Great for large families! Spacious, quiet 5 bedroom 4 bathroom 2-story villa with an upstairs loft in Oviedo, Florida, available 365 days a year. Close to Black Hammock Airboat Rides and Adventures near beautiful Lake Jesup. Has enough room to comfortably sleep 12 people, bring the whole family! 3000 square feet on 5 acres for an enjoyable stay with enough space for all. Is dog-friendly for approved dogs with pet fee. Need more space? Rent the additional cottage on-site (2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, Gator Cottage) !
Home includes free wifi and a smart tv for watching all of your favorite series on Netflix, Hulu, and more! Gator Palace is fully furnished including sheets, blankets, pillows, towels for use in the house, and toilet paper. This home features all the necessary appliances including a washer and dryer for guests to do laundry. As an added bonus, when you stay in this home you will receive 20% off your airboat ride, 10% off restaurant dining, and 2-4-1 margaritas in the Lazy Gator Bar at Black Hammock. --------------------------------------------------- Boat Slip available for 20$/day only ! --------------------------------------------------- Nearby: Black Hammock <1 mile Sanford airport 20 minutes Orlando airport 30 minutes New Symrna Beach 55 minutes Cocoa Beach 1 hour Disney World 40 minutes Sea World 40 minutes Universal Studios 40 minutes
__________________________ OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Check-in: 4:00 PM Check-out: 11:00 AM $50 Early Check-In or Late Check-Out if available Parking included for up to 4 vehicles. Additional vehicles subject to fee. Trailer parking additional All accommodations are non-smoking Credit cards accepted Accessible 24/7 Please note that there is a $200 taxable cleaning fee. Pets are considered on a case-by-case basis, please reach out to the Property Manager for approval. If approved, pets are subject to an additional fee. A $1500 security deposit or damage protection insurance is required
A license plate number is required for all guests vehicles staying at the home during the reservation. Parking is included for up to 4 vehicles. Additional vehicles, trailers, and RVs subject to extra fee.
Gator Nest: Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, sleeps 6. Excellent for a relaxing, nature getaway . New! Bring your own boat and enjoy fishing right from the house
Oviedo
Gator Nest: Charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, sleeps 6. Excellent for a relaxing, nature getaway . New! Bring your own boat and enjoy fishing right from the house
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Only toilet tissue is to be flushed...ABSOLUTELY NO feminine products or wipes.
NO parties. Guests staying in the home may host 1 visiting guest each.
All accommodations are non-smoking
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4672529
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 deadlock
About the area
Oviedo
Located in Oviedo, this villa is in a rural area. Sanford Museum and Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Congo River Golf - East Orlando and Firkin and Kegler Family Entertainment Center. Fort Mellon Park and Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center are also worth visiting.
University of Central Florida - 20 min drive - 14.3 km
Universal Orlando Resort - 39 min drive - 57.6 km
Universal Studios Florida - 41 min drive - 58.0 km
Orange County Convention Center - 43 min drive - 63.4 km
Getting around
Sanford Station - 24 min drive
Orlando, FL (SFB-Orlando Sanford Intl.) - 18 min drive
Restaurants
Dragon City - 8 min drive
The Food Factory - 8 min drive
Sonic Drive-In - 8 min drive
Oviedo Bowling Center - 7 min drive
The Town House Restaurant - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12. 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 Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12.?
As of 15 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12. on 31 May 2026 start from NZ$650, 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 Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Gator Palace: Stylish 5-bedroom, 4-bath home, with upstairs loft. Sleeps 12. located?
Situated in a rural location, this villa is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Lake Jesup and within 6 miles (10 km) of Black Hammock Wilderness Area and Overlook Park. Bark Park at Shane Kelly Park and Trotwood Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a great stay for a large group. Rented 2 of the houses next to each other and it was perfect for us. The host was very responsive. Would most definitely rent this again.
This 5-star Vrbo stay was absolutely fantastic! The home was spotless, well-equipped, and perfectly located for our girls trip. The host provided clear check-in instructions, ensuring we felt welcomed and comfortable throughout our stay. Highly recommended and wouldn’t hesitate to stay again.
This is a great spot. It’s quiet and out in the country but you can quickly be to downtown Oviedo.and it’s about a half from the airport. There is a nice restaurant and bar not too far away about a five minute walk Lake Jesup is beautiful. You can catch an airboat ride or go over hiking at the lake Jesup conservation area trailhead about 5 miles away.
Everything was as perfect as it seemed online. The flat is just perfect! Kitchen is compact and contains everything one needs. The beds are comfortable; bathroom and terrace are excellent. Location is incredible.(Joel) He went way beyond to make our long-weekend comfortable and memorable.
Michael P.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
8 March 2018
Great place!
Great place for our group of 8. Would definitely stay again!
Gator Palace was comfortable and provided a great combination of space for shared family time and privacy for adults traveling together. More towels and more cups/ glasses would be appreciated.
This place was perfect! Exactly as pictured - even better!! We stayed for a family wedding and could not be happier with the size and layout of the house and the property location in regards to all major attractions in Central Florida! The place was immaculate and well-stocked! The rooms were very comfortable and big - the many bathrooms were so nice. Next door is a gator attraction with a pub and gift shop - highly highly recommend - especially the boat tours!! We would DEFINITELY stay here again!
