What’s included at Big Cedar Lodge and what costs extra
Most basic resort services at Big Cedar Lodge are included for overnight guests: complimentary in‑room Wi‑Fi, access to indoor and outdoor pools (wristband required), fitness center use, housekeeping, self parking, shuttle service, and concierge help — many of those items are covered by the mandatory resort fee. Extras that normally cost extra include spa treatments and day passes, lessons/classes and private training, supervised childcare and babysitting, some recreational rentals and guided experiences, and food & beverages at most restaurants and bars.
In this guide
What the nightly resort fee covers
Big Cedar Lodge charges a mandatory resort fee per accommodation per night. The resort fee bundles several everyday guest conveniences so they’re not billed a la carte at checkout.
According to the property, the resort fee covers concierge service, fitness center access and classes, housekeeping, in‑room coffee and safe, self parking, phone calls, pool access, shuttle service, and on‑site parking.
- Concierge service and front‑desk support (24‑hour front desk)
- Fitness center access and scheduled fitness/yoga classes
- Pool access and pool towels (wristband required)
- Housekeeping, in‑room coffee, in‑room safe
- Self parking and resort shuttle service
| Item | Included? |
|---|---|
| Fitness center access | Yes |
| Pool access (registered guests only) | Yes |
| Shuttle service | Yes |
Rooms, in‑room amenities and booking notes
Big Cedar Lodge has many room types (the property lists 32 types) ranging from Valley View Room and Falls Lodge Premier to One Room Cabin with Loft and Payne's Valley Four Bedroom Cottage. All standard guestrooms are nonsmoking and include safety devices such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher.
Free in‑room Wi‑Fi is provided for overnight guests (reported 50+ Mbps). The nightly resort fee additionally covers in‑room coffee and an in‑room safe. A government ID and a credit/debit card or deposit may be required at check‑in.
- Room types include Valley View Room, Falls Lodge, Falls Lodge Premier, One Room Cabin, One Room Cabin with Loft, Springview Premier Room, Sunset Ridge Suite, Veterans Tower Suite, Payne's Valley Four Bedroom Cottage, and many more.
- All rooms are nonsmoking; select Lakeside Cottages allow pets with a deposit (most rooms do not permit pets).
- Check‑in begins at 4:00 PM and check‑out is before 11:00 AM; minimum check‑in age is 21 (18 for active‑duty military).
| Example room | Bed setup (as listed by the property) |
|---|---|
| Valley View Room | 2 Queen Beds |
| Falls Lodge Premier | 1 King Bed |
| Payne's Valley Four Bedroom Cottage | 8 Queen Beds |
Dining: what's included vs. what costs extra
Big Cedar Lodge has multiple on‑site restaurants and bars (the property lists 8 restaurants and 6 bars/lounges). Food and drinks are not included in room rates unless you specifically book a package that includes meals.
Some outlets require reservations (The Worman House and Osage Restaurant are fine‑dining options where reservations are recommended). In‑room dining (room service) is available for an additional charge with set hours for breakfast and all‑day menu service.
- On‑site restaurants include The Worman House, Osage Restaurant, Devil's Pool, Arnie's Barn, Mountain Top Grill, Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl & Grill, Truman Cafe & Custard, and others.
- The Worman House (fine dining) and Osage Restaurant (steakhouse / lake views) have specific hours and reservation recommendations.
- In‑room dining: breakfast 7AM–11AM; all‑day menu 11AM–10PM (charges apply).
| Restaurant | Typical service |
|---|---|
| The Worman House | Dinner (Tue–Sat) — reservations recommended |
| Osage Restaurant | Dinner & Sunday brunch — reservations recommended |
| Truman Cafe & Custard | Breakfast, lunch, ice cream — casual walk‑in |
Pools, beach and recreation — what's included
Registered overnight guests have access to multiple indoor and outdoor pools (including the Swimmin' Hole and Devil's Pool areas) and a children's pool; pool entry requires a resort wristband and outside food/beverage and glass containers are not allowed. There are no lifeguards on duty, so children must be accompanied by an adult.
Some water and lake activities (boat rentals, marina services, guided water experiences) are available nearby but typically cost extra or are provided by third‑party operators. The lazy river and certain seasonal pool offerings operate on seasonal schedules.
- Pools listed on the property: Swimmin' Hole, Devil's Pool Hot Tub & Pool, Wilderness Club pools, Camp Long Creek Pool, plus a seasonal lazy river.
- Pool hours and seasonal openings vary; complimentary pool towels are provided at pool sites.
- Boat rentals, marina services, and some on‑lake activities (kayaks, tubing, pontoon rentals) are available separately and usually incur fees.
| Amenity | Included for registered guests? |
|---|---|
| Outdoor/indoor pool access | Yes (wristband required) |
| Lazy river | Seasonal (included when operating) |
| Marina boat rentals | Usually extra |
Spa and wellness services — most are extra
Cedar Creek Spa & Salon is a large, on‑site full‑service spa; spa treatments, specialized experiences and day passes cost extra. The spa has its own hours and age policies: spa services and grotto amenities are restricted to guests 16 and older, while the salon is open to all ages.
The spa offers individual treatments, signature packages, and a 2‑hour spa day pass for access to grotto and thermal facilities (day passes start at a listed price). Body treatments carry an automatic service charge; some treatments are not available to pregnant guests.
- Spa hours: Sunday–Tuesday 9AM–5PM; Wednesday–Saturday 9AM–8PM. Grotto amenities open daily (hours listed by the spa).
- Spa age policy: 16+ for spa services and grotto; salon services available to younger guests with a parent.
- Examples of paid services: massages, facials, body treatments, Cedar Creek Signature Massage, Ozarks Rain Experience, and spa day passes.
| Service | Typical cost status |
|---|---|
| Individual massage/facial | Extra — bookable by appointment |
| Spa day pass (2 hours) | Extra — starts at listed rates |
| Salon services | Extra — open to all ages |
Kids, childcare and family activities
Big Cedar Lodge is family‑oriented and lists a children's club, supervised childcare/activities, a playground, arcade, miniature golf and family pools; many of these are offered for a surcharge. The property enforces a minimum check‑in age of 21, with active‑duty military allowed at 18.
Supervised childcare, babysitting and the children's club are specifically noted as surcharge items, so plan to budget extra if you need professional childcare or paid kids' programs during your stay.
- Children's club and supervised childcare: available for a surcharge.
- Playground, arcade and family pools: complimentary access for registered guests (some activity elements may cost extra).
- Pool areas require adult supervision; no lifeguards are on duty.
| Family service | Included? |
|---|---|
| Children's club / supervised activities | Extra (surcharge) |
| Playground & arcade access | Generally included (some game fees possible) |
| Children's pool | Included for registered guests |
Golf, guided tours and special experiences
Big Cedar Lodge lists multiple on‑site golf courses (including Payne's Valley and Top of the Rock) and offers guided experiences such as the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail golf‑cart tour at Top of the Rock. Green fees, cart fees, lessons, equipment rental, and guided tours are extra unless you book a specific package that includes them.
Event venues and wedding spaces are available by booking and typically carry rental fees and food & beverage minimums; capacities and space details are listed by the property for planning purposes.
- Six golf courses on property — greens fees, cart fees, and rentals are additional.
- Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail tours, marina/boat rentals, and other guided excursions are extra.
- Event space rental (weddings, conferences) is charged separately and may require catering or minimums.
| Experience | Included? |
|---|---|
| Golf green fees/carts | Extra |
| Lost Canyon cave/golf‑cart tour | Extra |
| Wedding/event space rental | Extra (book through events team) |
