Cedar Crest Lodge: A Natural Escape

A short drive from KC, find an all-seasons staycation that immerses you in nature.

Do you have a milestone birthday or wedding anniversary coming up? Or perhaps you are wanting to plan a nice girl’s weekend or couple’s getaway? If so, I’ve got just the place!

Hop in your car for an easy, one-hour drive south on 69 Highway to Pleasanton, KS. There you will find Cedar Crest Lodge. A hidden gem in our state, it was recently ranked the third top bed and breakfast in the US by TripAdvisor. After becoming regulars– experiencing the lodge in summer, fall, and winter– we can confidently agree that no matter the season (or the reason), it’s a nice place to be year-round.

For almost 25 years now, they’ve been wowing customers near and far with their warm hospitality, delicious food, clean and well-appointed rooms, and amazing sunsets.

Situated on more than 100 acres in the beautiful, rolling hills of Kansas, Cedar Crest Lodge has 11 rooms to offer, which means plenty of variety when choosing your accommodations. The basic rooms – some with two beds – start at around $250 a night; their luxury rooms and suites around $300 a night. We have stayed in the Country Meadow room twice now and can highly recommend.

If you are planning a colder weather getaway, Cedar Crest offers a hot tub, sauna, and fire pit (with s’mores!), and several of their 11 rooms have heated floors and heated towel bars in the bathrooms– perfect for cozying up during chilly weather. To pass the time, they have a closet full of games and puzzles, a reading library, a well stocked coffee and tea bar– and of course, a fire place. Massages are available to book, as well. If the weather is mild (or you’re just good at bundling up and braving the elements!), they have hiking trails to explore.

If you plan to visit in the warmer months, additional amenities include a beautiful pool with colorful flower beds, plenty of yard games, and fishing in one of several ponds– with kayaking and paddleboarding coming in the spring of 2025.

Each nightly stay includes a full breakfast and a 3-course dinner with a main entrée of your choosing. Cedar Crest Lodge prides themselves on farm-to-table dining, and it’s evident in the quality and care put into each dish. The Chilean sea bass with lemon butter sauce is a favorite of ours, as is the balsamic-glazed sirloin steak. Of note– the staff is good about accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies, a much appreciated gesture of hospitality.

For lunch or snacks, they offer picnic lunches and grazing boards for an additional cost. The luxury rooms and suites have mini fridges and microwaves, so you can also bring food along with you. And while they don’t sell alcohol on the premises– the on site ice machine makes packing a cooler a breeze for picnics. Offsite, we enjoy going into town or to a local winery – like Blue Dog Wine in Mound City - for lunch.

Cedar Crest Lodge is so much more than just a bed and breakfast. It’s a retreat. A place to relax, renew, and recharge– one that we’ll keep returning to season after season.