Lakefront Victorian Hse for Time Travelers & Event

Entire villa in Haines City, Florida

  1. 16+ guests
  2. 5 bedrooms
  3. 9 beds
  4. 5.5 baths
Hosted by Joanne Lim
  1. Superhost
  2. 3 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 Marion.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the keypad.
Are you looking for a unique house?
Discover our Victorian mansion- nestled in nature with amazing lake views, 9 beds, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and a game room.
Each room is themed with antique furnishings. Upon entering, guests are welcomed by a grand twin staircase, exquisite chandeliers & stained-glass windows.
It is ideal for family events, birthdays, photo shoots, and small weddings.
The impressive interior evokes a sense of time travel, making your stay a truly memorable experience.

The space
Discover Castle Marion, an amazing vacation home near Orlando in central Florida, boasting a sweeping panoramic view of the picturesque Lake Marion. With five bedrooms capable of accommodating up to 16 guests, each room has an en-suite bathroom and a unique theme.

This charming retreat offers an expansive space. The ample yard provides parking for up to 20 vehicles, ensuring both convenience and comfort for all guests and authorized visitors.

Conveniently located 30-45 minutes away from Disney World Orlando and Legoland, and just a short 10-15 minute drive from Publix, Walmart, and renowned restaurants, Castle Marion seamlessly combines proximity to attractions with accessibility to everyday conveniences.

Indulge in entertainment within the dedicated game room, complete with options for watching movies, playing pinball, video games, and even a crane machine.

Step into the enchanting garden, featuring a pergola adorned with grape vines and roses, and a designated fire pit site perfect for creating cozy campfire memories.

Two large dining tables, accommodating 6 and 10 people respectively, provide a delightful setting for shared meals. For culinary enthusiasts, a gas grill is available for rent at $60 per stay, offering the perfect setup for barbecues in the spacious yard by the lake as well as recreational activities.

The property also features a private dock, allowing you to bring water supplies and partake in water-based activities. A complimentary canoe & kayak awaits your exploration, and fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines at the dock.

Everywhere your eyes land, a perfect photo opportunity awaits. Capture moments with your family, and friends, or during pre-wedding sessions to immortalize special occasions. Craft each shot into the "Pic of the Day"!

A balcony encompasses the entire house from the front door to the backyard, offering a truly amazing view of the sunrise and sunset over the lake. Envision yourself sipping a cup of morning coffee while looking at the picturesque lake, with the bright morning sunlight and a gentle breeze caressing your face.

Bid farewell to ordinary rentals and bustling resorts. Welcome to a unique and personalized experience like no other!

I assure you, that discovering this house will leave you not only satisfied but also feeling incredibly fortunate. Say goodbye to cookie-cutter accommodations, and embrace a stay that promises to be unforgettable.

Welcome to your new home away from home!

Guest access
Guests can use the master bedroom (king room), queen room, dining room and kitchen on the first floor, and the game room and boat room, deer room and princess room on the second floor. You can also relax while watching the sunset/sunrise on the balcony surrounding the house, enjoy campfires or spend your leisure time at the pergola covered with vines in the front yard garden.
Guests can boat or fish in a private dock in the backyard.

Other things to note
CASTLE MARION RENTAL AGREEMENT

Welcome to Castle Marion! We’re thrilled to host you and are committed to ensuring a memorable and enjoyable stay. Please review the following guidelines, which are designed to create a pleasant experience for everyone.

GENERAL RULES

1. Events

If there are 9 or more visitors in a day, the gathering will be considered an event. In such cases, please refer to the Event Policy below for further details.

2. Shoes

We kindly ask our guests to remove their shoes upon entering to maintain the cleanliness of our premises. Disposable slippers are provided for your comfort.

3. Occupancy

The property accommodates up to 16 overnight guests. Additional visitors require prior approval.

4. Visitors

Visitors (aged two and above) are welcome with prior notice and a $5 per-person fee. A maximum of 8 visitors is allowed daily. If the number of visitors exceeds 8 in a single day, it will be considered an event, and event fees will apply.

Visitors must leave the property before midnight. If a visitor sleeps even one night, they must be included in the total number of people sleeping when booking.

Temporary visitors, such as delivery drivers, are exempt if they visit for under 30 minutes.

As hosts, we need to know the exact number of guests and visitors during your stay. This helps ensure proper arrangements and maintains insurance coverage for potential issues, such as accidents, damages, or loss of belongings.

If you’re planning to invite a small group of friends or family for a gathering, such as a dinner, please let us know in advance. We’re happy to discuss and accommodate reasonable requests.

5. Pets

While we love animals, pets are not allowed except for service animals. Please inform us in advance if you’ll be bringing a service animal.

6. Smoking

Smoking is permitted only in the designated balcony area.

