Conifer Crossing Lodge

Conifer Crossing Lodge is a big wood-sided house off a gravel road in Broken Bow, with pine trees on every side. It sleeps up to 20, though the house tops out at 14 adults, so it suits a family reunion or two families sharing one place for the weekend.

Sleeping is the first thing to sort out, so here it is. Three bedrooms have a king bed, and two of those also have a sleeper sofa. The fourth is a bunk room with two queen-over-queen stacks, four queen beds in all. Add two sleeper sofas in the living room and a travel crib, and everybody gets somewhere to land. There are four full bathrooms and a half bath. The ones in the photos have walk-in showers and double sinks, and one has a soaking tub.

Start the tour in the living room. The ceiling runs up two stories, there is a stone fireplace with a TV over it, and tall windows face the trees. A wood staircase climbs up from there. The kitchen has a granite island with stools, a stainless fridge with an ice maker, a dishwasher and a coffee bar along the wall. The long dining table sits in front of a wall of windows, so supper comes with a view of the pines.

Upstairs there is a game loft with a pool table. Air hockey sits right beside it, and there is a sofa and a TV for whoever is waiting on a turn.

Outside is where this place does its best work. A round above-ground pool sits inside a wood sun deck, and a built-in grill in a stone counter is a few steps away. The covered deck has a stone fireplace with a TV, a big seating group and a long dining table. The hot tub is on a covered deck too, so it stays usable when the weather is not cooperating. Out in the yard there is a fire pit ringed with Adirondack chairs, and the decks hold cornhole, a giant Connect Four and a ring-toss target.

A few practical things from the listing. The house sits off a gravel road, so the decks can get dusty. The circular driveway has room for several vehicles, and boats and trailers fit too. Dogs are welcome, two at most. Check-in is self-service, so nobody has to meet you at the door.