Going on vacation? Wondering what website you should use to book your stay through? You have so many options, it can be overwhelming. Do you book on HomeAway, Airbnb, TripAdvisor, VacationRentals.com, FlipKey or one of the many other websites? Today we are sharing the inside scoop on why you should book your vacation rental directly and how to book direct when you find a home you like listed on a different website.
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Why You Should Book Direct
- Booking direct saves you money. Sometimes booking direct can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. When you book through websites like HomeAway or Airbnb, they charge you extra fees. These websites not only charge the home owners money to list their properties on their websites, but they also charge YOU (the renter) extra fees.
- Faster communication. When you book through a third party company, the home owners or property managers do not always get your contact information right away. Many times, you are required to “chat” or “email” through the third party company website. When you book direct, we are able to call you or email you directly if we have any questions- and vice versa. Often, when potential guests (like yourself) reach out through third party companies and ask us to call, text or email you- we don’t have your contact information and are unable to respond quickly.
- Discounts. When you book direct you are not only saving money by not having to pay additional booking fees, but you are also able to get discounts. We offer our repeat guests discounts and post specials on our website or social media accounts often! But if you book through a third party company, we are unable to offer the same discounts and you also might not learn about special deals.
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How You Can Book Direct
Okay, so we’ve convinced you to book direct. Now what? We understand- sometimes it is easier to just find a home on third party websites like Airbnb. We often search for homes on these websites too! So here is a step-by-step guide to how we book direct, even after finding the home listed somewhere else.
- Step 1. Find a home you like and fits your group.
- Step 2. Find the name of the Property Manager and search their name on Google. Most third party websites show the name of the property manager and give you the option to look at all homes listed by that specific property manager. For example, all of our homes are listed with ‘Amazing Branson Cabins Management’ as the property manager. Here is an exact example of what we would search knowing this information: Amazing Branson Cabins Management Branson MO vacation rental
- Step 3. If step 2 doesn’t help you find the direct website, try reading the description of the property multiple times through. Often times, the property manager or home owner will have their company name listed in the description. Keep an eye out for capitalized words mid sentence. For example, we always include Amazing Branson somewhere in our description. We also name each of our homes and try to include the name of the specific home in the description (again look for capitalized words used in place of the word home or house). If you find something that looks like it could be a company name or home name, go to Google and search for it. Search ex: Amazing Branson vacation rental Branson, MO or Amazing Branson vacation rental Branson, MO Three Bear Lodge
- Step 4. If you are unable to find a website based on this information, read the description again. Often times, the description on the third party website is almost the exact same as the description on the company’s personal website. Examples of description details we use on both websites: 7 miles south of the Branson Landing, 3 minutes to Big Cedar Lodge, 3 minutes to Top of the Rock Golf entrance, 20 minutes to Silver Dollar City, and about 10 to 15 minutes to the strip; 3d virtual tour; etc. Sometimes searching the exact words can bring up other websites with the same verbiage.
- Step 5. Spend quite a bit of time on Google searching for key words and the property mangers name. Try various combinations of words. Not all properties have direct websites, but many do! And it is always worth it to save the money!
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We always recommend booking direct! Check our website for discounts!
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Spring Break is just around the corner- are you ready?! We’re here to help make your planning a breeze and your trip unforgettable! Branson is full of fun things to do- from live shows and shopping to time spent out on the lake or hiking through the beautiful Ozarks. There is something for everyone in the family. So where do you start? Start here!
Where to Stay:
- Rent Branson :: Enjoy one of their many homes- from 1 bedroom to 14 bedroom homes! There is something for everyone! Traveling with multiple families? Great! You can rent multiple homes located walking distance from one another!Imagine- getting away with your family to a log cabin with a fireplace, full kitchen, BBQ grill on the back deck, and a private hot tub. You could spend the entire spring break in your home. After all, sometimes you just need a getaway to relax! Come relax at Rent Branson. You could even cook all of your meals at home, so you truly would never have to leave! But if you did want to get out, below are a few of our suggestions!
What to Do:
- Silver Dollar City :: Silver Dollar City has over 40 rides and attractions, so everyone in the group will find something to do. There is plenty of shopping, music, roller coasters and a plethora of other rides worth trying!
- Live Shows :: Branson is famous for the live shows!
- Rent a Boat :: Table Rock Lake stretches across Arkansas and Missouri and is as over 800 miles of shoreline! Enjoy the day cruising around on the lake, fishing, tubing, wakeboarding, skiing or simply enjoying the sun!
- Visit the attractions :: There are so many fun museums to explore in Branson. A few of our favorites are the Titanic Museum, Butterfly Palace & Rainforest and the World’s Largest Toy Museum.
- Tree Tops :: Explore the Ozarks from the tree tops as you zip line through the rolling hills.