7. Noise

While indoor areas are soundproofed, we request that noise levels on the balcony and yard remain considerate of neighbors.

8. Fire Safety

Open flames, fireworks, candles, and personal grills and burners are not permitted. A propane grill is available for rent for $65 per stay. Please notify us in advance if you’d like to use it.

9. Security

Five outdoor security cameras (Ring system 24/7) are installed for your safety and to protect the property. No cameras are present inside the house.

10. Liability

Guests are responsible for their safety and belongings during their stay. We encourage you to contact the rental platform(Airbnb) for information on protection and insurance programs.

11. Children

Children’s safety is paramount. Please always supervise them, especially near the dock, balcony, or other elevated areas.

12. Insects and Wildlife

Florida’s natural environment includes insects and wildlife. Bug repellents and a first aid kit are provided for your convenience.

13. Cleaning

Please report any issues upon arrival. If no concerns are raised within 90 minutes, we’ll assume you’re satisfied with the property’s condition.

14. Furniture and Decor

We kindly request that furniture and fixtures remain in their original positions unless you’ve received prior approval.

15. 10 and 18

A maximum of 18 people are allowed on the balcony at any given time, and no more than 10 people are permitted on the dock simultaneously.

16. Gas Grill Rental

We offer a gas grill rental for $65 per stay. If you’d like to rent one, please let us know at least one day before check-in. The gas grill can be used on the balcony. However, personal gas or charcoal grills and portable burners are prohibited inside the house or on the balcony. Guests are welcome to use their equipment in the fire pit area in the yard.

17. Early Check-in, Check-out

We offer early check-in and early check-out for $65 per hour.

18. Disclaimer

We are not responsible for issues caused by external factors such as electricity, water, WiFi, or natural disasters.

*** If ANY SUCH PROBLEMS arise, please inform us as soon as possible, and we will do our best to resolve them quickly. ***

19. FINES AND COMPLIANCE

We kindly request your cooperation in following the house rules to ensure a smooth and enjoyable stay for everyone.

A $500 fee applies for evidence of smoking indoors.
A $500 fee applies for evidence of shoes and pets worn inside.
A $100 fee per person, per night, applies for unregistered guests or visitors.
A $100 fee for violation of other regulations

Please be aware that any unauthorized gatherings, visitors, or violations of these policies may result in termination, which may involve local authorities or the disconnection of your reservation's power. Any related consequences will be the guest's responsibility.

20. Air Conditioner Guide

We have four air conditioners, each with its own thermostat.
On the first floor, you’ll find the thermostats for the King and Queen Rooms just outside the King Room door. If the hot steam from the King Room jet spa bath isn’t enough to cool the room, feel free to use the extra wall-mounted unit. The Dining Room and Kitchen thermostats are located between the cabinets under the stairs.
Upstairs, the Boat and Princess Rooms have thermostats outside the Boat Room door, and the Deer and Game Rooms have thermostats inside the Deer Room.

All units run in automatic mode by default, but you can adjust them manually if you like. If you run into any problems, just let us know right away—we’re happy to help!

21. Emergency Evacuation & Safety

The Emergency Evacuation Plan shows where the thermostats, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits are. You’ll find it on the side of the refrigerator.
The link in the directions section of the message also has photos of the plan and directions to the accommodation.

Please take a quick look so you know what to do in case of an emergency.

******Please notify us immediately if you experience any issues or inconveniences.
****** We’ll do our best to resolve them as quickly as possible.*****

EVENT POLICY

Castle Marion welcomes a variety of special events, including small weddings, birthday celebrations, family reunions, wedding anniversaries, and photo shoots. To ensure a seamless experience for all, we kindly ask that events adhere to our policies.

Overnight guests (up to a maximum of 16) are welcome to host events at no additional charge, as long as no outside visitors are present.

1. Event Fee

For gatherings of up to 35 attendees (including overnight guests, visitors, and staff), prior approval is required, and an event fee may apply depending on factors such as the number of attendees, duration.

For smaller visits, a $5 visitor fee per person applies when there are 8 or fewer visitors per day. If there are 9 or more visitors per day, the gathering is considered an event, and an additional event fee will be charged in addition to the $35 visitor fee per person.

For example, if you are expecting 10 visitors:
Event Fee = 10 people × $35 + additional charges (determined by event specifics).

We would be delighted to discuss your plans in advance and do our best to accommodate your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out

We look forward to making your experience at Castle Marion truly special!

Reasons for Event Fee

-Higher Cleaning and Maintenance Costs: Events generate more
waste, require deeper cleaning, and increase the risk of property damage.
-Additionally, Events often exceed the standard guest capacity, causing extra wear and tear on the property.
-Increased Facility Use and Risk: Events lead to heavier use of amenities like furniture and kitchen equipment, raising the likelihood of damage, loss, or accidental destruction.

