CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.—Located on Florida’s Nature Coast, the Plantation on Crystal River announced today that it will join Choice Hotels International as a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection. As part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, the Plantation will have access to Choice Hotels International’s reservations and distribution system for more than 6,200 hotels worldwide. In addition, guests of the Plantation on Crystal River will be able to earn free nights through the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program, which allows travelers to earn and redeem points at more than 5,500 Choice hotels worldwide.
“From the expanded reservations capabilities to the new rewards program, this is a win-win situation for everyone involved,” said Robin Kirk, president of Scout Hotels and Resorts, owner and manager of the resort. “Being a part of the Ascend Hotel Collection offers tremendous benefits to our loyal guests, while allowing us to continue operating as the independent brand so many have come to love for more than 50 years now.”
Located waterfront on the Crystal River, the 196-room Plantation is widely known for offering guests the rare experience of swimming with manatees in their natural habitat as the only location in North America where humans can legally interact in the wild with the endangered animals.
In addition to the natural springs of King’s Bay and more than 25,000 surface acres of lakes, rivers, wildlife refuge,s and state parks, the Plantation offers a number of amenities, including an Aveda spa; three dining outlets; waterfront pool; The Adventure Center and Dive Shop with boat and kayak rental, snorkel tours, scalloping adventures and manatee encounters; an 18-hole championship golf course and 9-hole lagoon course; and more than 12,000 square feet of newly-renovated flexible event space.
