We stayed one night in a deluxe king room Valentines Day weekend because we were traveling from Tampa to Ocala. The online reservation process was seamless and easy to navigate. We received another confirmation email prior to our arrival that made it clear early check-in before 3 could not be accommodated so we were careful to arrive between the check-in hours of 3-9 PM. Check-in was easy and the room was very well appointed with everything we needed. We've stayed in everything from 5-star hotels in Europe and Indonesia to very cheap motels in small towns. This hotel competes with some of the better places we have stayed. The hotel is has been renovated by the owners and matches the cute quaint vibe of the city itself, Crystal River. It is also within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and the water / boat ramps which we loved. The room came with a bottle of wine and some sweet treats which we really appreciated. Especially once we learned that getting a spot for dinner on Valentines Day in the small town was pretty much impossible. Because of this we opted to get carry out, open our wine, and enjoy the dessert left in the room. As others mentioned the room was spotless, we found the decor to be current and fresh, the bathroom was stunning, and the AC and refrigerator were perfect. We will return at the next possible time and highly, highly recommend. read more

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Wonderful place within walking distance of the downtown district of Crystal River! Rooms were very comfortable and we had no issues with hot water. Becky and Stephanie are great hosts and allowed us to change clothing, after a manatee tour, before leaving for the Tampa airport. The continental breakfast was good and the treats on your door is a nice surprise!! read more

I can't speak highly enough about this INCREDIBLE family-owned hotel in the heart of Historic Downtown Crystal River. Joel seems to be the owner and main operator, I called in advance and he answered all of my questions prior to booking which was super helpful in locking it in. I was originally going to book through Booking.com for Valentine's Day weekend, but waited to long so it was booked for 2 nights. I encourage you to call though before booking elsewhere though, Joel offered us the option for a one-night stay and told us he'd keep us in the loop if something opened up for our second night. From the outside, the small hotel looks quaint and matches the surrounding area, nice small town energy, but as soon as you walk in the room, you step into a modern and contemporary, SPOTLESS space with a shower that looks like its built for space or a Manhattan penthouse (in the best possible way). After a long day of kayaking, fishing, or snorkeling with Manatees, there's nothing like laying your head down in the most comfortable bed of ANYWHERE we've ever stayed. Also, because of COVID they had a packaged breakfast in our fridge. A perfect Valentine's Day weekend with my wife. Also, they set up red roses on the bed at my request for my wife, super nice and thoughtful of them to do. This will be the ONLY place we stay anywhere within a reasonable driving distance. read more

I booked Retreat at Crystal Manatee for 3 nights. Unbeknownst to me when I went online to book the hotel, I used a 3rd party (Booking.com) who charged $180.When I tried to cancel within 24 hours I learned that after 2.5 hrs (midnight the day of booking), I forfeited $492 of the $734. I tried contacting both the hotel and Bookings.com to change the dates but both parties pointed to the other for changes, which I couldn't make. Beware Crystal Manatee's bad cancellation policy and 3rd party booking fees. read more

Outstanding visit, exceptionally clean rooms, customer service was top notch! 100% recommend staying there. Proximity to food, boat ramps could not have been better! read more

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Just don't stay here if you have any other options. First of all don't dare try and check in before 3pm, doesn't matter if the room is ready or not. The bed was lumpy and one side kind of dropped off, most uncomfortable bed in recent memory. The mirrors are all mounted very high so at 5'3" all I could see was the very top of my head. Everything in here is like it came from a cheap discontinued store except the shower which is very high end and amazing. Bathroom is a nice size however they chose to put a sink in with a very small vanity, not enough space for one person forget about two. The breakfast, beyond basic. Night stands are like big metal pineapples, again no room on them and no bedside lamps. Cute out door sitting area and close to restaurants, other than that a show read more

The rooms and area are absolutely adorable however if you are wanting a hot shower you might want to reconsider staying here. We were told you need to let the water run for at least 15 minutes... Ran the water for over 30 minutes and still NO hot barely warm. read more

We were fortunate to find this oasis on-line when looking for an alternative to the standard cookie cutter brands. The passion and pride of the owners is demonstrated with every detail. Modern room appointments, custom hand made creations, pristine gardens, 24 hour stocked pantry, and attentive staff. The restaurant was an elevated experience serving exceptional food at a reasonable price. The chef creations were worth the visit and the wine list was perfect. I just had to stay there for the second time in a month while visiting the area! read more

