Keepsake Cottages is a family-founded and operated cottage rental in Gravois Mills, Missouri. The property's guest accommodations consist of three cottages—Doty's Lil' Log, Lazy Daze, and Kas A Día—and a private marina on the Lake of the Ozarks. Though the property has been in operation since 1970, the cottages are new and were constructed in 2018. Known for its locale, Keepsake Cottages sits on 50 acres of rural lakefront land. This unique location allows visitors to the property to spend their time doing an abundance of activities. Chief among these include fishing, swimming, boating, playing on the beach, and other maritime activities. It even has Kayaks and paddleboats patrons of the property can use for free. Gravois Mills is a small town with just under 200 permanent residents. Located right on the Lake of the Ozarks, this quaint town has many marinas, boat storehouses, and fish shops.
Keepsake Cottages is home to three cottages spread across fifty acres of lakeside property. The grounds can be described as rural because each of the cottages is widespread from one another. Guests can expect to find grassy areas, a wooded or paved walk, groves of trees, and dirt areas for various outdoor activities. Each cabin has a charcoal barbeque, full kitchens with utensils and dishware, towels, bedding, extra blankets, and bathrooms stocked with toilet paper.
Doty's Lil' Log is the first of the three cottages. This cottage has all the amenities necessary for a relaxing, carefree vacation. With 480 square feet in size, it serves as a fully furnished studio. Inside the property, it is outfitted with rustic, lakeside-themed décor. There is a queen-sized bed with all the necessary bedding, extra blankets, and pillows. Other provided features include a television and DVD player in the small lounge area, an electric fireplace, a sizeable reclinable chair, and a couch that pulls out into a full-sized bed. The kitchen is complete with a stove and oven combo, a coffee maker, a toaster, a microwave, and a full-size refrigerator. Additionally, there is also a movable island with four stools. The bathroom has a large shower, toilet, towels, and a hairdryer. This cottage also has heat and air conditioning.
Lazy Daze is another of the cottages available at Keepsake Cottages. This cottage is significantly larger than Doty's Lil' Log and can easily accommodate up to six people. Guests can sleep in the bedroom on the queen-size bed and an additional sleeper sofa. There is also another sleeper sofa in the lounge area. The kitchen is stocked with pots, pans, glassware, silverware, a toaster, coffee maker, oven, refrigerator, and microwave. This cottage also has a small deck overlooking the surrounding scenery.
The last rentable area is a small houseboat harbored in the Keepsake Cottages marina—Kas A Día is the name of this houseboat. The kitchen on the houseboat has a small refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, hotplate, and a coffee maker. Though it is on the water itself, guests cannot take the boat out of its private dock.
The Lake of the Ozarks surrounds the property. Here guests often go fishing or swimming and enjoy water sports. Due to Keepsake Cottages' proximity to the lake, Tena McCormick—the property owner—offers kayaks and paddleboats for guests to use, free of charge. The various cottages are available to rent year-round. However, the summer months are typically when the property's occupancy rates reach their peak quantities.
Gravois Mills is a very secluded, small, and rural town in Missouri. Its remote location makes the city feel intimate, and because it only spans 400 acres of land, the small streetways are easy to navigate for visitors. Keepsake Cottages is a very private and family-friendly location. There is a sleeping space for large and small groups and a large outdoor area for large group gatherings. The marina and boat docks are close to the cottages, making it easy for guests to transfer their belongings to and from the land and water.
Guests often leave great reviews concerning the cleanliness of the cottages and the quality of the fresh linens. An abundance of them also appreciates that the property has kayaks and paddleboats available for its patrons to use, free of charge. Because of the private space, the surrounding area has been known to be very safe, so guests can be at ease when leaving their things around. Many fish shops are nearby for fishing equipment, boating equipment, and other maritime necessities for guests coming to Keepsake Cottages for its proximity to the lake. Some small local restaurants are also in the area where guests can enjoy a meal if they so wish. The small town has a population of barely above two hundred people, so the locals rely on the visitor's business.
The property where Keepsake Cottages were built was purchased in 1970 by Tena McCormick. It was used exclusively for its lakefront area at first, and thus the marina was built early on. A few years later, boat storage and more private docks were built. Tena McCormick and her late husband ran the marina for almost thirty years.
When Tena's husband passed away in 2015, she decided that it was time for a life change. Tena started building the cottages in 2017, and they were finished near the end of 2018. Since then, she has been the primary owner, housekeeper, and groundskeeper of the Keepsake Cottages. Tena hopes to continue making improvements to the cottages and build more along with a small store in the future.
14299 Keepsake Rd.
Gravois Mills, Missouri 65037
United States
Campground
Tena McCormick
