Entire home

Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing

Photo gallery for Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing

Exterior
Property video
Terrace/patio
Guest House porch facing the river view
Guest House window seat for relaxing, reading, viewing the river

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Bruce, FL
  • Place, Windswept Dunes Golf Course
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Pine Log State Forest
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Frank Brown Park
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Airport, Panama City, FL (ECP-Northwest Florida Beaches Intl.)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing

Choctaw Lodge Retreat has much to offer guests including bird watching, nature photography, swamp tours, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming in natural springs and much more in an area relatively unknown to most people. The lodge offers massage therapy, and private fitness classes. A continental breakfast is served every morning in the main lodge. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the most pristine area of Florida on the Choctawhatchee River and yet you are just a short 30-minute drive to the Florida panhandle's world's most beautiful beaches in Panama City Beach or Destin/Seaside Beach areas.

We are also available for special events including weddings, from property availability to planning your entire event. Other special events such as birthdays and anniversaries are also available.

special events: Choctaw Lodge is a beautiful, private getaway perfect for a romantic wedding. It will be our pleasure to speak with you personally on your future wedding plans. Our staff is here to plan your special day offering a range of services from property only to planning your entire event. Feel free to give us a call for further assistance. We are also available for other special events as well.

Choctaw Lodge Retreat offers many different opportunities for corporate and health weekend or weekly retreats. With a massage therapist, yoga instructor, health and fitness trainer on property, we are able to personally design a very special retreat for you. It is our pleasure to give you a five-star experience, whether family, girls weekend out or a romantic getaway. We offer many different packages including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or just a private getaway. We look forward to hearing from you.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ponce De Leon

Located in Ponce De Leon, this holiday home is next to a golf course and on the waterfront. Windswept Dunes Golf Course and Camp Creek Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Pier Park and Central Square. Frank Brown Park and Shipwreck Island Waterpark are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with snorkelling and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and ecotours.
Map
Bruce, FL

What's nearby

  • Windswept Dunes Golf Course - 17 min drive - 18.0 km
  • Pine Log State Forest - 17 min drive - 17.4 km
  • Frank Brown Park - 32 min drive - 45.0 km
  • Panama City Beaches - 33 min drive - 46.1 km
  • Pier Park - 34 min drive - 47.5 km

Getting around

  • Panama City, FL (ECP-Northwest Florida Beaches Intl.) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Subway - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Washington County Kennel Club - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Bruce Cafe - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing?

As of 15 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing on 15 March 2026 start from NZ$416, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Unique, beautiful River Front Property w/canoeing, kayaking and wildlife viewing located?

Situated in Ponce De Leon, this golf holiday home is 9.2 mi (14.8 km) from Windswept Dunes Golf Course and within 25 miles (40 km) of Pier Park and St. Andrews Bay. Morrison Springs and Museum of Man in the Sea are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Virginia P.

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

Mini Vacation

Loved this place, would definitely stay again. Peaceful, beautiful and the owners was so nice.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

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

Perfect Private Gem

Our stay with Ron and Kathryn was nothing short of amazing! The location was great, the ambiance was so lovely at night, and both houses are adorable. Ron and Kathryn really enjoy inviting people into their homes and making sure your stay is unforgettable. Lovely time, we will certainly stay again. I am very happy we found Choctaw Lodge B&B!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa K.

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

Amazing retreat

This property is in a great location and was the relaxing escape we needed! It was very clean and felt like home the minute we arrived. Ron and Kathryn were fantastic hosts. They gave so many great recommendations to help make our stay memorable. Kathryn is a fantastic cook, and it was amazing to have a wonderful breakfast waiting for us each morning. Looking forward to staying again!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Raymond R.

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

Peaceful River Location

We loved our stay at this property. It was wonderful to wake up in the midst of a beautiful FLA natural area with the river rolling by. We walked daily on the road and the property was just a short drive to the beach and Destin and Panama Ciry area restaurants. The hosts were so accommodating, holding our mail, taking us for a boat ride on the river, building fires in the firepit and baking the most delicious cookies.
Stayed 45 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison R.

