House in Dunnellon, FL

Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24

Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24

Photo gallery for Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24

Large fire pit w/ chairs, bench, and gazebo right at the river's edge.
Crystal clear water of the 4.5 mile long Rainbow River
Communal Kitchen / Great Room - Perfect for family or company gatherings.
Oh, and extra sleeping as well!
Communal Kitchen / Great Room - Small Bathroom w/ shower (not in photo).

Overview of Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24

5 out of 5 Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 14235.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi

Check out the area

Dunnellon, FL
  • Popular LocationRainbow Springs State Park1 min walk
  • Popular LocationRainbow River3 min walk
  • Popular LocationK.P. Hole County Park3 min walk
  • AirportOcala, FL (OCF-Ocala Intl.)27 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom House Downstairs Master Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom House Downstairs Master Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom House Upstairs Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom House Upstairs Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Communal Kitchen/Great Room - Additional Beds

1 Double Futon, 2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Bedroom House Upstairs Shared Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Communal Kitchen / Great Room Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Master Downstairs Bedroom House

Toilet · Shower only

Master Downstairs Bedroom House

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24

Meraki: Greek: "That which is done w/ passion; from the soul", how we planned and prepared Meraki for you. Directly on the Rainbow River - 4.5 miles of crystal clear water with more wildlife than you can imagine. Meraki isn't a typical "essentials only" vacation rental property. You will find it more like going to your place on the river. Spices, condiments, coffee, sugar, flour, rice, cereal - they're all there. Canoe / Kayaks / Paddles / Life Vests / Whistles (required on the river) / Horseshoes / Corn Hole Game - All provided. We used to provide tubes and floats but our insurance company nixed that! Meraki provides a pet friendly ($100 Non-Refundable Pet Fee) alternative to our first Rainbow River vacation rental (Pet Free Chimera: www.vrbo.com/730878). (Maintenance costs are higher at a pet-friendly property.) Meraki is designed and stocked to be especially suited for family or company gatherings.

Two breezeway connected structures for a total of 2,529 sf: The Communal Kitchen / Great Room sports a Large Modern Kitchen / Peninsula Counter / Dining Table, Large Family Entertainment Center, plus one (1) set of two (2) Adult Bunk Beds, one (1) Day Bed, and a small Bath Room w/ Shower. The Bedroom House is 2-stories w/ 4 Bedrooms (two Masters), 3 Baths, Kitchenette w/ Mini-Fridge, Microwave, Coffee Maker, and Bar Counter & Sink (used to be a small kitchen), and a small Entertainment Center. (Lets some guests turn in early while the party animals make all the racket they want to next door.)
Our large Communal Kitchen / Great Room is especially suited for family or friends to congregate and watch TV while Mama cooks as only she can do. Four-legged family members are welcome; Meraki is Pet-Friendly; a Pet Fee applies. Directly on the Rainbow River - Meraki sleeps fifteen (15) in beds and sleeps more on large couches. See Rental Rates and Fees, below.

The Vrbo system doesn't calculate the 4-6 Night Mulit-Night Discounts, so we edit the reservation for them after it is made.

Special sanitizing protocols are employed at both our properties; masks, gloves, antibacterial hand soap and dishwashing soap, and extra sanitizing agent are all provided for your use during your stay.

Inquire for Multiple-Night Discounts for stays of more than two (2) nights. We have to manually input correct rates, so the rates you see displayed when you input your number of nights are overstated for stays of three (3) or more nights. When you Inquire, we edit the quote to reflect a Discounted Rate for stays of more than three (3) nights. See a complete Schedule of Rates w/ Multiple Night Discounts at the bottom of this section.

Meraki is an "Old Florida" style property, remodeled to be modern, clean and comfortable, fully equipped, and provides plenty of space for spreading out. Everyone can gather in the Communal Kitchen / Great Room to cook, eat, watch movies, or just chill. Teenagers with their own movie preferences can hang out at their own Entertainment Center in the Main House.

No dock at Meraki: We tried to replace the rotted dock there when we purchased the property, but the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a new rule for the Rainbow River that requires new docks to be built five (5) feet above the average high water line, which is about six (6) feet above the surface of the water. This would result in a totally non-functional dock. Meraki is directly on the Rainbow River for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, launching the canoe and kayaks or your tubes or floats. Also, Meraki sports a large sandy, gently sloping river bottom perfect for toddlers (supervised, of course).

