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Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly

Family-friendly holiday home with water park and outdoor pool

Photo gallery for Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly

Come to the Cove! Relax and play!
Front of the house with covered carport. Also have room for RV and RV hookup.
Quite cove with friendly neighbors!
Front Porch
Foyer into the house

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Dunnellon, FL
  • Place, Rainbow River
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Rainbow Springs State Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, K.P. Hole County Park
    ‪16 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Main

Toilet · Shower only

Master

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly

Calming Cove Retreat on Lake Rousseau

Welcome to Calming Cove Retreat — a tranquil, beautifully maintained waterfront home that’s earned over 100 five-star reviews for its comfort, cleanliness, and unforgettable charm. Nestled in a cove on the shores of Lake Rousseau, this fully stocked, pet-friendly, and handicap-accessible home offers the perfect mix of luxury and nature.

What Makes This Property Stand Out

• More than 100 Five-Star Reviews – Consistently praised for comfort, cleanliness, and peaceful surroundings
• Heated Private Spa/Mini Pool – In an inside lanai perfect for relaxing year-round
• Fully Handicap Accessible – Step-free entry, wide doors, accessible showers, and ramp to gardens
• High-Speed WiFi (400 Mbps) – Great for remote work, school, and streaming
• Three Comfortable Bedrooms + Private Office – Sleeps 8 with space to spread out
• Pet-Friendly – Up to two dogs under 50 lbs
• Private Dock + 5 Kayaks – Direct lake access for fishing or paddling
• Enhanced Cleanliness – Electrostatic HVAC + UV virus filtering system
• Fully Stocked Kitchen – Reverse osmosis water, spices, organic coffee, cookware, gadgets
• Games and Outdoor Fun – Horseshoes, cornhole, board games, hammock, fire pits
• Spectacular Gardens and Lake Views – Multiple seating areas to relax and recharge

Sleeping Arrangements

Master Suite:
- King bed, walk-in closet, lakeview sitting area, ensuite bath with soaking tub and double shower

Guest Room 1:
- Queen bed, closet, access to full guest bath

Guest Room 2:
- Two twin beds, ideal for children or additional guests

Great Room:
- Queen sleeper sofa, Smart TV, open to kitchen and dining area

Private Office/Library:
- Desk, recliner, bookshelves, can be closed off for privacy

Kitchen, Dining, and Living

The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking and entertaining, with a cooking island, butcher block prep station, reverse osmosis water system, new appliances, and all cookware provided. Organic coffee, charcoal, spices, and cleaning supplies are included. Dining and living areas flow openly for easy gathering and comfort.

Outdoor Living

Step into a 37-ft screened lanai with a tiki bar and dining for 8.
Relax in the heated, fenced spa/mini pool.
Enjoy the hammock, shaded gardens, grilling patio, and fire pits.
Launch from your private dock using one of the 5 included kayaks.
Watch the birds and butterflies in the peaceful, beautifully landscaped yard.

Location and Nearby Attractions

• Rainbow Springs State Park (15 minutes) – Florida’s #1-rated spring
• Crystal River (20 minutes) – Manatee tours, scalloping, charming downtown
• Homosassa Wildlife Park – Alligator and manatee viewing, local wildlife
• Devil’s Den – Snorkeling and scuba diving in a prehistoric spring cave
• Blue Run Trail – Biking and walking trail near Dunnellon
• Ocala Horse Farms – Guided tours and scenic drives

Boating and Fishing Info

• Max boat size: 19 feet (center console)
• Dock depth: 4–5 feet
• Closest public ramp: Goldendale Boat Ramp (2.3 miles)
• Calm, scenic water – perfect for fishing or paddling
• Note: No saltwater access from this location

Guest Experience and Policies

• Contact-free check-in and check-out
• Relaxed cancellation policy
• Discounts available for long-term stays
• Two-night buffer between guests for added cleanliness
• All linens, towels, and laundry supplies provided
• Washer and dryer available on-site

What Our Guests Say

“The best rental we've ever stayed in. Every single detail was thoughtful and made us feel at home.”
“Extremely clean, beautifully landscaped, and so relaxing. We didn’t want to leave.”
“This is what every vacation rental should strive to be.”

Ready to Relax?

Whether you're planning a family vacation, a couple’s retreat, a work-from-anywhere escape, or a long-term stay, Calming Cove Retreat delivers a five-star experience from the moment you arrive.

