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Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

Exceptional

Popular amenities

Breakfast available

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Free WiFi

Explore the area

Aurora, MO

Branson, MO (BKG)75 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

Absolutely gorgeous, the pictures look great, however the house is even nicer.

Paul W.

Dec 23, 2023

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Crow's Nest

2 Single Beds

Master bedroom

1 King Bed

Steinbeck Suite

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Main bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master bath

Toilet · Shower only

Steinbeck Suite

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Dining Area

About this property

Ozark Mountain Retreat near Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake

Located only 5 miles from Shell Knob, MO, this home is an updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath farmhouse, on 17 wooded acres in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, near Table Rock Lake. The property is nestled next to the Mark Twain National Forest with scenic views. The home can comfortably accommodate six guests, with three sitting areas, a fully equipped kitchen, a screened in porch and large deck. It is located 8 miles from Table Rock Lake with numerous marinas, 45 miles from Branson and 30 miles from Eureka Springs.

Property manager

Lew Aytes

Languages

English

Amenities

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Breakfast available

Kitchen

Pet-friendly

Air conditioning

Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 12

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Adults only

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

North America

Aurora, MO

Getting around

Branson, MO (BKG) - 75 min drive

Restaurants

‪Subway - ‬11 min drive
‪Painted Buffalo Cafe - ‬10 min drive
‪F.O.E. 4155 - ‬9 min drive
‪Shell Knob Cafe - ‬10 min drive
‪Little Tommy's - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ozark Mountain Retreat near Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ozark Mountain Retreat near Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ozark Mountain Retreat near Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ozark Mountain Retreat near Shell Knob and Table Rock Lake located?

Situated in the mountains, this farm stay is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Mark Twain National Forest and within 9 miles (15 km) of Table Rock Lake and White River. Roaring River State Park and Sam A Baker State Park are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Paul W.

23 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Artist Retreat

Absolutely gorgeous, the pictures look great, however the house is even nicer.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dawn G., Tulsa Oklahoma

9 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Complete tranquility!

Just the perfect location for family time and complete tranquility. We would definitely stay again!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

12 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, tranquil getaway

My partner and I had a lovely stay at the retreat. It was great to get away from our usual busyness and enjoy the beautiful, quiet space. The instructions on what to do when leaving were not specific but otherwise everything ran smoothly.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Juli L.

6 Jan 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy getaway

My husband and I loved this farmhouse! Super clean, cozy, comfortable and had everything we needed. The hosts were so friendly and welcoming! We absolutely enjoyed our stay and will be back!

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen D.

25 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

Super quiet place. Real feel of being out of the city but somewhat close to stores if you need something. Wicked curvy roads between the house and Branson though.....allow plenty of time to travel.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracy M.

18 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice House

Great house for large families, had all the amenities required!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda T.

15 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It is amazing

This is by far the best "home away from home" place we have ever stayed at. The house is absolutley perfect. Clean, organized and so beautifully decorated, that when we walked in, all we could say was "wow"! We had a couple of questions for them and their response was immediate. We had to cut our trip short because of an emergency but we will be back for sure.

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tanner W.

14 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

Loved the place but we didn’t spend as much time as we wish we could have. Beautiful art

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan L.

4 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation spot!

Awesome house in great location… Great owners! Will definitely be back…

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom J.

25 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing time!

What an amazing place! Lots of care and attention has been put into to every detail of this property. It’s was a very quiet and peaceful environment! Our hosts were very welcoming too! We definitely recommend staying here and are already telling friends about how great a time we had at such a great place. It’s a beautiful retreat!

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deanne D.

6 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing Retreat

Lew and Kathryn’s retreat home is so comfortable. The details they have added make it obvious they put a lot of love and care into their home. Making it a relaxing retreat in the Ozarks. We look forward to our return.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

14 Dec 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to the Ozarks

We loved it here.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve P.

18 Nov 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Restful Ozark Weekend

The property is in a beautiful country setting. There are trees and hills all around. This is a great place to get away from the rat race of every day life. The home is quaint, inviting, and very clean. The Aytes are wonderful hosts. They work to make your visit a memorable one. Lew is a talented sculptor. You will enjoy seeing some of his work. We will certainly visit them again when we need a break from urban life.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Troy D.

3 Nov 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful quiet getaway.

The house is beautiful and peaceful. The owners were amazing. Loved the fresh eggs and cherry pie. Would stay again.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jay T.

18 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

The farmhouse is both beautiful and comfortable... a peaceful retreat from a hectic world. The hosts, Kathryn and Lew, go out of their way to provide an exceptional experience. You won't want to leave!

