Mabee Lodge At The Keeter Center - Is It Worth It?
Are you looking for a quiet romantic getaway in a rustic, yet accessible location with luxury amenities? Then Southwest Missouri has a hidden gem for you. My husband and I were looking for a special hotel to spend one night in for our 16th anniversary. We had heard about the Mabee Lodge at The Keeter Center and thought it might be an interesting experience. We had previously visited The Keeter Center restaurant and were pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and wonderful service. At the time that we visited for an Easter brunch, we were told about the hotel and were somewhat intrigued. The food was excellent and we couldn’t help but wonder what staying in the lodge would be like.
What is the Mabee Lodge at The Keeter Center?
The College of the Ozarks is a Christian college that prides itself in providing quality education but allowing students to attend college at no cost. The students do not pay tuition, they work on campus to fund their college education. The Mabee Lodge is a hotel inside The Keeter Center at the front of the college campus. The college students staff the center and the lodge, work the farm, prepare food, run the gift shop, and care for the landscape. The students also serve in various shops around the campus like the stained glass and candle shop. We loved the idea of what the college does and wanted to both support them and get a chance to experience it ourselves.
We viewed multiple area hotels and resorts and found the Mabee Lodge for less than most of the other luxury hotels in the Branson/Table Rock area. In the end, we booked one night in a loft suite, this was our experience.
Our Review of Mabee Lodge at The Keeter Center
Our stay at the lodge began around 4 pm when we checked in we were greeted warmly by a student who checked us in and provided our brass room keys and instructions to access the floor we were staying on. We passed the gift shop, restaurant, ice cream counter, and coffee shop on our way to the room. Every area within The Keeter Center and the Mabee Lodge is extremely well maintained and invites you to stay and enjoy yourself.
Loft Suite Features at Mabee Lodge
As we entered our room we were shocked at how beautiful the room was and how clean everything was. The design was well thought out with the guest’s comfort in mind. The wooden beams and the vaulted ceiling gave you a cozy yet classy feel. Our room was on the 3rd floor, which overlooked the back of The Keeter Center and the college campus. From our balcony, you can just make out Branson in the distant hills.
The kitchenette was one of the first areas you encounter which has a nice set of dishes and silverware, a sink, a coffee pot, complimentary fresh ground coffee and creamers, complimentary beverages in a small fridge, and some wonderful student-made snacks courtesy of the hotel. I am gluten-free which my husband had mentioned to them on the phone and they seemed to take that into account with the snacks they provided. On the stone breakfast counter was a card congratulating us on our anniversary signed by the staff and students. It was beautifully hand-written and sealed with a wax seal, which was a gorgeous touch.
The bathroom was beautiful, well designed, and even had a towel warmer. There was a large tile shower and the jetted whirlpool tub was big enough for two. Everything was impeccably clean and left a great first impression. Just to the right of the very large mirror, next to the sink was a small delicate vase of fresh cut flowers from the on-campus greenhouse. It was well stocked with: a pump hand soap; 2 medium-sized bar soaps; a shampoo; a conditioner; a lotion; 1 bath salt (you may choose from a couple of scents) for the whirlpool; a small pack of disposable manicure items; a blow dryer; an iron; tissues; plenty of towels and washcloths; and two larger-sized bath robes.
Rest and Relax in a Peaceful Hideaway
The bed was very comfortable and clean, and so were the sheets and comforters. We both slept very well that night on a king-sized bed with all the pillows you could need. The bedside tables contained plenty of outlets for your electronic devices and lamps for reading.
To the right of the bed was a rustic wooden desk facing the window with a writing pad and lamp. The fireplace in the stone hearth was another classic touch and provided that lodge feel. The whole atmosphere was just a step above other places we have stayed.
The hotel room offered a nice sitting area with a couch, an armchair, coffee tables, and a cabinet with cable tv. Also, movies were available at the front desk that could be borrowed while you stayed there if you like. All of the furniture was in great shape and very welcoming, it would be easy to have a guest or two over for coffee. There is free WIFI for guests if you still need to stay connected to the world you’re trying to escape from.
Our private balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the college and hotel was another great feature. It was a perfect place to sit and enjoy coffee and breakfast in the morning or watch the sunset at night. This just added an enjoyable sense of calm to the whole experience.
My Favorite Parts of Our Stay
Dinner at The Keeter Center was amazing. Although not included in the price of our stay, definitely worth it. My gluten intolerance was handled with care and I was provided delicious alternate options at no extra cost. The meal was probably the best food we have ever had in Missouri. Branson has several great local restaurants and well-known chains like Guy Fieri’s Branson Kitchen. However, the fresh from the farm ingredients, amazing staff, and beautiful décor give a 5-star fine dining experience for a shockingly reasonable price.