This lakeside haven fills quickly — reserve your dates today and discover why it’s become a guest favorite on Florida’s Nature Coast.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
0N-SITE KAYAKS - Kayakers must be experienced, know how to swim, and always wear life jackets while on the water. Use at your own risk.
WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES - Private watercraft launching, docking and use at participants' risk. On waterfront, children always under adult supervision
HEATED SPA/MINI POOL - Children must know how to swim and always be supervised by adults. Keep child safety latches on 2 pool access doors locked.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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

About the area

Citrus Springs

Located in Citrus Springs, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Crystal River Archaeological State Park and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Three Sisters Springs and Rainbow Springs State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Dunnellon, FL

What's nearby

  • Lake Rousseau - 1 min drive - 0.0 km
  • Rainbow River - 9 min drive - 10.0 km
  • Rainbow Springs State Park - 12 min drive - 12.6 km
  • K.P. Hole County Park - 16 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Three Sisters Springs - 22 min drive - 23.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Sparrow's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Blue Gator of Dunnellon - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Front Porch Restaurant & Pie - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lakefront Getaway! Relax • Spa • Dock • Kayaks • Firepit • Handicap Friendly located?

This family-friendly Citrus Springs holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps from Lake Rousseau and within 9 mi (15 km) of Rainbow River and Blue Run of Dunnellon Park. Rainbow Springs State Park and K.P. Hole County Park are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 110 out of 112 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 112 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 112 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 112 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 112 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

LISA W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Had a great stay, everything was labeled and had clear instructions which is very helpful. House and property were beautiful and would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

winni W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely beautiful. We got the chance to have a family vacation and truly relax. The view from the master bedroom is going to be missed. We had a great family trip, very thankful for that.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amber B.

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

Highlights of Florida's Wildlife

We had a relaxing retreat enjoying all of Florida's natural beauty. This was a great place for our family to stay as we explored the springs, viewed wildlife, played games, and enjoyed each other's company. The house was stocked with everything that we needed, and the hosts were wonderful with communication and meeting all of our needs. I would highly recommend this vacation home!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tricia Y.

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

Holiday vacation

We had a wonderful time. Location was perfect for hiking, holiday shopping and swimming w the manatees. We used the kayaks provided and enjoyed a few evenings around the firepit. The view from the master bedroom was incredib well sto
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

LISA L.

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

This house is amazing. It's centrally located to visit many of the springs. Great house grateful hos

5 stars all the way. Very beautiful home, clean and great location.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Zamara P.

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

Lake front beatiful home

Second time for our vacation on Jennifer and Mike home , love stay on this home , peaceful 😌 relax mini vacation , extremely recommend 🙏🙏🙏love these place , thank you 😊
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon W.

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

Great experience!

The house is beautiful, the backyard was amazing. My family thoroughly enjoyed our time and would recommend to anyone. The kids really enjoyed the lizards and gator watching from the dock. We will definitely book again in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

regina r.

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

Girls getaway

Nice and relaxing
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenzie G.

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

Relaxing family getaway

We very much enjoyed our time here. Sande really paid attention to every detail, which made us feel right at home. The lake view is amazing and can be enjoyed from most rooms in the house. We would love to return someday!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sharon C.

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

Lakefront Home with Everything

Great location on the lake with every amenity. Loved the gardens and watching the birds. Quiet neighborhood made for a relaxing and peaceful stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carrie F.

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

We had a AMAZING time !

Our family enjoyed our much needed relaxing vacation ! The house was like a home ! The time and detail Jennifer put into her home is awesome !! Thank you very much!
Stayed 14 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kipp B.

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

Great Location!

Great location and wonderful view. House was well stocked and organized. Loved the layout. Greatly enjoyed our stay here. Wish we would have had more time to spend at the house, but we had a busy schedule of diving. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Peter C.

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

Great experience

Very comfortable house with several amenities for all!! Jennifer was an exceptional host who was available to answer all of our questions quickly as they arose. We had an absolute great 30 day vacation in the Calming Cove. Highly recommend this property.
Stayed 29 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurie S.

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

Rockin the River House

This house did not disappoint. Great family house, plenty of room for a big family. Jennifer was very helpful with area and things to do. Landscaping was beautiful. Hands down 5 star rating.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandra W.

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

Loved this place!

This house and property are gorgeous! The view is spectacular. There are many little spots to sit and relax: patio, screened room, front porch, decks overlooking the river, hammock, the library, and more!!! Kayaking was awesome; the amount of wildlife on the river is incredible. We couldn’t have asked for anything more ….loved every second of our stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Helen A.

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

Peaceful retreat

House was clean and well-marked. Property owner communicated promptly on all issues. Departure instructions were communicated clearly and easy to follow. Very nice property.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Randall F.

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

Calming Cove

We rented this wonderful property for our 50th wedding anniversary and it was all we thought it would be. The hosts went all out to make sure our stay was comfortable and relaxing. Upon arrival we found a nice bottle of champagne and a card. Wow! The pool/spa and the dock on the lake were such an added delight. We would definitely recommend this property to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda G.