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

Best long weekend ever !

Our family had a wonderful weekend staying on the river. Everything was perfect especially Ron’s boat ride and Kathryn’s breakfast. The cabin was beautiful and relaxing. We enjoyed all of the games and scenery so much that we stayed way past our check out time. We can’t wait to come back again and will also try it this winter for a different experience. Thank you so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Fritzi M.

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

A Perfect start and end to each day!

We (myself & 2 kids and sister & husband) had a FABULOUS time at The Choctaw Lodge! Kathryn and Ron are superb hosts. Ron has a wealth of historical knowledge about the area. The guest house was lovely, homey, comfortable with views of the river from the bedroom, living room and dining room. The Lodge’s grounds are beautiful with greenery along the river. At night, the grounds, trees and buildings light up, giving it a magical feeling. The lodge has an amazing, enormous, comfortable porch to eat scrumptious breakfasts cooked by Kathryn. She is a wonderful chef! Her bread pudding is delicious! Ron took us on an enjoyable boat ride along the river and into the swamp and even had the opportunity to see an alligator! My brother-in-law and kids fished off a deck and caught fish! My son and I kayaked on the river early morning and enjoyed nature. The Lodge has all the amenities! The Lodge is secluded in the woods along the river but easy enough to travel to the beaches. The Lodge is a perfect start and end to the day. We had great fun! We hope to see Kathryn and Ron again in the future! We most HIGHLY recommend the Lodge!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sharmontranae M.

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

Bryant and Monroe Vacation 6/2021

Hospitality was everything! The complimentary breakfast was homemade and delicious. The property is a 100 overall, comfortable is what we were our entire stay and I can’t wait to retreat with these lovely people again!

10/10 Excellent

Edward M.

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

Gem by the River

The guest house surpassed my expectations. Ron and Kathryn were exceptional hostesses they were very friendly and Kathryn’s breakfast were outstanding. Ron gave us a boat trip showing us the the River and gave us tips on Kayaking. The location was great since it is between Panama City and Destin. After visiting both beaches we still had time for a campfire each night by the river. We will definitely come back. Thank you Ron and Kathryn for an unforgettable experience at your retreat lodge.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Victoria G.

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

R and R

Beautiful surroundings for a few days of R and R. Choctaw Lodge is very peaceful and hosts Kathryn and Ron are very helpful and accommodating. Boat tour of the river and delicious breakfasts were highlights!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Scott B.

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

Beautiful away from crowds

This place is amazing. The property and home is beautiful and done up well. The breakfast was the best. Can't wait to come again and stay longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

The Road Less Traveled

While looking for a different experience close to the beach I found this listing, I book reservations on the pictures and ratings but did not read the entire description of listing right away. I was alittle hesitant when I realized it was a B&B. I am so happy we went, it was AMAZING. I can not put into words how much we loved our stay. The food, accommodations, beautifully landscaped grounds and host were all so welcoming. I absolutely recommend anyone that loves nature and relaxation to visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ben C.

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

Gorgeous and wonderful hosts

Absolutely gorgeous getaway, friendly and gracious hosts, beautiful nature, and the decor in the house was wonderful. Unfortunately the internet was very limited unless you were on Verizon. Fortunately the host went out of their way to brainstorm multiple solutions until we found one that worked and they offered me a stay at another property well equipped to meet all my needs.
Stayed 15 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Warren S.

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

Awesome!

The property and hosts were top notch! The pics on VRBO look nice but it's even nicer live. Ron and Kathryn were always there if you needed anything. Ron got the fire started in the pit every night when we were there and was even there when we had some boat troubles and helped with the launch of the boat. Kathryn makes the best breakfast I think I've ever had. Everything was awesome that she prepared but the Brandy bread pudding and the cheesy hashbrowns were so good it was hard to stop eating. She was even kind enough to send some leftover Brandy bread pudding home with us. We also weren't able to get there for our first night and they gave us credit for our next stay which I was not expecting. I could go on and on but i'll stop here. I can't wait to go back.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kristy Y.

