Amenities & FAQs

Amenities
  • 8.6 acres of woods
  • Boating and Fishing dock
  • Panoramic lake-view
  • Branson address
  • 4000 sq ft home
  • 7 unique bedrooms
  • 6 bathrooms
  • Simmons ® pillow-top mattresses
  • Jacuzzi bathtub in Master Suite
  • Outdoor hot tub
  • Linens provided
  • Sunroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible first floor
  • 2 washers & dryers
  • 2 stoves & refrigerators
  • 2 car attached garage parking + off-street parking for 6-8 cars
  • Parking (but not hook-ups) for RV/Boat/Trailer
  • Central heat and air
  • Downstairs wood fireplace
  • 4 decks/porches
  • Hiking trails down to the lake
  • Piano
  • Permit-approved vacation rental
  • Sleeps up to 20
  • Small library of books on prayer
  • Outdoor fire pit
  • Infrared two-person sauna
  • 80's Arcade Game with PacMan, Galaga, et al.
  • Lake accessibility via hike through the woods on a wood and stone steps.
Beds
  • King Beds (4)
  • Queen Beds (2)
  • Single Beds (6)
  • Sleeper Sofas (1)
  • Inflatable Mattresses (2(
  • Portable cribs (2)
In the kitchen
  • Full kitchen including crock pot, 2 coffee makers, blender, toaster, food processor, waffle iron, spices, tea pot, tea set, griddle, casserole dishes, pots & pans, bread maker
  • 2 Ovens (8 burners)
  • 2 Refrigerators (1 in the garage)
  • 24 place servings dish ware
  • Cooking utensils provided
  • Dishwashing liquid and detergent,  a new kitchen sponge are provided
  • Ice-maker
  • Microwave
  • BBQ grill (you use, you clean)
  • Coffee bean grinder
  • Paper towels, tea towels
Communications
  • Free unlimited hi-speed WiFi
  • Security system
  • Reliable cell coverage
  • Phone with unlimited local calling
The home's history and current projects

HISTORY: Our home was built by Gary Smalley around 25 years ago along with the main conference building next door that now houses Focus on the Family's Marriage Institute. We purchased the home in 2010 and spent 3 months remodeling every room and space. A few years later we added 6 acres to Rivendell and built a boat dock for our family and guests.

PROJECTS: Recently, we've added and updated bathrooms, replaced the roof, and added a new heat pump and AC. Our next projects are to repaint the siding, redo the upper back deck, finish the stairs down to the dock, and convert one side of the garage into a game room. (Currently, only one side of the garage is available for parking. The other side is housing Alicia's dad's 1978 candy red T-Bird which he left for Jonathan, the Chole's eldest. It's for sale to raise funds for Jonathan's post-college plans in Taiwan if you're interested!!)

On the 8 acres
  • A dock for fishing, boating, and picnics (but please note that the walk down to the dock is not easy. It's a light hike with stone and wood steps along the way.) On the dock you're welcome to our fishing supplies.
  • Covered gazebo on the lake
  • 8.6 acres of woods to explore and hike
  • Prayer trail and benches with Scripture plaques
  • 4 Decks/Patios: 1 upper and 1 lower deck facing the lake; 1 private deck in Master Suite, 1 long front porch with rocking chairs and a picnic table
  • Spring time creek and small waterfall
  • Outdoor campfire pit
  • Fenced in back yard
  • Picnic table
  • Hot tub
  • Propane BBQ
  • Regular eagle sightings 
  • Large picnic table on the front porch
View
  • Lakeview from Kitchen, Dining room, Eagle's Watch bedroom, New Creation bedroom, and two spacious decks.
  • View of the woods from Master Suite, both living rooms, and Living Water bedroom.
Location
  • In Branson on Lake Taneycomo
  • On a cliff with hiking trails down to the fishing dock
  • 5 miles from The Landing, Starbucks, Bass Pro Shop, Downtown, and the beginning of the shows and restaurants
  • 3.5 miles from Hwy 76, Sunfest Grocery, Holiday Hills golf course, Dollar General, and Woodland Lanes bowling
  • 38 miles from the Branson regional airport (BBG) and 58 miles (1 hour, 10 min) from the Springfield airport (SGF)
  • 16 miles from Silver Dollar City
In house entertainment
  • HD TV's (2)
  • DVD player (2)
  • VCR player (1)
  • CD player (1)
  • WiFi
  • Wii
  • SuddenLink Cable
  • Vintage arcade games with Pac Man, Galaga, etc.
  • 2-person infrared sauna
  • 6-8 person hot tub on lower deck
  • Fire pit
  • Outdoor games: croquet, badminton, horseshoes
  • LOTR chess set
  • House library
  • Jacuzzi bath tub
  • Piano
  • Fishing and boating dock
  • Fishing rods
  • Set of men's golf clubs
  • Shuffle board/bowling game
  • Foosball table
  • Games and puzzles
  • Family friendly old VHS Disney videos
Perfect for...and not-so-perfect for...