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

Linda’s bday celebration

A perfect location for a getaway! It has everything you need to relax and enjoy. Weather worked out perfect while we were there to enjoy some kayaking on the Rainbow River. Loved the nature sounds in the morning while watching the birds and squirrels. All very well kept. We did get to enjoy the spa/pool before we left for the weekend. A plus all around for the property and quick communication with the host!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda K., USA

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

Father’s Day Celebration!

This vacation property was Beautiful! It was home away from home. All amenities were as promised and then some! My 89 yo Father-in-law fished from dawn til dusk and was very comfortable! My 22 yo daughter loved the hammock, pool, and lanai! We highly recommend this property! We will be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia T.

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

Peaceful Vacation

I have traveled often and use VRBO. We were so very pleased with the stay at this home. There was nothing that I lacked the whole time I was there. The extra effort that went into having a great time was definitely visible. We played games, painted rocks, swam, watched birds and wildlife, sat on the dock and just simply relaxed. The kitchen was well stocked and ready for anything I needed. There is lots of places to spread out and enjoy I really didn't want to leave. The distance to Dunnellon and Crystal River is good if you need anything. The host was in touch with me and extremely nice to work with. I would suggest if you are looking to stay at a get away that you give this one a trial run.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah W.

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

Family mini vacation 11/9 - 11/13

We had such a wonderful time. My son & his wife & my 2 grandkids. The house was so clean & well organized with labels where everything is kept. Enjoyed the kayaks & the fishing was great. Loved the fire globe. We thought tropical storm Nicole was going to spoil things, but it turned out perfect. I would go back for sure! Thank you so much. The Waldron Family.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Jeffrey J.

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

Overall good.

The place was nice and clean. Lots of space for family, cooking, hanging out. Yard was awesome for playing games. We even roasted marshmellows over the fire. Paddling in the lake was great and saw lots of wildlife. Their were only 2 downfalls. 1) The size of the dock. The picture made it feel like you could really hangout out there, but it's really just big enough to launch a kayak. We spent zero time on the dock and that had been something we'd been looking forward to. 2) My wife (not me) noticed an overall slight musty smell, and felt like maybe some of the blankets should have been washed (like the ones used on the couch. But aside from those 2 issues, the place was great and we had a blast
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Amazing!!!

This home was amazing! We have never stayed at a place that was as comfortable or accommodating as this home. Jennifer was quick with responses to any questions or concerns that we had in regards to a hurricane that was coming. I explained our plans and she helped reassure us to let us know that we could have a crab boil with some family coming by and even told us that she has a pot big enough to do one. The home is bigger than the pictures show. My kids want us to book for their birthday trip next year because they were so happy staying there. This place was so amazing on all levels, cozy but spacious, relaxing and entertaining, close to stores (10 min away) but secluded. The only downside that I have to say is that the mini pool was way over chlorinated but I wasn't able to tell the host because our phones were not allowing us to text or phone calls, but we do not hold it against the host because we feel that if we were able to reach her I feel like she would have helped us resolve the issue. The chlorine wasn't too much of an issue becasue my kids still played in the pool, it did cause a small rash but they were willing to play in the water regardless. I rate this place 5 stars plus an extra 3.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patty A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jennifer’s place is truly a little slice of heaven!! The pictures are completely accurate, but there’s also such a chill vibe to this place that you feel the instant you get there! The home was immaculate, the kitchen was very well stocked, it had everything we could imagine. The beds were comfortable. We took the kayaks out twice, and built a fire in the awesome fire globe. The dock is so inviting. You can’t help but feel relaxed on this property!We have twins (boy/girl) who turned 14 while we were there. There is a lot to do nearby with kids. We tubed down the Rainbow River, played mini golf at Crystal River Mini Golf, escaped with the jewel at Crystal River Escape Room, and kayaked twice.Jennifer, we will be back! We want to explore the area even more!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beverly O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house! Perfect house for a family vacation. We enjoyed the deck, the screened porch amnd the beautiful landscaping. I can not think of anything that was lacking. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer L Simmons

Host profile image
Hello! We are Mike and Jennifer Simmons and we purchased this property from the previous VRBO owner in 2021. We currently live in Tampa Florida and want to retire to Dunnellon in the future but for now we are busy running our Coffee Roasting company!

Why they chose this property

We had been looking for a house that we could purchase in the Dunnellon area and when this house came on the market we put in our offer that day, site unseen! It is exactly what we wanted for our future and in the meantime we want to share it with others. When we spent our first few days here, we knew how special this house is. The previous owners put a lot of TLC into this house and it shows! Sitting out on the dock at night over looking the water and seeing all of the stars is so calming and relaxing!

What makes this property unique

House sits in a cove adding great privacy on the number one Bass fishing lake in Florida! Hot water pool / spa for exercise and relaxing. Giant oak trees with Spanish moss, paved walk way, flower gardens, etc, etc.

Our home is totally wheelchair accessible, inside and out!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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