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Summary of reviewsRetreat at Crystal Manatee has received high praise for its prime location, nestled conveniently in the heart of Crystal River. Guests often highlight the easy access to major attractions such as Three Sister Springs, Kings Bay Park and Hunter Springs Park, all within walking distance. The tranquil yet central neighborhood offers a peaceful ambiance, complemented by nearby restaurants, bars, shops and a variety of water activities.
Breakfast at the Retreat at Crystal Manatee is appreciated for its fresh pastries delivered straight to rooms and a variety of snacks available throughout the day. The continental breakfast includes cereals, yogurt, breads, fresh fruit and beverages such as coffee, tea and juices. Despite some suggestions for a greater variety, the quality and freshness of the offerings, particularly the croissants and freshly ground coffee, are well-received.
For dinner, the hotel’s proximity to The Crab Plant and other downtown dining options adds convenience. Guests enjoy wandering to local spots for meals, snacks and drinks, enhancing their culinary experience during the stay. Complementary fresh pastries and sandwiches also add a personal touch to the dining experience at the hotel.
The rooms at Retreat at Crystal Manatee stand out for their beautiful design and recent renovations. Visitors often comment on the cleanliness, spaciousness and modern yet stylish decoration. Comfortable beds, well-appointed furnishings and quiet surroundings contribute to a cozy and restful stay. Additional perks like evening fresh pastry deliveries and scenic terraces further elevate the guest experience.
Cleanliness is a notable highlight with the hotel consistently described as spotless and meticulously maintained. Guests appreciate the pristine condition of the rooms and common areas, contributing to a serene and inviting atmosphere.
The staff at Retreat at Crystal Manatee receive acclaim for their exceptional friendliness and helpfulness. Donna and her team are frequently mentioned for their courteous and attentive service, going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. The family-run nature of the hotel adds a personal touch, making guests feel at home.
While the free WiFi receives mixed reviews with some experiencing strong connectivity and others facing occasional issues, the staff’s prompt assistance helps mitigate these problems. Parking facilities are generally well-received, though some find the spaces tight and narrow for larger vehicles.
Families find Retreat at Crystal Manatee particularly accommodating with amenities designed to cater to their needs and a welcoming atmosphere. Family-sized rooms, activity areas and proximity to parks make it an ideal destination for a memorable family stay.
Overall, the beds at Retreat at Crystal Manatee are highly praised for their comfort, contributing to a restful night’s sleep. With modern, spotless rooms and high-quality service at a modest price, this charming hotel offers an exceptional experience that leaves guests eager to return. Show more
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Categories
Hotel near Golf Courses
Located within 3 km (2 miles) of a golf course, including El Diablo Golf and Brentwood Farms Golf Club. This hotel provides good proximity for guests looking to enjoy golf in the Crystal River area.
Hotel with Parking
This hotel offers free private parking on site. A spacious car park is available to all guests free of charge.
Small Hotel
The Retreat at Crystal Manatee provides a tranquil escape with well-appointed rooms. It is known for its quietness and upgraded showers, ensuring a relaxing experience.
3-Star Hotel
This hotel offers a terrace and garden. Amenities include express check-out, multilingual staff and luggage storage. They provide delicious breakfast.
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Family Friendly Hotel
Room Types
King RoomThis double room has air conditioning and flat-screen TV.
Queen RoomThe spacious double room offers air conditioning, a tiled floor, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room provides heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Family RoomThis family room has air conditioning and flat-screen TV.
Standard King RoomThe spacious double room features air conditioning, a tiled floor, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room provides heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe King RoomThe spacious double room features air conditioning, a seating area, as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
9.3
Excellent
Location
Retreat at Crystal Manatee enjoys praise for its prime location, attracting visitors with its proximity to major attractions and amenities. Guests frequently highlight its easy access to Three Sister Springs, Kings Bay Park and Hunter Springs Park, all of which are within walking distance. The hotel is centrally located in the heart of Crystal River, offering convenience for exploring the town's attractions on foot.
The neighborhood is noted for its tranquility, providing a peaceful setting despite its centrality. Guests appreciate the quiet ambiance while still being close to a variety of restaurants, bars, shops and parks. The location is also ideal for participating in water activities like kayaking and manatee tours, as many tour providers are just a short walk away.
Visitors often mention that the hotel is in a beautiful area of Crystal River with lovely landscaping and a charming small-town vibe. The convenience of walking to local dining spots, shopping centers and sightseeing locations enhances the overall experience.
In summary, Retreat at Crystal Manatee garners admiration for its convenient and picturesque location, making it an excellent choice for travelers wanting to explore Crystal River's natural beauty and local attractions on foot.
