The Port Hotel and Marina

I gave this motel a “10”, but not because it is opulent, lavish, trendy, updated or four-star lodging. Most of the excellent reviews on here are very accurate in regard to the good, the bad & the ugly about this aging icon, and definitely give fair assessments to the maintenance, upkeep, appearance etc. But the real actual charms of this place come from the experiencing of a throwback in time vibe, getting to live within the vintage architecture and witnessing one of the best water views in CR. If you crave and seek out existing “Old Florida” anything, you really owe it to yourself to stay here. Especially since it is still here. After all, “The King” himself deemed it cool with his stay, and that hasn’t been lost all these years.

My room was cleaned well. The staff was great. Love the restaurant as it had heaters so you could sit outside comfortably. The bartender made a perfect margarita not too strong not too weak. Great atmosphere. The neighborhood is lovely. Felt comfortable walking my dog early dark in the morning.

The breakfast was very basic but appreciated, considering the nightly cost and the location/view. The view was EXCEPTIONAL-like being in Shangri-La. Some guests might not like the Port because it is old and not updated but that is what we love about it-it is old Florida which is disappearing more and more as the big guy Hotels take over and everything looks the same. We will return again and again. And the fact that it is dog-friendly makes it even more wonderful! The front desk girls could not have been more friendly and hospitable!!

Travelers who want to be pampered with amenities like spa treatments and concierge space probably shouldn’t be traveling to Crystal River in the first place. But if you want a no-frills place to stay in a beautiful location at a reasonable price, The Port delivers like Amazon Prime.

Specifically, I chose this hotel for its location and opportunity to watch for sea creatures and sunset views, and it certainly did not disappoint. The area felt safe enough to leisurely walk the area, even at night. And, right next door is located the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.