House boat

Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced

Photo gallery for Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced

the sweet yellow boat
living room french doors open to front porch
full kitchen delights any chef
great blue heron fishing
official greeters . . .the turtles

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 451.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Sanford, FL
  • Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Seminole Towne Center
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Gemini Springs Park
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.)
    ‪16 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

About this property

Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced

Poised to delight, Floating Cottage provides a magical space to relax, replenish and explore. The sweet yellow cottage defines social distancing, afloat on the river. It is thoroughly cleaned and refreshed between guests, including being sanitized and disinfected.

Relax on the front porch, enjoy the warm breeze while watching turtles swim to the porch to beg for a treat. Refresh in the peaceful comfort of the fully equipped small home.

The cathedral ceilinged living room is bathed in natural light, has hardwood floors, and embraces the outside. Its French doors expand the living area to include the protected front porch. A full size sofa bed, electric potbelly stove, TV and versatile work/dining table grace the homey Floating Cottage.

No ordinary boat galley, the fully equipped kitchen meets the needs of the casual to the gourmet chef with an electric stove, full size side by side refrigerator with door ice dispenser, dishwasher, granite counter tops and tile back splashes. Microwave, toaster, utensils and dinnerware are included.

Walk up the stairs to the carpeted loft bedroom with queen size bed, walk-in closet and be surprised by the stained glass window. The loft is air-conditioned. Open the shades and screened windows to enjoy the gentle river breeze.

The cleverly outfitted bath has a full size shower, flush comfort toilet and stocked closet for linens and toiletries, plus a view-catching window.

The cottage is approached from the dock through the back porch.

The French doors to the front porch open the cottage to a full view of the marina surrounded by local forests. With four comfortable chairs, guests of the cottage may choose to sit for hours simply enjoying the quiet peace of the marina. Watch boaters come and go from trips up the lazy St. Johns River or to Lake Monroe to visit Sanford. Turtles swim to the cottage to greet the guests An occasional manatee can be seen from the porch. Herons and egrets are common sights as guests share the lovely outdoors with feathered friends.

Floating Cottage is designed with comfort and efficiency built into the 550 square feet of living space. The movement of the water beneath the hull is barely perceptible while relaxing those who experience a stay in the cottage.

Floating Cottage is berthed in the rural Boat Tree Marina, just north of Lake Monroe on the scenic St. Johns River, a river of abundant wildlife and scenic vistas. The marina offers a casual deli and restaurant, bait shop, laundry and pool. The restaurant, Cabana Live, offers a significant discount to cottage guests. There is a pool-side bar associated with the restaurant. Cottage guests may use the pool from morning until the restaurant closes! Stroll to the deli for breakfast and lunch served by the friendly staff. Yes, beer is available for thirsty patrons. Guests of Floating Cottage enjoy a 15% discount on boat rentals for half and full days. The friendly staff at the office will assist with boat reservations as well as with local information on fishing.

Don't miss visiting quaint Old-town Sanford, home to cobblestone streets and brick-lined store fronts, restored nineteenth-century Victorian homes, lovely towering oaks draped with Spanish moss, numerous art galleries, unique shops, pubs and great restaurants. Catch the open market with crafts and produce at the square.

Follow Sanford365.com to explore local events and discover what is happening in the Sanford area.

The Riverwalk on Lake Monroe, over a mile long, has shady places aplenty to watch lake activity or beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

This magical cottage will delight!

Property manager

Kim Hadden
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Restaurant
Air conditioning
Laundry

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please contact owner to discuss toddler safety
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Floating Cottage is a smoke free environment.
Minimum two day stay required.

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Cleaning fee: USD 100.00 per accommodation, per stay.

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sanford

Located in Sanford, this houseboat is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Blue Spring State Park and Kelly Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Seminole County Sports Complex or Aiguille Rock Climbing Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sanford, FL

What's nearby

  • Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - 3 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Seminole Towne Center - 7 min drive - 5.3 km
  • Gemini Springs Park - 7 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Historic Downtown Sanford - 9 min drive - 9.0 km
  • St. Johns Rivership - 9 min drive - 9.1 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Cracker Barrel - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Floating Cottage Summer and Fall Rates Reduced located?

Situated on the waterfront, this houseboat 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 145 out of 153 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 153 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 153 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 153 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 153 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Debra D.

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

10/10 Excellent

Jim K.

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

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

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

The wee floating cottage

We were delighted to find the Floating Cottage just as we thought it should look/offer, based on the information on the website. The host was extraordinarily organized and helpful in preparing for our visit...as well as checking out. We found this cottage to be relaxing, charming, cozy and cheerful!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca V.

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

Excellent

The cottage was very clean (except the outdoor grill) and had everything we needed. Kitchen was well stocked with cookware, dishes, utensils, spices and food storage. The location was not ideal, but not terribly bad. We had to drive everywhere but the well equipped cottage made up for it.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Thomas K.

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

Floating cottage

Nice cottage, as expected.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Christmas at The Cotts

We had a wonderful stay over the Christmas holiday in The Floating Cottage. Everything from the booking to checkout was smooth and simple. Communication with hostess before during and after the stay was phenomenal and the cottage is exactly as pictured. It has a stcked kitchen that is absolutely topnotch. Feedi g the sea turtles was a fun timeand we even saw a manatee right off the back porch area and watched as he floated along grazing on the greerry. Both restaurants on tye propety were very good. It was a wonderful time. .
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosie P.

