The Spread:

Find the best rate at the: Lodge of the Four Seasons, Lake Ozark here.

Built in 1964 by celebrated local architect and hotelier Harold Koplar, the 2,500-acre Lodge of the Four Seasons is still owned and managed by the Koplar-Brown family whose members don't just work in the area, they live here too. The Lodge has 63 holes of challenging golf, just one reason Golf Digest named it "one of the best golf resorts in the world." It's a good place to teach your older kids the sport. The charming gardens were created by a Japanese landscape artist and continue to provide a peaceful retreat, and on-site Spa Shiki, lauded both for its excellence and value, was profiled on the Today Show.

Why Families Love It:
The resort is centered around Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks, including a full-service marina with water toys galore for those who believe that fun, sun, and splashing are at the heart of any great vacation. There are 350 rooms, including connecting ones, to choose from in several distinct areas and buildings.

Adventure Club for Kids, geared toward four- to 12-year-olds ($7 an hour for first child, $5 an hour for each additional child), runs all summer and has its own dedicated space with an indoor playground, pool table, and computer games. Kids Night Out ($21 per child) operates Fridays and Saturdays in summer, and babysitting is available year-round.

Families can watch free nightly movies in the main lodge—if they’re not too tired after a day of playing on waverunners, fishing, or parasailing. You can also rent pontoon boats at the marina, good for up to ten passengers, or families can take a 90-minute scenic cruise, available spring to fall. Some lodge guests bring their own boats, which they dock at the marina.

Special Events & Activities:
Get your face painted and play pool games at the special family events held on major summer holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.