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Lake living close to Gainesville, UF Health and University of Florida

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Outdoor seating chairs, a concrete pathway, and a view of a body of water.
A wooden dining table with four plates, a small plant, and a coffee pot on a bench.
A room with wicker furniture, a ceiling fan, and large windows.
A room with a wooden floor, two rocking chairs, a bookshelf filled with books and decorative items, and a window with blinds.
A wooden boardwalk leading to a building with a green roof, surrounded by trees with Spanish moss.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Melrose, FL
  • Place, Santa Fe Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Florida
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Place, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Airport, Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

A living room with a large window, a painting, a guitar, and a view of the deck and trees.
Lake Santa Fe Retreat
Melrose
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 2 reviews
Lake Santa Fe Retreat

About the neighborhood

Melrose

When you stay at this vacation home in Melrose, you'll be on a lake and steps from Santa Fe Lake. .This vacation home is 18 mi (29 km) from University of Florida and 18.5 mi (29.8 km) from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
View more Vacation Homes in MelroseOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Santa Fe Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • University of Florida - 30 min drive - 22.8 miles
  • Gainesville Raceway - 30 min drive - 25.5 miles
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - 32 min drive - 23.8 miles
  • Sante Fe College - 43 min drive - 36.2 miles

Getting around

  • Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Stone’s Irish Pub - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Hardee's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Florida Cracker Oyster Bar & Grill - ‬19 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Lake living close to Gainesville, UF Health and University of Florida

You will love spending your vacation relaxing lake side or enjoying Florida's largest water sports lake, Lake Santa Fe! Just 25 minutes to Gainesville and all it has to offer. You can go to a Gator game or hike the Hawthorne Trail to see Florida's natural wildlife. There's something for everyone!
*Sleeps 7 (5 in beds and 1 pullout couch)
*Pets allowed after owner consent.

Long-term rentals available.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free vacation home offers books.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 20 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator (single-level property)
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 20 lbs per pet)
Note from host: Additional fee for pets

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Lake living close to Gainesville, UF Health and University of Florida Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 92 out of 106 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 106 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 106 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 106 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quaint and private. Beautiful lake. Had everything we needed. Easy communication with the host. Easy check in
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
First timers on VRBO! The host communicated very well. We visited for graduation at UF. I was nervous to try out staying somewhere that wasn’t a hotel but it was such a great experience! The family really enjoyed the dock and there was plenty of space for everyone, It was about a 30 minute drive to UF which was not bad at all.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rustic lake place. Clean inside. Well appointed kitchen. Beautiful view of lake from huge sunroom and from living room. We brought our kayak and small sailboat. Perfect trip! Would love to stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleasant Lake Cottage. Very clean.

Family loved the place. Decorated like a 50's Diner, which I loved.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Vacation

Have stayed here several times, great as always
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely cottage

House was lovely and very comfortable - quiet and peaceful!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice family trip

Very nice location on the water. Brought my bass boat and had a great family outing.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake House living

Perfect place to stay outside of Gainesville for University of Florida graduation.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family time

We love it here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Quaint lakeside cottage

Adorable and comfortable place with a beautiful lakeside view. The owners included many little touches to make our stay enjoyable.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake vacay

We love it here!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake Santa fe

Beautiful property
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A great stay

We have used this property for several years. It’s always clean and accommodating. Our favorite features are the spacious covered dock and the back porch overlooking the lake.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Another great stay!

So clean and comfy! Convenient to the public boat ramp. This was our 2nd trip. Love the views from the sunroom.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location close to Gainesville

This is a Great Lake house with a covered dock providing full view of Lake Santa Fe. It is close to the boat ramp and is located on the southwest corner of the lake for easy access to town. Beautiful views of the lake from two viewing areas inside and a raised area outside provide relaxing time for watching or playing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great everything we needed and more. The home was very clean and well kept. So enjoyed the lake.

This was easy peasy! Will use Home away again
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family time

Had a great time just hanging out and enjoying the lake
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake Santa Fe

Lovely and cozy
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great short stay

Great stay at the lake house. Beautiful views and a really unique, fun property. It was exactly what we needed. Very clean and cozy. Thank you! When we are in the area, we will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Wedding

We were here for a wedding
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

September 2023 visit

It’s always a pleasure to visit this home and lake Santa Fe. This part of Florida is as beautiful as ever (but let’s keep that a secret). Thanks for the visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Serene

The place is serene and beautiful beyond measure. Erica was extraordinary and kind with all communication. Highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Even though we didn’t have internet for 5 days, we had a nice time. I do recommend the host to fix the kitchen floor, so others don’t trip or cut their toes. Also, the bathtub wasn’t clean.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

We love it!!

This is such an awesome place and we love it!! Thank you!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Back to school

Great end to the summer break and minutes away from campus
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024