Perfect for...and not-so-perfect for: Not every home is for everyone. After ten years, here is what we have learned about whom our home blesses. 

Rivendell is a great fit for: 

  • FAMILIES: reunions, anniversaries, and celebrations that bring loved ones together.
  • TEAMS: staff meetings, refreshers, and think-tanks
  • RETREATS: individual and group prayer and teaching get-aways
  • OUTDOORSMAN: those who love to fish, golf, hike, and explore.
  • CHILDREN: kids who enjoy trails, fishing, indoor and outdoor games, with some indoor Wii an arcade games sprinkled in. .
  • THOSE WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES: appreciate the first floor wheel-chair accessibility from the garage, the safety bars and a low threshold shower in The Scroll bathroom, the firm bed in The Scroll, and wheel-chair access throughout the first floor living room, kitchen, dining area, and upper decks.

But Rivendell is not a great match for:

  • PETS: The Branson Pet Resort nearby is happy to board and pamper any pets that may be traveling with you.
  • SMOKING: No smoking is permitted.
  • PARTIES: No amplified or live music is allowed outside in honor of peace with our neighbors.
  • SWIMMING ON SITE: Our kids jump in.. but this lake is cold. We enjoy going to the Branson Aquaplex!
  • ANYONE SQUEAMISH ABOUT BUGS: Our home is in the O Z A R K W O O D S ('nuf said) 
  • ANYONE LOOKING FOR A MODERN DESIGN: Rivendell has old-world charm. 
  • ANYONE WANTING TO BE 5 STEPS FROM A COFFEE SHOP: You'll have to drive 10 minutes to find the nearest one. 
Check-in and check-out times

Since it takes the cleaning team six hours to clean Rivendell, check-in time is normally at 4pm and check-out at 10am. But feel free to ask us if there is room to come earlier or stay later! 

Minimum night stay

By country permit code, two nights is the shortest whole-house reservation allowed. However, there are no limits on how many days can be reserved. Most guests in the summer reserve the home for a week and the average stay throughout the rest of the year is 3 nights. 

Payments

A 50% deposit by check, Mastercard, Visa, or a direct bank draft (via a link in the QuickBook invoice) secures your reserved dates. Your balance is due 30 days before arrival.

Cancellation Policy

What happens if you need to change or cancel your plans for a whole-house rental of Rivendell? (Please note that this policy applies to reservations made via VRBO or directly with Rivendell).

  • The first stop is always to contact the travel insurance policy that you purchased. Depending on the reasons for your cancellation, travel insurance can return your investment and prevent Rivendell from experiencing loss as well. 
  • If you did not purchase travel insurance, any refund (1) can not include credit card and/or VRBO fees (which the credit card companies and VRBO keep), and (2) will vary depending on how far in advance you cancel. 
  • 60+ days before your arrival, you will receive a full refund of monies paid to Rivendell.
  • 30-59 days before arrival, you are released from the balance owed but will only see a return of your deposit if Rivendell can re-rent the dates (in which case we will refund you however many days the new reservation covered).
  • Less than 30 days before your arrival, you lose all monies paid to Rivendell unless Rivendell can re-rent your dates.
  • In case of severe weather that hinders your travel or personal emergencies in your immediate family, Rivendell will happily reschedule your dates.
  • In case of national emergencies, such as the COVID19 crisis, Rivendell will either reschedule your dates at your convenience, ask if you would be willing to split the loss and receive a 50% refund, or return all your payments if sharing the loss is not an option.
  • If Rivendell ever has to cancel for any reason, all your monies will be returned.

Come & Rest

Jesus said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (Mark 6:31)

For information about reserving Rivendell for a time of prayer, a group retreat, or a vacation please call or email us. We look forward to welcoming you to our home!

417-761-0639
Branson, MO
rest@restinnrivendell.com

COVID19 UPDATE
Such an unexpected season for us all! We are so thrilled to host guests again and are working extra hard to ensure that Rivendell continues to be an ideal place for resting safely with your loved ones.

At our home, you will be isolated from crowds and even neighbors. The cleaning companies we contract with wear gloves and masks and wash, sanitize, and/or disinfect all surfaces and bedding. All the information you need is sent to you before your visit, so you won't have to interact with anyone outside your group or family during your entire stay.

When you reserve Rivendell, the home, 8+ acres of woods, and dock are all set apart FOR YOU. No other guests. No other visitors. Just you, your group...and lots of peace.