Big Cedar again named best resort in Midwest

Ridgedale has yet again been acknowledged for the scenic beauty of the Ozarks.

For the second-consecutive year, Travel + Leisure magazine named Big Cedar Lodge the No. 1 resort hotel in the Midwest. The Johnny Morris-owned resort beat out Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan; Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; American Club at Destination Kohler in Kohler, Wisconsin; and Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards are determined by readers of the travel magazine who vote on hospitality experience in nearly 100 categories, including top cities and top hotels.

Readers gave Big Cedar a score of 94.49, and runner-up Grand Hotel received a score of 93.48. In 2016, Big Cedar scored 93.59.

“As we approach our 30th anniversary next year, we are incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized for the second year in a row as the best resort in the Midwest by the readers of Travel + Leisure,” said Debbie Bennett, vice president of hospitality for Bass Pro Shops, in a news release.

With a collection of private cottages, lodges and log cabins, amenities include six dining outlets, an 18,000-square-foot spa, a fitness center, five swimming pools and golf courses.

Big Cedar soon will offer two new golf courses for lodgers, including The Mountain Top Course designed by Gary Player. In 2019, the resort is scheduled open Payne’s Valley, designed by Tiger Woods and his TGR Design firm.