Best Western Music Capital Inn

An indoor-pool hotel near the zoo and the Strip

★★★★★📍 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway$$

Rooms include standard rooms with one king or two queen beds, suites with sofa beds, accessible rooms, and rooms with jetted tubs. Each has a microwave, a refrigerator, and a coffee maker. The hot breakfast buffet runs from 6:30 to 10:00 AM daily. Other amenities include guest laundry, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, free self-parking, and RV and motorcoach parking. Dogs are allowed, up to two per room at a maximum of 75 pounds each, with a daily fee and a deposit; the booking page says pet-friendly rooms are limited, so book early if you are bringing one.

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM, check-out is at 11:00 AM, and the minimum age is 18. Up to two children under 18 stay free in existing beds, free cribs are available on request, and rollaway beds carry a nightly charge. Early check-in and late check-out are available for a fee, subject to availability. Branson Airport is about a 22-minute drive.

Who should book it: families with kids who want a pool, an arcade, and a hot breakfast; couples who like a sauna and steam room after a day of walking; and groups arriving by motorcoach or RV. Who should look elsewhere: travelers who want a lakeside setting or a full kitchen. The hotel is a few minutes from several Shepherd of the Hills Expressway venues, which suits a shows-and-zoo trip. The combination of a saltwater pool and steam room is a good fit for winter visits, when outdoor pools are closed and a warm indoor space is worth more than a view.