Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access!
Surrounded by lush greenery, Spanish moss, and breathtaking water views, this terrarium-style home will immerse you in an unforgettable setting of peace and serenity. This unique Melrose vacation rental features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an idyllic sunroom, and a private boat dock along Lake Santa Fe. Enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of nature as you sip your morning coffee on the patio before putting on your swimsuit and indulging in waterskiing, kayaking, and fishing.
-- THE PROPERTY --
Game Room | Quiet Location | Pet Friendly w/ Fee | Private Boat Dock | Wildlife Viewing On-Site
Bedroom 1: King Bed | Bedroom 2: King Bed | Bedroom 3: Full Bed | Additional Sleeping: Full Air Mattress
OUTDOOR LIVING: Back patio, dining space, seating area, gas grill, yard area, life jackets, beach towels, lake access KITCHEN: Fridge, stove, oven, dishwasher, microwave, cooking basics, drip & single-pod Keurig coffee maker, air fryer, hand mixer, slow cooker, blender, can opener, juicer, dishware/flatware, paper towels/trash bags INDOOR LIVING: Smart TVs, 2-sided gas fireplace, piano, dining table, multiple living spaces, sunroom w/ lounge area, pool table, board games, books, high ceilings GENERAL: Free WiFi, linens, towels, washer & dryer, central air conditioning & heating, complimentary toiletries, iron/board, hair dryer, keyless entry FAQ: 2 exterior security cameras (facing out), pet fee (paid pre-trip) ACCESSIBILITY: 2 exterior steps required to access, 2 interior steps required to access kitchen, single-story home PARKING: Driveway (2 vehicles), free street parking, boat/trailer parking available on-site
-- THE LOCATION --
ON THE WATER: Lake Santa Fe (on-site), Lake Geneva (7 miles), Orange Creek Camp Lake (8 miles), Lochloosa Lake (17 miles), Newnans Lake (19 miles), Orange Lake (32 miles) OPT OUTSIDE: Etoniah Creek State Forest (15 miles), Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (20 miles), Depot Park (21 miles), Boulware Springs Park (22 miles), Sweetwater Wetlands Park (23 miles), Loblolly Woods Nature Park (24 miles), Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park (25 miles) GAINESVILLE ATTRACTIONS: Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention (21 miles), University of Florida (22 miles), Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (22 miles), Florida Museum of Natural History-Exhibits (25 miles), Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo (28 miles), Kanapaha Botanical Gardens (29 miles) AIRPORTS: Gainesville Regional Airport (18 miles), Jacksonville International Airport (71 miles)
-- REST EASY WITH US --
Evolve makes it easy to find and book properties you’ll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we’ll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we’ll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome — because we know what vacation means to you.
-- POLICIES --
- No smoking - Pet friendly w/ $50 fee (+ fees & taxes) - No events, parties, or large gatherings - Must be at least 25 years old to book - Additional fees and taxes may apply - Photo ID may be required upon check-in - NOTE: This property requires 2 exterior steps to access. Although this is a single-story home, interior steps are required to access the kitchen, dining area, and game room - NOTE: Your safety matters. This property features 2 exterior security cameras. Camera 1 is located next to the front door facing the front entrance area, and camera 2 is on the back of the house facing the lake. The cameras are outward facing and do not look into interior spaces. The cameras record video and audio when activated by motion
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Melrose
Located in Melrose, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Hippodrome State Theatre and Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ironwood Golf Course and Starke Golf and Country Club. Waldo Motorsports and Thomas Center are also worth visiting.
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park - 32 min drive - 44.1 km
Gainesville Raceway - 38 min drive - 47.9 km
University of Florida - 40 min drive - 45.3 km
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - 42 min drive - 46.7 km
Getting around
Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional) - 29 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 12 min drive
Stone’s Irish Pub - 11 min drive
Florida Cracker Oyster Bar & Grill - 11 min drive
Subway - 4 min drive
Hardee's - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access! pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access!?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access! on 25 May 2026 start from AU$314, 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 Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access!?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Unique Melrose Home w/ Private Dock & Lake Access! located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Santa Fe Lake and 10.8 mi (17.3 km) from Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. Clear Lake and Santa Fe River are also within 16 miles (25 km).