The large fire pit close to the water's edge has chairs and a bench for sitting and watching the wildlife and just chilling. Fish, Anhingas, ducks, turtles, owls, eagles, wood storks, and otters are frequent visitors. Bring your rods, live bait, and your Florida fishing license for some of the best bass fishing in Florida! Children with poles, small hooks, and bread can catch bream all day long.

Meraki is the most recently purchased of our two Rainbow River properties, but already has more than fifty (50) 5-Star Reviews. To further see how we pamper our guests, see our original Rainbow River property, "Chimera on the Rainbow", 1.8 miles down river from Meraki (www.vrbo.com/730878). Chimera has over one hundred fifty (150) Reviews, almost all of which are 5-Star as well. Chimera has a Custom Bar, a Game Room w/ Table Shuffleboard / Arcade Basketball Net / 60-Game Arcade Game Machine including PacMan / and a Juke Box w/ genre hits from the 50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's.

Guests from both houses cooperate providing free river access and exit privileges; you don't have the pay the county $25 to use their tube and enter the water. (They don't let you use your own.) Our guests don't experience this because you can float from upriver Meraki to downriver Chimera, about an hour and a half drift, or float another hour and a half to the bridge at Swampy's w/o paying the county anything!. Meraki guests can leave a car at Chimera, drift there, and drive back to Meraki. Chimera guests can get dropped off at Meraki and float home to Chimera!

Chimera: 18531 SW 108th Pl Meraki: 9585 SW 190th Ave Road
Dunnellon, FL 34432 Dunnellon, FL 34432
US US

Summer Reservations book a year in advance. Preferred holiday dates go pretty quickly also, so booking early is necessary. A large percentage of our current reservations are returning guests.

Rental Rates and Fees:
2-3 Nights $394/night
4-6 Nights $379/night (Inquire for this discount...)
7 Nights & More $364/night
Monthly** $7,500 (Oct - Apr Only)
* + Extra Guest Charge of $25/night/number of overnight guests more than ten (10); Children ages six (6) and under are wecome but not counted.
* + $20/day/daytime visitor - Daytime Visitors must leave by 7:00 pm.
* 4-6 Night Rate will apply to Reservations for eight (8) to fourteen (14) days but include more than two (2) Weekend Days. Weekend Days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
* Meraki has an RV Electric Connection – no water or sewer. No RV Fee, but all RV guests count as house overnight guests.
* + $200 Cleaning Fee
Taxes: Rent, Cleaning Fee, and Event Fee, if applicable, are subject to 11% Tax (7% State of Florida Sales Tax & 4% Marion County Bed Tax)
**Monthly Rate: Subject to availability; Only for stays beginning 1st of the month Oct– Apr; Extra Guest Rate and Daytime Visitor Rate does not apply. Contact Owner
Holiday Rates: We don't increase rates for Holidays, but:
– Multi-Night Discounts do not apply, and...
– Holidays have a Minimum Four (4) Night Stay.
Holidays are Rental Dates that include any of the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and any day immediately before or after one of these days.
Holiday Rates: We don't increase the basic rate for holidays, but holidays have a four (4) Night Minimum and above multiple night discounts don’t apply. Holidays are Rental Dates that include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and any day immediately before or after one of these days.
Online Booking – Rates: Holiday Rates and Multiple-Night Discounts do not adjust in the Online Listing Sites and will be manually adjusted following inquiry.

There are several very nice golf courses in the area.

Horseback Riding: If you want to have a little diversion from river fun and do something else really enjoyable while in Dunnellon, go online and type in "Orange Blossom Trail Rides". Just thirty (30) minutes away, an eighty (80) acre property plus 53,000 acres in Florida's Goethe State Forest. Sandi, the owner, is most hospitable and provides a wonderful guided horseback riding experience.

