Luxury in Branson – Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa

Our family took a road trip from south Louisiana to the Ozarks of Missouri for a family vacation. We drove all day, taking our time to see various roadside attractions, such as the Natural Bridge of Arkansas. As we neared our destination, we could see a massive structure towering over a mountain overlooking Table Rock Lake. My son commented that the building looked a bit like Hogwart’s Castle. It was close to being that legendary. We were staying at the Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa, Branson’s only AAA Four-Diamond resort.

The Rooms: The property has 301 different rooms, including suites. We stayed in two rooms – A Lake View King and Lake View Double. They were connecting rooms and part of the Chateau’s Family Plan which offers 50% off the second room for families. Our king room included a sofa sleeper. The bathrooms in both rooms were spacious with standard tub/shower combo and a second sink in the bedroom area, convenient for “getting ready” time. All rooms have a 32” flat screen television and wi-fi (with additional charge).

The Property: Situated at the top of a mountain, the Chateau on the Lake is impressive. Both kids had wide eyes from the moment we pulled into the parking lot, as they gazed at the indoor multi-story waterfall, and after we checked into our rooms. We walked around as a family to check out all the offerings, including Crawdaddies Kid Club (ages 4-12), the Sassafras Movie Theater with daily shows, and the various restaurants and cafes. Of course, there is an outdoor pool which was closed until the weather gets warmer, but the heated indoor pool more than made up for the lack of warm weather. There are tennis courts and access to the nearby marina. My daughter and I checked out the Spa Chateau one afternoon while the boys played a round of golf at the Payne Stewart Golf Course.

My Mama Moment: The spa visit almost made my top Mama Moment, but I truly enjoyed a few stolen moments with my husband as we toasted each other for the life we’ve shared so far. It was a nice moment, as the kids have just turned old enough to leave in a hotel room alone for a bit and we were able to have a little parent time complete with his and her drinks.

Pros: The property itself is so relaxing that I hated getting into our vehicle to visit the nearby attractions. The views from all the upper level rooms are spectacular, even those overlooking the parking lot! The staff (team members) always remembers names and each one has a smile. The property shuttle offers airport and marina service. There is even a children’s playground and the onsite Sweet Shoppe serves the best milkshakes making this a very family-friendly resort.

Cons: The property is a little pricey, but that’s to be expected (it is a luxury resort, after all). I expected the marina to be closer, but once I saw that the resort is at the top of a mountain, I realized that the marina had to be a little walk away. No worries, the shuttle can drop you off and pick you up. The kids found the arcade a bit lacking (3 games total) but it didn’t stop my daughter from requesting more money for The Claw.

Who Should Go: This property works well for families and couples alike. The conference facilities make it a great choice for group travel and even groups of girlfriends will enjoy the spa and dining onsite. Our family has enjoyed our time together at this luxury resort in Branson, Missouri. We will definitely plan a return visit to the area.

Website: Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa

Special thanks to the Missouri Department of Tourism for assisting us with our family travel itinerary and Chateau on the Lake Resort for providing lodging. To plan your own family vacation to Missouri check out VisitMo.com