We had a good stay at the Gator Palace. As others have said, make sure to to check sunsets at the Lazy Gator Bar. We ate at the Black Hammock Restaurant, and Anna's Polish Restaurant in Winter Park. The Black Hammock was good, but Anna's was excellent!
Scott H.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 20 September 2023
Thank you for staying with us Scott. We are glad you enjoyed your stay! We hope you'll join us again in the future.
This review is actually for Gator Manor, as we upgraded prior to our stay. The property managers were so flexible in helping us do so, and were so gracious in providing accommodations for me and my family. We were able to host a small gathering for family during my wedding weekend, and got so many compliments on the property. It is truly a beautiful house and highly recommend to those who need to host larger family gatherings.
We stayed at the gator palace and used our gator tags to hunt. Right by the ramp we went out and got two good size gators. House was great, host was great, very relaxing time.
jared s.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 January 2024
Thank you for staying with us Jared. Congrats on your big catches! We hope you will consider staying with us again in the future.
The house was perfect for our overflow family much better than multiple hotel rooms we were celebrating a military retirement so it enabled the family a place to stay when not at the event. The layout is perfect and accommodating. Thank you
Rented for my wedding party since we’re from out of town. It was just what we needed. Nice house, no traffic noises, good amount of rooms.
Brittney B.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 January 2024
Thank you Brittney. Congratulations! We are glad we were able to help your special day just a little bit easier, giving you and your family a place to gather. We hope you will stay with us again in the future!
-Christina
We had family in town to celebrate our daughter’s Doctorate graduations. This house was a fantastic place for us all to gather. The spacious house and nice layout was perfect. We had multiple elderly relatives with us so the bedrooms all being in the first floor was perfect for us! It was conveniently located near the restaurant and the air boat rides…we took advantage of both.
Christina was excellent, and gave excellent customer service. Very disappointed to arrive at four and the house had not been clean, sheets changed, etc.. Cleaners came to clean the floors at 11 at night. Otherwise, the property was great and I would highly recommend.
This gem was portrayed very accurately in the listing. The house was very spacious and clean. Our two grandsons loved sleeping in the loft away from the adults. The area was very quiet and peaceful with grocery store and shopping close by. We were there in March and my only concern was lowest temp for AC was 74, might be a bit warm in the summer, but ceiling fans in every room was very helpful. This home would comfortably sleep 12 people, loved it.
The property was nice overall, however, the listing said it sleeps 12 people and when I contacted the owner to make sure that there was enough utensils, pots, pans, dished, cups, etc. they assured me that there was enough for the amount of people that the property could sleep. This in fact was not true. There was a total of 10 people 5 of which were actually staying at the house but there was not enough seating for dinner, not enough forks, not enough cups, not enough coffee mugs, etc. for all of us when we had our meals. We also could not have the multiple small appliances going at the same time without blowing a fuse. That was very inconvenient when cooking for 10 people.
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 9 January 2024
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Michael. Unfortunately, over time plates. cups. pots, pans, utensils, and other similar items get broken, thrown away, damaged, etc and we have to replace them. I apologize that there were not enough. We did add more to the house to assure we have enough for 12 again. If I would have known during your stay, I could have brought over more immediately.
I was not able to replicate the small appliance issue with the home, but in any situation if I am made aware I will send someone over as soon as possible to investigate and resolve the issue.
I hope the rest of your stay was enjoyable and you will consider staying with us again in the future. We do have additional homes in the same vicinity with the same capacity.
-Christina
About the host
Hosted by Christina
Joel Martin was born in Paris, France. His family moved to Africa when he was young, and there he grew up surrounded by the magnificent wildlife. He spent a lot of his youth out in the jungles hunting snakes, alligators and other creatures. His survival skills were honed by his many African and Malgache friends. He returned to France to do his tour of duty. He chose to be in the Navy which had their base at Toulon, in the beautiful south of France. After his tour of duty was over, he settled in Corsica, where he opened a restaurant and nightclub. He also had a small ranch where he could ride his horses. After 12 years spent in Corsica, he decided to open a franchise of mini supermarkets in several ski resorts in the French Alps. The lure of the French Riviera drew Joel and family. There he went to open a real estate company. But all plans changed in 1995, when he won a green card and was allowed to emigrate to America. Without hesitation, he packed up the family and moved to the States. Joel chose Florida as he enjoys the heat and humidity, so reminiscent of his youth.
His choice of lifestyle led him to the Oviedo area where he could live in the country and keep his horse. On a morning walk one day he discovered that not 5 minutes away is the Black Hammock Restaurant, on lovely Lake Jesup, with it’s mangroves and alligators. Now he knows he is in paradise! He is at home just as he was in Africa. Joel obtained his American Citizenship, fully living out his AMERICAN DREAM! To further improve Black Hammock Adventures' air boat business Joel obtained his Master Airboat License. He, as well as all of Black Hammock's airboat pilots, have their Master Airboat Captain License.
Why they chose this property
This home is just minutes away from shopping , restaurants, and entertainment yet hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, tucked into nature. This house was custom built for vacation rental guests. It's floor plan is spread out to make sure all guests have their own space while staying in the house.
What makes this property unique
As an added bonus, when you stay in this home you will receive 20% off your airboat ride, 10% off restaurant dining, and 2-4-1 margaritas in the bar at Black Hammock.
Languages:
English, French
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests