Entire home

Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm

Holiday home in Altoona with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm

Interior
Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior detail
Bathroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Altoona, FL
  • Place, Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Eustis Square
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Dora
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Airport, Leesburg, FL (LEE-Leesburg Intl.)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm

Historic charm + modern comfort in a renovated 100-year-old Florida cracker house!
Located in Altoona near Ocala National Forest and the natural springs, this home features:

✔ Fully updated interior
✔ Stylish kitchen + full bath
✔ Cozy, bright rooms
✔ Private yard + peaceful setting
✔ Minutes to Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs & endless outdoor adventures
✔ Less than to Orlando theme parks

Perfect for couples, small families, or anyone who loves old Florida vibes with new-home comfort.
The space
Step back in time without giving up modern comfort. This beautifully restored 100-year-old Florida cracker home offers a one-of-a-kind stay filled with charm, history, and cozy simplicity. With authentic low ceilings, original character, and thoughtful upgrades, this intimate retreat blends rustic heritage with today’s comforts.

Inside, you’ll find a one-bedroom, one-bath layout designed for relaxation. The bedroom provides a peaceful place to unwind with a queen bed and Roku TV, while the living room features a queen sleeper sofa and Roku TV, perfect for additional guests or families traveling together. The home is bright, inviting, and filled with touches that honor its past while offering everything you need for a modern getaway.

Our property is just minutes from the Ocala National Forest, offering endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Whether you’re here to hunt, ride, or paddle, this is your ideal base camp.

Why You’ll Love It:

Hunters Welcome – Enjoy easy access to prime hunting areas.
Plenty of Parking – Spacious turnaround for large boats, RVs, and horse trailers (parking only, no hookups).
Horse-Friendly – Trails are right across the street, so saddle up and explore.
Kayaker’s Paradise – Close to natural springs and Lake Dorr for serene paddling.

Unwind after a day of adventure in a peaceful setting surrounded by nature. Cook inside or out. Relax Fireside, rocking on the front porch, watching your favorite streaming movie, or just read a book.

Book your stay and experience the best of Florida’s outdoors! Whether you’re exploring Florida’s springs, forests, wildlife areas, or the excitement of nearby Orlando theme parks and attractions, this cracker house is a warm and authentic home base—quiet, charming, and truly unique.
Guest access
The entire home and the outside area is available to guest. The storage garage is owner access only.
Other things to note
Our home is a restored 100-year-old Florida cracker cottage, and maintaining its original character is important to us. Because of this, some areas of the house have lower ceiling heights than modern homes.

What to expect:
• Main living area: Standard 8-foot ceilings
• Lower-ceiling areas: Bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room
• Guests 6 feet tall or above may need to mind their head when moving through the far end of the house and these specific rooms.

We welcome guests of all heights and want you to be comfortable—we simply want to ensure you’re aware of the unique layout before arrival.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

No pets allowed
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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.

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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Altoona

Located in Altoona, this holiday home is in a rural area. Eustis Square and Eustis Mini Mall are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area and Fern Prairie Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Altoona, FL

What's nearby

  • Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society - 13 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Carver Park - 16 min drive - 19.9 km
  • Eustis Square - 17 min drive - 21.1 km
  • Lake Dora - 21 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Renninger's Antique Center - 23 min drive - 30.6 km

Getting around

  • DeLand Station - 34 min drive
  • Leesburg, FL (LEE-Leesburg Intl.) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Mason Jar - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Circle K - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Shell - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Updated with modern comfort, Old Florida Charm located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Ocala National Forest and within 9 miles (15 km) of Eustis Historical Museum and Preservation Society and Marsh Memorial Park. Eustis Square and Carver Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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. 3 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jessica m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Helpful and accurate description. Enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was extremely clean and comfortable. The area was safe and quiet. The owner made sure we were comfortable and informed us of an event going on in the community in case we were interested. Highly recommend this house.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were visiting family in the area, and this was the perfect place for my husband and me. The house was comfortable and full of little extra comforts. We were close enough to Silver Springs for kayaking and Mount Dora for walking their boardwalk. The house was clean and even had Christmas decorations. The host was quick at communicating and very helpful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026

About the host

Hosted by Terri Martinez

Host profile image

What makes this property unique


✅ 1. Location Advantages

Proximity to attractions (e.g., lakes, parks, downtown areas like Eustis, Leesburg, Tavares).
Scenic views (lakes, forest, or nature trails).
Easy access to outdoor activities (kayaking, hiking, horseback riding).

✅ 2. Special Amenities

Front porch rocking chairs
Outdoor cooking and fire pit.

✅ 3. Design & Atmosphere

Rustic cabin vibe, modern comfort, with cozy equestrian style.


✅ 4. Guest Experience

Local guidebook.
Includes local businesses (boat rentals, horseback riding, tours).
Events or experiences (wine tastings, guided nature walks).

✅ 5. Niche Appeal

Perfect for equestrian travelers.
Ideal for romantic getaways, hunters, bikers, small families or remote work retreats.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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