Why book direct instead of through Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com?

Same house, same calendar, same hosts. Direct skips the guest-side fee every platform tacks on. Airbnb charges guests ~14% in service fees. Vrbo charges 6 to 12%. Booking.com varies by listing, typically 0 to 15%. On a typical $2,500 week with us, direct saves you roughly $200 to $400. The booking engine on this site is wired straight to Hostaway, the same backend that powers our Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com listings. We're routing it through our own domain so we don't have to pay the platform tax.

Is the calendar real-time?

Yes. Availability and pricing on this site pull live from Hostaway. If a date shows available here, it's actually available everywhere.

How many people does it sleep?

Eleven, across five real bedrooms. King primary suite on the main floor. Two queen bedrooms with private baths on the third floor. A queen-twin bunk room on the third floor. A fifth bedroom on the ground floor with its own full bath. Six beds total.

What do guests have access to?

The full home, driveway parking, outdoor living areas, balconies, heated dip pool, dock, game room, bar kitchen, tiki bar, fire pit, putting green, dog turf area, and waterfront spaces. You also have full use of the washer and dryer, both kitchens, the elevator, and the entertainment level (ping pong, arcade games, darts, board games, the four-TV wall). Three small areas are locked for owner storage: one closet in the master bedroom and two downstairs storage closets. Everything else is yours.

How do check-in and check-out work?

Self check-in via a Yale smart lock. You'll get a door code 24 hours before arrival that works for your entire stay. Check-in 3 PM, check-out 10 AM. We almost always say yes to a late check-out if the calendar allows. Just ask.

Are you available during our stay?

We want guests to have a smooth, private, relaxing stay. You won't see us, but we are available by message before and during your stay. If something comes up at the house, message us right away and we'll handle it quickly.

Yes. Maximum two small dogs, 25 lbs each. $150 pet fee per stay. No cats or other animals without prior written approval. We have a dog-friendly artificial turf area with bags, an outdoor trash can, and a hose for cleanup. Please supervise pets, keep them off furniture and beds, and clean up after them. Guests are responsible for pet-related damage or extra cleaning.

When can I see manatees?

Manatee season runs roughly November 15 through March 31, peak January and February. They gather in Crystal River specifically because the springs hold 72° while the Gulf drops into the 50s. From May through October you'll occasionally see a year-round resident, but for the postcard experience, book in winter.

Are kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat included?

No. We do not keep kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat at the house. You're welcome to bring your own and use our boat lift and jet ski lift. To rent: Hunter Springs Kayak Rentals, River Ventures, and Crystal River Watersports rent kayaks and paddleboards. Plantation Marina, Crystal River Watersports, and Pete's Pier rent pontoons, center consoles, and jet skis. All five to fifteen minutes from the house.

Can I launch a kayak from your dock?

We don't recommend it. The canal bottom near the dock is rocky and oyster-edged. Use Hunter Springs Park's free public launch or any of the rental shops downtown. Better water entry, no risk to feet or boards.

Can I use the boat lift and jet ski lift?

Yes, with care. The lifts must be operated correctly to avoid misalignment or damage. We'll provide written instructions before arrival, and we ask that guests follow them exactly. Press both buttons simultaneously when raising or lowering. The canal is tidal and gets shallow around low tide, especially in winter. We recommend boats 27 feet or smaller for the canal; guests are responsible for checking tide charts, confirming their boat's draft, and planning both departure and return windows.

How does the elevator work?

Three stories, fully operational, available for guests who need help with stairs or for moving luggage and groceries between floors. Three rules: maximum two people at a time, every elevator door on every floor must be fully closed before it will move, and children may not use the elevator without adult supervision. If the elevator won't move, walk each floor and confirm every door is shut.

Yes, but the heater takes time to warm up. If you want the pool heated for arrival, message us a day or two ahead so we can run it in time.

Anything I should know before arriving?

A few practical notes. (1) On the ground floor, only the middle sliding doors open; the side sliders are decorative. (2) The ground-floor mini-split remote must be pointed directly at the unit to change settings, it looks like a thermostat but it's a remote. (3) As with any Florida waterfront home, mosquitoes and no-see-ums are around at dawn, dusk, and after rain. We provide bug spray; bring your preferred repellent if you have one. (4) Please do not flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, or anything other than toilet paper.

Are there security cameras?

Exterior cameras only, located outside the property for guest safety and property protection. There are no cameras inside the home or in any private guest areas.

What's the cancellation policy?

