More about Tan-Tar-A Resort
Marriott's Tan-Tar-A resort,...
by SeaBreezeUSA
Marriott's Tan-Tar-A resort, Golf Club and Spa Massage, tanning beds, racquet sports consisting of tennis, racquetball and basketball. Water sports include ski boats, pontoon boats, kayak, paddle boats sailboats, waverunner and parasailing. Of course there are the great colf courses as well as miniature golf. Also is a billiards room and video game room. Located throughtout the site are 7 night clubs and lounges for your entertainment. If shopping is your pleasure, numerous shops are to be found with in easy walking distance.
Tan Tar-A is a wonderful place for families to vacation
by A TripAdvisor Member
My family and I have spent our vacations at Tan Tar-A for the past 18 years, we have only had wonderful experiences and memories. Tan Tara-A is a safe place for my children to experience the wonderful outdoors. TanTarA has made alot of changes in the past 18 years along with alot of renovations. The rooms have always been clean, food is awesome, the staff makes you feel right at home.. Keep up the good work!
The Honest Truth, Cut & Dry About Tan-Tar-A
by TripAdvisor Member AdaTraveler
If you are looking for the Hilton, Sandals, or a Country Club, do not go. But, if you are wanting a great, hidden place to get away, listen to the lake outside your door, ride horses, golf, hit the spa, & enjoy the winding hills & open air from your estate to the main resort, you've got to try Tan-Tar-A. I read the bad reviews & it really sounds like the people who wrote bad reviews were looking for the 5-star from New York. Tan-Tar-A was so much fun and so relaxing. The spa was great. My husband enjoyed golfing. The pictures on the website do NOT do it justice. I was kind of expecting a run-down place when we went. It was anything but. Don't expect much from your room. The price you are paying is for the resort - not the lavish luxuries in your room. We have NO complaints. We are going back soon. The food was great. Wonderful Service. My husband and I went (no kids) and found it perfect for a couple. Everything was just wonderful. OH- The outlet mall (about 4 miles away) is unbelievable.
Tan-Tar-A Would not go back unless they renovated
by A TripAdvisor Member
I just spent three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) at Tan-Tar-A with my two girls, ages 5 and 2 and a family member. I would not go back unless I was totally desperate for a place to stay. The parking was absolutely horrible. As one reviewer wrote the hills were bad, had to drop off family and go park. I totally agree with this, especially if you wanted to push a stroller. The whole resort was very outdated, dirty, dungey and too pricey for what you got. The staff at the front office was friendly but the bowling alley and Burger King were different stories. We received a very creepy feeling and did not feel as safe as we thought we should have. Our hvac did not work well at all. When we opened the top to adjust it, it fell off and was all rusty. The paint was peeling of the window panes and there was black hair all over the sheets. We asked the cleaning lady to only vacuum the floor and she did everything but that. Maintenance did show up in a timely manner for our service call. NOTE: We went in off season (February) and did not realize that many, many shops, activities, arcades, snack shops and restaurants would not be opened. Lil Rizzos restaurant was very good and kid friendly. Shopping at the outlet mall was good as well. Tan-Tar-A is in extreme need of a renovation. I understand that it is a pretty old facility and was probably top notch at the time, but it is now time to renovate.
You must stay at the...
by SeaBreezeUSA
You must stay at the Marriott's Tan-Tar-A Resort Goldf Club and Spa. There is so much to do, besides golfing. Whether for forte is golf, boating, horseback riding, bowling or racquet games, this resort is a must. You will have a great time. The keyword here is 'fun' and much of it!! So much to do and yet so close to nature. I love wandering throught this resort and marveling at its beauty.
Service With A Snarl
by TripAdvisor Member LXR
Our family of four was excited to visit this pretty area, but much of our experience was sullied by the horrible attitude of the Tan-Tar-A staff (we took to calling it "service with a snarl"). When we arrived, the first room we were given had soggy carpets from a recent rainstorm, the second was a smoking room (the employee said it could be for either smoking or non-smoking guests -- guess how it smelled), and the third smelled strongly of mildew. We arrived after most colleges had started up, so maybe that accounted for the mostly geriatric staff. In any event, attitudes ran from indifferent to rude, and the staff generally seemed to view most requests as impositions. Our impression is that the hotel is getting by on a reputation built long ago and now being allowed to decline. My wife and I had happier memories of this hotel from a visit many years ago, but after this awful experience we will never return.
An excellent value for the money!
by A TripAdvisor Member
My daughter was graduating from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood which is aqbout 50 miles away. We decided to change our plans and stay in Osage Beach based upon the recomendations of one of my employees. I rec'd the Lake of the Ozarks brochure and we decided to make reservations at Tan-tar-a. After making the reservations, I did several searches on the internet and hit tripadvisor.com. I almost had a heart attack when I started reading the complaints but it was too late to cancel. Needless to say, I was really worried.
