Entire house boat

Water Lovers Retreat

Photo gallery for Water Lovers Retreat

A covered outdoor seating area with a table and chairs, overlooking a calm body of water with a bridge in the background. - Water Lovers Retreat (Sanford)
A modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a marble countertop. There is a dining area with a table and stools, and a living room with a sofa and a fireplace. - Water Lovers Retreat (Sanford)
A marina with boats docked, a small building, and a pathway leading to the water. - Water Lovers Retreat (Sanford)
A marina with several boats docked, a covered boat house, and a building with a green roof in the background. - Water Lovers Retreat (Sanford)
A modern kitchen with a dining area, a sofa, and a TV. - Water Lovers Retreat (Sanford)
Consider a stay at Water Lovers Retreat and take advantage of a firepit, a garden, and laundry facilities. Stay connected with in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire house boat

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Water Lovers Retreat

  • Completely renovated custom 50’x14’ stationary houseboat available for short/long term rentals. Enjoy the beautiful world famous St. John’s river. One of the only two rivers in the world that flows north. Be surrounded by its natural beauty and wildlife. Experience the luxury of waking up in your own private setting surrounded by nature.
    This custom spacious 50’ house boat allows you to feel as if you are waking in your own private oasis. The beautiful and spacious 14’x16’ master suite offers you a private sitting area with a full size sofa, as well as a comfortable queen size bed, and 42” flat screen television, a nice closet with custom shelving, full bathroom with a fully tiled shower, vanity and tiled floors. As well as your own private 8’x14’ outdoor deck for your private coffee in the morning, or beverage in the evening.
    The galley offers a beautiful leather sofa, which opens into a comfortable queen size bed for additional sleeping space. The full size fully stocked kitchen allows you to entertain and bring all the comforts of home with its full refrigerator, microwave,oven/stove, sink and plenty of cabinet and counter space.
    The galley is also equipped with an electric fireplace, center-island, as well as a32” flat screen television, not leaving out the gorgeous views of the St. John’s river. The second outdoor living area is equipped with a barbecue, a beautiful and comfortable outdoor patio set that includes a custom table with a fire-pit.
    You will never run short of activities while on vacation. Our resort offers a large pool for your swimming pleasure, several outdoor sitting areas, deli on premise, ship store, beautiful sceni, laundry facilities, and private parking at your slip. Boat rentals are available at the resort as well as marinas nearby for your further enjoyment of the St. John’s river.
    Close to all local beaches, Orlando theme parks, the world famous Daytona International Speedway, as well as Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center.
    Book your next memorable vacation today to experience luxury and nature at its finest!

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Outdoor pool

Internet

  • Available in the accommodation: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Onsite parking includes off-street options

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Smoking allowed in outside areas only......

Location highlights

  • Near the marina

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Garden

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Children are welcomed......

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed in outside areas only......

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Sanford is home to this houseboat. Mayfair Country Club and Lake Mary Tennis Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Blue Spring State Park and Black Bear Wilderness Area. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Sylvan Lake Tennis Center, or consider a night out at Lake Brantley Field House. Visit our Sanford travel guide
View more Houseboats in Sanford
Map
FL, Sanford

What's nearby

  • A sunset over a body of water with clouds silhouetted against the sky.
    Lake Monroe
    2 min drive - 2.1 km
  • A wooden structure with a red bird perched on a branch.
    Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
    3 min drive - 1.7 km
  • The Orlando Magic team store at Amway Center.
    Kia Center
    28 min drive - 43.0 km
  • Historic Downtown Sanford
    11 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Seminole County Sports Complex
    20 min drive - 26.2 km

Getting around

  • DeBary Station
    6 min drive
  • Sanford Station
    8 min drive
  • Orlando Sanford Intl. Airport (SFB)
    16 min drive

Restaurants

  • Wawa
    5 min drive
  • Chick-fil-A
    5 min drive
  • McDonald's
    6 min drive
  • Starbucks
    6 min drive
  • Andy's Frozen Custard
    6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Water Lovers Retreat have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Water Lovers Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Water Lovers Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Water Lovers Retreat?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Water Lovers Retreat located?

Situated in Sanford, this houseboat is within 2 mi (3 km) of Black Bear Wilderness Area, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, and Lake Monroe. Lake Monroe Park is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) away.

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Reviews

Water Lovers Retreat Reviews

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.6

Location

10

Staff & service

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 103 out of 107 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 107 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 107 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 107 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 107 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great houseboat vacation!

Owner is on site and such a great host. Houseboat is at the end of the dock along the river and is so peaceful. We absolutely loved our stay, thank you!!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Quick Vacation Get Away

Just wanted some time with family in a quiet space, It was beautiful, the wild life was amazing. A bit of a walk to the marina, but definetly worth it.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely location on the St John river

We enjoyed our stay very much. Beautiful location at the end of the dock looking out over the river and very comfortable accommodations. Just as we expected.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unique river stay!

