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Deep-Water Retreat: Dock/Kayaks/Pool & Dogs Welcomed

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Grab a photo or two in this photo-worthy entryway.
Ruba's River Retreat entry awaits your arrival!
Welcome to Ruba's River Retreat!
Take a moment to drop your bags at the door and check out the house!
This full kitchen has plenty to offer.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Private pool
  • Garage parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Living Room 2

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Deep-Water Retreat: Dock/Kayaks/Pool & Dogs Welcomed

Ruba’s River Retreat has been fully renovated & is better than ever! This 2-bed, 2-bath vacation rental in Crystal River sleeps 6+ & is located at the end of a deep-water canal, with a fenced yard where the kids and adults alike can play along with the dogs, offering peaceful days and nights.

Enjoy all the local action, including swimming with manatees, snorkeling in crystal-clear water, walking local trails, or having a picnic. Book now & experience the beauty of FL’s Natural Coast!”

Nestled in the charming small town of Crystal River, Ruba's River Retreat house is closely located to the best of Central Florida: Hunter Springs Park and Three Sisters Springs are two local favorites. Bringing your boat – spend your time fishing, scalloping, or day out boating. Bringing your kayaking? Launch directly from the dock at the house. Make it a low-key visit and spend your time splashing in the private pool, tanning in the backyard, playing games such as Cornhole, or preparing a meal in the fully equipped kitchen. You can have it all at this getaway!

Here are a few words from our past guests:
It's a great location for a long weekend of fishing and scalloping. The home was perfect for our friends and us, with a well-stocked kitchen with a great coffee bar, the pool was refreshing after being in saltwater all day, and the home was very clean. The canal to the main river takes about 1/2 hour to meander, but we enjoyed the time in nature. The host was very communicative and made sure we were comfortable and satisfied. – Phillip

This is an amazing place. On the water and has a pool. Sandra is super helpful and responsive. I will stay here again. - Kris

Experience Florida's Nature Coast in comfort when you stay at this comfortable family home, providing everything you need for a hassle-free retreat to nature!

~The space ~
INDOOR LIVING: Bedroom 1: King Bed | Bedroom 2: 1 Queen Bed | Living Room: Sleeper Sofa (Queen) | Sitting Room: Sleeper Sofa (Queen)
2 full bathrooms (1 walk-in and 1 tub/shower combo)
Fully equipped kitchen, a 6-person dining table + 2-person coffee/reading nook
Office area/ space with high-speed Wi-Fi
4 TVs (3 Smart TVs, plus Rokus)
Neutral/coastal colors, ceiling fans
Private Screened-In Pool | Lanai/ Screened Patio

OUTDOOR LIVING: Screened-in pool, Lanai/ Screened-in patio area with ceiling fans, outdoor dining area & patio furniture, private dock with Kayak ramp, canal views, spacious yard; combo gas & charcoal grill

KITCHEN: Fully equipped with stainless steel appliances, Nespresso coffee maker & other coffee + tea maker options, air fryer/toaster oven, water filter, ice, Crock-Pot, spices, dishware/flatware

GENERAL: Central heating & air conditioning, washer & dryer, linens, towels, pool towels, complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, extra refrigerator in the garage for storing your fresh fish, scallops/ extra groceries, etc.

FAQ: Optional daily pool heat fee (paid pre-trip, applied to entire stay), quiet hours (10:00 PM - 8:00 AM), step-free access

PARKING: Garage (1 vehicle), driveway (2 vehicles), and space for your boat trailer

Ruba’s River Retreat is perfect for:
Small friend groups/Families
Family vacation
Weekend getaway

Enjoy all the year-around activities that include:
Hunter Springs Park and Three Sisters Springs
Boating
Fishing
Scalloping (Seasonal, Summer)
Kayaking

NEAREST BOAT RAMP: Crystal River City Boat Ramp (558 Northwest 3rd Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428

Guest access
When you stay at Ruba’s River Retreat, you have the whole space to yourself, so you feel at home. You will be given a key code to access the front door access to the garage, which can hold up to a mid-sized SUV.

Other things to note
Please remember that you're staying in my home, not a hotel :) Please treat the space with respect. If any problems arise, we will do our best to take action from our team in the area as soon as possible, but no one lives on-site 24/7.

Additional rules
- No smoking, including cigars or vaping
- No pets allowed
- Must be at least 25 years old to book, and a photo ID may be required to check in
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Additional fees apply to any additional guests over 6 (max occupancy is 8)
- No eating in the bedrooms
- Dispose of the garbage in the trash bin and recycling bins as appropriate; recycling is collected on Wednesdays and placed outside on Tuesday night. Trash is collected on Friday mornings. Please put it out near the mailbox on Thursday night
- Additional fees and taxes may apply

Additional Notes:
- Please observe quiet hours from 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
- There is an optional daily pool heat fee of $25/day (paid pre-trip, applied to the entire stay)
- If using the BBQ grill, please adhere to instructions on proper use and clean-up post-use
- The maximum occupancy and no smoking policies are strictly enforced

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About the area

Crystal River

Crystal River is home to this holiday home. Crystal River Watersports Marina and A Crystal River Kayak Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Crystal River Archaeological State Park and Crystal River Preserve State Park.
Map
Crystal River, FL

What's nearby

  • Crystal River Preserve State Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Crystal River Archaeological State Park - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Crystal River Watersports Marina - 1 min drive - 0.7 km
  • Three Sisters Springs - 6 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Fort Island Gulf Beach - 21 min drive - 24.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Denny's - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Bayside Kraft Kitchen - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Cajun Jimmy's Seafood Seller & Cafe - ‬6 min drive

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 56 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Lorie

Crystal River

We stayed here. It was a very cute place.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donnissa B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location

This house is in a great location that is close to restaurants, shopping, and outdoor activities. There are 2 living room areas which is nice along with a very inviting pool. Beds were comfortable and nice large walk-in master shower. Would stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Lorie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

get away

It was a very nice place. We enjoyed the private pool.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Brad

Excellent time

We were looking for a place in Crystal River to stay while we did the Manatee tour. The house was exactly what we wanted, great location and the kids loved the pool.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cathy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Visit

Amazing property! Spotless and comfortable. Not a thing was missed from the thoughtful touches around the home to the basic essentials. We will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dustin T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Manatee getaway!

