Margaritaville In May! Here's A Look Back At Tan-Tar-A's History At Lake Of The Ozarks

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — The first-ever lakeside Margaritaville resort will welcome guests at Lake of the Ozarks. The resort's official rebrand from Tan-Tar-A will take place on May 1, following a year and a half of renovations. 

The widely loved resort brand partnered together with the historic Tan-Tar-A Resort in 2017, and began a top-down renovation. As of spring 2019, Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake of the Ozarks will feature renovated guestrooms, an exterior refresh and several new dining concepts.

Tan-Tar-A came to the Lake in 1960, as tourism was really beginning to explode. At first, it was a handful of family-type cottages. “Tan-Tar-A” means “one who moves swiftly” in the Blackfoot Indian language, and developer Burton Duenke took that as his motto. By 1965, Tan-Tar-A had 197 rental units, four dining rooms, three lounges, a marina, three outdoor pools, horseback riding, ice skating, and even a snow-skiing slope! By the 1970s, Tan-Tar-A was one of the most popular resorts and one of the largest employers at Lake of the Ozarks.

Tan-Tar-A Resort was acquired in 2017 by Driftwood Acquisitions & Development (DAD) – a privately held investment firm specializing in the acquisition and development of hotel assets – with JV partner Sefira Capital, a Miami-based investment boutique platform that focuses on acquiring and developing commercial real estate.

Now in 2019, the 494-room scenic retreat’s former lodge feel has given way to Margaritaville’s “casual-luxe” beachfront style embodied in cool colors and second-to-none amenities.

“Margaritaville’s relaxing, laid-back vibe fits in perfectly here at Lake of the Ozarks and complements the unique charm of Osage Beach,” said Fred Dehner, the resort’s general manager. “We look forward to introducing the brand’s distinctive sense of fun and escapism to guests from around the world.”

Guestrooms in the Resort Complex have been updated to feature elements of Margaritaville’s signature ‘casual-luxe’ design, such as sky-blue walls, offset by warm wood elements with bright accents. The exterior of all buildings are now a shade of warm sand, accented with white trim, to reflect the lake’s peaceful shoreline. Guests also will find enhanced activities and facilities, including a fresh new fleet of gray golf carts for The Oaks golf course and the renaming of Arrowhead Pool and Bear’s Den Arcade – now Lakeside Pool and Fin City Arcade, respectively.

Several signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts have been introduced at the property and are now open, including:

• JB’s Boathouse Grill serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, boat drinks and more – featuring classic nautical décor with bright blues and crisp whites.
• Frank & Lola’s Pizzeria features a cool and comfortable atmosphere and is the perfect spot for guests to grab a fresh pie.
• Windrose Marker 26 Lakeside Dining, a resort staple, serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more, with incredible lake views.
• The Tiki Hut Pool Bar, a new concept located at the resort’s Lakeside Pool, offers light fare and tropical beverages for those enjoying fun in the sun. 
• LandShark Bar & Grill (open spring 2019), the new flagship waterfront restaurant with a swim-up pool bar, features classics like fish tacos, nachos, wings, crisp salads, boat drinks and signature LandShark burgers. LandShark guests dine with a fantastic view of the Lake’s main channel.

Final touches completed in early to mid 2019 include updates to the lobby, marina, water park, bowling alley and more. Among the multiple diverse restaurant concepts, the resort features a full-service spa and salon, a fitness center, horseback riding, bowling, an arcade, two outdoor pool complexes and a 20,000 square-foot indoor water park. A premier destination for corporate meetings, incentive retreats, social functions and weddings, Margaritaville Lake Resort is home to more than 89,000 square feet of flexible indoor event space, as well as several outdoor venues.

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