This stay was one of our highlights of our trip. The river is beautiful. We rented a pontoon from the owner and spent the day on the river. We would highly recommend this if you have a spare day!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Weekend getaway

We were looking for a peaceful and quiet location to get away for the weekend. Host keeps this houseboat very clean! It was exactly what we looking for. Peaceful river and we also enjoyed a little fishing right off the boat.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing stay

We had such a remarkable time staying on Mark's houseboat; what a phenomenal space. Very comfortable bed and the couches were also super comfy. We either sat out front or out back depending upon the time of day. Cabana Live was a great place to people watch and listen to music while having a drink or snack.Mark offers many other boats to take out for the day should you have interest in going out on the river.We would highly recommend on staying on Water Lovers Resort; Mark is amazing with his communication. He gave us a tour of the grounds which was very nice to know where the store is there plus we got to meet his wife one night.We will be back for sure
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Getaway & Awesome Host!!

My wife & I really enjoyed our weekend celebrating our first wedding anniversary at the boathouse! Everything was exactly as described in the listing and more. Mark met us at the parking lot when we arrived & gave us a tour around the marina before taking us to the boathouse. He was sure to let us know that he is always available if we had any questions or needed anything. Everyone around was very friendly as well. We seen turtles, gators, and even caught some fish! It was a great trip to say the least!!! Mark is an outstanding host!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Absolutely amazing

Everything was great! The host was amazing and meets you at the property to give you a tour so you can enjoy everything available to you. It is the perfect location. The boat is the the end lot so you can see and enjoy the river from all sides of the boat. Extremely peaceful and beautiful. We did purchase our own pillows and a sheet to be more comfortable. There were two smaller pillows and a decorative quilt like cover on the bed but no sheet. Absolutely recommend going to the deli- amazing real people. Will 100% be back. This will be our new spot!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect spot for a nature immersive getaway!

My partner and I chose this houseboat for a kayaking getaway and it could not have been more perfect. Both Blue and Alexander Springs were short drives away (be sure to check out Firefly Nights at Blue Springs if you're visiting in March or April) and though we didn't, we could have easily launched our yaks from the marina to explore the St. Johns River. Sadly, the fire pit and grill have been removed due to new marina regulations, but nearby Historic Downtown Sanford offered plenty of quaint (yet bustling on St. Paddy's Day) dining and drinking options in the evenings, and the multiple manatee, otter, turtle, blue heron, and other water bird sitings from the decks made up for any disappointment. The public pool and restaurant (great food!)/bar at the marina was a fabulous amenity as well. The boat is situated at the very end of the dock so privacy was never a concern and we both slept like babies every night. Sunrise coffee on the east deck and sunset cocktails on the west deck added to our perfectly peaceful stay. It was so hard to leave, but we'll definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful and Spacious!

We really enjoyed our stay from the beginning of researching the property all the way through checking out. I spoke with Mark several times before we even checked in because I am a stickler for details and planning. We wanted to rent a pontoon boat from Marc and I had a lot of questons Mark was more than patient, answered all of my questions and invited me to contact him at any time. The houseboat look exactly like the pictures and you couldn't even tell you were on a houseboat. Only reason for 4 stars on locaton instead of 5 was the houseboat was located at the far end of the dock and the lights along the dock weren't all on. This has nothing to do with Mark, but you might want a small flashlight because some areas were really dark.We loved being at to see the sunrise and sunsets and just hopping on the pontoon and being on the river. We definitely plan on coming back.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very nice clean accommodations, host was awesome

Enjoyed our stay, easy to follow instructions, great communication
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a nice stay. Mark was very easy to work with.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful in every way!

We loved staying here. The houseboat is well appointed and the host is very helpful. The marina is fun too. We are already planning our return visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Weekend Get Away

Relaxing
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Matk is a great host and willing to share knowledge of the area. I quire about hid boat rentals to add to yiur adventure. Views are great and close to everythign in Sandford..
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Seamless check-in process and extremely clean

The inside of the houseboat is on par with a very nice home. Great views of the river and nice privacy off of the back deck.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Sanford

We had a wonderful experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Water’s Retreat Sanford

Mark is very responsive to
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful getaway

Stayed 4 nights, great communication with Mark, and he stressed he was only a call away if we needed anything- never needed a thing. Great place for escaping the daily grind. Walk up to the pool, sports bar at the marina. Had access to laundry .looking forward to returning
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Water Lovers Retreat

Our host Mark was beyond accommodating. He was extremely helpful and made sure we didn’t need anything. We loved our stay, the view boat access it was great!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect location

Perfect location for a quiet getaway. The boat is redone beautifully and the view is gorgeous. Great wildlife to watch and very friendly people. The owners have really outdone themselves with this property. I would highly recommend this location for anyone looking for a great relaxing getaway. Thank you so much for making our stay awesome!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful in every way!

Mark is always the perfect host. This has become our annual getaway for my husband's birthday. Can't wait until next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great experience

Lovely
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing

Excellent getaway. Everything was set to please
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Water paradise

This was a great find! Very clean. All at the end of the dock. Lots of wildlife and fish! Mark was a fantastic host, very accommodating.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023