The Chassahowitzka Hotel

Ann, the manager, was fantastic. The room we booked, The Manatee, was a simple hotel room with two double beds, a bathroom, and a TV, and it was nice. But when we got there, Ann told us the alarm code wasn’t working, so she moved us across the street to Seven sisters campground. Instead of all four of us sharing one room, our kids, who are 18 and 12, got a little cabin of their own for the evening, right next to ours. Each cabin had a living area, kitchenette, bathroom, front porch, and a small private fire area with picnic tables. It worked out great. Ann also put out breakfast food for us, including fresh local fruit, orange juice, milk, cereal, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, bagels, and other snacks the kids got into before I even saw them. We’ll definitely return to kayak and hang out.

The manager was easy to communicate with and had helpful suggestions for places to eat and things to do nearby. Breakfast each morning was continental style, with coffee and juice. Our room was really clean and quiet, and the property felt peaceful and secure. It’s a beautiful place with a homey feel and a bit of history. We’d absolutely stay here again when we come back.

We only needed a room for one night on a last-minute trip, and were lucky to find one here. The beds were comfortable, everything was clean, and I especially liked sitting on the front porch in the rocking chairs. My husband wanted to keep this hidden gem to ourselves, but it was too good not to share. We’ll be back.

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the Chaz hotel for the first time, with our three young kids, and the whole trip felt so wholesome. It’s tucked among lots of trees near the water, and the kids could walk to the campground kayak spot in about 2-3 minutes. Publix is less than a five-minute drive away. The hotel has a really unusual layout that works well for larger families or groups, since they can have their own section. The rooms and bathrooms were clean and spacious, and each room has a key for locking up when you leave. Downstairs there’s a big living room with a TV and small bar area. Wifi worked, and the TV had the usual apps like Disney, Netflix, and YouTube. The AC was strong enough that we got cold one night, which we actually like for sleeping. We had plenty of towels and washcloths, plus hampers for dirty clothes. The owners were kind and down to earth. There’s a fire pit area, picnic tables, and an open space in the back for other activities. We spent loads of time outdoors, took the kayaks to the springs, and saw a manatee twice right beside us. We’d happily come back. Bring bug spray :)