- Go Golfing :: Branson has multiple golf courses worth visiting!
- Visit the Water Park :: Your kids will love the slides, splash zones and giant pools!
- Go Kart :: Speed down the tracks as you race your friends and family!
Did you know you can get free tickets to some of the best attractions in Branson? And if you book with Rent Branson, you also get access to discount tickets to Dolly Parton’s Stampede!
Where to Shop:
- Branson Landing
- Historic Downtown
- Tanger Outlets
- Grand Village (be sure to snap a photo on the giant wooden chair)
Where to Eat:
- Dinner River Cruise :: learn more here
- Find more of our favorite restaurants in Branson here
When you come to Branson in the winter, there’s no need to get the winter blues! Year-round attractions and activities will make your trip a grand time. You could stop by a show or see the holiday lights. Or relax at one of Branson’s fabulous wineries for a wine tasting. There’s so much to choose from! But what winter attractions in Branson should you check out? Read on to find out more!
Are you looking for the best things to do in Branson near Amazing Branson Rentals? Well, you’re in luck! You’ll find everything you need on our “Things to Do in Branson” page. It’s full of the best ideas for things to see and do while you’re here. We guarantee it will turn your vacation up a notch!
The Best Winter Attractions in Branson
Winter Shows
Branson’s iconic brand is built around the constant flow of excellent concerts, shows, and live entertainment. These shows are some of the best winter attractions in Branson and are perfect for the whole family: from variety shows to concerts, to Christmas shows, to comedy. You can’t go wrong with one of these shows featured every winter in Branson!
- Hot Winter Fun Big Show
- Maxine’s Christmas Carol
- Grand Jubilee
- Hughes Brothers Christmas Show
- A Dickens’ Christmas Carol
Holiday Events
Branson is famous for its amazing holiday celebrations. Check out light displays, winter wonderlands, and Christmas celebrations! Christmas in Branson is a magical time of year! Check out these great holiday events!
- Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride
- Adoration Celebration
- Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills
- Christmas on the Trail
- Old Time Christmas
Shopping
You just can’t help but shop when you come to Branson! There is so much Branson has to offer when it comes to shopping. You’ll find the best souvenirs, yes, but there’s also great opportunities for Christmas shopping all around town. You’ll want to stop by these places to shop before your trip is over!
- Branson Landing
- Tanger Outlets
- Grand Village Shops
- The Shoppes at Branson Meadows
- The Branson Craft Mall
Wineries and Distilleries
When you check out the wineries and distilleries Branson has to offer, you’ll literally be tasting the essence of the Branson area. These wineries and distilleries are the perfect end-of-the-day stop to help you relax and unwind. Check out these wineries, wine bars, and distilleries!
- Lindwedel Winery
- Bearcreek Wine Company
- Copper Run Distillery
- Smith Creek Moonshine
- Backstage Café and Wine Bar
Cozy Up in a Cabin
When you come to Branson in the winter, you’re going to want a place to get warm and feel at home. It’s a good thing Amazing Branson Rentals has just that! Check out our cozy cabin rentals. They’re the perfect way to spend a family Christmas or take a holiday getaway! We are eager to accommodate your every need, so what are you waiting for? Contact us today to book your stay! Plus, if you need more ideas for things to do in the area, check out our “Things to Do” page. It’s full of the best ideas to make your trip unforgettable!
Branson is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and we believe it makes the perfect backdrop for a spa retreat! We’ve done quite a bit of research and found all of the best spas in Branson. Wether you are looking for a 5 star experience or a more affordable pampering- we have suggestions for you!
- Big Cedar Cedar Creek Spa :: Prepare to spend at least an afternoon at this spa. They have everything from facials and mani/pedis to 30-minute massages or three hour long packages. And the ‘grotto’ style indoor pool will transport you to Italy while you enjoy a relaxing dip.
- Body Works Day Spa :: This full services salon offers everything from massages and mani/pedis to waxing and hair coloring.
- Pure Tranquility Massage :: Enjoy a couples massage, facial, mani/pedi and more at this highly rates salon.
- The Spa Chateau :: The Spa Chateau at Chateau on the Lake has everything from stone massages and Swedish massages to manicures and pedicures. You will love relaxing in the cozy spa robes! And be sure to arrive early or stay a little late so you can enjoy the steam room and/or sauna!
- Spa 02 :: Spa 02 is a newer spa in Branson and offers a variety of services from couples massages and deep tissue massages to facials and detoxes. Also, be sure to take advantage of the Oxygen Bar where you get to breathe filtered 90% oxygen combined with an aromatherapy of your choice!