After 4 visits here over a 3 year period... We will be back in the future. Room, TV, AC, fridge and the beauty of this place will bring you back. Shout out to one star Deb & one star Joel L. No one will believe your story's... I prefer to leave a bad review on people that leave bad reviews read more

Gorgeous room . Incredible shower and bathroom. Right in town - walk to everything. Splurge and stay here ! It's the best . read more

Great location, super-clean, updated amenities, and friendly down-to-earth owner/manager. If you plan to actually stay in downtown Crystal River - within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants - this is the only place I'd stay. The most convenient location hands down. The hardworking owners are almost always on-site taking great care of the place, and are available to answer any questions or take care of any issues. read more

Retreat at Crystal Manatee - Entrance Manatee - Hotels Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

This lovely place has spoiled me to stay anywhere else now. All motor lodges should strive to be this thoughtful and welcoming. The king bed room was spotlessly clean and well-appointed with towels, cleansers, and bottled water. The courtyard gardens beautiful and obviously well-tended. There's a little private and locked dining area with unlimited coffee drinks, a box of Twinings tea choices, hot water, fruit and yogurt and juices, plus clean tables and chairs for enjoying a snack. When you return to your room after a day of kayaking or swimming with manatees or hiking, you'll find a bag of fresh baked croissants. One night was chocolate chip and the next was apple. Nice touch and appreciated for breakfast. This is a prime location as you can walk to several nice restaurants and parks. Be sure to check out Crystal River Kayaks for natural fun, too. read more

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Very pleasant place to stay. Close walk to Kings Bay where you might just catch an amazing sunset. The room and staff were both lovely. We had a Deluxe King suite. They pampered us with wine, croissants, and a delicious gelato dessert. The whole place felt new. They've done a great job with the renovations. We would absolutely stay again if we come to Crystal River. read more

Retreat at Crystal Manatee - Garden courtyard - Hotels Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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They have a good idea, but it's far from good yet! We were in the upgraded fancy king room just to be clear. Number one there's no close parking Number two, The check-in is way at the other end of the building and the person who checked us in needed to maybe wash her hair! It was so greasy Number three, There are no instructions on how to use the fancy shower head or the TV remotes which they had 2 in the room which were useless without instruction so both rated awful! Number four, they have a barn door for the bathroom, which makes it awkward because it doesn't close tightly and if you have somebody else in your room or friends in your room and you're trying to go to the bathroom, they can see in Number five, there is no place to put your clothes except on hangers or an open shelf above the refrigerator. Number 6 There is no rug when you walk in the room. It was raining and the floor was tile which became very slippery with wet shoes and lots debris from walking to your room from the sidewalks so we had to put a towel there. Number 7 The nightstands are about the size of my palm so if you have anything you need to charge at night like your phone or your iPad good luck having it not fall off. Our friends room had a stool for nightstands laugh! lThe beds are very uncomfortable. We had the superior king and realized on the last night there's actually lights in the headboard. There is just no guide and you and you need one to function in that room. Our friends had a regular king size bedroom and their bathroom sink was in the bedroom so to wash your face or brush your teeth you were in the main room plus the toilet area was tiny and you had to practically climb over the toilet to get to the shower. The back of the building looks like a row of homeless houses. we tried to go to the front desk to ask them how to get the TV to function properly as we wanted to watch a football game but there was no one there at 9:20 PM! Our last day we went to go get breakfast. They had one cream cheese left, one bagel, one piece of bread, very limited supplies of preserves and of course there was no one at the front desk to fill the empty items. It was probably around 7:30 am. Would I stay there again- no way, The positive is you are close to great restaurants and shops. For the upgrade you get a bottle of wine and a dessert. and your sink is in the bathroom. They need to up their game and they could have a great property! read more

