Willow Brook Lodge Wonderful Place to Stay for Families

Located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Willow Brook Lodge is an expansive property providing guests with comfortable rooms, excellent amenities and a high commitment to customer satisfaction.  A stay at Accommodations by Willow Brook Lodge means you’ll be right at home in the Smoky Mountains.  Plus, there is a to accommodate every need, with balcony rooms, double queen rooms and Jacuzzi suites available. 

I stayed in the Double Queen Balcony room during my visit, which is essentially the same as the standard Double Queen unit, except, of course, for the balcony.  The room was spotlessly clean, and featured nice upgrades like a flat screen TV, tile shower, refrigerator and microwave, and free Wi-Fi.  I especially enjoyed the balcony on this room, so if you can upgrade to this room type I would recommend doing so.  Speaking of upgrades, the Jacuzzi suite available at Willow Brook Lodge Pigeon Forge are equipped with all of the aforementioned amenities but also includes a king bed, sofa sleeper, gas fireplace and in-room Jacuzzi.  The layout of this room was really inviting and spacious, and the highlight of the room – the Jacuzzi – was large and in an open yet private area for your enjoyment. 

Amenities at Willow Brook Lodge TN are a real highlight of a stay here, especially the aquatic amenities.  The hotel is one of the only in Pigeon Forge to feature a twisting 75 ft. pool slide, which is a real hit with the kids.  Slide into outdoor fun, where you’ll discover a hot tub and kiddie pool with raintree for the little tykes.  Sundeck chairs line the pool, too, perfect for sunning and relaxing.  A large indoor pool with hot tub is also located on site for your enjoyment. 

Be sure to stop in for some breakfast before you start your day of Pigeon Forge fun.  With biscuits and gravy, eggs, oatmeal, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and more served, you’ll be able to fill up before you head out. 

Smoky Mountain Style a Highlight of Old Creek Lodge in Gatlinburg TN

Located along a meandering creek in downtown Gatlinburg, Old Creek Lodge is a rustic retreat featuring cozy yet spacious accommodations.  The lodge really brings home the feel of mountain living, as every room is outfitted with a balcony over the water as well as a flagstone rock gas fireplace.  Plus, the property’s location makes it easy to walk to all of Gatlinburg’s shops, eateries and attractions, including Ripley’s Aquarium, and provides easy access to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. 

A stay at the Old Creek Lodge Gatlinburg is a very pleasant one.  The main room type available is a Spa Queen Room.  It is equipped with every amenity one needs while on vacation, including a microwave and fridge, and upgrades like a walk-in tile shower, granite counters, flat screen TVs and fine linens.  The beds are very comfortable and the two-person whirlpool is the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring the Smoky Mountains.  Rooms are decorated with earth tones and log furniture, and have a plush leather chair with ottoman as well as desk.  Everything feels very new and in excellent condition.  Size-wise, the Spa Two Queen Room is spacious and seemed larger than your everyday hotel room.

A heated pool is also available for guest enjoyment.  Although somewhat small, it is certainly sufficient for a swim.  You can also fill up in the morning on the property's deluxe continental breakfast, and check back in on emails as there is free Wi-Fi available throughout the property.  Riding the trolley around town is also an easy way to get around, and Old Creek Lodge is located on a trolley route for your convenience. 

I would recommend at stay at Old Creek Lodge to anyone looking for a true Smoky Mountain experience.  When you vacation in Gatlinburg, stay in mountain style without losing the comforts of an upscale property.  It’s all available at Old Creek Lodge Gatlinburg TN. 

Stay on the Beach at Best Western Plus Carolinian Oceanfront

Looking for an award-winning hotel to stay in during your Myrtle Beach vacation?  Then, look no further than Best Western Plus Carolinian Oceanfront.  The family-friendly hotel offers a great location, affordable oceanfront rates and quality amenities. 

The Best Western Carolinian is equipped with oceanview and oceanfront rooms, with suites and standard accommodations available.  During my vacation, I stayed in an Oceanfront Efficiency room, which is one tier higher than the standard room.  The reason is the efficiency room has a kitchenette with medium size fridge, flat top stove (no oven), sink, microwave, coffee maker, 2-slice toaster, basic pots and pans and a service for 4.  The décor of the room, which was outfitted with two queen beds with nice linens, flat screen TV,  fits in nicely with the beach, with sandalwood browns and blues creating an inviting yet relaxing atmosphere.  Spaciously open, I felt like I had much more room than a normal hotel room supplies.  The oceanfront balcony was most definitely a highlight of my stay at Best Western Carolinian.  Watching the waves roll in at night and viewing the sunrises of the mornings made me truly feel like I was on a beach vacation.  If you can, splurge for oceanfront as it truly is worth the extra money you will spend. 

