At Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa, we believe that the most important voice is from you - our friends, family, and guests. We try our best to post reviews here that are both helpful and detailed. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to e-mail us, respond via TripAdvisor, or simply send us a note about Harbor memories and experiences. We love hearing from you!

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February, 2013
"Beautiful Setting"
"We stayed 2 nights at Harbour House in the resort with another couple. The house was lovely, very spacious with almost everything you needed. We'd stocked up at Walmart on the way but the kitchen was missing a bread knife, scissors, a chopping board and a wooden spatula. It had a large deck overlooking the water and its private dock, with a BBQ, fire pit and hot tub. Our friends found the heating noisy and overpowering the first night so we turned it off the second night and it was still warm enough. As they were expecting an ice storm the staff brought us a torch, oil lamps and extra wood for the fire. The weather wasn't good so 2 nights was probably enough but had it been dry we'd have wanted to stay longer."

February, 2013
"Awesomely More than we EVER Expected!"
"We stayed last fall... They went out of their way to accomodate our date and need for handicapped accessibity! The restaurant was awesome! Such a variety and intimate! Beautiful views! The dog policy is awesome... As long as your dog doesn't act mean to others, they can run around while you watch them! Our dog loved it! The party barge was awesome! We had such fun on the lake... stopped at a few islands! The cabin was perfect! The hot tub was so relaxing... It was clean and well furnished and stocked! The spa is great! Nice people and a great massage! I just loved the different choices for cabins! Some close to the people and some off to yourself! We would recommend it to everyone! Cannot say more about how nice and accomodating everyone was!"

February, 2013
"A Little Piece of Heaven"
"We just returned from MVH and it was just about the best experience ever. My husband and I went there for their Valentine special. The entire MHV family (just doesn't feel right calling them staff) made our trip a very memorable trip. It's like their goal in life is to make everyone that is their guest as welcome as possible. I don't see how anyone could not rate this place a 9 1/2 and I only say that becauce you have to pay for any additional firewood. Any problems that came up was dealt with immediately, which was our fault. We locked ourselves out but they came immediately and let us back in. Everyone was very friendly and seemed to go out of their way to please. At the special dinner our waitress was Heather and she was exceptional. She told you exactly what everything was and stayed on top of taking care of everyone that was in her section. She had helpers that took care of refills or clearing the plates. They were all great. We are looking forward to coming back in the spring and can't wait. Thanks ya'll for making this a fantastic get-a-way. See you soon."

December, 2012
"Arkansas at its Best"
"Just returned from a fishing trip on beautiful Lake Ouachita and spent a full week in one of the timber view cottages. We have been making this trip for over 8 years and found Mountain Harbor to easily be head and shoulders above anywhere we have stayed in the local area. We wanted for nothing and I cannot tell you how great the fireplace, private hot tub, and a sizzling steak off our patio grill felt and tasted after 11 hours of hard fishing every day for a week. We will be back time and again, I recommend MHR to everyone looking for home-like atmosphere, beautiful scenery, wildlife, crystal clear water, and great fishing!"


November, 2012
"Great Fall Weekend!"
"I stayed at Mountain Harbor last weekend for a girls getaway. It couldn't have been a more relaxing, wonderful stay! The King studio was perfect for two and the staff couldn't be more friendly and accommodating. As always, the restaurant was exceptionally good and the staff there was great. I 100% recommend Mountain Harbor to anyone wanting a relaxing stay on beautiful Lake Ouachita, especially during the beautiful fall season."

October 26, 2012
"World Class with Extras!"
"Mountain Harbor is the best choice you can make if you want world class accommodations, exceeded only by their level of service. The natural beauty of the woods on the lake adds serenity as a backdrop, while the family operated resort treats you like royal family. Professionalism in every detail was delivered with warmth from the entire staff, including Turtle Cove Spa. Adriane, our Event Coordinator, is surely the Angel of Hospitality, and took excellent care of all 30 of us, while Chef Chris created menus to suit this group's diverse dietary needs. And the best catfish I ever tasted! We stayed in the Harbor North C20 cabin - Luxurious comfort, exquisitely decorated, tons of amenities, environmentally friendly, huge hot tub, and the most comfortable bed I ever slept on. I loved the Pavilion for group campfires on the lake at night, plus it's a beautiful spot for weddings/family reunions. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill, the owner, who made us feel like family right away. I even spotted him helping out in the restaurant on Sunday. My only regret is that the week went too fast! All of our future events will be based at Mountain Harbor Resort. We love you!"

