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Crystal River Inn: Traveler Reviews


Crystal River Inn
326 West Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666

Traveler Reviews

77% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 31 reviews
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Friendly Inn, Well-Located

Crystal River Inn

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4 of 5 stars
Seamo 38 contributions
Northampton

We stayed at the Crystal River Inn for 1 night in September 2008.

Firstly, I should thank the owners for their integrity in keeping our room for us even though they were inundated with requests for rooms from evacuees from Hurricane Ike. Given that we'd already been granted dispensation on their usual 2-night minimum weekend stay policy, their honesty in honouring our booking at the original quoted price was noteworthy and I'm not sure that all hotels and inns in the area would have been so trustworthy and reliable.

The Inn itself is a period building and came across as a very friendly place. The library downstairs, for example, was open to all with books and newspapers for guests, and the kitchen was open to everyone at breakfast-time, with the staff happy to chat. Our bedroom was very comfortable, with a dreamy soft bed, and the en-suite bathroom was clean and functional. My partner found the air-conditioning a little oppressive but it suited me so at least one of us was happy!

Breakfast was a bit slow in being forthcoming but everything is cooked fresh to order which probably explains it, especially as the inn was full because of the hurricane. The breakfast room was very smart and, again, it was a very friendly place with everyone happy to chat.

There is on-street parking to supplement a small off-street car park, which is where I parked safely overnight.

The inn is very well-located for bars and restaurants and we had just a short walk to one recommended by the inn-keeper.

In summary, if you are visiting San Marcos then the Crystal River Inn is a high quality B&B inn, well located, well appointed and well worth a stay.

  • Liked — Friendly welcome, good location, period decor.
  • Disliked — Nothing
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay September 2008
  • Visit was for Quality time with family
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since February 28, 2005
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Great pool scene
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Nice rooms, but lacking in surroundings, parking, atmosphere.

Crystal River Inn

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3 of 5 stars
texaswinesnob 77 contributions
Houston, Texas

My cousin and I planned a "gal weekend" in San Marcos and found this B & B to stay at. While it was clean, the atmosphere of the grounds (they hold wedding here?!?!) and access to the rooms through the awkward parking lot left a lot to be desired. This would be a lovely location had it been in a different location or where you could open the front door and not be on Main Street.

Breakfast was awkward as there were not enough seats for the guests - we had to rotate in shifts. I must admit that that was a first and kind of contributed to our dissatisfaction. You lost the close feeling that is usually associated with B & B's. Forget about getting to know the owner or have a conversation with them.

We had some trouble with our locks and skeleton keys but we did get them working. The bed was magnificant - very comfortable!

With San Marcos being such a tourist town, I would have expected a little more from Crystal Inn. I think that this town could stand a few more quality B & B's and give this place some choices.

  • Liked — Prioxity to the outlet malls
  • Disliked — Being herded into breakfast like cattle. No personal service.
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay March 2007
  • Visit was for Quality time with friends
  • Traveled with Friends
  • Age group 50-64
  • Member since April 20, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? No
  • I recommend this hotel for A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine, Shopping, Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management response from KathrynSanMarcos, owner/innkeeper
(Management representative)
Nov 6, 2008
We've just bought the big old house next door to the inn, and work daily on the challenges of remodeling it. Among those challenges was the need to combine the backs of the two buildings so that guests can conveniently move back and forth between them. Yes, we're on a major street so everything is oriented to the rear of the buildings. Since July we have worked hard on redoing the courtyard/landscaping between and behind the two buildings, and I hope this guest will come back to visit one of these days because it looks so much better than it did when they were here! Next task, we're painting the exterior of the new buildings. Give us another year and this place will be as perfect as my old bones can make it! Yes, we do dozens of weddings a year, and it's a beautiful location for them but it might not be readily obvious......if anyone's ever interested in how and where we set them up, we love to show off our wedding photos. And finally, I'm so sorry that this guest didn't enjoy breakfast, or that we weren't around that morning. Most people feel our breakfasts are our high point; and actually, we (the owners) are at the inn daily to try to make guests as comfy and at-home as possible. We clearly failed with these ladies and would love another chance.
Cathy Dillon
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Holy crap!!!!

Crystal River Inn

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5 of 5 stars
SaddlebackLeather 1 contribution
San Antonio, Texas

Went for a girls night out and shopping the next day at the San Marcos Outlets. WOW!!! This place rocks. FABULOUS service and even more FABULOUS FOOD. I kid you not - the food is rediculously off the charts. The owner was amazing and accommodating. We fell in love with her. My friend plans on marrying their now. She loved it that much. The girls room (room with two double beds) is perfect for just that. Cute place. Everyone was very friendly. I really can't say enough about it - all good. I HIGHLY recommend it to all.

  • Liked — Too many to choose - food maybe - room maybe
  • Disliked — I dont know
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay May 2008
  • Visit was for Quality time with friends
  • Traveled with Friends
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since June 17, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Shopping
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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I've become hooked - and a regular visitor

Crystal River Inn

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5 of 5 stars
Cookie51 1 contribution
Dallas, TX

I first discovered this B&B in July of 2007 - needed to get away for a long weekend and wanted to be centrally located between San Antonio and Austin. I received the utmost attention and care at a time when rest was really welcomed. I was totally surprised when I discovered the place was bustiling with young college girls who were there for orientation at the local colleges (something I don't always expect at a B&B). And being a 50+ women, expected to see more of the same, but was pleasantly surprised to be around youth.

That was the beginning of my love for the Inn.
Since then I have had to return to the area on business, one to two times per month. I usually have to do work in Austin and San Antonio, so this is a great location for getting to both and a refreshing alternative to the usual hotel scene. It is the kind of comfort I need to unwind from a stressful day. And, my job requires good internet access and they go out of their way to assure that I have everything I need to get my work done. I now stay here

The ambience is condusive to getting me into a state of mind that is healthy and welcoming after a long day. Doing early morning yoga in the garden is where you'll find me!

And don't get me started on the food. . . I would never think of skipping breakfast around this place - is out of the question.

But most important is the service that each and every member of the staff provide. It is truly is like being home with family.

  • Liked — Clean comfortable room and wonderfully friendly and likeable staff
  • Disliked — Nothing
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay May 2008
  • Visit was for Business
  • Traveled with Solo traveler
  • Age group 50-64
  • Member since May 29, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Pet owners, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine, Shopping
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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I will definitely go back!

Crystal River Inn

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5 of 5 stars
Jana5banana 1 contribution
San Antonio, TX

I went to stay at the Inn for a weekend getaway with my girlfriends. It was fabulous. The rooms were clean and nicely decorated. The staff was very friendly and accomadating. There was a wedding going on at the time and the owner, Kathy took the time to talk to my friend Abby about the possibility of having her wedding there. It felt like we were talking to an old friend. Not to mention the food. The smells coming from that kitchen were amazing. The breakfast the next morning was amazing. Great food! And the restaurant they recommended, Palmers which was about a block away, was fabulous. I am not quite sure what a previous reviewer had problems with. It's not the Plaza but they don't advertise as being luxury. I had nothing to complain about and will definitely be going back.

  • Liked — Beautifully decorated and the food
  • Disliked — There wasn't anything I didn't like.
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay May 2008
  • Visit was for Quality time with friends
  • Traveled with Friends
  • Age group 25-34
  • Member since May 14, 2008
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Shopping, Other
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Crystal River Inn Address

326 West Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666