The Nest on Lake Santa Fe in Melrose, FL

Entire cottage in Melrose, Florida

  1. 6 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2 baths
Hosted by Richard
  1. Superhost
  2. 10 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

On the lake

This home is right on Lake Santa Fe.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the lockbox.
The Nest is a beautiful two-story cottage on Lake Santa Fe. Enjoy some peace and serenity, catch monster bass, or bring your ski boat for high-speed fun. We are located just 20 minutes from Gainesville and UF. The Nest is great for a weekend getaway or a week of peaceful relaxation. We do not allow parties or events out of respect for our neighbors and we allow a maximum of 6 guests (max 4 adults). Absolutely no animals are allowed on the property at any time for any reason.

The space
Enjoy an amazing view of the lake from the spacious upstairs living room, or sip your morning coffee while watching the sunrise on our balcony. The master bedroom with queen bed and a full bathroom are also on the second floor. The ground level has a well-appointed kitchen, a second bedroom with queen bed, a dining area, a sunroom with twin trundle beds, and a laundry room with a washer and dryer. Head down to the dock for some relaxation or socializing and throw out a line to reel in catfish, bass and brim. At the Nest, you will find a peace and serenity that is hard to come by. Our kitchen has everything you will need for those who love to cook, or there are some great restaurants just minutes away in Melrose. We have a full array of books, games and puzzles, as well as wireless internet and a TV/DVD/Fire stick. There are toys, booster seats, and special cups and dishes for the little ones. We have three adult kayaks, one youth kayak, and two paddleboards for your enjoyment. View osprey nests, otters, bald eagles and plenty of other wildlife as you paddle around the shore. Swim or float off the dock, or if you prefer, there is a public swimming area that can be accessed from the water or by land in Melrose Bay. We hope that you will find The Nest as charming, relaxing and refreshing as we do!

Guest access
Our guests have access to all of the cottage, dock and dock house. You are welcome to bring your boat and tie up at the dock. We have three adult kayaks, one youth kayak, and two paddleboards for your use. There is space for 3 cars to park or 2 cars and one small boat trailer.

Other things to note
If you plan on bringing a boat, please let us know so we may give you instructions on tying up. Launching at the public boat ramp is free.


We have parking for THREE cars or two cars and a small boat trailer.


There is NO SMOKING in cottage. Any evidence of smoking inside will result in a $250 FEE.

No animals are allowed on the property at any time for any reason. We have nothing against your furry friends, however, due to a family member's severe allergies, we must ask you to make other arrangements for them.

Absolutely no loud parties or events! If you are looking for peace and serenity or a perfect family getaway, The Nest is for you. If you are looking for a space to throw a party and be loud and rowdy, this property is not a good fit for you.

Where you’ll sleep

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What this place offers

Lake view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Wifi
Free parking on premises

2 nights in Melrose

Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 17, 2025

Rated 4.99 out of 5 from 93 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 99% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 1% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for value

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Where you’ll be

Melrose, Florida, United States
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

The Nest is located in a quite neighborhood minutes from historic downtown Melrose.

Meet your host

Superhost
97 reviews
4.99 out of 5 average rating
10 years of hosting
Lives in Gainesville, Florida

Richard is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in: 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
Exterior security cameras on property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Climbing or play structure