Oaks on the River

We arrived without a hotel reservation after finding Oaks on the River Boutique Hotel online, and were hoping it would work out. Ryleigh made sure we had a room that suited our anniversary and was warm and attentive throughout check-in. Later, Carleigh gave us attentive, professional, well-timed service at dinner, which made the evening just as memorable. The beautiful property and the people who made us feel cared for turned a spontaneous stop into a special anniversary stay. It’s rare to find a place where people put that much thought into making memorable moments. We’ll absolutely come back and recommend Oaks on the River to anyone looking for a special stay, even at the last minute.

The highlight of our pre-Valentine’s Day celebration was dinner three floors below our room at Oaks on The River. The Pecan Crusted Trout and Louisiana Gumbo were exceptional, and the service was very good. Our room was spacious, with a balcony facing the river and marsh, where we caught a great sunset. From there it was easy to walk to Skipper, Tabby House, The Marsh, and Rivers Edge. We spent the day exploring Darian and the surrounding area, had lunch at The Canopy, then enjoyed dinner and stayed at Oaks on The River. It made the celebration more special, and thanks for the special gift and greeting too.

We chose this inn over a standard roadside hotel and were glad we did. It’s just five minutes off the freeway on a quiet road. The lobby was lovely, with a glowing fireplace, grand piano music, pretty decor, and a friendly person at the desk. Our furnished room had a quiet balcony overlooking the river, and the beds, pillows, and bathroom were all comfortable and beautiful. We ate at the hotel restaurant, which had a great view of the river, shrimp boats, and sunset. The food was good. The south-facing pool looked inviting, and the workout room overlooking the pool and river impressed me. There’s also a spa and sauna guests can access. I can’t wait to come back on our next trip to Florida.

I’m between a 3 and a 4 on this one. The staff were lovely, and the room was clean, but it felt cramped with large furniture. The nightstand was too big to have one on each side of the bed, which struck me as odd. I’d return, but request and pay for a larger room with a water view instead of the historic Darien view. The restaurant prices seemed high, and the menu didn’t offer much variety for someone who isn’t into seafood. The location is nice, just a few miles from the highway. I liked the little balcony, the roaming roosters, and the church bells. There wasn’t a microwave, and the fridge was in the closet, lol. I’d never give the place one star, and was surprised to see how many one-star reviews it got. Maybe people expect too much from a “Resort.”