This was a delightful place nicely hidden right off US-98 in a very quiet area. The room was very clean and comfortable. The bed was very comfortable and we slept very well. The owner and his family were very nice people and I had a very delightful chat with him while I was hanging outside. We ordered a European cheese and fruit board for $21.00 and they brought it to our room at a time we requested. Additional amenities can be a bottle of Korbel Extra Dry California Champagne for $25.00, or a medium sized seasonal bouquet in a vase for $25.00 that will be waiting in your room upon arrival. A lot of small local shops, restaurants, and pubs are walking distance from here. Even the place where we were going to kayak is just a 5 minute walk. We walked to the dock each evening to watch the sunset. Breakfast is bagged and they will deliver to your room that evening. It usually includes a pastry, juice, and yogurt. They do have coffee machines, fruit, cereal and milk, and oatmeal packets in their breakfast area however if you want a hot breakfast you can go less than a mile to a nearby diner. read more

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The definition of a hidden gem! Seriously, don't pass up on this place if you're visiting Crystal River! After recent renovations, this historic roadside motel carries old Florida charm on the outside while hiding beautiful and modern rooms on the inside. I was lucky to stay during a recent trip to Crystal River for a workshop. I love staying at historic hotels, but the Retreat at Crystal Manatee was on such a different level. The exterior renovations were so tastefully done, retaining period paint color even, and then the interior rooms were spacious and filled with the best modern amenities, including a waterfall type shower. Decorations were different in each room, but kept the old Florida and beachy theme throughout. This is definitely one of those times when I wish I could give more stars. Great work and keep it up! read more

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The Retreat at Crystal manatee is a lovely place to stay at Crystal river. This is a family owned local boutique motel. The owner, Joel and his family, renovated this place from the ground up. They are still renovating some of the rooms and adding gates. The renovated rooms are lovely. Rooms & Service : The rooms were clean and the beds were comfortable. Everything is newly renovated and well maintained. It is a minimalist setting which I appreciate. I absolutely loved the shower fitting in the bathroom with the various modes and temperature tuner. I also noticed that they were using solar panels on some of the rooftops - kudos! The service was exceptional - they change the towels every day and provide a continental breakfast of freshly baked pastries, fruit, orange juice and breakfast bars. Joel was very kind and helpful - he gave us a lot of tips for places to visit and eat. Location : The Retreat at Crystal Manatee truly is a retreat - it is located about a minute's walk away from Kings bay - one of the quieter bays. Most Kayak tours start from here so it's very convenient. It is walking distance from the town center, restaurants and shops . The town is beautiful, quaint and charming. The area has not been commercialized and has preserved its feel. Our stay where was lovely and restful. I highly recommend staying at the Retreat! read more

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I am in LOVE with this place! The Husband and I stayed at Crystal Manatee this past Saturday night. It's a quiet little place with very clean rooms. It has an old motor lodge feel on the outside with modern amenities inside the rooms. It's within walking distance of several great restaurants - or drive there in less than 2-5 minutes depending on where you want to go. It was Saturday night and quiet peaceful. I heard a band earlier in the evening and was concerned it might go late in the night. Nope. I had a great night's rest. The bed was super comfy for me. The Husband thought it was a little too soft but not enough to skew the rating. The water is RIGHT THERE nearby and several parks just a few steps away. They offer a continental breakfast but we did not partake so I can't comment on that. The nice lady, Jodi, who checked us in, was extremely polite and accommodating. We loved this place so much that we're going back in a couple of weeks for a longer stay! OH! Bonus! In the evening, they bring by a freshly made pastry to each room. We had big fresh croissants! REAL croissants. They were Eyes Roll Back Good! I can't wait to go back! read more

Clean, cozy, convenient location. They bring you fresh baked pastry every evening! Such a quaint touch.

My mother and I were visiting from out of town and decided to stay here. The Retreat at Crystal Manatee is a cute little hotel in a great spot. It's in walking distance from heritage village, local shops and restaurants, and state parks. The room was very clean and nicely set up. They bring you your breakfast in a bag the night before and place it in your room. Highly recommend this stay if you're planning a visit to Crystal River. I will definitely be staying here again when I return for another adventure. (Sorry for the dirtiness in the pictures, they were taken right before I checked out) read more

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Staff was very nice and the rooms were very clean and newly renovated. Not many rooms so book in advance but a very nice little place near several entertainment spots in Crystal River. read more

This place is awesome! The owners and staff are very hospitable and make you feel at home. The place has been recently remodeled obviously and is done very well! read more

