Custom-built home sits at the top of a prominent hill at the center of a beautiful, privately-owned 500-acre river valley grazing ranch surrounded on all sides by the Ozark mountains. Enjoy this magnificent retreat, with panoramic views, well-designed indoor and outdoor living spaces, extensive lawns, mature trees, and the kind of beauty that refreshes the spirit. Stay for two nights or up to four weeks.
Villa excels in reminding her guests that they are on vacation - an extraordinary vacation. It took nearly a year to achieve the goal of creating an environment that imparts the feeling of world class travel, sublime comfort and upscale hospitality. Each room has been carefully designed around one-of-a-kind reproductions of antiques and specially selected furnishings that suggest the sense of adventure that existed in British Colonial Africa. The open spaciousness of the house, views of the land that surrounds it, tall windows with wide wooden blinds, over-arching mango and palm trees, and the large dual hub ceiling fan with woven paddles are well-fitted to the fresh, nature-inspired elements of this theme. Brand new top-of-the-line mattresses and crisp white, high thread count 100% cotton bedding guarantee that you'll feel pampered all through the night and well-rested in the morning. Come to find deep relaxation, as you immerse yourself in this distinctively tasteful setting that is surrounded with the natural beauty of the Ozarks. You won’t be disappointed!
The photos in our listing make it possible for you to "see" Villa up close, inside and out, to "walk the grounds" and "gain an appreciation for the views" that surround this beautiful destination. As a guest at Villa, it's likely that you will see cows, sheep and goats grazing in the surrounding valleys, and it's possible that you will be able to see various types of wildlife that inhabit the Missouri Ozarks (song birds, rabbits, armadillos, skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bald eagles, and deer are common in this area). At various times throughout the year, cows, sheep and/or goats may even be grazing directly across the private drive from Villa. Our photo catalog includes pictures of some of the sights that can be seen during guided tours of the surrounding ranch and float trips on the Osage Fork River (Optional: SEE details and pricing). If you’d like to take a guided tour of the ranch to see the livestock “up close” and learn about the history of this valley - and/or if you'd like to explore the surrounding Osage Fork River in one or more of our kayaks - please be SURE to notify us in advance of booking so that we can confirm availability. Guided tours of the ranch and float trips on the river that surrounds and cuts through the ranch add a very special dimension to staying at Villa, and we do our utmost to provide these optional activities as scheduled. Let us know if you're interested, so that we can send details and prices to you!
PLEASE NOTE:
1.) It’s usually difficult for us to schedule farm tours and/or float trips on short notice. Whenever possible, please make your requests known PRIOR TO BOOKING.
2.) Guided farm tours and services related to floating the Osage Fork River are subject to availability. We reserve the right to cancel scheduled itineraries in the rare event of unforeseen situations, such as weather conditions, emergencies (on our part or yours), equipment breakdowns, and sickness. Please understand that we will always do our best to provide these services for you whenever possible.
3.) For reasons of liability, guests who stay at Villa will have NO PHYSICAL ACCESS to the surrounding ranch or any of the animals on the ranch, aside from guided tours that are scheduled and confirmed in advance. The ranch is NEVER available for hiking, fishing, or any other type of unsupervised activity. *If you happen to be here when the sheep are grazing across the drive from Villa, please be sure to keep a good distance from the dogs that guard the sheep. Children must be supervised at all times as the dogs are very protective of the sheep. The same principles for safety apply to all of the livestock here on the ranch.
4.) If you’re interested in floating the Osage Fork River that surrounds and crosses through the ranch, please let us know in advance of your stay. We have kayaks, paddles and standard-sized (only) life jackets that we make available to our guests at no cost. We offer shuttle services for the gear, to and from the river, for guests who do not have a truck to haul the equipment. (Please Note: There are fees for shuttle support.) If either of these activities are an important aspect of your stay, please be sure to check for availability PRIOR TO BOOKING!
We do welcome families with children and/or infants! Note: We do not offer discounted pricing for infants and/or children; all guests, regardless of age, are counted individually and charged at the same rate. Villa has not been “childproofed" per se, but with appropriate parental supervision and guidance, the environment is one that shines for families!
Nearest aiport: STL Saint Louis Airport, Saint Louis