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

Cozy Cottage

This houseboat was spectacular! Our little family of 4 stayed very comfortably and managed to even cook our Thanksgiving dinner in its full-size kitchen with every utensil imaginable. Kim’s communication is superior and like no other. It was comforting to know that she has thought of everything. Our daughter absolutely loved feeding the turtles too. Many beautiful memories were created and we’re grateful for the experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine F.

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

A Beautiful And Unique Experience

Kim was an excellent hostess. My son and I loved the little cottage as well as all of the wild life that surrounds it. Thank you for the wonderful accommodations.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

sharon o.

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

10/10 Excellent

Lori C.

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

Most serene setting!!

Beautifully maintained and well-prepared property! The host is SUPER, ready at all times to answer questions and assist in any way! We are already planning our next visit!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra E.

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

10/10 Excellent

Edward W.

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

Making great memories staying on the floating cottage

The floating cottage exceeded our expectations...kim is a wonderful host..best host ive ever dealt with on a vrbo rental..the floating cottage was very clean and stocked with everything a guest could want..feeding the 🐢 was such a neat thing to do! We brought our boat and was able to keep it 2 slips away which made it very convenient to use..we will definitely be booking this cottage again...it made such great memories for my fiancée and I. !!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Don W.

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

10/10 Excellent

Larry R.

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

10/10 Excellent

Beth K., Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

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

Weeekend getatway

Just such a lovely lil gem that provided such a much needed getaway. Love that we could dock our wave runner right beside us too! Have to say, we already miss feeding the turtles but we will be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Candice z.

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

Amazing!!!

Everything online was exactly as we found it. The accommodations were amazing. Little gem, cabana Live, was very friendly and a great clean place. Would highly recommend stay here for a relaxing time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chrissy H.

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

10/10 Excellent

Tommy E.

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

Great Getaway!

Very relaxing. Everything was very clean. Will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angie B.

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

Amazing and unforgettable experience!

The cottage was perfect and exactly as described. Kim has thought of everything to make the experience super smooth and stress free. This was our best vacation ever and we hope to return again! Definitely recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

judy s.

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

Fantastic

The floating cottage is wonderful. You walk in and you instantly feel at home and that you could spend a lot of time here. Out host was great - she gave us detailed information and made sure that our stay was a great experience. The turtles were fun watch. We will definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca D.

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

Quick weekend get away

Such a lovely boat home. I live in the area, but was looking for a stay vacation and it the jackpot. I would happily stay again for longer. If you are thinking about staying here, you will not be disappointed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Debra D.

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

Winter Respite

This was our second winter stay at this charming cottage, having had such a wonderful first experience. The cottage continued to delight as we became even more familiar with what the area had to offer. Kim was an excellent hostess as were her on-site assistants. We were well taken care of and appreciated their attention to our needs. We look forward to when we have an opportunity to return.
Stayed 41 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This property was very unique. We felt like we had the marina all to ourselves most days! The kitchen was equipped better than most places I have stayed at previously. If I'm ever in the area, I would stay here again! The host Kim kept me informed of local activities which was a nice touch and appreciated! Thank you!

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Had the most amazing stay! It was everything we expected and more. Kim was awesome and made communicating a breeze! If you haven't had the chance to stay there you should book a visit!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenda H.

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

Loved this floating cottage

We enjoyed the cottage so much - clean and well stocked for any cooking you might want to do! We loved the porch and the turtles and fish! We went into Sanford for lunch and shopping and it was such a beautiful little town! We wish we could have stayed longer!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019

About the host

Hosted by Kim Hadden

Host profile image
Kim stayed in the cottage while enjoying a photography trek. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to purchase it and to make the cottage available to others as a vacation rental. A retired nurse and hospital executive, Kim enjoys sun and nature. Photographing wildlife and landscapes is a passion for her, a passion with infinite possibilities in the St. Johns River area. Kim encourages you to bring your camera! She is available to chat with guests via email or phone.

Why they chose this property

Floating Cottage is unique, charming, beautifully appointed and sits on one of the most beautiful rivers in the country. The marina where it is permanently berthed is small, quiet and offers full amenities, including pool, laundry and discounted boat rentals to cottage guests. The restaurant adjoining the pool has fire pits to warm any winter chill, and a full bar! The deli has good basic breakfast and lunch offerings and will even deliver to the cottage as staffing allows. A designated Clean Water Marina, it is surrounded by forests and is shared with abundant wildlife. The cottage offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in cozy comfort. Folks who want to hike, to bike, to boat up the river will enjoy returning to the cottage.

What makes this property unique

The cottage has a unique attraction: when the turtles in the river sense that it is occupied, they swim up to the front porch to greet guests. This charming cottage has great curb appeal, has 550 square feet of living area, a full gourmet kitchen and lovely furnishings. Outdoor cooking is a breeze with the gas grill on the back porch. Being lulled to sleep by the barely perceptible movement of water beneath guarantees relaxation. Floating Cottage was featured on the HGTV program "Tiny House Hunters". Bathed in light, the cathedral ceilinged cottage feels spacious and comfortable. Two kayaks are available for guest use. Nearby Old Town Sanford offers night life, great restaurants and pubs, art galleries and a glimpse of history with its eighteenth century buildings, cobblestone streets and restored Victorian homes.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests