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Lake Accommodations Include Luxury |
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This represents a significant depart-ure from the Lake's early days when rustic resorts and roadside hotels provided most of the accommodations. Today, the lake hosts thousands of visitors of almost every interest and economic bracket. But the area's convention facilities have achieved a level all its own. Three large hotel complexes account for a significant proportion of this economy: The Country Club Hotel and Spa, Tan-Tar-A Resort and the Lodge of the Four Seasons. These facilities offer first class business and luxury facilities that have earned a reputation through- out the region. The Country Club Hotel and Spa was recently honored for the third time as one of AAA's four-diamond hotels. Of the 25,000 hotels AAA rates worldwide, fewer than three percent earn four-diamond status, and Country Club Hotel is the only four-diamond hotel in the region. Both the Four Seasons and Tan-Tar-A are nice facilities of their own. The Lodge of the Four Seasons has added a new exhibit center that is attracting numerous statewide conventions. Tan-Tar-A made im- provements to its swimming pool area, while adding another building with 130 additional guest rooms and three suites. Tan-Tar-A has undergone the most recent change. The facility recently celebrated the first anniversary of a 10,000-square-foot meeting hall and an improved swimming pool area. The Northwinds Hall gives Tan-Tar-A 93,000 square feet of space for meetings and conventions. The new swimming pool is almost three times the size of the previous pool. The "AAA" Country Club offers 12 outdoor and four indoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center.
The Lake of the Ozarks offers literally hundreds of facilities beyond these "big three," including many with features rivaling these larger convention facilities. In fact, some of the area's best buys in convention and accommodation businesses are tucked away in the hills an hollows surround-ing Lake of the Ozarks, offering access not only to the lake but facilities such as shopping, golf and the area's unique parks. The economy following Sept. 11 has impacted the Lake of the Ozarks tourism and convention market, just as it has elsewhere. The slow economy has caused some businesses to cancel conventions. However, the Lake does have some built in balance that has significantly countered this national trend. The lake's easy access and central location between St. Louis and Kansas City have helped keep the lake busy. Visitor records in fact show increased traffic from Midwesterner's who are looking for travel and convention bargains. |
A combination of location and unique amenities has allowed the Lake of the Ozarks to become one of the most significant convention centers outside of a major metropolitan area in the state, and even the Midwest.
The Lodge offers lots of amenities--especially for the avid golfer. This resort features courses designed by Robert Trent Jones and Jack Nicklaus. The more established Witch's Cove was designed by Jones, and it offers a wonderful golf challenge. The newer Porto Cima course designed by Nicklaus, has quickly risen among the top of the list of America's private courses.