Reviews
9.2
Wonderful
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This place was fabulous, great fishing,,kitchen great new appliances, plenty of room for7 adults and a Chihuahua, town was close experienced Friday night in Melrose, music dancing, steps down were a challenge until we marked them with painter tape, we will be back and recommend to others . Thanks to host Lisa for check in and out changes,Cathy
Cathy
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Nov 2025
Cathy, I’m glad you enjoyed the lake, house, and historical Melrose. We look forward to your return visit.
We enjoyed a long weekend at this property. Our stay was very enjoyable and relaxing. We fished from the dock (caught one small bass), played pool, which we especially enjoyed and relaxed with a game of cards, a book or a movie. There was just the two of us but the house has plenty of room for a family or group of friends or other couples. Thanks for a fun stay!
The air conditioner was not working, sent a message to the owner no response, it was hot hot hot.
ESTHER H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2025
From the owner:"Ralph, thank you for your feedback. I’m very sorry that one of the air conditioning units wasn’t functioning properly during your stay. The property has three units in total, two of which were working correctly. Unfortunately, the fan on the unit servicing the front living room and Florida room was not operating as it should.All units were working during the pre-check, and it seems there was a communication breakdown as neither I, the guest contact, nor Evolve received any message about the issue. Had we been informed, we absolutely would have responded promptly to assist you, as that is always our practice."
Beautiful sunsets great time on the lake. The dock could use some attention. It would be nice for the water to be cleared a little bit so that you could go in without all the weeds.
House was clean and had everything we needed. Loved everything about the house, just watch your step going in and out of rooms. This is in the description but they are pretty steep. Other than that, enjoyed very much!
Monique M.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Darlene
17 Aug 2025
AC not working properly
The home is clean and the setting is really nice but the air definitely is not working properly. I emailed the host beforehand because I had seen another review about the AC and I was told it was working properly. I contacted her several times but never heard back and I responded to her email, so she can’t say she didn’t receive it. The house is large and the windows face to the west, so when the sun is setting it is like a greenhouse. The AC just can not keep up. It is true that there are three units but collectively they are still not doing the job. My son in law had to bring a portable AC unit on wheels. I’m giving three stars for the AC problem and lack of response, although the property itself was nice.
Darlene
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2025
Thank you for your feedback—we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the property. We want our guests to rest easy during their stay and apologize if you experienced any discomfort from the heat. During periods of extreme temperatures, we recommend keeping the sunshades and drapes closed on the west-facing windows. The Florida room may feel warmer than the rest of the house due to sun exposure. Closing the French doors to this room can help prevent heat from flowing into the main living areas. While the Florida room is all windows, it is equipped with shades and fans for added comfort. Because it is not ducted like the rest of the house, it can feel warmer than the thermostat setting, and these measures can help ensure a more comfortable experience for future guests.
Lovely midcentury-style house with a great view and updated kitchen and bathrooms.
I found this property through a random search for waterfront homes near Jacksonville, hoping for a relaxing getaway close to home. Melrose, just over an hour away, pleasantly surprised me with its charm. The house is conveniently situated less than ten minutes from Keystone Heights, offering many dining options, and local gems in Melrose like the Frozen Pelican, where the burgers and snow cones are a must-try.
Cooking was a pleasure in the well-equipped, updated kitchen with new appliances. Nearby Winn-Dixie, only 4 minutes away, made it easy to stock up on supplies. We chose this property because it's one-story, which was ideal for my elderly father who uses a walker. Although there are some minor split-level aspects—such as a step to access the kitchen and bedrooms, and sunken showers—he managed them well with his walker.
The host was highly responsive, promptly resolving a minor AC issue upon our arrival. Now, about the view: overlooking Lake Santa Fe, the spacious backyard was perfect for our dogs, and the dock provided endless entertainment for fishing with the family. Comfort and cleanliness were exceptional; every bed ensured a restful sleep, and the house was immaculately maintained and well-stocked. We're already planning our next visit to recharge again at this peaceful retreat.