Aquatic Amenities at Best Western Carolinian Oceanfront aren’t as grand as they are at some of the other Oceana Resorts, but the hot tub, oceanfront heated pool and sun deck, as well as lazy river and kiddie pool certainly met my fun in the sun needs.   A basic fitness center, game room and business center add to the amenities available.  Of course, one of the best parts of a stay at this Best Western is its beachfront location.  Well-kept and in a great access location, I enjoyed walking the beach, picking up sea shells and diving into the salty ocean waters. 

Even better, as a Best Western Carolinian guest you have free access to Wild Water and Wheels, a sixteen-acre park filled with 24 slides, lazy river, lagoons, and more that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Experience Upscale Oceanfront Luxury at Anderson Ocean Club & Spa

Myrtle Beach oceanfront luxury is the epitome of a stay at Anderson Ocean Club and Spa.  From the leisurely elegance to the upscale décor and design to the refreshing in-house spa the resort leaves little to be desired.  Even more, a stay at Anderson will redefine your Myrtle Beach experience. 

The oceanfront hotel has a Moroccan and Spanish-Colonial architecture, surrounded by beautiful landscaping that really makes it stand out from its competitors.  Amenities at Anderson Ocean Club are endless.   Grab a cup of Starbucks at the Sea Bar Coffee Shop or sip on a cocktail at B Bar, an oceanfront pool bar serving cocktails, beer, and wine.  Speaking of pools, the oceanfront pool deck has 200 feet of sundeck, two pristine outdoor pools, outdoor lazy river, hot tub and indoor/outdoor pool area with kiddie pool (up to 3 feet deep), large hot tub and pool.  A well-equipped fitness center, hair and nail salon, and business center with print capabilities are also available. 

Enough can’t be said about the accommodations at Anderson Ocean Club Myrtle Beach.  Options range from oceanview studios to oceanfront two bedroom suites, with all room types ensuring a level of comfort and attention to detail that makes one feel entirely relaxed.  Hugh quality furnishings, flat screen TVs, full kitchen with granite counters, excellent linens, balconies and a spacious layout make each unit a worthy choice for your next vacation.  Balconies on each unit also add to the ambiance of the rooms.

Be sure to make time for a rejuvenating experience at the Awakening Spa.  A variety of treatments are available including massage, body polishes, facials, mineral bath, manicure and pedicure, among others.  Pamper yourself at this full service day spa for a special treat.

When you stay at Anderson Ocean Club you also have free access to Wild Water and Wheels, a sixteen-acre park filled with 24 slides, lazy river, lagoons, and more that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

All these reasons and more made my stay at Anderson Club and great one. 

Ripley's Believe It or Not in Branson an Unbelievable Experience

A tour of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Branson begins outside rather than inside. Parents and children alike marvel at the structure of the museum, built to show the effects of an unbelievable 8.0 earthquake that hit Missouri in 1812. It’s a great place to take memorable photographs!

The self-guided tours of the Branson museum can take as little or as long as you like. I toured for an hour, and still didn’t see it all! There are a lot of visual items that are great for children, such as the speaking hologram of Robert Ripley and the Mystery of the Vanishing Woman. I enjoyed the Quiz room, where unbelievable facts and interesting brain teasers create an interactive experience. The Tribal Room and Marine Room house artifacts like a genuine shrunken head from an Jivaro Tribe and unique aquatic oddities like the contents of a Shark’s stomach, which believe it or not, held everything but the kitchen sink, including a 50 pound anchor!

These amazing exhibits were fun, but several have moderate reading involved, which may be a bit distracting for young children. My personal favorite exhibit was the room of extraordinary people, where I could compare myself to both the world’s tallest man and world’s largest man and glimpse rare creatures like the Unicorn Man and Lighthouse man. The fun, however, doesn’t end until you travel through the barrel room where the movement isn’t real, but you’ll believe it is!

Notables: Allot yourself at least an hour to view the museum, as crowds can vary and there truly is a lot to take in. Be sure to bring your camera too, as Branson's Ripley’s Museum encourages guests to take photographs throughout the museum.

