Is this property good for fishing?

Absolutely! Guests consistently mention excellent fishing right from the two private docks. One guest caught over 30 fish on their first day, and families love that kids can easily fish from the docks. The property sits on a calm private canal off Lake Santa Fe, so there's no boat chop to worry about.

Can we bring a boat and trailer?

Yesu2014the property has a pull-through dual gate setup with plenty of parking for trucks and trailers. There's an on-site boat ramp, though a few guests noted some broken concrete, so larger boats may be better launched at the nearby public ramp. The two docks provide easy docking for boats once you're on the water.

Is the property pet-friendly and safe for kids?

Yes! The entire yard is fenced in, which guests with dogs and children especially appreciate. The large yard gives pets plenty of room to roam and kids space to play safely. Multiple families mentioned feeling secure and enjoying the outdoor space.

How is the location for visiting Gainesville or UF?

It's surprisingly convenientu2014several guests stayed here for UF graduations and family weekends and found it closer to Gainesville than expected. You get the peaceful, rural lakefront setting while still having reasonable access to the university and local attractions like the Micanopy festival and GatorNationals.

What should we know about the setting and amenities?

The property is very private and rural, so it gets quite dark at nightu2014plan accordingly if arriving late. The home is well-stocked with kitchen essentials, appliances, and cookware (though a few guests noted limited serving dishes). Guests love the sunrise and sunset views over the water, and there's great wildlife watching. Local restaurant recommendations include Chiappini's, Betty's, and Brooklyn Boys in nearby Keystone Heights.

All Properties

Lakefront Retreat- Lake/Private

Melrose
House

Boaters paradise! Chart your own course with this tranquil Melrose getaway that’s sheltered from weather and noise by the cove and offers a paradise for water sports enthusiasts and avid fishers. Utilize the small boat ramp, 2 boat docks, and fish cleaning room for a full day of voyage and catch along the stunning banks at this 3-bedroom, 2-bath vacation rental. Not only will you be about 3 miles from Historic Downtown Melrose but you’ll also be an easy drive to Gainsville when you venture out.

8

Guests

3

Bedrooms

2

Bathrooms

Description

Notes

Health & Safety: We prioritize the health, safety, and comfort of our guests. Each stay is followed by a thorough cleaning to maintain a welcoming environment.

Late Check-Outs & Early Arrivals

1-2 hours: $100
2-3 hours: $200

Note: Early arrivals and late check-outs are not guaranteed due to our tight cleaning schedule. Please request approval in advance.

Refund Policy

A 3.9% processing fee on refunds is non-refundable. Refunds will be the amount paid minus this fee, per Stripe's policy. This applies to direct booking and bookings made through select booking channels.

General Guidelines

●Pets: A pet fee of $100 applies per reservation for up to 2 pets. Bringing a pet without prior notification incurs an additional $100 fee, and we may end your stay early. No cats allowed. If your pet causes any damages, additional charges will incur to cover repair or cleaning costs.
●Garage Access: Not permitted due to liability. If applicable, garage doors must stay closed.
●Age Requirement: Primary guest must be 21+, with an adult over 21 present during the stay.
Food & Drink: No food or drink in bedrooms (closed water bottles allowed); extra cleaning fees for stains.
●No Smoking: Smoking of any kind is prohibited; $200 fine for violations. Additional charges will incur to cover repair or cleaning costs.
●Trash: Dispose of all trash in outside bins before departure.
●Damages: Report any damages within 24 hours of occurrence or immediately upon arrival. Failure to report damages could result in liability for repair or replacement costs.
●Dishes: Wash all dishes and run the dishwasher (if applicable) before leaving.
●Windows: Keep windows closed for security.
●Laundry: Avoid overloading machines; do not wash sandy items, and clean the dryer lint trap.
●Storage Closet: Keep this area closed and locked.
●Consumables: Leftover items are at your discretion; freshness is not guaranteed.
●Furniture: Do not rearrange.
●Parties & Events: Unauthorized parties are not allowed; violations will result in additional charges and immediate eviction.
●Only registered guests are permitted to stay at the property. If you would like to add extra guests beyond the number initially registered, please request approval before finalizing your booking. Any additional guests that exceed the maximum allowed at the property will incur an additional charge of $100 per person. This requires approval from us prior to booking.
●Illegal Activities: Will result in immediate eviction.
●Quiet Hours: 10pm to 7am. Please be respectful of neighbors.

Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy your stay!