Property manager

Hal Rogers
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Subject to approval by owner

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Incurs a Non-Refundable $100 Pet Fee

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
No Smoking inside house - Allowed at the fire pit
Extra Guest Charge applies when total number of guests exceeds eight (8). Extra Guest Charge: $25/night/number of guests more than eight (8)
RV Electric Hookup Available; No RV Fee; RV occupants are counted as house guests - Extra Guest Fee applies.
Daytime Visitors - $20 per visitor fee applies. Visitors who are not staying overnight must be approved by owner prior to their visit.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: Subject to approval by owner
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Dunnellon

Located in Dunnellon, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. El Diablo Golf & Country Club and Citrus Springs Golf & Country Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Aquatic Wilderness Adventures and Petting Zoo Ocala. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Rainbow Springs State Park - 1 min walk
  • Rainbow River - 3 min walk
  • K.P. Hole County Park - 3 min walk
  • Juliette Falls Golf - 11 min drive
  • World Equestrian Center – Ocala - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 6 min drive
  • Boulevard Bistro - 14 min drive
  • Swampy's - 8 min drive
  • Duffy's Pub - 11 min drive
  • Taco Bell - 6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24 pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Pet Friendly/Sleeps 15: SPECIAL Book 4 Nights / Get 1 Night Free 10/1-12/31 '24 located?

This family-friendly Dunnellon holiday home is located on the waterfront, within a 5-minute walk of Rainbow Springs State Park, Rainbow River and K.P. Hole County Park. Aquatic Wilderness Adventures and Lake Rousseau are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

5

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 5 - Excellent. 71 out of 75 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 3 out of 75 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 0 out of 75 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 1 out of 75 reviews" "

4.8/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

5/5

Communication

5/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

4/5 Good

Michelle C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rainbow Spring River Stay
We had a wonderful time and thank you Hal for your prompt responses and attention to all details. The Meraki will always hold special memories for us.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

5/5 Excellent

Leslie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding weekend
I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect location for our wedding. It was one of the best weekends of my life in this gorgeous location on the river. Meraki checked all the boxes. It was cozy, spacious, inviting, and had everything we needed for a lovely weekend surrounded by our family and friends. It was very private, but was also not far from grocery stores, etc. I highly recommend it for a family trip to a quiet, relaxing, beautiful down home Florida destination.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Meraki on Rainbow River
Very clean, lots of room, perfect view of the river
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

5/5 Excellent

Fiona H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thank you Meraki!
We had an amazing time at Meraki and it was all thanks to Hal and Ellen. We were planning to have our wedding and reception at Meraki, which was seriously the most beautiful location for it. Hal was really helpful and thoughtful figuring out details for the event. We ended up having to cancel the event because of Hurricane Idalia, but we ended up loving our time at Meraki anyway- we even took the kayaks out and had rainbow springs to ourselves right after the storm. We couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to get married or kinder hosts who made us feel safe and supported through wedding planning AND a hurricane.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

5/5 Excellent

Alison B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic location!! A++++
This property was just FABULOUS!! We could not have enjoyed our stay more. The owner was very responsive and flexible. I was already asked to book again for next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Hal Rogers

Host profile image
Sandy and I sold our uniquely specialized financial planning practice, Gold Tree Financial, Inc., which focuses on avoiding probate and preventing unintended heirs. I still do some estate planning consulting for our Rainbow River guests and I play competitive billiards; Sandy sings in the church choir and plays in the bell choir. Sandy is a member of the East Arlington Rotary Club in Jacksonville. We have eight children and five grandchildren.

Why they chose this property

We have owned another vacation rental property, Chimera on the Rainbow, since June, 2015. However, we have had to reject requests to have pets at Chimera, so we decided to purchase another property and make it Pet Friendly. Chimera is the more upscale of the two / Meraki is a house built in the 40's, expanded over the years, and now renovated to be a comfortable, and bit more affordable family gathering place. Both are fully equipped for your vacation enjoyment. Chimera includes a Custom Bar and Game Room. Meraki has two separate Entertainment Centers in separate structures which give the teenagers their own place to hang out.

What makes this property unique

Obviously, the Rainbow River is the attraction. But Meraki provides an Entertainment Center where family can gather in the Communal Kitchen / Great Room and a Bar and Living Room with a smaller Entertainment Center in the Bedroom House. Your teenagers can watch their own movies there. Meraki has a large fire pit right at the river's edge and a gently sloping river bottom which is perfect for toddlers to play at the river's edge (under your constant supervision, of course).

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
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