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Doug C.

6 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway

Nice remodeled family farmhouse in a secluded area. The hosts were wonderful, met us there on arrival, left us fresh eggs and brought us hot apple pie during the week. It was a great get away for us. Located in a good area, easy to get to Eureka Springs, Branson and Roaring River State Park (loved!)

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Estefania B.

8 Sept 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene Forest home

I traveled with my family. The party consisted of my uncle, his wife and my little 11 year old cousin along with my immediate family (parents and sister). We all loved staying in the lovely home Katheryn and Lew keep. As we walked in we breathed in the lovely wood scent. My little cousin was so happy to see they keep chickens like she does back home. Traveling up and down the winding roads enjoying the view was so relaxing. I look forward to another visit.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

sandel b.

31 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great property

house is like a museum. quiet. comfortable.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Charles M.

11 July 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptional - A+++

The house far exceeded our expectations. Very comfortable, spotlessly clean, and much larger than we expected. 2 large bedrooms with private baths - 1 on the main floor and one on the lower floor. Nice size Family Room and a smaller Living Room. Deck with entrances from the Family Room and the main floor bedroom - Also a screened porch off of the lower floor bedroom. 3rd bedroom upstairs with 2 single beds that we did not use would be ideal for kids. Everything you could possibly want for a pleasant stay - Too many amenities to list. We only stayed the weekend, but this place would be ideal for a week long family vacation. BTW - The owners were delightful and very accommodating.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

23 Jan 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful and perfect!!!

We truly enjoyed the property and the owners are wonderful! The space and kitchen was just perfect for everything we needed fir Thanksgiving! All of the owners sweet touches from fresh flowers, eggs and gingerbread, was beyond kind! Perfect getaway!

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Timothy B.

17 Dec 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Better than best

I wanted a quiet place to spend time with my family and found the perfect spot just outside of Shell Knob. The converted farmhouse itself is a curated study in country charm with a chicken coop steps from the kitchen door to prove it. What really made our stay special were Kathryn's caring touches. There was a bowl of eggs on the handmade kitchen table, laid fresh that morning, when i arrived. She stopped by with fresh gingerbread for us the next day, still warm from the oven, and when asked gave us a wonderful tour of Lew's studio - a treasure in itself not to be missed. I've stayed in vacation rentals the world over but have never felt so cared for in one before. The house and property itself is a dream come true but the real treasures here are Kathryn and Lew. You can feel their love in every corner of the house and every minute of your stay. I couldn't recommend their place any higher. Do yourself a favor and visit. You'll be happy that you did.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

todd s.

21 Oct 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Shell knob farm house

Great experience!! Why stay in a hotel when there are great places like this! Very memorable

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Angela W., Guthrie, OK

17 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A quiet sanctuary

This home was absolutely beautiful. The owners were very friendly and ensured I had everything I could possibly need, even before I could actually need it. Their "little touches" around the house are welcoming and inviting, from the little soaps and products in the bathrooms to wine already chilled in the fridge upon arrival to the homemade pound cake covered in fresh peaches on my last night. The story of the artist who owns the house and the artwork/decor inside was fascinating. One of my favorite rentals ever, and I will definitely be going back!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Matt M.

25 June 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serenity and Exvellence

Beautiful home, beautiful views and beautiful people! The pictures do not even begin to describe the love and details put into this home. Incredible experience and can't wait to see Lew and Kathryn again!

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

sandel b.

25 June 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing, simply amazing.

Lew and Katherine are wonderful. The house is like a museum. Every detail is perfect. A return to the 1940s. The cider smells wonderful. Very friendly owners. Came over for wine and Katherine baked a cherry pie we shared. Can not wait to go back!

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2020

About the host

Hosted by Lew Aytes

Lew and Kathryn own the Ozark Artist Retreat and Studio in Shell Knob, MO, which is also available for private rentals through VRBO and AirBNB.

A California native, Lew is a skilled craftsman, musician and sculptor. His roots in John Steinbeck country on the Monterey Peninsula in California can be seen through his work, and throughout the home in the Steinbeck suite. His art studio is on the property and may be available for private use upon request.

Kathryn, an Oklahoma native, is a professor of social and behavioral sciences at California State University, Monterey Bay. After 35 years on the west coast, Lew and Kathryn purchased 17 acres which had been part of an 1800 acre parcel in Kathryn's family for nearly 180 years. The retreat is located on this land where Lew and Kathryn's have built their private home and guest house.