Mention Branson, Missouri, and many Midwesterners think of the over-the-top wholesome shows for which this town has become famous. True, the neon-lit, entertainment hub piles on the sequins, but it has plenty of natural entertainment as well. Surrounded by the oak and hickory trees of the Ozark Mountains, scenic Table Rock Lake is the centerpiece of Branson’s great outdoors, with hiking trails, calm water for swimming, and an abundance of great fishing. And if you’re looking for a classic, old-school lake vacation — the kind generations of families have enjoyed — Still Waters Resort is a great choice.

Old-school doesn’t mean worn and tired in this case though. Built in 1977, this family-owned property was originally just a series of rustic fishing cottages, but not anymore. Renovated in 2009, Still Waters is a sprawling lakefront resort with three pools, water sports, tennis and volleyball courts and luxurious condo-style units. You can still relax and take life at a slower pace here, sitting around the fire making S’mores or just watching the sun set. But you can also relax with a movie on your flat-screen TV while posting photos to Instagram with free Wi-Fi and making meals in your gourmet kitchen.

Fishing enthusiasts will especially be happy here, with a full-service marina and a fleet of rental boats and jet skis. You can launch your own boat here as well. Should you tire of the scheduled activities, game room, hiking, biking and boating, the lights of downtown Branson are a 15-minute drive away, and the Ozark-inspired Silver Dollar City theme park is just 2 miles away.

For the many families who return to Still Waters Resort each summer for a classic lake vacation, the hotel’s motto, “Still Waters, still the best,” rings true.

The Still Waters Resort offers 180 rooms, studios and condominiums in a variety of sizes and configurations to fit just about every family's needs. Guests should be prepared for a do-it-yourself vacation -- there's no daily maid service and although there is a coffeemaker, you must bring your own coffee and condiments. Visitors should come prepared with shampoo and other toiletries, as well, since the only bathroom amenity provided is a bar of soap.

Guests can choose from standard motel rooms, or one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom condominiums. Three-bedroom units offer plenty of space, often on two levels, making them a great option for multiple families traveling together. The four-bedroom condos are the three-bedroom units that connect to another one-bedroom. These four-bedroom units have two full kitchens and two washer/dryer units. The four-bedroom options are a spacious, luxurious choice for multiple families or extended families on vacation.

Standard Rooms
Standard rooms come with either two queen beds or a queen bed and sofa bed. All rooms include coffeemakers, toasters, hair dryers, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels and DVD players. Make sure to request a lakeview or poolside view.

One-Bedroom Units
One-bedroom units come with either one queen or one king bed and either a sofa bed or Murphy bed in the living room. They also come with full kitchens and many of them also have a washer/dryer unit, though guests must bring their own laundry detergent. Onsite laundry facilities are available for all guests to use. All one-bedroom units or larger also come with a private patio or balcony and lakefront or poolside views.

Two-Bedroom Units
Two-bedroom units and larger all have sofa beds in the living area and come with outdoor patios, some enclosed. They all have full kitchens with a full-size refrigerator, stove and a dishwasher, and a washer/dryer unit. Some units have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Request a lakeview room if you can.

Three- and Four-Bedroom Units
Three-bedroom units can be on one or two levels. Some connect with a one-bedroom unit, making them a four-bedroom condo. The four-bedroom units have two full gourmet kitchens, two washer/dryer units, and sometimes two gas fireplaces.

Lake House
A three-bedroom luxurious lake house is available for families to rent. It is just yards from the shores of Table Rock Lake.

Cribs and rollaway beds are available for an additional fee. High chairs can also be delivered to rooms upon request.

There are plenty of activities for all ages at Still Waters Resort. Although there's no drop-off kids' club, resort staff members organize a long list of daily activities throughout the summer. A typical day will include craft activities and outdoor activities, like volleyball, basketball or other fun games. Access to most activities is included in the one-time $10 resort fee. The weekly schedule of events is available in the hotel lobby.

Bicycles
Complimentary bicycles allow guests to explore the sprawling resort. The resort also provides complimentary adult and children's helmets. Kids' bikes with training wheels are available, but there are no bikes with children's seats; guests need to bring their own and attach them.

Hiking and Jogging Trails
Hiking and jogging paths through the surrounding woods on Indian Point Peninsula provide guests easy access to outdoor exercise.