Took a long weekend trip to take our kids to see manatees. We had a great experience, great space, close to many of our activities, and owner was very helpful with all requests! Very satisfied with our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jan, 2024
Thanks much Dustin, so glad that you all had a wonderful time. Would be honored to host you all again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlene W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another Wonderful Year

This was our second time staying at this property and once again it was a HUGE WIN! The house is so cute and the pool and back porch make it a stellar property. We love this home and hope to stay here for years to come for our June trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Gina

Great Weekend Spot

Lovely house at the end of a canal with a screened pool and a large enclosed porch. The floating dock was great for fishing and nature watching. Wonderful weekend with my kids & grandkids
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gina B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice Getaway on the Water

This location was ideal for exploring the area. It was also great for chilling at the house. The covered pool was awesome for the kids and we all loved fishing from the dock. The kitchen was well stocked. All in all. A good stay!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hailey K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway!

We had a great long weekend scalloping and fishing and this was the perfect house! We brought our 19 ft boat and kept it on the new dock on the canal which was awesome. Kitchen has new appliances, organized cookware, and a nesspresso maker which was definitely a nice touch! The pool was great to come back to after long hot days spent on the boat. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ang

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property is beautiful and cozy. The views from the backyard is great and we saw a lot of wildlife! The bedrooms were comfortable and very spacious. A lot of extra amenities in the home and easy to use appliances and the pool was perfect for the days we relaxed and stayed in.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home that was clean, well stocked and perfect for our family of four and little pup. We enjoyed the pool, kayaks and hanging out in the Florida room. The neighborhood is quiet with hiking trails close by. Our host was wonderfully accommodating.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Drew W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was top notch
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Marie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfec

Good place !
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Malcolm

Nice Place for a Short Stay

Everything was great but could not sleep on uncomfortable bed in master bedroom. I could not stay any longer without sleep.
Verified

8/10 Good

Malcolm M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice Place for a Short Trip

Enjoyed the house on Crystal River for a short stay. The one complaint is that the master bedroom bed was extremely uncomfortable. My husband and I have different preferences of the firmness of the bed, but it was not comfortable for either one of us, making it very hard for both of us to sleep. Very worn out on both sides of the bed.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

6/10 Okay

Colleen R.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Crystal River Stay

The location was great - the rest of the property is a bit run down and needs to be upgraded. One of the beds was full of sand so the sheets hadn't been changed. Needs more variety of cookware in the kitchen since the gas and charcoal grills were unusable because they were so dirty and rusted. The drain in the second bathroom was sluggish and threatened to overflow the tub. The fill valve on the second bathroom screamed as it was filling and would wake up the house in the middle of the night.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug, 2023
Hi Colleen, thanks for taking the time to review your stay. After reading your feedback, the homeowner wanted to share the following: - The septic lift system has been rectified following the November hurricane - The grills have been removed - The cleaner has been replaced. We apologize for the inconvenience Thanks again for letting us know about your visit.
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ken C.

Liked: Cleanliness, location

Short of Essentials

The house was advertised as a three bedroom two bathroom but was a two bedroom and two bath and had one frying pan and no pots, it also lacked things like salt and pepper and other simple items which one would think would be included. The house was clean and neat and met our needs but could be improved with some simple additions.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Aug, 2023
Hello Ken, thanks for letting us know about your stay! The owner wanted to address the items you mentioned: - We take pride in our property and we strive to provide our guests with the best experience possible. The listing accurately notes the home is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom property and this can be seen before booking the home so guests can determine if it is the right fit. - The home is fully stocked with pots and pans, including a crockpot, utensils and spices for our guests to enjoy. We have not received any complaints from guests in the past as these items are easily accessible. We truly go above and beyond for our guests, and we are confident that future guests will have excellent stays!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lauren C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay in Crystal River

Great place to stay in Crystal River! Nice quiet neighborhood. Good communication from the property owner. Very clean. The private pool was great to come back to after the exploring all there is to do in the area! Would definitely book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joseph M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to vacation

This house is located in a quiet canal 5 minutes from boat ramp, marine fuel and manatee charter. Easy access to the Gulf for scalloping and kings bay for great restaurants and springs. House is very clean and has two living areas inside and a large screened porch pool is a very nice amenity. The house is very livable and comfortable with a well stocked kitten and plenty of linens and towels. We will definately be back for another trip.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Scallop getaway!

Comfortable house, that was very clean. It was nice to have a pool to lounge around in, host was very friendly!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

James

Great

Loved the house on canal had boat docked there .loved the pool
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlene W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute and Quiet

Wonderful home on a quiet canal. Canal was deep enough and dock was big enough for our 30’ boat. House was clean and cutely decorated. Loved the kitchen, pool, and back porch. Exactly what we’ve been looking for the last three summers. Only thing missing was larger pots and pans but definitely not a huge deal. We made it work. Hoping to book again next summer.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun river house

Home was comfy and had everything you need. Pool and deck are were nice. Will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Crystal river

Great time
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
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