FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River

Photo gallery for FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River

A porch with two turquoise wicker chairs and a potted plant with pink flowers.
A spacious living room with a wooden floor, a blue armchair, a beige sofa, and a view through a glass door to the outside.
A houseboat docked at a marina with a covered deck and a small porch.
A small dock with a yellow building, a blue roof, and a white railing. There are two yellow kayaks on the dock.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a granite countertop, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a tiled backsplash.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 1% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony or patio
  • Poolside bar
  • Swimming pool
  • Restaurant
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Sanford, FL
  • Place, Lake Monroe
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Seminole County Sports Complex
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Airport, Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Sanford

Located in Sanford, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The Princess Theater and Jeanine Taylor Folk Art are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Mayfair Country Club and Lake Mary Tennis Center. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Sylvan Lake Tennis Center, or consider a night out at Lake Brantley Field House. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cycling.
View more Cottages in SanfordOpens in a new window
Map
Sanford, FL

What's nearby

  • Lake Monroe - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - 3 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Historic Downtown Sanford - 11 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Seminole County Sports Complex - 20 min drive - 26.2 km
  • Kia Center - 28 min drive - 43.0 km

Getting around

  • DeBary Station - 6 min drive
  • Sanford Station - 8 min drive
  • Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wawa - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Andy's Frozen Custard - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

How much does it cost to stay at FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River?

As of 29 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River on 14 Mar 2027 start from AU$763, 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.

Is FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is FLOATING COTTAGE - Unique home afloat on the St. John's River located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 2 miles (3 km) of Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Black Bear Wilderness Area and Lake Monroe. Lake Monroe Park is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) away.

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. 166 out of 175 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 175 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 175 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 175 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 175 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super clean, very well stocked... The host was BEYOND premire!!! Such a cute, unique place to stay!! Great location... The diner at the marina is delicious and great prices!!! Sanford is a wonderful find and we will return to the floating cottage!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Oct 2026
Thank you for your kind words about your cottage stay, the deli and my hosting ability. Your friendly style and great communication made it a delight to be your host. Thanks for selecting Floating Cottage for your weekend stay.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
host is very caring and friendly. unique, peaceful property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Oct 2026
Thank you for your stay and for your kind review. I appreciate your great communication. It was my pleasure to host your time afloat.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My wife and I loved our stay at the floating cottage! Everything was as just as described and the home has everything you could need. On the deck we enjoyed the wildlife, fish, turtles, gators and manatees. We would definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 19 July 2026
Thank you for selecting the Floating Cottage for your brief stay afloat and for your generous comments. This is the perfect time of the year to observe manatees off the front porch. Your communication was greatly appreciated. We would welcome your return at any time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place, amazing host and would 100% stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Jan 2026
I'm glad that you and your daughter enjoyed your stay. Thank you for your great communication. We would welcome your return when you'd enjoy another cottage respite. Thank you for selecting the cottage.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The stay was great ,very clean and well kept. Communications with Host Kim/Paul were excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Apr 2026
It was our delight to host your stay afloat. We truly appreciated your great communication and would welcome your return at any time. Thank you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I cannot tell you how incredible the entire stay was and how easy my conversation was with Kim. The cottage was immaculate, bed super comfortable. Better stocked than I have ever seen any place I have stayed before .I could have left a lot do things at home that Kim provided as part of our stay. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wow, this is a special place. This floating cottage is an absolute gem. You walk in and immediately notice that it is very well built and designed. It is decorated very well. There is a breakfast and lunch shop right on site that is great. The gentle rocking makes you sleep so great. All of the people that work there are wonderful. We will be coming back as often as possible. We honestly didn't want to leave.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2026
It was our pleasure to host you for a relaxing weekend afloat. Thank you for your great communication that helped make your visit successful. We'd welcome your return at any time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent location and views
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Dec 2025
Thank you for choosing to stay afloat in the cottage and for your excellent communication. It was my pleasure to host you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage was fabulous. Very neat and clean .The town of Sanford has everything you need.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Mar 2026
Thank you for choosing the Floating Cottage for your respite from the North East. Thanks, also, for your great communication. I appreciate your kind review of the cottage and Sanford.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was amazing and the host was very accommodating!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jan 2026
Thanks to you and your family for being great guests!!! We would be happy to host you at any time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfection in one little tiny floating cottage. Super clean with all of the comforts of home. Peaceful. Folks around the marina and deli were delightful and welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Apr 2026
I'm glad that you enjoyed your brief stay afloat! Thank you for your kind review and for including the warm and friendly deli and marina staff members. They definitely add to the cottage experience. I'll share your review with them.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything and everyone was wonderful.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Feb 2026
Thanks very much for selecting the cottage. We're thrilled that you enjoyed your sojourn afloat. It would be our pleasure to host you at any time!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Floating Cottage was a great place to stay for a couple. The cottage was very clean, the kitchen was well stocked (although we did not cook), and bath essentials were great. The location was central to our weekend plans. The host provided detailed communication right after we booked the cottage right up to our departure. Kim provided a lot of useful information about various activities locally and recommendations for placed to eat. I would recommend the floating cottage to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Mar 2026
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed your cottage stay. Thank you for your excellent communication and for your lovely review. It would be my pleasure to host a future stay if you'd like to return for another restful visit afloat.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Love this place