Playground/Pavilion Area
A playground with basic equipment, including a slide, see-saw and swings, is open mid-February through November. It's right next to a large covered pavilion, perfect for larger family gatherings. There's also a sand volleyball area, basketball court and horseshoe toss game next to the pavilion. There's a bucket with balls and horseshoes near the pavilion area, but guests are encouraged to bring their own balls to use, in case items are missing or being used by other guests.

Pools
Guests have access to three pools and poolside hot tubs. There is a water park-style waterslide called Zoom the Flume, open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., mid-April through October, weather permitting. There's no lifeguard at the waterslide area.

The Island Oasis pool area has luxurious daybeds and hammocks, a 15-foot, walk-through waterfall, zero-entry pool, and 20-person hot tub (which kids are allowed to use), and there's always a lifeguard on duty. Island Oasis is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., May 1 through October, weather permitting.

There's a third standard size swimming pool and hot tub, which is used mainly by adults, although kids are welcome. It doesn't open until mid-May and remains open until October, weather permitting. There's no lifeguard at this pool.

Beach
Not surprisingly, Still Waters Resort has a stretch of calm, clear beachfront along Table Rock Lake, with a roped off area that keeps kids within a safe distance. Note that it's a pebble beach, not a sandy beachfront. Guests enjoy access to complimentary water sports, including paddleboats, kayaks and inner tubes. The resort does not provide beach chairs or umbrellas, so guests need to bring their own. Guests can use towels from their room at the beach, and then replace their towels at the resort's towel exchange.

Marina
Still Waters Resort has a full service seasonal marina with five shaded boat docks and a fleet of rental boats, including pontoons, WaveRunners and motorboats for water skiing. Guests can rent water ski equipment onsite. Guests can also bring and launch their own boats.

WaveRunners rent for $80 per hour; pontoons are $159 for two hours; and motorboats are $145 for two hours.

Game Room
Still Waters Resort has a game room with two coin-operated pool tables, an air hockey table and arcade games.

Still Waters doesn't have any sit-down restaurants, but you can get casual food throughout the day at the resort's Bayside Marketplace & Deli. Items like pizza and sandwiches, as well as coffee, baked goods and snacks are available. Seating is available at outdoor patio tables with umbrellas. Bayside Marketplace also has a limited grocery and convenience store selection.

Additionally, the resort provides a covered pavilion, picnic tables and barbecue grills.

Nearby restaurant options include Charlie's Steak, Ribs & Ale, Crazy Cajun Citchen and the Lake House Restaurant.

All About the Extras
Treats
Complimentary cookies are served in the lobby.

Check-In/Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 10 a.m.

Staying Connected
Still Waters Resort has free Wi-Fi available throughout the resort. There are two complimentary computers available for guests to use in the lobby. Computers have a printer and it is 25 cents to print one page. The front desk will fax and make limited complimentary copies. Local calls are free from the rooms.

Exercise Facilities
Still Waters Resort does not have an exercise room. There are hiking and jogging trails on the property, as well as complimentary use of bicycles.

Laundry Facilities
Most units have their own washer/dryer units, and there are also public laundry facilities available for guest use on the property. Detergent can be purchased at Bayside Marketplace.

The Art of Smart Timing
This is a classic family lake resort, which means summer is the high season. If you're a fall foliage fan, the surrounding oak and hickory trees make autumn an awesome spectacle. The end of September through October is prime leaf-peeping season. Although the marina is open March through November, most people will only find the lake warm enough to swim in June through September. The resort is closed January through mid-February, and pretty much empty from late November through March.

Getting There
As with most of Branson's visitors, the majority of guests drive to Still Waters Resort. For those coming from farther away, the Springfield-Branson National Airport is one hour away. Closer by is Branson Airport, but it has very limited service.

Getting Around
A car is a necessity for when you're ready to take a break from the lake. Parking at the hotel is complimentary.

For Mom and Dad
Branson's entertainment district is a 15-minute drive from the resort and offers a seemingly endless selection of live shows. From live music to comedy shows, parents can escape the resort for dinner and a show. Stop at Level 2 Steakhouse for dinner and top it off with the restaurant's Missouri butter cake dessert. Afterwards, stroll along Branson Landing, where you can catch the Branson Landing Fountain Show -- a $7.5-million water, light and musical extravaganza. Weather permitting, the fountain shoots water 120 feet into the air every hour, on the hour, starting at noon each day.