Cabin Fever: Luxury log cabins in Branson

As of the end of September, Branson had welcomed an estimated 5.4 million visitors, representing a 6 percent increase, according to data from the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Couple that with the fact that the average Branson visitor stayed four days and spent $786 during the first seven months of the year, and there’s no doubt that tourism continues to be a key element in the Branson economy.

There are at least three log-cabin developments on the horizon for the Branson area, all aimed at combining the area’s natural elements with proximity to tourist destinations.

‘Lodge mentality’

One of the new projects in the area is the Cabins at Grand Mountain, an 80-unit cabin development on South Wildwood Drive affiliated with Thousand Hills Resort in Branson.

Dan Ruda, owner and developer of Thousand Hills, said the log cabin idea is a growing niche in the marketplace.

“It’s hard to get into, because when you do it right, you’re putting it on expensive land with expensive infrastructure and you don’t get nearly the density” Ruda said. “But because of that, people like it and you separate yourself out from a traditional accommodation experience.”

The Cabins at Grand Mountain rent for between $125 a night for a one-bedroom, one-bath cabin to $499 a night for a cabin with four bedrooms plus two lofts that can sleep up to 16 people.

Ruda said that about 60 of the units are complete, with the remaining 20 under construction and expected to be complete in early 2007.

Mike Rankin, economic development director for the city of Branson, said the cabin idea fits well with Branson’s image.

“You think of the early days of Lake Taneycomo – there were several facilities down there that in their heyday had that lodge mentality,” Rankin said. “Now you’re taking a product like a lodge and placing it closer to the amenities that people are interested in – the shows, attractions and amusement parks.”

That proximity is one of the selling points for the Cabins at Grand Mountain, which are literally blocks from the Branson Strip while still being tucked away in the woods.

“Our topography and our green space helps,” Rankin said. “We obviously have a tremendous amount of development, but if you look around – especially from the air – you’re amazed at the number of trees. I would think it would be very attractive to be minutes from a show or go-karts or miniature golf, but still be somewhat isolated.”

Flexibility for owners

The log-cabin concept also appealed to Branson Meadows Development Group. The company, an affiliate of Tulsa developer P&H Properties, is incorporating about 50 cabins into the plans for the 150-acre Branson Meadows development on Gretna Road.

Henry Dilschneider, director of operations and partner with Branson Meadows Development Group, said the cabins can serve multiple uses for their owners.

“We can market them and sell them to someone who wants a second home or vacation home, and then they can rent those out if they choose to,” Dilschneider said. “The … buyers will have the option to put those into a nightly rental program or keep them as their own.”

Pricing information for the cabin development was not available.

Infrastructure work is expected to begin on the Branson Meadow cabins in the first quarter of 2007.

Also on the cabin horizon for the Branson area is Stonewater Cove, a 500-acre cabin development in Shell Knob from James Development Co. that’s scheduled to open to the public in spring 2007. The development’s Web site touts studio, one- and two-bedroom cabins, as well as a main lodge, swimming pool and boat docks. Representatives for the development did not return calls by press time.

Log-cabin developments could also help Branson accomplish another goal – drawing in not only more visitors, but also, younger visitors. Earlier this year, city officials reported that the average visitor’s age dropped slightly form 58.7 to 58.2.

“Cabin visitors tend to be, compared to Branson’s historic visitor, younger,” Ruda said. “They’re young professionals as opposed to an older empty nester.”

He added that the cabins also tend to appeal slightly more to women than to men.

Overall, Rankin said the cabins are great for the area because they offer one more option to draw visitors to the area.

“There’s a clientele out there that may not want to stay in a hotel room,” Rankin said, “but you give them the experience of being nestled in the woods and they may be inclined to rent something like that.”[[In-content Ad]]