October 23, 2012
"Beautiful Resort and Amazing Staff"
"Our group of 30 just returned from our 7-day stay at Mountain Harbor Resort and we can't wait to return! From Day 1 of planning this trip, their staff was extremely accommodating and made sure that anything we would possibly need was taken care of. Adriane is especially wonderful and we are very grateful for everything she did for our group to make sure our experience was great. The resort itself is nestled way back off of the main road on Lake Ouachita and gives ample opportunity to see wildlife and gaze at the stars at night. They have accommodations for every budget which is nice. Our group stayed at Harbor North and those cabins are absolutely beautiful. We didn't even want to participate in activities away from the resort, they just wanted to hang out at their beautiful cabins and enjoy nature! We can not rave anymore about this place and it's people. Everything is just perfect there and we are already planning a return trip for next Spring. Mountain Harbor Resort will be the only place that we stay from now on and we highly recommend them to anybody, whether you're by yourself or a large group, that is searching for accommodations in this area."

October 23, 2012
"I Felt so Nurtured in the Woods!"
"I loved my condo in the woods at Harbor East. The property is very large and there were very few people there in mid-October. It was very quiet and very dark at night so it made for great sleeping. The trees were just turning. Most of the staff was friendly and nice. My friend and I had a two-bedroom/two-bath place for a special of $125 a night. What a deal! We had plenty of room to spread out. I really didn't want to leave. The Joplin store at the main street has weekday specials that I enjoyed. It was close enough to crystal shopping at Mt. Ida and Jessieville and the mineral baths at Hot Springs. We didn't have internet in the room which was a little challenging. We had to use the laudry room for internet access as the lodge closed at 8pm. There were a few maintenance issues which were promptly fixed. Can't wait to go back!"

October 9, 2012
"No Better Place"
"Our group of 5 went to work/train on this beautiful lake. This resort is full of energy from the wildlife all around to the dedicated staff that welcomed us upon arrival and treated us like family. We stayed in an immaculate 3BR/3Bath cabin (ask for C7) that was fully equipped with amenities, plus. The view was beautiful. There were deer every where and very peaceful. Bill and Rita were excellent in handling our accommodation needs and answered all concerns both prior to arrival and during visit. If in this area, or not, you need to visit this resort."

September 28, 2012
"This is my Home Away from Home"
"I will and have always loved you guys. I have been on Lake Ouachita since I was a baby. This is my home away from home. My children know everyone on Dock "S" and everyone in the office, and at the Marina. You are really a part of the family. When my father passed away a year ago. I came straight here and hid out for 2 weeks to deal with it; left to get my affairs in order for a week, and came back another 2 week. You helped the kids and myself and husband more than you will ever know. I could feel him with us the whole time we where there. I went to Crystal as well, because this is where my dad fell in love with Lake Ouachita. We had a home away from home.  I can say that I love Mt.Harbor just as much. Nothing beats this place during the 4 of July. Everyone is nice and I love the fact that my puppy can stay with you guys in the office. She loves you, too! When we want to go straight to the restraunt after we get docked and don't have to go straight to the Condo to drop her off, I know she is getting spoiled beyond repair. At the Marina, it is just as wonderful. Everyone is very nice and really care about you. It is not just a job to you guys, you treat everyone like family. You can see that you are doing your best to keep this a place to remember. Thank you and see you soon!"

