Located in Melrose, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out Waldo Farmers Market, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park and Putnam Lakes Preserve. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park - 19 min drive - 23.8 km
Getting around
Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional) - 31 min drive
Restaurants
Stone’s Irish Pub - 10 min drive
McDonald's - 12 min drive
Hardee's - 12 min drive
Wendy's - 11 min drive
Johnny's Bar-B-Q & Catering - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub?
As of 24 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub on 27 Oct 2026 start from AU$880, 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 Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Sandy Toes Lake Bungalow-2/2,U of FL, King, Firepit, 1 Dog ,Boats, Fish, Hot Tub located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 3 mi (4.8 km) from Santa Fe Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Lake Geneva and Cowpen Lake. Crystal Lake and Flamingo Lake are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Early mornings on the front porch are the best with the view and the peaceful tranquility! Sandra went above and beyond on making sure our stay was top notched!We went for a U of FL game and the drive was perfect for us between Jax and Gainesville!
Things couldn’t have been any better spelled out both in texts and with info in the Lake home. Sandy is a well seasoned host that takes her role very seriously and does her absolute best to accommodate for any and all circumstances. She even had a personal card and miniature cupcakes ready upon arrival for my husband’s 60th Birthday. It was a delightful stay and we had a wonderful time.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Sept 2026
Thank you for your kind words. We make every effort to make our guests welcome and keep things transparent and without surprises. We welcome you back any time.
Everything was amazing, wonderful location, wonder host, great amenities. We were here over Thanksgiving and the kitchen was fully stocked with pots, pans and untesils we needed. The use of the watercraft was a great bonus.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 7 May 2026
Thank you so much for staying with us and your kind review. It is very much appreciated. We hope to host you again some day.
We had a great time relaxing and visiting with Family. About a 28 minute ride to Gainesville and really enjoyed Melrose as well as the surrounding towns. House was very clean and it was nice to have a grill available for steaks and Hamburgers. Will stay here again for sure!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Sept 2025
Thank you! We try to give our guests a feeling of a home-away-from-home experience. We love having them come back so we look forward to seeing more of you and your family in the future. Blessings.
Our host was very attentive and checked with us to see if we needed anything several times during our stay. The home had a well stocked welcome basket, soda in the refrigerator and a well stocked pantry area. The bathrooms had all products that would be needed plus lots of towels. The home has a view of Swan Lake which is across the street from the house. Lake gear is provided, Guestbook with all sorts of local activities and restaurants. Would definitely rent again
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your great review and kind remarks. We enjoyed having you stay with us and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Sandy Toes Bungalow is a recently built cottage with a partial view of Swan Lake and Swan Lake beach access. The floor plan is perfect for 2 couples or a couple with kids as the bedrooms are on either side allowing for privacy. The cottage is beautifully decorated. What stands out are the amenities. This bungalow is better stocked than any vacation rental I have ever been in. Just one instance. We like to cool and there were about 50 high end spices. In addition, there is an electric fireplace for ambiance. There is a hot tub in a private gazebo and a firepit surrounded by Adirondack type chairs. There is a gas grill. Oh, but the screened porches were my favorite. The front porch has a view of the lake about 300 feet away. Plenty of room there to put up your feet and read. The back screened porch is perfect for morning coffee and on warm days having breakfast and watching squirrels, hawks, birds, and an owl or two. The host, Sandy, has provided a great deal of information on things to do in the area and is very responsive to your needs. We loved that we were only an hour to an hour and a half from all sorts of things. We visited both the west coast and the east coast several times during our stay. We went on a glass bottom boat and saw manatees. There are great restaurants locally and in every direction. Truly a January to remember!
Stayed 28 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely and thorough review. It is much appreciated and we look forward to hosting you again one day! You have been lovely guests.
Sandy Toes Bungalow was absolutely perfect! It was as described with two guest suites with adjoining bathrooms and a main common area. It would be perfect for two couples traveling together or a relaxing girls’ getaway. The layout was great and the cottage was in excellent condition. We spent coffee/ cocktail time enjoying the front screened in porch looking at the lake. The short walk to the lake took about two minutes & we spent quite a lot of time on the beach..Sandra paid extra attention to stocking the bungalow with anything you could think of! There are cute little towns nearby to explore & Gainesville is a quick 30 min drive. Honestly, we couldn’t think of anything negative to report. We would definitely go back again!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 29 July 2026
I'm a little tardy in responding. We certainly enjoyed having you all stay with us. We miss seeing you down with feet in the water at sunset. We hope you all will come back again soon and often. Thank you for letting us share our corner of paradise.
Verified review
8/10 Good
Colynn H.
9 Oct 2026
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Oct 2026
Thank you for choosing Sandy Toes Bungalow for your guests’ stay. We take great pride in providing a comfortable, well-equipped home, excellent value, and attentive communication.
Because the reservation was made on behalf of others, we understand that the review may not fully reflect the experience of those who stayed with us. We always encourage our guests to let us know promptly if anything needs attention so we have the opportunity to make things right during their stay.
Our goal is for every guest to relax, enjoy the lake, and leave with wonderful memories. We appreciate the opportunity to host visitors to our little corner of Florida!