The Pines Retreat in Beverly Hills, FL

Pros

• The site is a great destination for camping.
• The newly renovated facilities provided a wonderful glamping experience.
• The restaurant served delicious vegetarian meals.
• Pine Lake Retreat staff were great hostesses and went to great lengths to make guests comfortable; the hospitality was spectacular.
• Prakhar Aggarwal's availability and the facility tour were appreciated.
• The site offers large auditoriums, expansive fields, AV equipment, and can accommodate large groups up to 250.
• The place was beautiful and peaceful, with excellent facilities and first-class meals.
• The chalet was clean, cozy, with brand-new furnishings.
• The staff were friendly, accommodating, and hard-working.
• Accommodations were nice and the property is beautiful.
• There is a playground and open field where children can have fun.
• Guests described it as a piece of heaven.
• The weekend retreat was uplifting.
• The kitchen staff prepared delicious meals and to-go dinner boxes for the return journey.

Cons

• The facility is filthy and poorly maintained, with dirty floors.
• There are dirty mattresses, ants in the beds, a mildew smell, and water damage everywhere.
• Lights do not work and the HVAC stopped, leaving the cabin unbearably hot.
• There is no water pressure and there are huge roaches; burn marks in the kitchen and door locks do not work.
• The new owners removed the water heaters, resulting in no hot water for showers at Pavillon or Lodge B.
• The reviewer alleges workers are abused and deception by the manager.
• The Bambi cabin shows aging with a dirty carpet, a refrigerator door handle falling off, a bathroom sink with no cold water, water damage, a leaning toilet, and a shower curtain that is too short.
• The property is overpriced, damp, dusty, with no soap or toothpaste, and beds that are very uncomfortable.

Review

The Pines Retreat in Beverly Hills, FL is best suited for organized, multi-day programs where the agenda, group dynamics, and on-site dining take priority over hotel-grade lodging. It excels as a venue for retreats, weddings of scale, yoga or meditation gatherings, and family or church events that require large meeting rooms, expansive outdoor space, and the capacity to feed sizable groups. The property's strengths lie in its ability to host 250-plus attendees, provide substantial auditoriums and open fields, and deliver a complementary retreat atmosphere with reportedly solid, vegetarian-friendly meals and attentive staff. When the plan centers on programming, not private comfort, the setting can deliver a memorable, bottom-line-friendly experience.

Those who should consider alternatives are individuals or families who expect clean, consistently maintained private lodging and reliable basics. The reviews reveal a spectrum of conditions - from newly renovated chalets with fresh furnishings to damp, dusty spaces with water damage, mold smells, and maintenance gaps. Reports of dirty mattresses, pests, non-functioning lights, and inconsistent hot water point to a lodging baseline that can undermine a relaxing stay. If personal safety, predictable room quality, and a quiet, hotel-like sleep environment are non-negotiables, it is prudent to look at other options in the region that promise steadier housekeeping and more uniform upkeep.

The strongest positives - the robust event infrastructure, generous common areas, and the welcoming, capable staff - do offset the main drawbacks only in scenarios where the programmatic value is high. For conferences, retreats, or family gatherings where the priority is scalable dining, large rooms, and a broad campus-like feel, the trade-offs may be worth it. The favorable reviews highlight friendly service, good meals, and a setting that supports group activities and fellowship. When these operational strengths align with clear, pre-negotiated guarantees about room readiness and maintenance, the overall package can still be compelling despite uneven lodging conditions.

However, the cons do not vanish simply because the property can host big groups. Inconsistent maintenance, questionable cleanliness, and infrastructure fragility - such as water management issues, dampness, and equipment failures - can quickly erode the value proposition for seniors or families seeking dependable comfort. Several accounts describe rooms of questionable condition, with issues ranging from damp, dusty interiors to water pressure problems and non-operational conveniences. The weekend staffing realities mentioned in some anecdotes also raise practical red flags for groups needing reliable on-site support during all travel days and evenings.

Practical due diligence can mitigate some risk but cannot eliminate the underlying variability. Prospective organizers should request specifics on unit condition, recent renovations, and ongoing maintenance plans. A pre-visit for a tour of recent accommodations, a candid review of hot-water availability, HVAC performance, and bed quality is essential. Confirm the availability of daily housekeeping and toiletries, the reliability of door security, and the continuity of staff during weekends. Consider pairing the retreat with a budget that anticipates potential room upgrades or guarantees for room-level cleanliness, and ensure contracts spell out service levels, meal standards, and contingency plans for any lodging shortfalls.

In the end, this community serves a clear niche: it offers space, feast-ready kitchens, and a retreat-like ambiance that can power meaningful group experiences. For singles, couples, or small families seeking dependable, hotel-grade lodging and spotless private rooms, alternatives should be pursued with urgency. For organizers who can tolerate uneven room conditions in exchange for vast facilities and strong group-support, The Pines Retreat remains a viable option - provided due diligence is rigorous, expectations are tightly aligned with the realities of the lodging, and a plan is in place to address maintenance and comfort concerns before arrival.

Located in Beverly Hills, Florida, this area offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With multiple dining options such as Subs-N-Such and Dan's Clam Stand, residents can enjoy a variety of cuisines close to home. Nearby parks like Citronelle Park and Hunter Springs Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical needs, there are several physicians' offices including the Citrus Neuroscience Institute and pharmacies like Don's Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy within a short distance. In addition, there are places of worship such as Iglesia Pan De Vida and First Presbyterian Church for spiritual support. Overall, this part of Beverly Hills provides a mix of convenience, healthcare options, recreational activities, and community resources for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming neighborhood.

Restaurants

• Subs-N-Such (2.5 miles)
• Dan's Clam Stand (3.7 miles)
• New China Chinese Restaurant (3.9 miles)
• Hong Kong Restaurant (4 miles)
• Bangkok Thai (4.1 miles)
• McDonald's (4.4 miles)
• Taverna Manos (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Citronelle Park (3.3 miles)
• Hunter Springs Park (5.2 miles)
• King's Bay Park (5.2 miles)
• Rockwood Park (6.2 miles)
• Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins (6.5 miles)

Physicians

• Citrus Neuroscience Institute - Sonal Parikh MD (3.6 miles)
• Citrus Nephrology Associates (3.7 miles)
• Dr Reddy (3.8 miles)
• 21st Century Oncology (3.8 miles)
• Bhadresh K Patel (3.9 miles)
• Tri-County Hearing Aid (4 miles)
• Citrusdiabetes Treatment Center (4 miles)

Hospitals

• Pet Services of Florida (3.8 miles)
• Laboratory Corporation of America (5.1 miles)
• Bayfront Health Seven Rivers - Wound Care Center (5.3 miles)
• Seven Rivers Community Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center (5.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Don's Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (4.4 miles)
• Drug Dealer's (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• New England Pastry & Cafe (3.9 miles)
• Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters (5 miles)
• Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters (6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Iglesia Pan De Vida (4.1 miles)
• North Oak Baptist Church (4.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (4.9 miles)
• First Church of God (5.2 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (5.3 miles)
• Crystal River Church of God (5.4 miles)
• St Timothy Lutheran Church (5.6 miles)