August 14, 2012
"Weekend of Family Fun"
"We just returned from a wonderful weekend at Mountain Harbor. We originally booked a King Studio at the Lodge but were able to take advantage of a condo special and upgraded to one of the 2-bedroom, 2 bathroom condos. Everyone (staff and guests alike) were very friendly; it definitely felt like we were being welcomed into part of a family. Here are some specifics:

1. The condo. We stayed in one of the condos in East Harbor by Turtle Cove Spa. There were four units in each building with parking in front. Once inside the condo, you felt completely secluded and surrounded by the beautiful trees. It was nice to be able to step outside and realize you were only a short walk from the spa, the lake, and the workout circuit. We met one of the owners of the other condos while unloading our car and they were very friendly and invited us to knock on their door if we needed anything. I think this speaks to the hospitality of the area. There was also a pool by the spa, but we chose to swim at the Lodge pool since there seemed to be more children for our son to play with. The kitchen was very well stocked. The dishes were newer, and there was dish detergent and dishwasher cubes. My only complaint about the room was that it had a slightly "musty" odor when we first arrived. I think this is to be expected (given the rustic setting and proximity to the lake), and a few sprays of Febreze took care of it. The shower pressure was wonderful and the AC (it was just under 100 degrees the weekend we were there) was cold. There was also a deck outside with a grill and table with four chairs. We didn't use the deck because we were so busy and it was hot. If you want to use the deck at night I would recommend some type of bug spray or repellent since you are literally sitting in the trees.

2. The Lodge. Up at Lodge there are two pools - a tiny kiddie pool and a larger pool in back between the Lodge and the marina. The restaurant is in the Lodge and the food is really good. They have a nice soup/salad bar that comes with most entrees or can be ordered separately. It was nice to be able to keep my family filled up with veggies - so often during vacation we eat unhealthy meals. At least one night try the huge sundae with the fudge brownie - YUM!! Across the parking lot from the Lodge is a laundry room and a small playground for kids. One of my favorite spots was on the deck outside the restaurant; I took a few minutes and sat outside with a glass of wine on a rocking chair overlooking the lake. Beautiful!! The Lodge also has "supplies" for purchase - we forgot bug spray and were able to stock up. Other than the outer deck area, I didn't see a "common" area that you find in some lodges (with a fireplace, chairs for socializing, books/videos to borrow, etc.) This area might exist but we didn't see one.

3. The Marina. Wow - the floating store and Subway are really great. Over the course of the weekend we purchased gallons of water for taking onto the lake, snacks, paper cups, sandwich bags, and two life jackets for our son (a traditional one and one for water play.) They also had convenience groceries, water sports supplies, and fishing supplies. It seemed very well-stocked, which is helpful because the nearest store is several miles away (and honestly, is not as well stocked.) Another favorite experience was taking our Subway sandwiches out onto the back dock and taking in the million-dollar view. You cannot help but relax in that setting. Obviously the prices are higher since it is on resort property, but we thought it was worth the convenience.

4. The grounds. We drove around and explored the grounds our first morning. Make sure to check out the view from Micah's point (North Harbor). The Joplin campground area has a nice swimming area; we saw several families with young children swimming there. I'm sure there are many more neat spots, but we didn't have time to see it all.

5. The lake. Another "wow"! I grew up boating on several lakes in Phoenix, AZ. None of those can compare to the beauty of Lake Ouachita. It really is stunning and peaceful. To save money, we drove about 30 miles to Lake Ouachita State Park and rented a 16-ft. fishing boat from the marina ($70 for a full day). The state park also has a pontoon boat for rent that is much cheaper. It took us about 45 minutes to get there one way, but was worth the money savings for us. Even though we weren't renting a boat from the Mountain Harbor marina, the staff at the marina took several minutes to tell us about the lake and recommend places to visit. They are the reason we went out to Hotel Island, which was perfect - easy to find and shallow water for swimming.