- At home :: When you book one of our Rent Branson homes, we work with a private company who will bring the massages to you! They bring everything needed to bring the spa experience to you! We always believe the at-home {in your vacation rental} experience is one of the best spas in Branson! 😉
Traveling can get expensive… we know. So we are doing our best to help you save money wherever possible. We recently added the option to pay using an e-check, which allows you to save on the credit card fees! Depending on the cost of your trip, that can save you TONS of money! Check out our “Make a Payment” page for more information!
Looking for more ways to save money on vacation? Check out a few of our other suggestions!
Easter is in a week! Are you ready? As we prepare to celebrate, we thought it would be fun to share a few fun crafts you can do at home with your kids! You can use these crafts to fill up time, to teach lessons and so much more! So here are a handful of Easter crafts for kids!
Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more ideas!
Trying to come up with fun things to do with your kids? How about making things that get them outside? We’ve done some research and found some fun crafts for outside with kids!
We love the idea of teaching kids what birds eat and all about nature. Use this time to talk about bird sounds, different types of birds, what they eat and more! Once you’ve built your bird feeder, hang it outside near a window so you and your kids can watch the birds.
Once you’ve completed your bird feeder, you can also teach your kids about light, color and more by creating sun bead designs. All you need is beads and hobby wire (or string if you don’t have wire).
What are some other fun things you could build with your kids?
The whole country is spending extra time inside right now, so we are going to share a series of posts with ideas on fun things you can do with your kids! From arts and crafts to science experiments and holiday inspired ideas! So today, we are starting with a few easy painting ideas you can do at home with your kids- big or small.
Start with a piece of canvas paper or thick and use pieces of tape to create a design. It can be simply lines across the paper, words spelt out or a shape (heart, circle, etc.). Then chose colors you know will go well together or colors your kid chooses. We chose to go with various shades of blue. While the kid in the photo is using a paint brush, our toddler quickly ditched the paintbrush and used his hands. There is no right or wrong way to do this! Let the paint dry and remove the tape for a fun design!
Have your kids go outside and find fun sized rocks. If the weather is nice, they can paint outside. If it’s’ chilly, they can paint inside. Have your kids get creative- they can make animals, cars, people or just designs!
Branson is the perfect retreat for romantic holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, family trips, friend trips and more. And we want to help make it easy to plan your vacation! Here are a handful of our favorite date night restaurants in Branson!
Osage Restaurant
This restaurant is located at the Top of the Rock. While the food and atmosphere are both amazing, it’s the view that really makes this place one of a kind. At the very least, we recommend coming right before sunset to grab a drink and watch the sun go down. During the warmer months they shoot a cannon and have a bag piper playing.
Keeter Center
This farm to table restaurant is run by College of the Ozarks. The food is unbelievably fresh and the service is always great. Do note, they don’t serve any alcohol or wine if you’re planning a nice date. But you could always buy a dessert to take home (they are all delicious) and then enjoy a glass of wine at home over dessert!
Level 2 Steakhouse
This award winning steakhouse is located right by the Branson Landing at the Hilton Convention Center. They have something for everyone!
Chateau Grille
Located at Chateau on the Cove, this restaurant has lake views and delicious food.
Landry’s Seafood House
If you’re in the mood for seafood and steak, this restaurant has it all! When the weather is nice, it even has a great outdoor patio.
White River Fish House
This is the most casual restaurant on this list, but it’s a go-to of ours. The location is great and you can almost always get in. Their skillet cornbread is delicious and it has a menu full of both comfort foods and healthy options.
Want to make the date even more romantic? Pick up some desserts and come ‘home’ do your own private cabin or suite! Or give a gift card for your loved one to apply towards a future reservation at Rent Branson!
***For all of these restaurants, we recommend making a reservation- especially if you want a major holiday!
Looking for something creative to do for Valentine’s Day still? We’ve created a list of a few of our favorite ideas to celebrate the holiday with the loved ones in your life- from family gatherings to romantic evenings. There are so many options and so many ways to celebrate. These are a few of our favorite creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Things to do Together
- Bake holiday themed treats together
- Plan a vacation together {log cabin getaway anyone?}
- Go to a location or do something that is special to just the two of you {visit your first date location, watch the movie you first saw together, etc}
- Cook a meal together {maybe themed based on a trip you want to take? Pretend you are in Paris with crepes, visit Italy via homemade pizza & pasta, etc.}
- Make chocolate covered strawberries
- Enjoy a cozy evening at home with a bottle of wine, popcorn and a movie
Gift Ideas
- Give the gift of a weekend away {maybe a romantic weekend in your own private cabin? Or a family week away in a 3, 4, 5 or 6 bedroom home?}
- Create notes and leave them around for your significant other to find them {how cute is the photo of the heart shaped sticky notes}
- Candy themed treats with custom notes {see the candy photos}
- A bottle of wine from a special year {year you started dating, birthday year, etc}
- Custom photo book of your memories together {we love Shutterfly}