all. We’re away from the hustle and bustle of the strip, but we still have easy access to it and can get around town from our property pretty much without having to get into heavy traffic.” He pointed out that Green Mountain Drive parallels Highway 76 and provides convenient access to a number of Branson’s theatres and attractions and quick access to State Highways 165, 265, and 376 with subsequent access to Table Rock Lake or Silver Dollar City.

The main meeting room set up for a banquet.

He also emphasized the words “Conference Center,” as in the name of the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center, pointing out that Stone Castle has a total of seven meeting rooms and 10,000 total square feet of space. Their largest meeting room has a capacity of 4500 square feet. Hartman said that they can configure the meeting room space to meet just about any need and said that they have hosted a variety of events ranging from banquets and meetings to conventions, exhibits, parties and other events. He is proud to point out that a large part of their meeting group business is repeat business and attributes a large part of it to their great customer service.

Annette Wood is the Director of Group Sales for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation and travel planning services for both groups and individuals. She agreed with Hartman saying, “We routinely use the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center for groups, special events, and conferences and are continuously impressed by the quality of the facilities, their reasonable rates, their excellent hospitality and willingness to go above and beyond in the area of customer service.”

For additional information on the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Grand Plaza Hotel is a grand Branson lodging experience

Grand Plaza Hotel from Branson Strip

Paul Miller, General Manager of the Branson Tourism Center was spot on when he said, “It makes no difference what the destination is, the choice of lodging will dramatically impact on the quality of the travel experience.” Miller explained that even in Branson, with all its attractions, shows, shopping, live entertainment and a myriad of other activities, it still applies.

Miller points out that the “Official Branson.Com Quick Find Accommodations List,” powered by the Branson Tourism Center, list dozens of quality lodging choices of every variety and price including the centrally located “Grand Plaza Hotel.” Recently, Kaely McNeely, Front Office Manager of the Grand Plaza Hotel said, “It’s a great choice for visitors coming to Branson because of the hotel’s location, value, family friendly amenities and the variety of accommodations offered.”

She points out that if “location, location, location” applies to any hotel in Branson it has to be the Grand Plaza. The 200 room suite hotel is located about a block north of the famed “Branson Strip” and provides the best of both worlds, quick access to the strip when desired and the peace and quiet of not being directly on the strip. It is also convenient to Branson’s “Blue” and “Red” Routes providing alternate routes to help avoid the traffic congestion on Highway 76. This can be particularly helpful when going to places like Silver Dollar City, Branson Landing, or coming into or leaving Branson.

The hotel is also located within walking distance of one of Branson’s largest and most popular discount factory outlet malls the “Tanger Outlet Center.” McNeely also points out that the hotel is within easy walking distance of the Horn family’s “Circle B Supper Club” and the “Branson Variety Theatre” home to some of Branson’s best shows such as the “Twelve Irish Tenors,” “Broadway, the Star Spangled Celebration,” “Spirit of the Dance,” “Spirit of Christmas” and Branson’s newest show “Shake Rattle and Roll.”

The Grand Plaza’s “Plaza View Restaurant” is managed by Jack Hamilton. It is noted for its Prime Rib and the spectacular view from its ninth floor location.

McNeely said that the hotel is completely nonsmoking and has a choice of accommodations to meet the needs of just about any Branson visitor. With “Family Units” having two bedrooms and bathrooms, “Honey Moon/ Executive Suites” with a separate closed off sitting area, and their “Standard Queen Room,” with two queen sized beds the Grand Plaza has accommodations to meet just about every lodging need.

When talking about value and amenities she said that they include a game room, indoor pool, sauna, fitness room and hot tub. In addition, the hotel offers a full hot buffet breakfast every morning including cereal, fruit, waffles, breads, rolls, eggs, ham or sausage, and biscuits and gravy.

McNeely said that the Grand Plaza has a number of different sized meeting rooms from those big enough to accommodate a group of 175 to those for smaller groups or breakout rooms. In talking about the experience her groups have had at the Grand Plaza Annette Wood, Director of Group Sales, Branson Tourism Center said, “We love the location and the overall experience our groups receive.”