All in all a great family getaway! Here are a few more tips that we will remember for next time:
- Remember all the supplies (ice chest, sunblock, hats, bug spray)
-Remember it is a rustic setting - we went in the middle of the late-summer "spider" season. We could tell the condo had been treated for pest control because many of the "critters" we saw inside were dead, but we did have to share the condo with several 8-legged friends. I am more calm about this now than I was then! Next time I head into relative "wilderness," I will bring peppermint essential oil (as I have heard it repels the spiders).
-Even if you are newbies like us, you should probably bring some basic camping supplies to spend the day on the lake (e.g. a snake bite kit). We were talking to some fellow guests at the pool who saw some cottonmouths out on the lake. We didn't see any but it pays to be prepared.
-Remember MH is in a dry county. If you do not bring your own wine/beer/etc., you can head out to Lewis Liquor, about 8 miles back down the 270 and over the county line."

We will definitely be back!"

July 31, 2012
"Relaxing!"
"We have visited Mountain Harbor for 3 years and just love it! I am about to make other reservations for a fall trip. The folks there are so friendly and professional and the cabins are so clean and comfortable! Cant wait to get back!"

-Family actually stayed with us in March, 2012, and posted this in July.

June 24, 2012
"Relaxing Stay"
"We were looking for a quick trip to go somewhere for our birthday and honeymoon and I called Mountain Harbor to see if they had anything for one night. They were running a special on their condos! When we got there we loved it. It was spacious, quiet, and very nice. We also decided to get a massage from the spa and that was AMAZING!!! Best massage I've ever had and my husband who had never had one loved it and we can't wait to come back!! All the staff was so friendly, and we also ate at the lodge for dinner and breakfast and it was so good. We will for sure be back!"

June 17, 2012
"A Hidden Oasis"
"We just spent three nights at Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa as we have been driving from New York to California. We picked this resort for two reasons: One, we wanted to make a stop between Little Rock, AR and Dallas,TX and two, we read the great reviews on Trip Advisor.

Upon our arrival, Julie at the front desk was very warm and friendly. We were allowed an early check-in, which was a sign of their welcoming accommodations. Our double bed room was spacious and had a nice view of the lake. However, the balcony was not gated in and since we are also traveling with two cocker spaniels, we were afraid that they would spend their time chasing after squirrels. Well, all it took was a phone call to Julie, who immediately took care of it. She spoke to Patty Brown, her boss. Ms. Brown came to our room within minutes and was incredibly accommodating. She showed us another room with a private balcony, which we fell in love with immediately.

The hospitality we received at Mountain Harbor surpassed our expectations. We spent the most relaxing three nights of our entire trip across the country thus far. Thank you Ms. Brown and your entire staff for making this trip a beautiful and relaxing get away from all the stress of traveling!

We will forever remember this awesome stop. And yes, we will most definitely return"

April 18, 2012
"Nice Place with Beautiful Views"
"We stayed at the Mt Harbor Resort for two nights in early April, 2012 while visiting the Mount Ida area. We stayed at the lodge, which was built in the 60's but has been refurbished recently. The room was quite spacious with a sitting area including a couch and desk. There is a nice patio off of each room that was very nice to sit out on for early morning coffee or late afternoon relaxation. Our room had a comfortable king size bed and the bathroom was spacious and clean. The Mt Harbor coffee was an added bonus!!!

We ate at the restaurant for two breakfasts and two dinners and were very satisfied with the food and service. Really enjoyed watching the purple martins take care of the mosquitos. Everyone we had contact with was very very friendly and helpful.

The resort was very quiet and I'm sure this was due to the time we were there---not really tourist season yet. Certainly we would stay there again."

April 5, 2012
“Incredible Luxurious Cabin had everything we needed! LOVED IT”
"We stayed here during the Ouachitat Mountain Bike Race Challenge. We stayed in one of the newer cabins- C23 - that overlooked the lake. At first when I booked it, I thought "dang" this is pretty expensive, but then when I arrived and walked into the cabin, "OMG gorgeous!" Worth every penny and pure luxury. The hot tub on the deck is perfect brand new and high end. The linens were high end, huge kitchen, very large bedrooms with flat screen tvs. The Kitchen has everything you need with cuisinart everything. We slept so good and the cabin is just gorgeous ...everything was immaculate !!! The views were great and the people who work at Mtn Harbor Resort are great too. Everyone is super friendly and the layout of the resort is great. I highly recommend it good location and a great time."

