Relax on a Beautiful River in a Natural Florida Setting

• Peaceful Waters Restored our Souls, and then there's the Southern Cookin'!

  Peaceful Waters Restored our Souls, and then there's the Southern Cookin'!

  • Guest Lisa G.
  • Date of stay 10/25/12
  • Review Submitted 10/31/12
  What a wonderful place you have! We just loved it. It reminded me of the 23rd Psalm: you lead me beside quiet waters, you restore my soul... I slept better than I have in months and sat out just before dawn one morning and listed to the owls conversing down the river....magical. Bill enjoyed fishing off the dock, and saw some otters playing. We must have seen 5 different groups of deer on the sides of the roads (and many hunters at the local establishments!). We enjoyed St. Marks, Seinyards, Savannahs (Oh, those fried pork chops!). What a beautiful area with wondeful people and amazing food. It was just great. One of the nicest memories I will take away (along with watching Bill fish on the dock, watching him from the porch), is sitting with my Mom, 82, on the porch in those comfy chairs for 2 hours chewing the fat late one night, listening to the katydids. You can't put a pricetag on that kind of weekend. Thanks sooo much. I hope you all enjoyed your stay at our place and had a safe trip home. God bless you and your lovely place. :)

  Recommended for: Pet owners, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Owner response: We are happy that you enjoyed your visit to the Retreat. The Retreat is so peaceful and brings comfort to all who visit. Our visit to your place was what we needed most. Quiet time to relax and enjoy the beautiful leaves around the cabin. Coffee on the front porch in the early cool morning was a great way to start the day. Hope to see you again.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• So relaxing

  So relaxing

  • Guest S & N
  • Date of stay 05/26/12
  • Review Submitted 05/31/12
  My husband and two small children (ages 5 & 2) were looking for a quiet, relaxing spot to spend a long weekend and were delighted to find this river cottage on St. Marks. The house was lovely - very clean and well maintained. We spent the majority of our time on the large screened-in porch enjoying the breeze and watching the hummingbirds and other birds. The kids were thoroughly entertained by short trips to Wakulla Springs, St. Marks Lighthouse and the Natural Bridge Battlefield (all within about a 15 mintue drive). My husband loved being able to walk out to the river and drop a line in the water at any time. The trip was topped off by two manatees grazing right off the end of the dock. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a clean, quiet, peaceful and relaxing vacation spot.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: Our guests have enjoyed the manatees that have found their way up the St. Marks River. They come up river to eat the river grass around the dock. The cabin is located up river and the larger boats are not able to get over the rocks which makes it safer for the manatees. We are happy your children were able to see them and enjoyed all the interesting places close to the cabin. Thanks for choosing St. Marks Retreat. We hope you will visit with us again.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Exceptional Experience

  Exceptional Experience

  • Guest River Zen
  • Date of stay 04/16/12
  • Review Submitted 04/29/12
  I spent most of my vacation on the porch where I was treated to the sights and sounds of the river from pre dawn until sunset. In the morning, there is a slow chirp of crickets, with an occasional hoot of the barn owls, and the amazing quiet of a forest. As the sky begins to lighten, there is the sound of the birds in the dawn chorus, with the great raucous calls of the water birds. These birds can be seen skimming over the surface of the river, and often coming to rest directly in front of the retreat, in search of underwater food. The sun comes up with the arrival of hummingbirds whirring, right to the porch feeder. There are warblers and cardinals at another feeder, hammering of woodpeckers, and an occasional group of kayakers. At dusk, the frogs join in, loudly calling back and forth to each other, up and down the river, this punctuated again by the owls, and the haunting calls of whippoorwills. The splash of jumping fish, sometimes in succession, is always a thrill. When it rains, the sound of millions of drops sprinkling through the trees is so soothing. The effect of being here is like a thousand meditations. I left with a feeling of profound peace and relaxation, so that it was really hard to go back to real life.

  Recommended for: Pet owners, age 55+.

  Owner response: Thanks very much for the kind review. This is the best description we have seen of why the Retreat is so popular with people who want to get away from it all and relax in a pristine natural setting.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Total relaxation on the St. Marks river!

  Total relaxation on the St. Marks river!

  • Guest Gidget
  • Date of stay 02/25/12
  • Review Submitted 03/03/12
  We spend one week is this beautifully situated cabin on the St. Marks river. It's one of those Florida places that are rare to find, very secluded, only the noises of nature to keep you entertained at night and so much wildlife right at your doorstep. Already the first day we spotted 2 otters playing in the river, deer, raccoons, lot's of birds and a Barred Owl up high in the tree next to the cabin. Bring your kayak or canoe as the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers are great for paddling. Also don't forget binoculars and visit the St. Marks Nat. Wildlife Reserve and lighthouse. If you like to cycle bring your bicycles, the rail to trail from Woodville to St. Marks is quiet, paved and they blow the leaves away! The cabin is most comfortable for 4 people, great beds and the highlight is the porch where you will spend most of your time. The owner, Floyd, gave some wonderful recommendations for places to see and where to eat, the Seinyard seems large and more like a factory cafetaria but oh, the seafood is delicious (take the blackened grouper!) We went to Savanah's for lunch for a real southern style lunch but they say you can't beat the breakfast there. One of the reasons we picked this cabin was the fact that they allow dogs which is a big draw for us as our labs are part of our family and we never leave home without them. Most of the State parks allow them on a leash and ours spend a lot of time lying on the dock staring at the moving water. There are plenty of places in the area to let them run free, just don't let them swim in the river, there are alligators there. We're hoping to come back one day as you completely relax in this setting, time is standing still for awhile and you learn to appreciate nature again with all it's creatures in it. Wishing everyone a very pleasant stay!

  Recommended for: Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Love at first sight!

  Love at first sight!

  • Guest Esther
  • Date of stay 09/02/11
  • Review Submitted 09/07/11
  It was everything we wanted and needed. Floyd and Carolyn are the nicest people. The home was spotless and we received treats upon arrival. Floyd gave us some history of the cabin and surroundings, which made it more personal. The only problem was our visit wasn't long enough. I find my mind drifting back to the cabin on the river. I usually do not like to stay home, I rather sightsee, but being at the Reteat made me want to Relax. So if your in need of relaxation, this is the place. And if not, there are plenty of places to explore. Thank you again, we appreciate you and your opening your home to perfect strangers who are now forever friends. Blessings, Esther and John

  Recommended for: Pet owners, adventure seekers, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Nightly Rate: $175. Two Night Minimum
Weekly Rate:  $1050.
A fifty percent deposit is required when making reservations.
The balance will be due fourteen days prior to arrival date.
Deposits will be returned for cancellations made more than twenty-one days prior
to arrival date, minus a $50. cancellation fee.
No refund offered for cancellations made twenty-one days or less to arrival date.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.