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What a great hotel ! Fully renovated - cutting edge -decorations were professionally done. Bedding was plush and comfortable. The bathroom was good size with spa like fixtures. Clean as could be. Lots of parking. Close to all attractions -3rd street park and hunter springs walking distance two blocks - citrus avenue has shopping and restaurants for all types . We enjoyed the walk around town and popped into the Kane's Steak House -amazing food and atmosphere- the owners and employees at hotel were professional and friendly - they gave us beach towels to take over to hunter springs for a dip- while covid is here they deliver you breakfast the night before which has a variety of continental items - nice touch for sure. Will stay again and suggest you do as well. read more

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Spent two nights at this comfortable spot. We've been to the area in past and noticed retreat at manatee on our last visit. Glad we stayed. Staff was very helpful. It was to cold and windy for kayaking but found other things to do. Viewing and learning about the Manatees was awesome. Room was very clean and the bathrooms are beautifully done. Very European. Will definitely stay again. Jack & Teri read more

Small motel located right in town was in GREAT condition! Within walking distance of many local bars and restaurants! Newly renovated, clean with modern decor! Breakfast meals delivered to your rooms the night before. Swim towels provided upon request. Small Refrigerator was located in room. Would have liked to have had small "brewing" coffee pot and small microwave. I would have given 4.5 stars but it wasn't an option! You will totally enjoy this stay! read more

Perfect location, felt new and very well maintained, nice outside areas, daily pastries left at your door.

My husband and I had a lovely stay at the Retreat at Crystal Manatee. The room was nicely appointed, very clean and fresh. We were in Crystal River to kayak to the Three Sisters Spring and the Crystal Manatee is right next door to the launch area. Perfect location! It is also located within a 2 blocks of the cute downtown Crystal River shops and restaurants. Very walkable. Most importantly owners were very accommodating and delivered excellent personal service. I would highly recommend this hotel! read more

The place was just fantastic. Clean friendly and awesome location. Felt very comfortable. Definitely planning on going back

a quaint, beautifully maintained property. they were most attentive to every need. wish we scheduled more than one night!!!

Horrible customer service. The people running this place are extremely rude. The room was miniscule, only one large utility sink in kitchenish area, nothing in the bathroom. They bang on your door to deliver a bag of fake coffee and something else you won't like. So plan on going out for breakfast. The location is lovely, close to the water, but I would never stay here again. Probably won't go to Crystal River ever again after this experience in hell. read more

Unfortunately our experience leading up to our stay was unprofessional and insincere. My husband and I were visiting FL for pleasure. During our time in FL, a tropical storm warning was issued for several parts of FL including Citrus County (where Crystal River is located). Due to the storm and us traveling, our plans were forced to get switched around to ensure safe travels. I called The Retreat at Crystal River to inform them that the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, Bay Area News, and Weather.com, issued a Tropical Storm Warning with local flooding and hurricane-force winds were upon us. During this conversation, I was told that "it wasn't that bad" and "we cannot cancel your reservation and waive your fee" despite what the weather was calling for. The individual stated that we were "the last room booked and the hotel would not be able to fill the room in the event that they refunded us". This is a matter of safety, but their greed is holding $155 of our money hostage. To make matters worse, the gentleman state that if a "warning" was released for that particular day/night, then they would honor the refund (which it was, at 4AM!). My husband and I made the most appropriate decision for our safety- to drive home and not stay at their location for the evening. We called multiple times and each time, they've either dodged our calls or will write down our name (again!) and tell us that the "owner" will call us back. We even attempted to email them- no response. A few days later and no response. We are only asking that they refund us for our reservation that we (unfortunately) could not stay at. We, absolutely without a doubt, would have loved to stay another day in FL, but safety first. We are very disappointed on how they treated us (and continue to treat us). read more

I stayed before and absolutely loved it. I called in August and booked a reservation for the following January. In September, I received a phone call stating that they were cancelling my reservation because the prices might increase before January. I said that I understood that, but I really wanted to stay again. The staff told me they absolutely would not honor my reservation, but if I wanted to make another reservation, call back in a month or so. They also sent an email confirming the cancellation in which my name was spelled as a vulgar word. I called in October to make a new reservation and was told that I had to book through the website, that the employee on the phone could not help me. When I tried to book through the website, the dates were not available, but they would accommodate me if I was willing to stay longer. I am not aware of any issue with my previous stay. I left them a 5 star review and only spoke to staff at check in and check out. read more