February, 2012
-An excerpt from an e-mail between a family of Rison, Arkansas, and Mountain Harbor:
They said ...
"I received an email yesterday from Mtn Harbor thanking us for our stay and welcoming us back anytime.  I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed staying at the resort and we are looking forward to coming back soon!
 
This was our first time staying at the resort and I had low expectations because so many hotels and resorts in Hot Springs/Mt Ida are older and have never been updated.  But I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the door to the King Studio suite and saw all the updates and freshly painted walls, newly installed carpet and updated furniture and bedding.  When we do return for another visit I will be requesting that same room.  The room was great, but the customer service was even greater.  Diane took care of checking us in and made sure to include treats for our dogs.  Everyone was so friendly and accepting of our pets and we truly appreciate it!  We did order breakfast the morning we checked out and again, it was great.  I can't wait for our next visit and hope to see you soon!
 
Thanks again,
Emily & Brandon
Boat & Rebas"

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December 2011
"Luxury on the Lake"
"My wife and I stayed here over Memorial Day weekend with my parents, brother and sister-in-law. We reserved one of the Harbor North Cabins, # C24. We were not sure what to expect, but we were more than blown away by how nice this cabin was. C24 is one of the largest 3 bedroom, 3 bath cottages offered at Mountain Harbor Resort. This allowed each couple in our group to have their own private space while still being able to enjoy the company of everyone else. My parents took the master bedroom which had a king bed. Each of the other guest rooms had two queen beds apiece. I suppose having two beds in each room would work great for larger families with kids. Each bedroom also had an exit onto the huge back deck that faced the marina. The deck had a nice outdoor dining table that we used for most meals as well as a hot tub. There are stairs off the deck that take you down to ground level. It is nicely wooded and you can easily walk down to the lake. The gentle slope makes this a great place to swim. The kitchen was fully equipped and the great room was full of comfy furniture. There is also a large dinning room table that is perfect for card games. We also used the swimming pool and restaurant on the property, but they are not close to the North Harbor Cabins, so you will have to drive around to that part of the property. Overall the cabin is clean and very well appointed. Its a perfect lake getaway!"

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November 2011
"Would go back today!"
"Great place, great service, super attentive, everyone friendly, bent over backwards to accomodate - even cleaned the carpets prior to our arrival per our request!! We don't usually stay someplace twice, even if its great because there are so many places to visit, but this one...well we would go back today! We rented a party barge for my birthday and had a great time on lake. We stayed in C17 and it was comfortable, clean, beautifully furnished, great view from deck and great hot tub. We cooked in all meals and enjoyed eating on deck or in beautiful dining room. We highly recommend it!"

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November 2011
"Mountain Harbor Resort - the perfect fishing vacation destination"
"If you are coming to Lake Ouchita with friends or family, definitely stay in one of the cabins at Mountain Harbor Resort. I stayed in C14 which was a 2 bedroom cabin with a living/dining area, full kitchen , 2 bathrooms and a huge, private deck overlooking the lake. My cabin was very clean and comfortable with modern furnishings and decor. It was a 50-yard walk down to the covered dock where my fishing guides met me each morning. Bill, Pati and staff were very genuine people who will bend over backwards for you. Super place!"

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August 2011
"Still Love it and Will Come Back!"
"If you're coming to Lake Ouachita, Mountain Harbor Resort is the place to be. We stayed in a New, 3 bedroom, 3 Bath Cabin with Huge living room, Fireplace and Kitchen. Has beautiful view, overlooking Marina and lake. Huge back porch with Hot Tub. The kids really love it and have asked to go back last 3 years. Lake is fabulous for sking and tubing. Service is great and ALL Employees at Mountain Harbor Resort are very friendly. They make you feel like your Home!!!! CHECK IT OUT!"

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July 2010
"GREAT"
"Long story short, Mountain Harbor is one of the greatest resorts I've ever stayed in and my family and I won't be changing vacations spots any time soon."

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