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

Top Notch

This was a wonderful stay for myself, my husband, my kids and my brother in law. Kathryn and Ron made sure we were welcomed and felt at home from the minute we arrived. They missed no detail! I purposely chose this place because it was located half an hour to the springs (Morrison and Cypres) and half an hour to the beach, but secluded and away from the tourist crowd. Being on the river was very nice, my son loves to fish and he was welcome to do so anytime, we also took the kayaks out for a trip to some of the lakes off the river. The landscaping and grounds of this lodge were magnificent and we almost hated to leave to go to the springs. We wish we would have had more time to just sit around the lodge and enjoy the grounds. This place was SUPER clean! Kathryn hit a home run with all of us (which is hard to do with my crew) for breakfast. All the little touches just made this a wonderful experience. My daughter said she wished she had more time to talk with Mrs. Kathryn, my son left his note to Kathryn and Ron in the guest book and said he wanted to bring his wife and kids back one day. Just great!
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kim J., Oklahoma

Comfortable, relaxing home away from home!

We never want to leave our river house! We love this place and the owners are the most hospitable people that you will ever meet. You can play on the river or go into town (PCB), which is around a 30 min drive. When you are tired and want to retreat away from the busy beaches this place is like no other. You are right on the river surrounded by peace & quiet, with lots of wildlife to enjoy- day or night. You are close enough to drive to the Destin area also, spend the day and come back & to the serenity of the river.

About the host

Hosted by Kathryn Hardy

Host profile image
Welcome to Our Backyard!
That is the Standard greeting guests receive when arriving at Choctaw Lodge Bed & Breakfast Retreat. Owners Ron and Kathryn Hardy are always delighted to share their "place In Paradise" with nature enthusiasts in search of a unique encounter with the natural beauty of the Choctawhatchee River. The Hardy's have much to offer their guests including bird watching, nature and plant photography, swamp tours, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and much more in an area relatively unknown to most people. "It is the best kept secret in the Panhandle of Florida," the owners explain, "and our goal is to preserve it in its pristine and natural state as long as we are here."

Why they chose this property

Choctaw Lodge is located on the banks of the Choctawhatchee River between Ebro and Bruce, FL. Though secluded, guests are only 25 minutes away from Panama City Beach and 35 miles away from Destin, Seaside, and Grayton Beach. The EO Wilson Biophilia Nature Center at Nokuse Plantation is only seven miles from the Lodge and borders much of the Nokuse Conservation property. The Choctaw Lodge river front property includes three houses nestled among an array of indigenous trees including cypress, cedar and hard woods. Many species of flowers, birds (some rare) and animals can be viewed on this beautiful river. Through guided tours you will discover hidden natural springs and lakes only the locals know about or you may venture out on your own exploring in canoes and kayaks. Your days end with sunsets around the fire pits or a sunset cruise in one of our tour boats. When weather does not permit activities in the open boats, there is always the lodge's own 48' houseboat, "The Choctaw Lady".
With only a handful of dwellings between the lodge and Highway 20, Choctaw Lodge is surrounded by tens of thousands of acres dedicated to the preservation through water management plus the Nokuse Plantation with their 48,000 acres of protected land, assuring the survival and conservation of this beautiful area.
"This is not your typical Bed and Breakfast," explains Kathryn, "It is a "RETREAT" offering so much more and is dedicated to the conservation of this beautiful and rare part of Northwest Florida. It is a peaceful, tranquil lifestyle we have grown to love and it is our pleasure to make sure your stay at Choctaw Lodge is memorable. After your initial visit, we will anxiously await your return as everyone who experiences this river and Choctaw Lodge, does return!"

What makes this property unique

There is no other place like Choctaw Lodge Retreat in the Panhandle of Florida! Right from the property you have canoeing, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and the unique experience of swimming on the sandbars of the river. Then there are private boat tours that can take to places unknown to most people. And if you choose to venture further, Choctaw Lodge Retreat is near by several natural springs and hiking trails sure to offer nature's encounters with the wildlife of Northwest Florida. Not to mention, you are a short 30-minute drive to the world's most beautiful beaches! It's the best of both worlds!

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