Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach Missouri Review

I’m not a Parrot Head, nor is my wife, Susie, but I do like Jimmy Buffett – his songs, lifestyle, and laid back attitude. So we were excited about our two-night stay at Margaritaville Lake Resort during a golf getaway to play some of the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail courses.

Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake – Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach is the “perfect blend of lake latitude and island attitude” and a refuge for endlessly fun living. Inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer/songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville Lake Resort invites you to live it up at the resort and on the lake – and that’s exactly what we did! The logo says: “Don your shades, kick up your feet, and grab your favorite drink” and a few minutes after checking in we were sitting at the bar at Landshark Bar & Grill overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks and sipping margaritas – it was only one o’clock but according to Jimmy, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere!”

Margaritaville Holding LLC purchased what was Tan-Tar-A-Resort and made significant renovations and improvements, and opened in May 2019. The resort sits on 420 acres and has eight restaurants and bars, a spa, two golf courses, a variety of lodging options, a full-service marina, and lots of other amenities. And everywhere you go, you’ll hear Jimmy singing in the background or you’ll see him on a TV playing some of his concerts and you’ll love the cool pictures of him and other island themes and soft pastel colors. A day after we checked out of Margaritaville Lake Resort, I was still humming Jimmy’s songs and thinking about becoming a Parrot Head.

Golf at Margaritaville Lake Resort

After enjoying our margaritas, my wife and I set off to play the 9 Hole Course located a block from our condo. The course’s name is not real exciting but the course itself is fantastic! Previously known as Hidden Lakes, the 9 Hole Course is a par 35/36 course with lush zoysia fairways, tight rolling tree-lined fairways, large bentgrass greens, dramatic elevation changes, a couple of water hazards, doglegs left and right, and 30 bunkers – all of which contribute to making a round of golf here scenic, enjoyable, and fair but challenging. Read our review and rating of the 9 Hole Course to learn more.

The next day we drove a couple minutes off the main Resort property to play Margaritaville Lake Resort’s The Oaks Golf Club. The Oaks is a beautiful 18 hole layout that plays along tight rolling tree-lined fairways with dramatic elevation changes, several water hazards, and 53 bunkers most of which guard the greens. All of which make for a challenging, scenic, and fun round. Here is a link to our rating and review of The Oaks Golf Club.

After my round at The Oaks, which cost me six golf balls and 4 Advil and ended with a lot of bunker sand in all of my orifices, I was ready for a shot of whiskey and a cold beer. Lo and behold, a half-mile from the golf course was Ozark Distillery and Brewery, a perfect place to get back into vacation mode!

After enjoying a sampling of their locally-crafted spirits and beers, I stopped thinking about my round and started humming Jimmy Buffett songs as we set off for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Lodging at Margaritaville Lake Resort

Margaritaville Lake Resort has 494 laid-back, easy going guest rooms and suites. We stayed in one of the guest rooms in a building with some nice views of the lake and located just across the street from the lobby. Our room had two queen beds (soft plush all-white linens, premium bedding and paradise pillows) with a nightstand between the beds with a phone and clock, desk with two chairs, a 4 drawer wall unit with a very large TV above, mini fridge, and Kuerig coffee maker. The bathroom was well done with a frameless glass shower with a big rainwater showerhead, comfy bathrobes, hairdryer, and all the other supplies you might need. Relaxing sand, sea and sky color palette wall colors, tropical pictures and “changes in attitude / changes in latitude” from one of Jimmy Buffet’s songs stenciled on the wall complete the Margaritaville vibe!

Margaritaville Lake Resort also has one and two bedroom suites with contemporary furnishings; a fresh and airy color palette throughout; lavish King bed with luxurious all-white linen and premium custom bedding; and a full kitchen or kitchenette with microwave, a fridge and sink. The two bedroom suite has a beautiful balcony or patio overlooking the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.

Located a short drive from the main grounds of Margaritaville Lake Resort, Tan-Tar-A Estates has standard hotel type rooms or one to six bedroom homes available for rent. Guests of the Estates can also enjoy all of the Margaritaville Lake Resort amenities.

