The Welk Resorts Branson property has everything a family of any size could want to enjoy a vacation with as much — or as little — entertainment and activity as you’d like. Dining options, family fun, restful rooms and a splashin’ good time are just some of the things to expect from this Welk Resorts property. We were able to experience everything firsthand while in the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World” and we will definitely be planning another stay at the Welk Resorts Branson because of our fantastic memories of all the unique opportunities for families they offer.
No matter your travel style, a great vacation can be guaranteed when you take the family to Welk Resorts in Branson, Missouri. If Branson is your destination and you’re not one to stay “on the strip” where the noise and crowds never end, then we recommend The Welk Resorts Branson property. It’s a self-contained family fun spot just minutes from the Branson entertainment district. Here’s what our experience was like, staying with the Welk Resorts Branson for several days in August.
The Hotel
The hotel has activities for families or the solo traveler. A perfect site for a multi-generational vacation or a couples getaway, the Welk Resorts Branson truly has something for everyone. Activities include mini golf (which is free and on-site), a very popular “Splash-a-torium” for those that like to bust the humid days with some splashing and slippery fun, fantastic dining options, and even the infamous Welk Theatre, home to the “Million Dollar Quartet”, performing in the backyard venue of the hotel property. This is your all-encompassing family pass to fun for sure!
The hotel is very modern and the concierge desk staff are friendly as can be. The concierge can tell you what the resort activities are for the day — Camp Klew is popular with kids and families alike. Parking is free, on-site and easy to navigate–we did not have to walk real far from our vehicle to our entrance door.
The whole property feels like a secure community (no gate though) because the only thing around for a few blocks is the Welk property. There are the Lodges at Timber Ridge, which are vacation rentals and would be fantastic for a family reunion or larger group and there is the main hotel, where we resided for the duration of our stay.
TravelingMom Tip: The Lodges at Timber Ridge are adjacent to the Splash-a-torium — this could be divine or it could be disasterous, depending on your travel style and expectations. The Splash-a-torium has hours running well after dark and is the place to be when it’s super hot and humid outside, so if you want peace and quiet, make sure at the very least you aren’t poolside!
The area of the grounds which I referred to as “the backyard” is where the miniature golf takes place and is a beautiful area to simply stroll under awnings on the way to breakfast.
The not-so-great: The smoking area for the hotel is right in front of the main lobby, so you’ll have to walk through puffs whenever you’re coming or going. This was really disappointing as I was always toting our infant with us and I’m hyper sensitive about exposing my kids to smoking needlessly. This is how guests first see the hotel–take heed, Welk Resorts, it would be nice to see it moved a bit away from the main thoroughfare.
The Rooms
Rooms were nice, fairly standard and what you expect when you check into many mid-level, family chain hotels. A tad on the small side if you have a bigger family or if you were staying for many days — for us, a three night stay and a four person family was about right for our Deluxe Two Queen room. If we had been there longer or had more people in our family, we’d have opted for a bigger room or planned a vacation rental at the poolside Lodges at Timber Ridge (across the driveway, adjacent to the Splash-a-torium).
Seattle’s Best Coffee was a nice surprise next to our in-room amenities, including a small coffee maker. The bath products were Welk Resorts signature branded supplies, but were of high quality when used. (I have over 32″ of hair to condition, so this is a BIG thing for me — I usually travel with my own just to be sure!) The black-colored washcloth embroidered with “makeup” is a nice touch as well! I always feel guilty if a bit of mascara gets smeared on pristine white washcloths when I use them! The entertainment stand houses a mini refrigerator, which for us is a deal-maker. We really find that if a room doesn’t have at least a refrigerator – bonus points for a microwave too – we have a hard time keeping the kids well-fed and hydrated. It’s nice to have a few essentials like milk and our water bottles cool and ready.
The Fun
I mentioned how this would be a great setting for a multigenerational family, a reunion, or really any other occasion and I meant it. We adore our rural living lifestyle and tend to stress a bit when we are in metro areas for long durations — Branson, though small in size is like a mini-Las Vegas for activity (though much more wholesome) and can be fast-paced. By staying off “the strip” you can get away from that buzz and relax. That said, there is no shortage of fun right inside the confines of the resort property lines.
You really wouldn’t have to leave at all if you did not feel like it!
Kids can be entertained an enjoy activities at Camp Klew (many activities are seasonal, check with the resort) — everything from family archery to S’mores and Cupcake Wars can be on the agenda while you’re at Welk Resorts Branson property. We received a pocket guide upon check-in and were seriously bummed that we had so much local programming in our schedule that we’d have to pass on all of the on-site fun. As they say on their site, you’ll only have “nothing to do” if you want that to be the case!
The Splash-a-torium is one of the big draws to the lodging since it’s got a zero depth splash and spray outdoor area for little kids, a gigantic indoor/outdoor swimming pool with a large waterslide for everyone, and hot tubs both in and out of doors for the balmy Branson nights. There are also concessions and changing rooms in the Splash-a-torium building, which is located adjacent to the vacation rentals and across the drive from the hotel.
You’re also in a great spot to serve as base camp for the fun at Silver Dollar City, White Water Park, Grand Country Music Hall, Dixie Stampede, and all of the other attractions and shows in town.
Dining Options
The supper hour(s) seem to be the quietest down at the Splash-a-torium. Eat like an early bird then go down and splash about before the sunset crowd comes down to play. (This is a good time for younger kids to play without being intimidated or cannon-balled!)
As for breakfast, right when the on-site buffet dining room opens there is no one around. You can get in, get out, and start the day without the wait! Essential when dining with an impatient infant! We brought our stroller into the restaurant and it was a breeze pushing it around the open floor plan. Be aware — there is an entrance that takes you right through a gift shop.
TravelingMom Tip: If you want snacks, plan ahead while you’re in the heart of town. It looks like a grocery store is coming across the road, but it’s not yet functional. There are few places offering more than gas station fare nearby. There are two Walmart stores in town but neither are within easy walking distance for necessities close at hand. The rooms do have a small refrigerator, so if you plan ahead you can have some snacks and picnic options in-room.
All-in-all, the food was good here, but we really enjoyed eating “fair food” at Silver Dollar City and fish at the Bass Pro Shops property, White River Fish House. Since we wanted to explore Branson while we were in town we did not spend any of our meal times aside from breakfast at the hotel.
Since there are many family-friendly properties in Branson, you’ll have to do some research to find what is right for you. The Welk Resort is pretty universally pleasing and we’d stay there again. I’d recommend staying here if you want all the fun of Branson but without all the commotion of being on “the strip.” This is a short drive for fun in “town” but is quiet and more private than some of the properties that are similar on the main drag.
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