Entire home

The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL

Photo gallery for The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL

A wooden pier extending into a flooded area with a table and chairs nearby.
A cozy living room with a grey sofa, wooden walls, a bookshelf, and a window with curtains.
A living room with a gray sofa, wooden coffee table, and a ceiling fan. There is a TV and a window with curtains.
A modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and granite countertops.
A bedroom with a wooden paneled wall, a bed with checkered bedding, a window with curtains, a small wooden chest, and a lamp.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Scenic water view
    Relax and unwind with top-rated water views, offering a scenic experience.
  • By the lake
    Guests love the beautiful lakefront location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Santa Fe Lake

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Melrose, FL
  • Place, Santa Fe Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Florida
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Place, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
    ‪32 min drive‬
  • Airport, Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Downstairs

1 Queen Bed

Sunroom

2 Single Beds

Upstairs

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

Similar properties

Exterior
Sandy Beach On Lake Santa Fe!!
Melrose
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (66 reviews)
Sandy Beach On Lake Santa Fe!!

About the area

Melrose

Located in Melrose, this cottage is on the waterfront. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Thomas Center are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Stephen C. O'Connell Center or Gainesville Raceway. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing, kayaking and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours.
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Map
Melrose, FL

What's nearby

  • Santa Fe Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • University of Florida - 29 min drive - 36.2 km
  • Gainesville Raceway - 29 min drive - 40.6 km
  • Ben Hill Griffin Stadium - 32 min drive - 37.9 km
  • Sante Fe College - 43 min drive - 57.9 km

Getting around

  • Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Stone’s Irish Pub - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Hardee's - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Florida Cracker Oyster Bar & Grill - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Santa Fe Lake and within 12 miles (20 km) of Santa Fe River and Waldo Motorsports. Cowpen Lake is 11.9 mi (19.2 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to spend family time! Very cozy and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Had a great time! When we were at the property we were out on the dock fishing and relaxing. Very peaceful being on the lake, house was great.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a great slice of heaven.
I loved that tree
Sunrise was spectacular
Go Gators
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful views of the lake. Peaceful and quiet area for relaxing. The home was a perfect place to relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time at the nest. Was perfect for our quick weekend getaway. Spent lots of time on the huge dock and upstairs family room. Really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything about it worked out well it’s a beautiful place with a beautiful pier and lake access. Will probably return next year.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy, clean cottage on the lake with amazing sunrise views. We really enjoyed the daily visits from the cranes. Great place for our relaxing winter retreat. Great spot for water sports during warmer weather. Groceries and restaurants are within a 10-minute drive, and larger cities are nearby.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Our rest at The Nest

Perfect location- easy drive to Gainesville, yet peaceful and tranquil. Perfectly comfortable and inviting.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Easy check-in and a beautiful, well-maintained property. The neighborhood was quiet, friendly, and very welcoming. The home had the essentials, so we planned a quick shopping trip, which was easy since a nearby Winn-Dixie is close by.The lake was fantastic — great fishing (bass, mudfish, and pike), and we loved using the kayaks and paddleboats. Overall, it was a wonderful stay, and our family would absolutely return.
Sunsets in the lake are gorgeous
Bass
Yard
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was our second visit to The Nest, and this time we brought the kids. We loved watching them swing, wade, play games, and kayak. Eating dinner on the dock is a must! This is the perfect location for quiet family fun and relaxation.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
The place was cute and the dock view was amazing. But the neighborhood was a little sketchy due to the 14-year-old and some conversations he had with my children, but overall a great experience, even though we didn’t spend too much time in the house because we were there for the game.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 December 2025
The neighborhood is not at all sketchy. I am sorry a neighbors kid had an unsettling conversation with your kids. Please contact me to further discuss. Thanks!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful setting

House was very clean and well organized. Beautiful lake and dock area. We enjoyed our time!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Lake get away

Cute cabin. Nice view. Loved the cover dock, just needed more fans and a frig. Kids loved the kayaks and paddle boards.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great get away

Great place and comfy. Water and dock was very comfortable and nice equipped. All supplies need was there. Loved it.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Graduation Weekend

The Nest is a perfect place to gather with friends and family. The house is immaculate, and the Dock is perfect for gathering the family together to experience the beautiful sunrise on the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Sunrise at the Nest

If you're an early bird and enjoy watching the sun rise over a peaceful lake, then you'll enjoy the east facing location of The Nest. Very clean and well-appointed, comfortable, with a great dock complete with a table for alfresco dining and chairs for lounging both under shade or not...what more can one ask for? Maybe a tad more distance from the next door neighbor? Not a big negative as they were exceptionally quiet for a family with young children. Given the fact that the two cottages were of similar style and the side entrances faced each other, we wondered if the Nest had been part of a family compound. There was tons of stuff to do in the area if you got tired of lake activities... hiking, biking, river paddles, etc. We enjoyed our stay. Note: we found out upon arrival that the queen beds were memory foam of which we are not fans and there was a note recommending bottled water for drinking so you might want to come with an initial supply.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peace and Tranquility

We loved our extended stay at The Nest! The property manager/owner reached out to us prior to our stay with all the pertinent information for our arrival. When needed, we could easily get in touch with him and found him to be quite informative. Their home is comfortable and impeccably kept! The Nest is located on Lake Santa Fe with stunning views of the water from the dock and the house. Most mornings we were greeted by a beautiful sunrise over the lake and spent many hours exploring all this lake had to offer in our kayaks. Their dock has both a covered and open space to enjoy the passing of boats, splashing of fish, and a variety of birds. The house has a large, comfortable living room with a deck overlooking the lake, a wonderful space to relax, after a busy day out and about! Check out the lights on the lake after sunset! The neighbors and the community of Melrose were warm and welcoming! They were quick to offer a greeting and extend an invitation to join them in various activities happening in their town. If you are looking for a cozy, family oriented home, then The Nest is the place for you! We would definitely stay again and highly recommend it!
Stayed 56 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A true hidden gem

What a gem. I graduated in 2008 and have always envisioned finding a place outside of Gainesville that would combine the peace and majesty of rural north florida and the magnetic bustle of a city and university I fell in love with. This was just that. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great time

Great place to stay. Loved the kayaks and lake front.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Getaway

The Nest provided a perfect stay for our family of 5 (including 3 boys) for a weekend getaway. The home was immaculately clean, and thoughtfully decorated and setup with all amenities you could need. The boat dock and access to the lake and fishing was the best! The hosts were great with communication and ensuring we had everything we needed for our stay. We plan to come back again!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

So much fun!

So clean and equipped with everything to cook and enjoy! We were 3 couples who have been friends for over 50 years! The guys loved fishing and the girls loved relaxing on the wonderful dock, kayaking, cooking, and enjoying the beauty! Wish I could show you the huge bass that we caught from the dock!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cute…Clean..Comfortable!!!!

My family of 4 and family friend enjoyed our stay at The Nest. We were shocked how comfortable our stay was. The house feels bigger on the inside with tons of space upstairs. The house was also immaculately clean and the views were amazing. We hope to rent again in the summer.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Loved “The Nest”!

What a cute place and the view of the lake is amazing! We especially appreciated the kayaks and the life jackets.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lakeside Escape

Cozy and quiet getaway. Surprising amount of sleeping options. Had 7 people over with no problem.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unique lake cottage

The home on lake Sant Fe has traits of old style lake cottage with modern amenities. Decorations & furnishings make it feel cozy. The view of the lake was amazing. The owners make you feel at home.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022
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