Once we arrived at the resort, our fears were unfounded. We are veteran travellers and always stay at 3 star or better hotels. We reserved a cottage for 3 nights at $99/night. The cottages are located a short drive from the main resort. Since the resort provides transportation on the property, I talked with the gentleman driving the van and he explained that the cottages are privately owned and maintained. Tan-tar-a provides reservation and cleaning services but the maintenance is on the owner of the unit(s). The unit we stayed had a good view of the lake, we clean, and well maintained. Yes, they are a little dated.
During our first day, I took my daughter to the indoor water park. She is 7 years old and really enjoyed it. It's certainly not as big as Serena In Helsinki but then again, we have never found one in the USA that matches Serena. My daughter played for 3 hours so I have to give it a thumbs up.
On the second day, my wife had a 30 minute massage at the spa while the daughter and I rented a speed boat. Cost for the massage was $45 and speed boat was $65 for an hour. The wife enjoyed the massage and the daughter enjoyed the boat ride, especially since she drove the boat. So thumbs up for the boats and massage as the prices were very reasonable.
Day number 3 consisted of the wife having a facial while daughter and I went to the Arcade. Once again, not the largest Arcade in the world but certainly OK with 40 machines. That's almost as good as the mall. The wife paid a reasonable price for the facial and was please. Another thumbs up.
We ate breakfast at the buffet. The buffet was $10 and included made to order omelets. Also, they have a coffee shop, Sbarros, and Burger King next to each other and the prices are similar to what you would pay at the mall. Pizza can be delivered to your rooms or cottages.
One thing I forgot to mention is they employ quite a few retired gentlemen to assist you and that's a plus. They are extremely cordial and the guy who gave us a ride one day remembered my daughter's name and said "hello" to her the next day. Nice touch!
Overall, I would certainly say resort is a bargain. There is no need to leave the facilities and they have a zillion activities to keep you and your kids going all day. Like I said, we are well travelled and have been around the world. I would probably rate Tan-tar-a as the best value for your money. They don't rob you for the extras and many are free. I didn't see the bugs mentioned but with all of the trees, what do you expect? If you are worried the slightest bit, then make sure your reservations are for the main lodge.
My only complaint is there are so many things to do and they need to have a more comprehensive color brochure with all the activities listed. Other than that, enjoy. We did and we'll be back.
Was kind of worried
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stumbled upon this page while getting information on Tan-Tar-A. I have to admit I was a little worried after reading some reviews, but I went anyway. My family of four(2 boys ages 12 and 7) had a good time. There was plenty to do on location for the boys. Older kids might have a problem though. One thing we were not ready for was all the walking up the hills. I had to drop my family off, then find a parking space. We went on Thanksgiving, so it wasn't real crowded. The people were really nice.The only real problem we had was with our room. We stayed in a 2-bedroom on the lake on the first floor, and it seemed like the people on the 2nd floor was going to fall through the ceiling. There was no insulation or something in the ceiling. That could be a real problem. Our heat went out on Thanksgiving morning and within 5 minutes there was someone there and they fixed it. We had a good time, but I don't know if we would go back. Florida is just as close. The place needs updating.
unfounded fears
by TripAdvisor Member ksconnexion
I admit I was a bit apprehensive to go to Tan tar a for our family's Labor Day weekend reunion after reading the reviews posted here.
I am happy to report most of the problems listed were not an issue to us.
Our family stayed in building "E", which was a fairly new building (about 1 yr old), and our room was very spacious and clean. The housekeeping staff did an excellent job, even working around the sleep habits of 2 teenagers. I was told this building only has rooms with 2 double beds (no kings).
My only complaint was the doors did not do a lot of good blocking out hall noise, and we did not have a walk out balcony (only a few rooms on the 2nd floor did).
We did not eat in the bear lodge restaurant, as we were under the impression it was buffet-style only.
It was very pricey, I thought.
There is a Sbarro's and a Burger King on site, and we were thoroughly sick of both by the end of the weekend! The service at BK was absolutely horrible, slow and very rude workers. One morning they quit serving breakfast at 10:20, even though there was a line waiting to order. The ladies at the coffee house were very friendly, so we ate breakfast there the rest of the am's. (though there was only so-so pastries available-think costco)
The rest of my family stayed in building "B", and while it was a bit dated, it still was clean, and the patios overlooking the pool were great.
My daughter and I went to the spa, had several treatments, and everyone there was very kind. Try a massage from Casey.
The guys in the family enjoyed all the golf courses.
The price of the rooms was well worth it for the Sunday night fireworks show alone! It was fantastic, and fairly long. By Labor Day, the insect problem seemed to have left. We have no reservations about returning again.
Over price mosquito heaven
by TripAdvisor Member CLD29
The resort staffs were rude and the room had a musty smell. The resort is full of mosquitos. So bad in fact that I brought several cans Off and bug spray from the Wal Mart. The only bright spot about the place was the buffet and that I was leaving. The prices that charge for a room is a rip off. Stay at another resort.
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