3. Equipment Rental

We offer rental equipment, including tables and chairs. External equipment is prohibited to safeguard the property. Special items, such as audio systems, require prior approval.

Equipment Rental Fee Chart
Canopy – $100 (10x20 ft)
Includes full setup and takedown service.

Rectangular Table – $30 each (3x6 ft)
Up to 4 tables available.

Round Table – $30 each (4.5 ft)
Comfortably seats up to 6 people per table.

Folding Chair – $3 each
Up to 36 chairs available.

Wedding Arch: Free for wedding guests.

Please note that setup and takedown services are not included for table and chair rentals.
Each table and chair comes with a simple white tablecloth and basic chair décor.

Guests are more than welcome to bring their own decorations and tablecloth to match their personal style and theme. 🎉

4. Balcony Tables

It is possible to set up a table on the balcony, accommodating up to 18 people.

5. Event Timing

Events must conclude by midnight. Attendees are kindly requested to depart by this time. However, the schedule can be adjusted upon mutual agreement.

6. Pre-Event Visits

Guests may schedule a pre-event visit to tour the property (outside only). Visits must be arranged in advance and are limited to 30 minutes.

7. Parking

The property accommodates up to 20 vehicles. Please notify us in advance to arrange parking. Buses, cargo trucks, campers, and trailers cannot be parked in the yard because it is soft, sandy soil.

8. Event Cancellations

You may cancel an event for a full refund until 1 PM the day before it takes place. Same-day cancellations are non-refundable.

Please note that accommodation reservations cannot be canceled, and any cancellations of accommodation bookings will be subject to Airbnb’s policy.

Please note that these policies are subject to change without prior notice.

Thank you for choosing Castle Marion. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or special requests.

We look forward to hosting you and helping you create unforgettable memories!

“Rules are often created for the few individuals who don't adhere to basic common sense. As the saying goes, "There is no rule without exception." If the host and guest build trust through conversation and reach a mutually satisfactory agreement, there is no need for excessively strict application of rules.”



Over the past year, we have not been accepting any wedding event bookings.

The main reason is that I’ve experienced some challenges related to wedding events in the past, particularly when the number of overnight guests and day visitors agreed upon at the time of booking ended up increasing unexpectedly on the day of the event.

Through experience, I’ve learned that larger event groups tend to increase the risk of property damage and higher repair costs. For instance, after a wedding where more guests showed up than expected, I had to open up a wall just to fix a broken shower faucet. There were also other issues, such as scratches or damage to furniture and malfunctions of kitchen appliances. Since then, I’ve decided to no longer accept wedding bookings.

However, over the past year, many guests have continued to reach out asking if small weddings could be allowed.

After much thought, I believe that if a guest is honest, respects the house rules, treats the property like their own home, and keeps the agreed number of attendees, then perhaps a small wedding event could be considered.

- Important Requirements for Wedding Event Bookings -

1. Guest Count

The total number of attendees, including both overnight guests and day visitors, is limited to 35 people in total, as stated in the event rules.

This is mainly because the indoor space can accommodate two tables for 16 guests, and an additional temporary balcony setup can provide seating for 18 guests (see photo).

That means up to 34 seated guests can comfortably enjoy a reception after the ceremony.

2. Outdoor Reception

You may hold the wedding ceremony on the lakeside lawn, which is a beautiful setting.

However, I generally do not recommend hosting the reception outdoors, as sudden weather changes, heat, insects, or strong lake breezes in the afternoon can affect the comfort of your guests.

3. Flexibility

If you don’t need full dining seating for everyone, a slightly higher number of visitors may be discussed and approved by mutual agreement.

Reception hours may also be adjusted with prior discussion and consent.

For more details or to discuss your plans, please feel free to send me a message.

I’ll be happy to review your request and determine if your event is a good fit for the property.

Warm regards,
Joanne.

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 3 pages

What this place offers

Lake view
Garden view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Fast wifi – 332 Mbps

2 nights in Haines City

Sep 8, 2023 - Sep 10, 2023

Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 43 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, 100% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 0% 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 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Haines City, Florida, United States

Neighborhood highlights

Neighbors are very quiet and friendly. The Halabrin Lakefront village consists of five houses.

Meet your host

Superhost
43 reviews
5.0 out of 5 average rating
3 years of hosting
Speaks English
Lives in Kissimmee, Florida
Hello, my name is Joanne. I am a housewife and mother of two daughters. I would be so happy to see guests staying in my house and enjoying the amenities that my beautiful house can offer.

Joanne Lim is a Superhost

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

Co-hosts

  • Nicole

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

House rules

Check-in after 4:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
No pets

Safety & property

Exterior security cameras on property
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Carbon monoxide alarm

Cancellation policy