Neighborhood

Fairfax, Jacksonville has quite a few grocery stores including Bernie's Wine Stop, Sentry Food Solutions, and Lake Shore Produce Market.

Access

Guests will have full access to the house.

Space

Wraparound Deck | Fish Cleaning Room | Ample Parking

Bedroom 1: 2 Twin Beds | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | Bedroom 3: Twin Bunk Bed | Living Room: Sleeper Sofa

OUTDOOR LIVING: 2 boat docks, boat ramp for small boats

INDOOR LIVING: 2 Smart TVs, laptop friendly, ceiling fans

KITCHEN: Fridge, stove & oven, cooking basics, dishware & flatware, microwave, slow cooker, coffee maker, trash bags, paper towels

GENERAL: Free WiFi, central A/C & heating, electric heating, washer & dryer, laundry detergent, complimentary toiletries, towels & linens, hangers, keyless entry

FAQ: 3 stairs to access, bedrooms & full baths on 1st floor, grab rails in bath, 2 exterior security cameras (facing out), pet fee (paid pre-trip)

DIRECT LAKE ACCESS

PARKING: Driveway (4 vehicles), RV/Trailer parking

Transit

Car or Uber.

Rules

Suitable for Children & Infants
Pets Allowed with Charges
Smoking Not Allowed
Parties not allowed

Rooms and Beds

Bedroom

Single Bed: 2

Bedroom

Queen Bed: 1

Living room

Sofa Bed: 1

Bedroom

Single Bed: 2

Features and Amenities

Air Conditioning

Bed linens

Body Soap

Carbon Monoxide Detector

Cleaning Products

Coffee

Coffee Maker

Conditioner

Cookware

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Rates & Availability

Taxes and fees are additional

Green - Available for Check In/Check Out

Pink - Booked

Gray - Unavailable or Restricted Dates Such As Minimum Stays

Reviews

Great house on an amazing property on a lake. Enjoyed

Trina B.

Great house on an amazing property on a lake. Enjoyed fishing and the relaxed vibe. Perfect location to go see the GatorNationals.

Overall a great stay and beautiful property

Lily Beam

Overall a great stay and beautiful property! There weren’t enough towels in the house for the amount of people that were staying (8 of us) but the hosts kindly door dashed us a couple more. There was also no salt and pepper in the kitchen when they advertised that there was. All in all I would recommend staying here!

This is a gem outside of Gainesville

Heidi

This is a gem outside of Gainesville! Beautiful lake view and 2 fishing docks. No frills but fit our family's needs for a long weekend and easy commute to the Gator game. Would definitely return!

We had a wonderful time at Andrew and Melody's lake retreat

Kelli Khan

We had a wonderful time at Andrew and Melody's lake retreat. It was so peaceful, great fishing, and lots of room for the kids to run. It had everything we needed and we really enjoyed our stay.

We had a wonderful time at Andrew and Melody's lake

Kelli

We had a wonderful time at Andrew and Melody's lake retreat. It was so peaceful, great fishing, and lots of room for the kids to run. It had everything we needed and we really enjoyed our stay.

Enjoyed staying at their place.. was quiet & relaxing.Overall layout

Muriel

Enjoyed staying at their place.. was quiet & relaxing.
Overall layout was helpful for the family members staying.
Also was a close drive to extended family members we were visiting.

Travis W.

very private

Brian

very private

Todo muy limpio los anfitriones muy amables excelente

Santiago

Todo muy limpio los anfitriones muy amables excelente

Overall experience was really good. House was as advertised and

William

Overall experience was really good. House was as advertised and actually slept the 8 of us easily. The access to the property was easy with 2 boats and trailers as they have a pull through dual gate setup.
The best feature of the property was the lake access, which came with 2 docks. The bigger of the 2 was perfect to dock both boats and each dock provided some easy fishing for the family. Also, the property was off of a small inlet so no waves or chop from boats riding by.
The hosts were accommodating when our original checkout plans changed. We had plans to stay with friends after the scheduled 10 am checkout to allow us time for Sunday on the lake before driving home, however they did not end up making it down. The hosts were able to help us out by extending our checkout, allowing the kids a couple more hours on the lake. While a non-standard policy, we appreciated the generosity.
Our family had a lot of fun over the weekend and will look to utilize in the future.

Lakefront Retreat- Lake/Private

8

Guests

3

Bedrooms

2

Bathrooms

Lakefront Retreat- Lake/Private

8

3