Second time staying here and will be back again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 31 May 2022
Thanks, Sharon! Glad you enjoyed your time afloat again. You are always welcome!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What can I say. Cute, Clean and Cozy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jan 2026
Thank you! It was my pleasure to be your host.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful cottage and scenery

Very clean and i loved the porch.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Long weekend family getaway

Owner was very hospitable and considerate, cottage was nice and clean, with nice view by the porch, good place to relax and enjoy.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2023
It was my pleasure to host you and your family. Thank you for your stay, your excellent communication and for your review. I'd welcome your return at any time.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful stay at the marina!

We stayed at the Floating Cottage for several weeks to get away from Michigan winter. We had a wonderful stay, and loved living on the water. Kim was a great host and the marina staff were very friendly and helpful. Great stay!
Stayed 48 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Apr 2023
You were great guests! Thank you for your kind words about you cottage stay and friendly folks at the marina.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Idyllic Retreat

We continue to return year after year because of how much we enjoy everything about this cottage. The setting, the creature comforts and the excellent attention from our host and her associates assures that we will be shortly planning our next stay.
Stayed 27 nights in Feb 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Mar 2025
I appreciate your review, and I appreciate your return trips to the cottage. It's truly a joy to host your visits Thank you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Adorable cottage

Kim was an amazing host and we loved the cottage it’s a very special little place loved downtown Sanford and Lake Monroe was beautiful at sunset
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2022
Thank you very much for your kind review. I'm pleased that you enjoyed your stay and took the time to enjoy the sunset. You are welcome to return at any time!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Memorial Day stay

Floating Cottage was prefect for our long weekend stay. Cottage was so cute, clean and very well equipped with everything we needed. It was a beautiful spot to sit in the evening and watch to different wild life swim by. The host was super friendly and checking in and out was a breeze. I would definitely recommend and will go back again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 27 May 2025
Thank you for your kind words. You were a delight to host and you made it easy with your great communication. I'll share your review with my cottage angels . . . the team that helps to keep everything perfect for guests. I will welcome your return, any time you'd like a few days afloat.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic stay a the floating cottage! Kim was fantastic in her communication, providing timely updates and very fast answers to our questions. The cottage was spotless and exactly as described. And it was located in the right spot for us, as we spent the weekend in nature. Turtles were fun, and the visiting gator was super cool (but no feeding the gators!).
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Oct 2025
It was a joy to host Keith! His communication was excellent as was his care for the cottage and the environment. I would welcome his return at any time. Highly recommended as guests!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fabulous Getaway

Our stay at the floating cottage was perfect! It is a beautiful and quiet location! We enjoyed the turtles and were extremely pleased with Connie's Deli! Such wonderful people! We hope to book with Kim again at this cute-as-a-bug cottage!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Feb 2025
Thank you so much for choosing to stay in the sweet yellow cottage. I really appreciate your kind words about the deli, the cottage and the environment. I'd welcome your return any time as a Frequent Floater!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing trip

The Floating Cottage was an amazing experience. It was very relaxing(turtles do not disappoint), clean, and the host was so accommodating. We really enjoyed our time on the river😊
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Sept 2021
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed your stay afloat! Thank you for your kind comments, your stay, and your respect for the cottage and the river.
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Floating cottage

Nice cottage, as expected.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Dec 2024
Thank you for selecting your stay at the cottage!
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