The area on the balcony was roomy, clean, and overlooked the beautiful campus. We enjoyed some beverages and conversation on the balcony that evening while watching the sunset over the Ozark mountains. Watching Branson’s lights come alive at night was a nice touch. The city was close enough to make out the massive Ferris wheel and other landmarks on the strip, but far enough away that it still felt like a rustic mountain getaway.
The College of the Ozarks bottled water was surprisingly tasty and free for the asking, another little added bonus.
In addition to the complimentary treats, soft drinks/bottled water/coffee was the turn-down service. Each evening between 6 and 8 pm a team of student employees and the hotel manager stop by each guest's room. They stocked our mini fridge with a glass jar of fresh milk from their dairy and left a plate of fresh baked cookies on our breakfast bar. They dimmed the lights and turned on the fireplace. Our bedding was turned down and near the end of the bed was a card with tomorrow’s date and weather accompanied by some tasty chocolates. They even turned on the towel warming rack in the bathroom. When my husband booked the room weeks ago he mentioned we were celebrating our 16th anniversary and that I eat gluten-free. When we looked at the plate of cookies that they left during turndown we noticed a special note written around the plate of delicious gluten-free cookies congratulating us on our anniversary. We didn’t pay extra for a special anniversary package but they went above and beyond just to make us feel special. Next to the plate of cookies and glass of milk was the room service card to select items for your complimentary continental breakfast. The continental breakfast includes a beverage of your choice, fresh fruit, yogurt parfait, and a freshly made bakery item (they even offered a delicious gluten-free option). For a small charge, you can add additional items to a-la-cart such as eggs and bacon. They also had all sorts of larger restaurant-style full breakfast options for a just bit more. If you want to stay somewhere high quality that cares about its guests we recommend this hotel.
The next morning we enjoyed coffee (after our surprisingly filling breakfast) once again on the balcony while planning our day in Branson. We also took advantage of the discount available to guests at the gift shop on all student-made items. We toured a very well-put-together military exhibit in the hall just past the front desk and ice cream counter.
Is a Stay Worth the Money?
So…is staying at the Mabee Lodge at The Keeter Center worth the price they charge per night? Yes, it is more than worth the money, and here are the reasons why.
Décor and Landscaping: The grounds are garden-like; The lobby was impressive yet welcoming capturing a friendly rustic feel; The room was beautiful, continuing the rustic yet cozy experience.
Cleanliness: Everything was clean, my husband couldn’t find dust or mildew anywhere, even when he looked; You can tell that the student staff takes pride in what they do and pays close attention to things many hotels don’t.
Comfort: The bed was comfortable; The couch, chairs, and stools were also something you will find inviting; the jetted tub was perfect for relaxing; You can tell that the whole space was designed with the guest's experience in mind.
Service: Every interaction we had with hotel staff was kind, courteous, and enjoyable; It was hard for us to accept that we were getting service from college students that were as good or better than any hotel or resort we’ve ever stayed in; They answered all our questions and seemed to remember every detail even down to our anniversary.
Security: Even though the hotel feels like a family-friendly safe location it’s obvious that security is still a priority; Hotel guests park in complimentary parking separately from visitors with their parking tags; Campus security makes regular rounds in The Keeter Center and out and about.
Cuisine: The free continental breakfast was delicious and almost more than I could eat. Being so close to Branson your options for dining are numerous and delicious; With so many items and ingredients grown and produced on campus The Keeter Center restaurant is hard to compete with; the food served at The Keeter Center was not only delicious, but the entire fine dining experience was in a class of its own; The Keeter Center dinner menu pricing in the dining room was lower than other popular restaurants in the area and yet the food quality was a level above.
Entertainment: Branson is a popular area less than 15 minutes to the north with many options for entertainment; Johnny Morris’s Top of the Rock is just minutes to the south; Table Rock Lake is also a short drive away; Or save money and relax at the hotel, the campus offers interesting options like feeding swans at the old mill or visiting the military memorials.
Final Thoughts
Of all of the hotels we have stayed at in the Branson, Missouri area, Mabee Lodge is the best. We did not have one bad experience while we were there and appreciated all the ways that they went above and beyond what we would have expected. We know that if you choose Mabee Lodge you will not be disappointed either. We are not paid to promote The Keeter Center and do not receive any compensation for this review. This was our genuine experience and recommendation after our recent stay.
