Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timber Creek Resort

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timber Creek Resort is located in De Soto, Missouri. This will be a first for me in this area so I am excited about the chance to take this trip.

Video by Chris & Tiff  a simple family review of the resort.

Day One Travel & Arrival at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timber Creek Resort

The resort itself is about 50 minutes from the St. Louis Airport which is where I will be landing today and then taking a rental car to the resort. The resort’s proximity to St. Louis interests me because I have not been to St. Louis before and I want to spend some time seeing that city as well on this vacation.

My travel and flight went better than expected, so I was going to be early for check-in. I stopped on the way at a local restaurant called Granny Franny’s for a late lunch. The food was great and almost as good as the service. Such nice folks. This is dinner-style food, and family-friendly service, a nice local spot for sure.

As I write about these resorts now, I also like to share recent reviews from guests because I think a diversity of opinions is likely to help you decide if a resort is right for your vacation.

Recent Reviews

I recently visited this resort because it was 1 hour away from my residence and my anniversary. The resort is a peaceful place to get away to. The rooms are dated and could use updating. Take insect repellent and games to play in the room.

Nice whirlpool tub in the master and very friendly staff!

This is a beautiful place! There was a whirlpool tub in the master bathroom/bedroom. The rooms and property were very clean. We enjoyed playing miniature golf. We took a long walk around the lake by the resort, very nice! We also ordered a pizza from the onsite cafe, very good. All the staff was very friendly and helpful. We will definitely go back!

Great resort

This resort was a great location for the wedding we attended. We were surprised at how large the property was and it looked like there was a lot to do.

Weekend stay

I would recommend this hotel. My family and I enjoyed our stay. The lady at the front desk at check-in was so sweet and very nice. We enjoyed walking around the area and loved relaxing by the lake. Although the playground area for the kids could use some updating. But overall our stay was amazing.

Great oasis to enjoy nature

This is a hidden gem. It is not right off the interstate, so many locals probably do not know of its existence. The activities available at this resort are perfect for families to have quality time together.

Scenic Escape

Had a great big lake to walk around and plenty of room to ride a bike or do whatever you wish. Great access to sporting gear for no charge and all-you-can-eat popcorn, which the kids loved.

Very comfortable bed and convenient location

The grounds and facilities were very pretty. The beds are super comfortable! The location made it easy to enjoy St. Louis and nearby state parks.

Loved Timber Creek Resort

Have never stayed here before, but would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in that area. We took our grandkids with parents coming and going and the staff was very understanding. Lots of activities for kids to partake in, and most are free if staying on-site. The staff was exceptionally friendly. We will be coming back for another stay.

Great value, very comfortable

About 45 minutes from St Louis, and 10 minutes to Walmart. Has everything you need to cook your own meals, an activity center to keep the kids occupied. Would definitely recommend this place.

Villa Amenities

Then the resort itself offers all of these options.

Resort Amenities

Day Two St. Louis Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo is a must-see for all who love animals and the gifts that mother nature can share. With over 14,000 animals here, there is something for everyone. When traveling, I try to see the local zoo in an area if I get the chance. I think it goes back to the summer visits I made with my father to the National Zoo in DC. It is now a part of the Smithsonian and still is fun to visit. Since those early days in the 1970s, more cities like St. Louis have set up and grown their own zoos at amazing rates. The St. Louis Zoo was established in 1910 and now, since the turn of this century, the St. Louis Zoo has made some major changes and improvements to make this one of the nicest zoos in the world.

A fun thing to do before your trip is to watch the live penguin webcam and see if you can pick out your favorite in person when you arrive at the zoo on your trip.

The zoo offers many extras including a 4D theater and many additional shows with featured animals which are great. I liked the Sea Lion show and the 4D theater the best. If you have the kids along, consider tickets for the railroad. They are valid all, a day not just for a single ride.

You can also do an adventure pass that grants you access to everything for one low fee. It makes things easier and can save you money overall.

It seems like they only offer separate pricing to help keep some experiences free. It would likely be easier if they just charged the adventure pass for everyone. But they are trying to be as inclusive as possible with their pricing.

The Zoo is certainly large enough to spend a full day. I spent more than half a day but I wanted to see some of the city today as well.

No visit to St. Louis should miss a trip to see the Gateway Arch. It is a unique structure and site that is truly one of a kind.

From the website:

Truly a modern marvel, the Gateway Arch, formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is one of the world’s greatest architectural icons. It captures our regional and national aspirations for dreams and discovery. As a national monument, the Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis’ role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century, Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the West, the pioneers who helped shape its history, and Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse.

Fifty years after its completion, the Arch stands as one of the most visited attractions in the world and continues to be a destination for tourists around the globe who wish to experience the brilliance of its design and engineering. Designed by famed modernist architect Eero Saarinen, the Arch astonishes viewers with its boldness and beauty. The grounds immediately surrounding it, designed by Dan Kiley, are regarded as a masterpiece of modern landscaping.

I found the area impressive and somehow surprisingly peaceful. Even though this is one of the most visited places in the World it still made you feel at peace and seemed to slow time down.

See webcams of the views from the arch before you go. The view and surrounding grounds are the reason for the visit.

There are many more locations I would like to visit in St. Louis. I may have to come back again. Today I have already done a great deal of walking to see it all, and I am tired.

Day Three Resort Time

There is more than enough to do without leaving the resort. Sometimes on vacation you just want to chill out and take it easy. Even though I would like to see the aquarium and check out more things in St. Louis, I woke up today and felt that I just wanted to enjoy the resort and relax today.

I had breakfast in my villa. Then headed for the outdoor pool. After a full morning at the pool, the warm sun and a few swims I had already got in had me ready for lunch. I took advantage of the onsite restaurant for lunch. The Timber Creek Snack Bar and Grill was a perfect on-site option for that day when you just wanted to be lazy and take it easy. A simple snack-like menu was perfect for lunch or an afternoon snack. For dinner, you might want something more. But if you are like me when you have a full kitchen, you stock up a little, anyway. With the Walmart nearby, I was able to get breakfast items, and a few simple prepared foods to heat up keeping things simple.

The kids will enjoy the mini-golf and the onsite activity center with video games, air hockey, and more, all available.

For a great vacation to the St. Louis area, this is a top pick. Just make sure you book via Tzort to save.