Retreat at Crystal Manatee

The Retreat at Crystal River is extraordinary! It is an unusually beautiful place with gorgeous landscaping, huge live oak trees, many pots of flowers, and spotlessly clean on the outside and inside facilities. The rooms are lovely, with unusual steel sinks in the bedroom area and fabulous bathrooms including high tech showers with six different water options. The breakfast included yogurt, different cereals, and breads but there was a coffee machine which made individual cups of coffee - quite good. The staff was very accommodating and provided extra amenities such as shampoo and even provided beach towels! The rooms were cleaned each morning while we were out and excellent French pastries were provided in the late afternoon to chairs outside the rooms. Three of the rooms had individual small patios which I did not stay in but were lovely. There were several outdoor tables and inside tables provided to enjoy the breakfast provisions. A large room with seating and microwave was an additional feature that could be enjoyed. The location is absolutely ideal, near a beach and a dock area, right down the street from restaurants and a business to sign up to swim or see the manatees, and a terrific restaurant, the Crab Plant. I am definitely returning here with family and or friends. The owner, Joel, is a talented artist and carpenter who was fascinating and friendly as was his daughter.