Entire house boat

Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river

Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river

Photo gallery for Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river

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

Overview of Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 451 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • RestaurantRestaurantRestaurant

Enjoy the area

Map
Sanford, FL
  • Popular LocationLake Monroe3 min drive
  • Popular LocationCentral Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens3 min drive
  • Popular LocationSeminole Towne Center7 min drive
  • AirportOrlando, 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 . . . Gently on the river

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 a five burner gas 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. Notice the gas barbecue for outdoor cooking. It is self-igniting and simple to use.

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 new restaurant, Cabana Live is opened in the summer of 2023 and will offer 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
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Restaurant
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

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

Children

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

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

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

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • 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 Springs State Park and Kelly Park, while Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and King's Landing are popular area attractions. 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

  • Lake Monroe - 3 min drive
  • Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens - 3 min drive
  • Seminole Towne Center - 7 min drive
  • Central Florida Regional Hospital - 7 min drive
  • St. Johns Rivership - 9 min drive

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
  • Cracker Barrel - 6 min drive
  • Starbucks - 5 min drive
  • Texas Roadhouse - 5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Floating Cottage . . . Gently on the river 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. 136 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 143 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 143 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
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

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

James B., Mint Hill, United States of America

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Relaxing
Another great stay on the "floating cottage". From our first trip many years ago to now it has remained our home away from home. The yellow boat is always neat and clean, with most anything you need aboard. Kim, the host, is very informative and responds quickly whenever we have contacted her. The boat is within walking distance to two places for food and drink and many activities are available by a short drive. The full-size kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and a grill on the rear deck, make it great for extended stays. We love staying on the floating cottage and look forward to another trip.
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Little Gem
This was the 1st time that my wife and I stayed in a boathouse. The owner keeps the property meticulously clean and provides crystal clear communication throughout the process. Everything was done remotely and there was no need for any direct interaction. The accommodations were very comfortable and the owner made everything you can think of available, including a couple of small fishing poles that we used to fish off the patio and dock. It was very peaceful just sitting on the patio and watching the friendly turtles hover for food. Right off the dock is Connie’s Deli which serves breakfast and lunch. Connie and her staff are very friendly and the food was great. In the evening, you can just walk across the parking lot to Cabana’s which is basically a sports bar with tons of TVs and a pool area. People were very nice and we really liked their food. If you drive into Sanford, it’s a cute little town with a bunch of shops and restaurants. We had lunch in the German restaurant which was a lot of fun and had live music in the middle of the day. Will definitely consider renting here again!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great "float"!!!
This is my 4th Annual Christmas Float! Kim is a super host, and responds quickly to comments and concerns. She even provides turtle food! Everything about the Floating Cottage is just right for a solo Floater! (FYI: The bathroom is "tiny" and the walk-in shower is just big enough to stand in.) The bed is comfy and the furnishings are accommodating. The kitchen is "full size" and is stocked with everything you need to make a meal (including a toaster!). Kim wisely provides a couple of folding tables, which I find handy to have. The "back deck" offers a pleasant space to sit and read...and to feed the turtles! There is a washer/dryer available (a detached building near the onsite restaurant, you pay with a credit card). Kim's wi-fi service is excellent, and easily streams movies. Honestly, I'd live there if I could! Can't wait until my 5th Annual Christmas Float in 2024!
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2023

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

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