Breakfast
Retreat at Crystal Manatee has garnered much praise for its unique breakfast offerings, emphasizing fresh pastries and plentiful snacks. Guests deeply appreciated the fresh pastries delivered straight to their rooms, often still warm from the oven, which added a delightful touch to their stay. These pastries, along with other complimentary snacks accessible throughout the day, were frequently highlighted as memorable treats.
The hotel offers a continental breakfast including cereals, yogurt, breads, fresh fruit and beverages such as coffee, tea and juices. Special mentions often went to the freshly ground coffee and croissants provided in the breakfast area, which is accessible 24/7. Furthermore, the breakfast space itself, though simple and sometimes described as minimalistic, provided a cozy environment for guests to interact and enjoy their morning routine.
However, some reviews indicated that the breakfast could benefit from a greater variety, including hot options like eggs. The limited selection did leave some guests wishing for more, particularly those arriving later in the morning when popular items often ran out. Despite this, the emphasis on freshly baked goods and the convenience of all-day access to breakfast facilities was greatly acknowledged.
Overall, while the breakfast offerings at Retreat at Crystal Manatee may be modest compared to some expectations, the quality, freshness and thoughtful touches like daily pastry deliveries have left a positive impression on many guests.
Dinner
Retreat at Crystal Manatee offers a delightful culinary experience that guests have praised for its variety and convenience. Dinner at the highly recommended The Crab Plant is a must-try with its location just a short walk away making for an easy and enjoyable evening out. The hotel is strategically situated within walking distance to several downtown restaurants and dining options, so guests can effortlessly wander to places like Hunter Spring and King's Bay Park for an array of meals, snacks and drinks.
For those who prefer to stay in, guests appreciated the small touches like complimentary fresh pastries and snacks delivered in the afternoons, adding an extra layer of hospitality to their stay. The hotel's emphasis on bakery items and free sandwiches further impressed the visitors, making the dining experience feel more personalized and generous.
Breakfast at the Retreat at Crystal Manatee taps into both health-conscious and standard preferences, offering a good selection of cereals, oatmeal, granola, yogurt, milk and juice. These breakfast essentials are appreciated for their variety and availability, ensuring a positive start to the day. Though it is worth noting that local restaurants tend to close early, especially on Wednesday evenings, the overall food scene around the hotel received favorable mentions for its quality and proximity, making it a convenient and enjoyable part of the stay.
Rooms
Retreat at Crystal Manatee offers an exceptional stay with its beautifully designed and recently renovated rooms. Reviewers often highlight the cleanliness and spaciousness of the accommodations, noting modern and stylish decoration with thoughtful attention to detail. Guests appreciated the comfortable beds and well-appointed furnishings, along with the cozy and inviting atmosphere of each room.
The hotel rooms often come with terraces and feature amenities like modern bathrooms with granite countertops and spa-like showers. Many guests found the rooms quiet, aiding in a tranquil and restful stay. The property itself is well-maintained with attractive landscaping, contributing to a charming European-style boutique hotel experience.
Guests enjoyed additional perks such as free croissants and fresh pastries delivered in the evening, adding a touch of personal care to their stay. Though some rooms were on the smaller side and lacked specific amenities like USB charging stations and microwaves, the overall quality and comfort made up for any minor issues.
The location is also praised, being within walking distance to local attractions and offering easy access to the surrounding area. Overall, the Retreat at Crystal Manatee comes highly recommended for its blend of modern amenities, stylish design and exceptional cleanliness, making it a top choice for a cozy and comfortable retreat.
Beds
At the Retreat at Crystal Manatee, the beds are consistently praised for their exceptional comfort. Guests frequently describe the beds as incredibly comfortable and super comfy, often highlighting the softness of the mattresses. The king-size beds are particularly popular with many noting how comfortable and spacious they are. Newly updated rooms often feature comfortable beds and quality bedding, contributing to a restful night's sleep. While there are a few mentions of beds being too soft or too small for some preferences, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. Visitors appreciate the comfy and sleep-friendly beds, which are complemented by great sheets and pillows. Even those with picky sleep preferences or back issues have found the beds to be satisfactory. In summary, the Retreat at Crystal Manatee ensures a great sleeping experience with their well-sized, comfortable mattresses and cozy bedding.
Cleanliness
Retreat at Crystal Manatee has been consistently praised for its exceptional cleanliness, earning descriptions such as spotless, ultra clean and meticulously maintained. Guests have highlighted the newly renovated rooms, which blend a charming, old-fashioned feel with modern, updated decor. The accommodations are not only clean but also comfortable and inviting with well-appointed facilities and spacious, thoughtfully furnished interiors. The property itself is beautifully maintained, featuring an immaculate exterior, exquisite gardens and quiet, peaceful surroundings. The emphasis on cleanliness extends throughout the entire establishment, receiving top marks for its pristine condition, from the spotless bathrooms to the sparkling common areas. The welcoming touches, such as unlimited snacks and coffee in the common room and a quiet air conditioning unit, further enhance the overall experience. Everything about the hotel exceeded expectations, making it a highly recommended destination for those seeking a clean and serene getaway.
