Circle S Ranch & Country Inn, Lawrence

The Circle S is a terrific place to get away from the city and enjoy life on the prairie. Innkeepers Mary and Jack offer true hospitality in very comfortable suroundings. Each room is decorated in a unique theme, most with either jacuzzis or claw-footed tubs, and the underlying motif is rustic luxury. The ranch is on 2200 acres, with beautiful vistas in all directions, and walking trails on which you can see the buffalo and longhorn cattle. Food is cooked up to order, with special diets accommodated. We came for the weekend for a family wedding, but the real attraction turned out to be the inn itself. The huge downstairs parlor is comfortably furnished with oversized leather sofas, tables and chairs, an enormous fireplace (with a mounted longhorn steer looking down over the room), and a player piano. An 8-person hot tub in the silo is available at any time. Up on the third floor is a massage room, and the massage and facial menu offer some special treats. I'd be glad to go back for another vacation on the prairie! One quibble -- the little inn on the prairie doesn't have very good cellphone reception. Bring your calling card, because you will probably have to use the land line.