Dining Options at Margaritaville Lake Resort

You’re not going to go hungry or thirsty at Margaritaville Lake Resort – you’ve got eight choices that range from gourmet dining to a meal at the pool. On our first full day we enjoyed breakfast at JB’s Boathouse Grill which has a cool nautical theme with a full menu or a delicious breakfast buffet. JB’s Boathouse also serves lunch and dinner with everything from burgers to tasty steaks or fried chicken.

For lunch we enjoyed Margaritaville’s LandShark Bar & Grill which has a cool open air bar, a swimming pool and swim up bar. LandShark features classic American beach food like burgers, po’ boys, fish and chips, Taco Nachos, and many more items to choose from.

Windrose Marker 26 Lakeside Dining, with a great scenic view of the Lake of the Ozarks, is Margaritaville’s signature restaurant with exceptional seafood dishes, filet mignon, and New Zealand rack of lamb, just to name a few of the dishes available. Unfortunately, it was closed when we tried to eat there.

Some of the other dining options include:

Before heading to bed we stopped by License to Chill lobby bar for a final nightcap.

Margaritaville Lake Resort Activities & Things To Do

Margaritaville Lake Resort is loaded with activities and fun things to do in addition to two excellent golf courses. Some of the activities and amenities include:

• Jolly Mon Indoor Water Park which is 20,000 square feet of fun with 600 feet of water slides, an activity pool, an over-sized whirlpool, and a lazy river for tubing, and floating plus the three-story wilderness treehouse with slides, bridges, water blasters, tunnels, and a gigantic 600-gallon tipping bucket
• Port of Indecision Marina is a full service marina with guest boat slips, and paddleboard, waverunner, and boat rentals – an eight-passenger 20′ ski boat, wave runners, paddle boats and a 10-passenger 24′ pontoon

• A six-lane bowling alley with bumpers for the kids
• Unique shops along a well done interior boardwalk with some perfect souvenirs as keepsakes from a fun vacation
• A kids pool and Fin City Arcade that has over 40 games
• Windjammer Spa offers healing massages, soothing body treatments, organic Aveda wraps, body polishing, and facials
• Horseback trail rides through some rolling scenic hills
• Three swimming pools one with a 120′ water slide, toddler splash pool and whirlpool
• “Fins Up” is a large indoor pool and fitness center with state of the art equipment
• An 18 hole mini golf course and two tennis courts

Nearby Fun Things To See and Do

We loved the Lake of the Ozarks area and can’t wait to get back for another vacation and explore some of the additional fun things to see and do that we didn’t have time for on this trip. Here are some of the things that we would recommend you check out during your visit.

• If you like golf, then you’re in heaven – the Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail has 13 outstanding golf courses – two of which are the Margarita courses that are a few minutes apart. In addition to the spectacular courses along the Golf Trail, the Lake of the Ozarks area has a stand-alone semi-private signature 18-hole course, as well
• You’ve got to visit the beautiful Bridal Cave located near Camdenton, one of the Lake-are communities
• Make sure to visit the must-see Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark with a quirky and eclectic array of authentic “Ozarkian” gift shops and 14 unique bars and restaurants
• Rent a boat and enjoy 1150 miles of shoreline on Lake of the Ozarks for sightseeing, fishing, swimming, water sports, or fun lakeside bars and restaurants.
• Seven Springs Winery is a great place to relax, enjoys some food, and sip their superb wines while sitting on a charming covered patio overlooking the spectacular Missouri Wine Country.
• Main Street Music Hall is home to two year-round musical variety shows
• To learn about the lake and dam visit the historic Willmore Lodge and Bagnell Dam History Museum.

To find more fun things to see and do, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau’s website.

We can highly recommend Margaritaville Lake Resort and Lake of the Ozarks for a fun family or golf vacation but be prepared to continue humming Jimmy Buffett some for several weeks after you leave!

Author: Mike Sharp

I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.