Flexible. Full refund up to 14 days before check-in, partial refund within 14 days. Specifics confirmed at booking.

Minimum stay varies by date and season. The booking calendar pulls the live Hostaway minimum-stay rule for the arrival date you choose, including PriceLabs seasonality and orphan-night settings, before it shows a quote.

Driveway parking is included. The converted ground-floor game room is open for guest use but is not available for vehicle parking. If you have extra vehicles, ask us before arrival and we'll point you to overflow.

Food + drink

Where to eat in Crystal River

Crystal River is a small Gulf town that punches above its weight on food. Most of what we recommend is within ten minutes of the house. The pattern is simple: seafood is fresher than you expect, the river views are real, and dressing down is the right call almost everywhere.

These are the places we actually send guests, grouped by the kind of night you want. Reservations are smart on Friday and Saturday in season.

On the water

If you want to eat with a boat tied up nearby, these are the moves. All three sit directly on Kings Bay or the Crystal River channel and you can pull up by boat from the house's dock.

Crump's Landing · Homosassa waterfront favorite with a big outdoor setup, live-music energy, and easy group ordering.

Waterfront Social · Waterfront cocktails, seafood, and a polished casual dinner setup. Good for sunset and groups.

Riverfront Social · Riverfront food and drinks with a relaxed Crystal River feel. Good when you want the view without making dinner formal.

Crackers Bar and Grill · Downtown, 5 minutes from the house. Grouper sandwich, fish tacos, and one of the classic waterfront decks in town. Lively, kid-friendly, busy on weekends.

Bayside Seafood · Casual seafood standby for fried baskets, fish, and no-fuss local flavor.

The Crab Plant · Fresh seafood market and restaurant. Go here when the priority is crab, shrimp, grouper, and local catch.

Breakfast and lunch

Morning is sacred during manatee season since most tours launch at sunrise. These are quick, generous, and on the way to the springs.

Cafe on the Avenue · Downtown, 5 minutes. Egg plates, biscuits and gravy, real coffee. Out and back inside 45 minutes.

Oysters Restaurant · Downtown, 5 minutes. Po'boys at lunch, oyster bar after. Local crowd.

Cody's Roadhouse · 10 minutes. Big burgers, peanut shells on the floor. Good after a hot day on the water with kids who are hangry.

Bars, tiki spots, and sports bars

For casual drinks, nightlife, and a game on TV, these are the easy recommendations.

St. John's Tavern · Best bar-food and nightlife pick. The plaza has connecting bars, so it works when the group wants to keep the night going.

Tipsy Tarpon · Tiki bar on the water. Easy choice for a drink outside with a river view.

Lollygaggers · Sports-bar setup with TVs, beer, wings, burgers, and a low-pressure group feel.

Norton's · Reliable sports bar for catching a game, casual bar food, and an easy local crowd.

Drive a little further

If you have a car day, these are worth the 20 to 30 minutes. Homosassa especially is a different feel from Crystal River and the seafood at the river mouth there is excellent.

The Freezer Tiki Bar, Homosassa · 20 minutes south. Local hangout in a former bait freezer. Peel-and-eat shrimp, picnic tables, live music on weekends. Cash only at the bar.

The Old Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum Cafe, Homosassa · 20 minutes south. Quirky combination of gallery and breakfast spot. Locals know it for the strong coffee.

Stumpknockers, Inverness · 30 minutes east. Catfish, gator tail, hush puppies on the Withlacoochee. Worth the drive if you want a riverboat-feel meal.

Manatee season in Crystal River

Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. you can legally swim with wild manatees. Season runs mid-November through March. Here's how to plan it.

Read →

Three Sisters Springs, what to know before you go

Three Sisters Springs is the centerpiece of the Crystal River manatee refuge. Here's how to access it, when to go, and what to bring.

Read →

A family trip to Crystal River with kids

Crystal River is built for family vacations. Here's a kid-friendly itinerary plus what's at the house: pack and play, baby monitor, highchair, game room, pool.

Read →

Booked the dates? Now plan the food

We'll send our full local-picks guide the day before you arrive, including current hours, which spots take reservations, and the rotating Copp Brewing tap list.

Book direct →

Where to eat in Crystal River

On the water

Breakfast and lunch

Bars, tiki spots, and sports bars

Drive a little further

More Crystal River guides

Manatee season in Crystal River

Three Sisters Springs, what to know before you go

A family trip to Crystal River with kids

Booked the dates? Now plan the food