Staff
At the Retreat at Crystal Manatee, guests consistently highlight the exceptionally friendly and helpful nature of the staff. Donna and her team are often mentioned by name for their courteous and attentive service. The staff is praised for going out of their way to ensure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay, often accommodating room changes quickly and offering a warm welcome upon arrival. Management, which includes the owners, is noted for their superb hospitality and for keeping the location spotless.
Many reviews highlight the personalized service with staff members spotted helping guests even before they approached the front desk and offering fresh homemade pastries. The staff's ability to speak multiple languages, including German, is another attribute that enhances the guest experience. While there are occasional mentions of customer service needing improvement, the overwhelming majority of feedback underlines a team that is consistently friendly, kind and eager to assist, making guests feel at home.
The owners themselves are frequently complimented for their helpfulness, politeness and genuine warmth with many guests appreciating the family-run atmosphere that adds a personal touch to their stay. Overall, the Retreat at Crystal Manatee is marked by an atmosphere of hospitality and care, setting a high standard for guest experiences.
Wi-Fi
The wifi at the Retreat at Crystal Manatee receives mixed feedback from guests. Many reviewers praise the internet for its good signal strength, fast speed and reliable connectivity. They highlight complimentary WiFi that is accessible throughout the property, making it easier for guests to stay connected. Some note that the connection is adequate for tasks such as sending emails. However, there are some complaints about the WiFi being slow and a few guests had difficulty connecting to the network or experienced issues with the connection inside their rooms. Despite these occasional problems, staff are noted to be helpful with addressing any internet-related issues. Overall, while the WiFi is generally satisfactory, there are instances where it falls short, particularly with consistency and strength in certain areas.
Parking
Retreat at Crystal Manatee generally receives positive feedback regarding its parking facilities. Guests appreciate the free parking options available, including free valet and onsite parking. Many reviewers mention that there are ample parking spaces available both directly outside the rooms and nearby, making it easy for guests to access their accommodations.
The convenience of having parking right in front of the rooms is frequently praised and the availability of parking spaces gives visitors peace of mind. There's also mention of off-street parking being a useful option. Despite these positive notes, some guests find the parking spaces to be tight and narrow, which may pose a challenge for larger vehicles.
Overall, while parking at Retreat at Crystal Manatee is generally seen as plentiful and convenient, it could benefit from a few more spots to accommodate all guests comfortably.
Family
The Retreat at Crystal Manatee shines as an ideal destination for families seeking a welcoming and family-oriented environment. The family-run establishment offers a quaint atmosphere where every member, including children, is catered to with care and warmth. Guests have highlighted the kindness and helpfulness of the staff, who go above and beyond to make families feel at home, ensuring even the smallest of requests, like mailing back a child's misplaced toy, are fulfilled.
Families have appreciated the amenities designed to accommodate their needs, such as family-sized rooms and a separate room for essentials like ice and microwaves. The family activity room and courtyard area provide great spaces for kids to play and for families to interact with one another, fostering a sense of community among guests. The hotel's proximity to a nearby park is an added benefit for enjoyable outdoor activities with children.
The property's welcoming atmosphere is evident in the communal spaces, such as the breakfast room and family activity area. Even though some guests noted a desire for longer stays and closer room proximity for larger groups, the overall sentiment is clear: Retreat at Crystal Manatee offers a comfortable, family-friendly setting perfect for a memorable family stay.
3 Star
Retreat at Crystal Manatee offers a quaint, old-fashioned charm paired with modern, spotless rooms, making it a standout choice for travelers seeking quality accommodations at a modest price. The rooms are nicely updated, spacious and luxurious with high-quality service that surpasses many corporate hotels. Despite the property’s modest appearance, it exceeds expectations with its clean and well-designed facilities, offering a welcoming and family-friendly ambiance.
The location is highly walkable and clean, which adds to its appeal for guests looking to explore the area without needing extensive resort amenities. The gardens are beautifully designed, providing a unique and tranquil setting that further enhances the experience. The rooms, showers and overall property maintain a high standard of cleanliness, which is frequently praised by visitors.
While the breakfast offering is basic and there is no pool or lotion provided, the overall value for money and the quality of the accommodations make up for these minor drawbacks. The Retreat at Crystal Manatee successfully combines the best elements of an intimate, small-scale motel with the comfort and cleanliness that rival any high-end hotel.
No, Retreat at Crystal Manatee doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Retreat at Crystal Manatee.
No, Retreat at Crystal Manatee doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Retreat at Crystal Manatee.
No, Retreat at Crystal Manatee doesn't have a gym.