Branson's Castle Remembers Romance
By Arline Chandler

In the centuries of recorded history, great lovers have caught the fancy of romantics. There's Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Samson and Delilah, and Allison and James. Allison and James?

Perhaps only guests to Branson's Chateau On The Lake know the legendary love of Allison from the mountains and James from the valley. Only those who travel for business or pleasure to the premiere destination resort high on a bluff overlooking Table Rock Lake have listened to a storyteller relate the story about a young couple from feuding families naming a special tree "The Castle."

Guests, exclusively, fantasize that the luxurious 10-story hotel, modeled after a French vineyard estate, crowns the very mountaintop where Allison and James secretly met. Some may hike or bike miles of the same shoreline trails that legend says Allison wanders looking for her beloved who was swept away by a flood. They might imagine the lonely wail of James' dog Shadow as the two search--and search. Perhaps, they look at the lighted turret resting on the Chateau's highest pinnacle and remember that romance lives as long as that beacon shines for lovers, legendary or not, to find their way to the "castle."

The focal point of the Chateau's richly appointed interior is the 10-story atrium courtyard with waterfalls, lush foliage, and towering trees. Designed to exude the warmth of a gracious country home, the living room lounge, known as The Library, invites guests to gather around the massive stone fireplace to sip espressos, coffees, or cocktails, as well as take in the views from the veranda.

A majority of the hotel's graciously appointed guestrooms and suites cluster around the atrium's European garden centerpiece. From balconies outside its rooms on the third through tenth floors, guests command sweeping views of either blue lake waters lapping a private beach or serene, ever-changing mountains hedged by quiet woods. Sailboats gracefully veering in light winds join yachts and cruising houseboats in a colorful parade on the clear mountain lake. The elegant Showboat Branson Belle, its red paddlewheels churning, steams past on morning, noon, and evening cruises.

Standard guestrooms and two-room suites are graciously furnished in French-country decor. Grand four-poster king-size beds accommodate two Presidential Suites. A separate living area comes equipped with refrigerator, microwave, dining room table, and comfortable chairs. Oversized tubs and two-person showers feature Jacuzzi jets.

Dining at the Chateau suites every taste and satisfies every appetite. Guests have the option of breakfast overlooking the cascading waterfall in the hotel's atrium or service with a mountain breeze on the veranda.

Chateau Grille is fine dining at its best. Chef Doug Knopp specializes a philosophy that simple is better. He prefers dishes of the region, prepared with locally grown ingredients from organic farmers. Chef Knopp promises, "When you dine here, you are sure to remember what you ate. Every plate is designed to be visually appealing with an unforgettable taste."

The chef, employed fifteen previous years in Four Seasons Hotels, continues, "When I came to the Ozarks, I expected to prepare a lot of bass, but I've found salmon is popular on the menu. I use a local touch in the sorghum glaze."

In addition to Chef Knopp's menu favorites, including Chilean seabass, mustard seed crusted pork tenderloin, and certified Black Angus steaks, the Chateau Grille offers diners a seasonal five-course Grande Menu with paired wines.

"We also have a special kids' menu," Chef Knopp says. "Being the father of three girls, I know attention to children's dining is important. When we host a banquet, we set out a kids' buffet with items just for them. An attendant helps them get their food."

One of the dining options at the Chateau is a Chef's Table set deep within the working areas of the kitchen. Reservations are limited to a group of six. Chef Knopp shares recipes and preparation methods with his guests, as well as informative dialogue regarding wines complementary to certain entrees.

The Sweet Shoppe serves scrumptious ìafter theater" temptations, and Steeple's Lite Deli packs up picnic lunches for boaters, fishermen, or those who enjoy dining outdoors.

In addition to accommodating convention groups with seven meeting and breakout rooms or a total of 40,000 contiguous square feet of exhibition area, the full-service resort hotel is perfect for any occasion calling for ultimate luxury in a relaxed, yet sophisticated, setting. A destination in itself, a conference site, or elegant lodging close to attractions in Branson, the Chateau offers amenities for the tastes and needs of business professionals, individuals, families, or romantics.

Although a trip to an idyllic castle may appear inappropriate for children, the Crawdaddies Kid's Club gives youngsters three to twelve a "place of their own." While grown-ups take in their style of entertainment or spend time alone, kids play on computers, build with LEGO boards, dress up Barbie, watch movies, take arts and crafts classes, listen to stories, or climb, swing, and slide on the castle playground. Planned outdoor activities include tennis, field trips, fishing, and daily adventures equal to a week at camp.

For grown-ups who play in the outdoors, Chateau On The Lake suggests their wide selection of water sports. A full-service marina, exclusively for hotel guests, features 68 slips. Available to patrons are pleasure boats, excursion boats, and personal watercraft rentals, as well as lessons in scuba diving, para-sailing, and water skiing. Guide services, bait, and fishing tackle, are options for the fisherman. Undeveloped lakefront property to explore spans miles of shoreline adjacent to the hotel.

A full roster of recreational activities continues with tee times at three nearby 18-hole golf courses. The Chateau has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools, as well as a sauna and a fully appointed fitness center.

If relaxation rather than recreation is more to one's liking, the hotel's Salon & Spa treats guests to massage therapy and personal indulgences such as facials, manicures, pedicures, and the necessary haircuts and hairstyling.

Allison and James never fulfilled their dream of living in a castle high above Table Rock Lake. But guests of the romantic sort can pretend to stand in their stead. Branson's castle remembers romance at no extra charge.

Chateau On The Lake is situated on the shore of Table Rock Lake at the junction of Highways 265 and 165, only five minutes from Branson's live entertainment and 45 minutes from Springfield, Missouri. Rates vary by room type, season, and view. Special packages are available. For information call 1-888-333-LAKE.

Copyright Arline Chandler