Bay Watch Resort Pefect Pick for a Myrtle Beach Family Vacation

Looking for a resort in Myrtle Beach for your next family vacation?  Check in to Bay Watch Resort. Boasting oceanfront or oceanview accommodations, an excellent beachfront location and numerous amenities, this North Myrtle Beach resort is sure to not only meet but exceed your expectations.  Plus, the reasonable rates and relaxing yet fun atmosphere create a true oasis for visitors. 

From the very start of my vacation in Myrtle Beach, I was impressed by all the things to do at Bay Watch Resort.  With a total of 18 indoor and outdoor aquatic amenities, 600-feet of sandy beach, an on-site restaurant and lounge, gift and sundry shop, fitness center, beach bar and business center, you’re well taken care of at Bay Watch Myrtle Beach.   The 540-foot wide, palm-tree lined pool deck is oceanfront and features two indoor pools, three outdoor pools, four kiddie pools, seven whirlpools, one indoor lazy river and one outdoor lazy river.  Plus, there is plenty of deck space for soaking up the sun or simply lounging while you watch the kids play. A wooden boardwalk, located in front of each tower of the resort, leads the way to the beach where umbrellas and chairs can be rented.  In season you can also grab a drink and light fare from the Fishtails Beach Bar. 

Located in the center tower, the Blue Room Café gets guests going each morning with a buffet breakfast.  They also serve a scrumptious dinner every Friday and Saturday night.  Catch the game or grab a refreshing beverage at the Sandtrap Sports Bar & Grill.  With ocean views, it’s also a great place to grab lunch in the summer. 

Studios and suites are the unit types available at the Bay Watch Resort Myrtle Beach.  The studio is equipped with two full size beds, a small refrigerator, microwave, flat screen TV, full bathroom and a private balcony.  For a more spacious stay, choose either the one or two bedroom suite.  Both units are outfitted with a sleeper sofa and the bedrooms have double beds, which means they can sleep more people for less money.  For instance, the two bedroom suites can sleep up to 10.  Both units feature a full kitchen with white cabinetry, washer/dryer and dishwasher, two full bathrooms with the master bathroom, in the two bedroom unit, having a whirlpool tub, living room area with a full size sleeper sofa, three flat screen TVs, and an oceanfront private balcony.

Even better, as a Bay Watch guest you have free access to Wild Water and Wheels, a sixteen-acre park filled with 24 slides, lazy river, lagoons, and more that is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Legendary Entertainment Featured at The Carolina Opry

Looking for a legendary show featuring an entertaining mix of old country, new country, pop songs, comedy, dancing and gospel?  Then head to The Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach.  The show is performed at the Calvin  Gilmore Theater, an antebellum style theater with state-of-the art production.  The award-winning show has been recognized by the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, and NBC Nightly News, making it a hot ticket on the Grand Strand.  Ticket in hand, I decided to see for myself why this show has been voted Best Show in Myrtle Beach for 26 years running.

The show dives right into the action with a lively and energetic “Save the Last Dance for Me” number, fun and fresh “Keep Me in Mind” country number by Brad Long, and a moving version of “With a Broken Wing” by Christy Templeton.  Nathan Heron, our host for the evening, keeps the show moving along and also showcases his vocal talents throughout the show. One of my favorite selections from him included the note-perfect “I Wanna Go Home.”  The Johnny Cash song “I’ve Been Everywhere” was a toe-tapper and featured some great guitar playing, and Reba Montgomery, the first lady of The Opry, shined during the classic “Leaving and Saying Goodbye.”  Kim Kerrigan brought the show back to today with current hit “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, a selection I really enjoyed. 

One of the biggest surprises of the Carolina Opry Myrtle Beach was the absolutely fantastic clogging group, All That, who  pounded the stage with incredible routines that really got the crowd roaring.  I was impressed each and every time they took the stage.  Plus, it was a unique way to break up the show, as were the comedy segments that had the audience in hysterics.

Exciting, energetic and dazzling on stage, the “Devil Went Down to Georgia” ranked high on my list of favorites and I was entertained by the music video-esque Brad Long version of “Country Girl Shake It for Me.”  The funky Run GMC Experience put a bluegrass spin on groovy hits like “Papa was a Rolling Stone,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” and “Chain of Fools.”  The trip through the decades was a lot of fun, with hits like “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On” and Shout” getting the audience dancing in their seats.  Towards the shows end, Reba Montgomery took the stage again to wow us with “Amazing Grace,” before a stirring patriot veteran tribute and one last rousing performance – “Fever!”  Featuring the whole cast of The Carolina Opry, it was the perfect way to close out one of the most entertaining shows in the South.