Clarion Hotel at the Palace lands stars in Branson

Guests ranging from former President George Bush and Barbara Bush to the 51 delegates vying for the title of Miss USA 2000 have stayed at this hotel.

No, the hotel isn't the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City or the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. It's the Clarion Hotel at the Palace in Branson.

Dwight and Linda Sprague opened the hotel, which is located next to The Grand Palace on "The Strip" in Branson, in 1992.

Notable names

The Clarion Hotel at the Palace got off to an auspicious start in 1992 when the hotel had its most prestigious guest to date former President George Bush and wife Barbara.

"It was quite an experience," said Linda Sprague. "The Secret Service came in and literally took over the place. It was just amazing."

Other notables such as Bob Hope, The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson and Conway Twitty have stayed there as well.

The majority of the hotel's business, however, comes from tourists.

Since the Clarion was built in 1992, tourism has increased in Branson. So has the number of hotels and motels in the area. Despite the competition, Linda Sprague said business at the Clarion Hotel at the Palace has increased every year.

"All the hotel and motel construction hasn't really affected us," she said. "The thing that has affected us is timeshares. A lot more timeshares are being built now, and I think at some point, it will affect us."

Still, Sprague said she is optimistic, and is more committed than ever to giving back to the community.

In addition to overseeing operations at the hotel, Linda Sprague has served on the board of directors at both the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Skaggs Community Health Center. The Spragues also donate their time and talents to the American Cancer Society and are supporters of the Children's Miracle Network and Youthlife, a Christian organization that helps children.

Evolution

Like many other businesses in the area, the Clarion Hotel at the Palace has expanded and changed over time.

Originally, the Clarion Hotel at the Palace had 100 rooms and a restaurant called Sadie's Sideboard, which specializes in down-home cooking. In 1993, the Spragues added 66 more rooms, and they built a second dining facility called Bucking-ham's Restaurant and Oasis, which offers fine dining in a safari setting. Six years later a coffee shop and a 300-seat conference facility were added.

The Clarion Hotel at the Palace offers numerous other amenities. The hotel has a lounge, hot tub, sauna and an indoor/outdoor pool. Guests who feel like pampering themselves also can sign up for a massage or grab a workout in the hotel's fitness room.

Hotel business

The Spragues first got into the hospitality industry in 1976 when they built the Shady Oak Hotel in Branson. They sold the hotel later that same year, and in 1977 they built a motel called Music Country. In 1980, they added a second location called Music Country North.

In 1982, the Spragues went into partnership with Bob Sutherland and built Sadie's Restaurant. Sutherland managed the restaurant while the Spragues ran Music Country and Music Country North. Running multiple businesses was time consuming, however, and the Spragues felt like they were shortchanging their children.

In 1985, the couple sold both motels so they could spend more time with their two daughters.

Like many busy entrepreneurs, however, they found it was difficult to lead a more relaxed lifestyle.

"I realized I really enjoyed being in the hotel business," said Linda Sprague. "Every day is different, and I enjoy getting up and coming into work."

In 1988, the Spragues re-entered the hospitality industry with renewed enthusiasm.

They repurchased Music Country North and changed the motel's name to the Melody Lane Inn.

The motel's name wasn't the only thing they changed, however. The couple also rebuilt the motel's office and added 100 more rooms, a conference center and a coffee shop.

In 1992, they opened The Palace Inn, which has since been renamed the Clarion Hotel at the Palace, and in 1999, they sold the Melody Lane Inn.