Tan Tar-A Resort Golf Club & Spa

I pretty much grew up at Tan-Tar-A. Both my partents worked there as well as every family member I have has worked there at some point in their lives. Its a very nice and very clean resort. There are tons of things to do while at Tan-Tar-A. Since it is located right on the lake there are boating rentals (or bring your own), water skiing, wave runner rentals, para sailing, and fishing. Tan-Tar-A has two big outdoor pools and one of them has a water park type slide. They also have kid pools. They also have an indoor pool. They have a 27 hole golf course called the Oaks, tennis courts, miniature golf, and horse back riding. They even have an indoor waterpark called Timber Falls. There is a also health club with an exercise room, a whirlpool, a sauna (or there was last time I was there before it caught on fire a year or 2 ago) a billiards room, an arcade room and bowling. Then there is Market lane which is shopping and more shopping. You get to this by the main lobby just take the elevator or escalator up. They have clothes, jewlry, a candy store, and so many others. Tan-Tar-A has a spa and salon as well. Windjammer Spa and Salon, which has everything you need to add the final touch to the term vacation... after all you are supposed to relax. They havemassages, wraps, manicures, pedicures, and you can even have your hair done and its all done by professionals. If work up an appetite, you can order room service or choose from one of the many on-site eateries. There is the Black Bear Lodge for buffet or casual dining, the Wind Rose restaurant for surf and turf and its seasonal and pricey, and for the children or if you just prefer it there are Burger King and Sbarro’s Pizza. I have to say that stay at Tan-Tar-a was the best stay away from home we have ever stayed at. We stayed in the estates with balcony view, which overlooked the lake. I would say our room but is was more like a house. The sight at sunset was really beautiful. The room itself was huge, witha king sized beg, a sitting area, an eating area, full kitchen (dishwasher, refrigerator, pots and pans, silverware and all the other things you have at home, and much more. There was still room left for more. On the balcony there was a table and chairs and it was screened in so no bugs could bother you. We had HBO and internet hookup. This room had abosultely everything you would want or need and then some. You can also ask for game systems to be placed in your rooms... or if you wish bring your own. Tan-Tar-A also has a playground for children, of course. They have a beach with real sand. Tan-Tar-A has a chapel people can be married in and a ball room or a hundred other rooms to choose from to have the reception or other type of dinner, meeting, party or what have you. We were married at Tan-Tar-A. Outside on the balcony behind the bar in the main lobby. Fantastic and breath taking view of the lake. Then we were taken inside and up the stairs almost directly from where we were married for the reception. It was done very beautifully. Water fountains and mirrors... just gorgeous. We had a DJ and a dance floor. You can choose to be served at the table or have buffet. You can also choose to have a bar in any of the rooms. Food choices... are unlimited. From caviar to crackers you pick and choose what you want and how you want it. more

If you do not want to stay home this Labor Day weekend and cook, do I have a suggestion for you. Visit Tan-Tar-A Resort Osage Beach, Missouri, where they can do all of the cooking and cleaining for you, and then some. This resort if located on the edge of Lake of the Ozarks. It is really an all inclusive resort -- perfect for a little rest and relaxation. The resort is large, but once inside the security gate at the entrance to the property, there are signs everywhere. The resort is actually named Tan-Tar-A Resort Golf Club and Spa, but anyone who has ever been there just calls it Tan-Tar-A. It has aound 1,000 rooms and suites. The main building is actually five interconnected buildings and several other smaller buildings. The majority of the buildings are within walking distance of each other. There is so much to do while at Tan-Tar-A. Since it is located right on the edge of Lake of the Ozarks, there are obviously water sports, though many are for-fee. There is boating, water skiing, waver running, para sailing, and fishing. I don’t think swimming is allowed in the portion of the lake attached to the resort, but Tan-Tar-A does have two big outdoor pools as well as an indoor pool so that isn't really a problem. As far as out door sports, there is a 27 hole golf course, tennis courts, miniature golf, and horse back riding -- as well as a small water park! As if this isn't enough to do, there is a health club with an exercise room, a whirlpool, a billiards room, and bowling. If shopping is more your style, there is the Market Lane, which is pricey, but fun. For the ultimate pampering experience, Tan-Tar-A sports the Windjammer Spa and Salon, which has everything from massages to manicures and hair styling. If all of the activities at Tan-Tar-A cause you to work up an appetite, you can order room service or choose from one of the many on-site eateries. There is the Black Bean Lodge for buffet or casual dining, the Wind Rose restaurant for surf and turf, and Burger King and Sbarro’s Pizza. For those who enjoy the luxury of room service, my experience is that my meal was delivered timely, and the staff was courteous and friendly. They food was very good, but a bit pricey -- around $25 with tip for breakfast for two. Our meal included a sweet bread plate, and a huge fruit cup, tea, coffee, and juice. I have to say that our room was the best over all motel room I have ever stayed in. It was a balcony view, which overlooked the lake. The sight at sunset was really beautiful. The room itself was huge, with two double beds, a sitting area, an eating area, and much room to spare. We had the standard amenities including iron, ironing board, hair dryer, shampoo and separate cream rinse, etc. Everything about our room was very tastefully decorated and very luxurious; all that was missing were the robes and the mints on the pillow! I really did love this place! Everything about it was top rate. The only things that would have made it better would have been if I could have stayed longer. more