Located on the Rainbow River, Meraki offers an Old Florida charm with modern comforts. This pet-friendly property features a Communal Kitchen and Great Room perfect for family or company gatherings, as well as a large sandy river bottom ideal for toddlers to play. Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling or simply relaxing by the fire pit.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 14235 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days
Directly on the Rainbow River - 9 minute drive to Rainbow Springs State Park. Guests enjoy river access and exit privileges at our 2 Rainbow River vacation rentals, so they can launch at one and exit at the other. The second property is Pet Free Chimera, vrbo.com/730878), about an hour and a half tube drift downriver. You will avoid the KP Hole (the county park) with it's $30/person fee to enter the water. It is a 1.8 mile drive from Meraki to Chimera - You may want to leave a return car there. (Bring your tubes - our insurance company won't allow us to provide them.)
The Rainbow River - 4.5 miles of crystal clear water, perfect for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, or tubing. Anhingas, ducks, turtles, owls, eagles, wood storks, and otters are regular 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.
Special sanitizing protocols are employed at both our river houses; masks, gloves, antibacterial hand soap and dishwashing soap, and extra sanitizing agent are provided for your use and safety during your stay.
The fully stocked Communal Kitchen / Great Room gives you a large kitchen area, with lots of cookware and utensils, or... step into the back yard and use the large, 4 cooking surface, Titan Park Grill. It is large enough for family reunions, friend gatherings, girls' trips, guys' trips, youth outings, or company retreats.
Not one of those "bare" essentials only vacation rental properties, Meraki makes you feel like you are at your place on the river. Spices, coffee, sugar, condiments,flour, rice, cereal - they're all there. Canoe, kayaks, fins, goggles, high chair, playpen, quality toilet tissue and paper towels, laundry and dishwashing detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets - all supplied. Your drinks will be on the bar waiting for you, whatever the kids like to drink will be in the fridge, and miniature chocolates will be on the counter. We do everything we know to do to make your visit to Chimera exceptional! The Communal Kitchen / Great Room also sports a set of adult-strength bunk beds and a day bed.
The separate Bedroom House provides 4 bedrooms (2 are Masters), a small living room w/ TV, a small kitchenette w/ microwave, mini-fridge, and wet bar. The two structures allow the sleepers to sleep, and the partiers to party!
Meraki sleeps 15 in beds; an Additional Guest Charge applies when you exceed 10 total guests - see Rates below... With 4 bathrooms, towels, basic soaps, shampoo, a hair dryer, as well as a travel crib for families, you'll have all you want for a comfortable stay. Obviously, you'll enjoy the convenience of air conditioning, heating, and linens.
Amenities include free WiFi, a washing machine and dryer, and a smart TV with satellite/cable channels. Prepare delectable meals in the fully stocked kitchen and all the necessary cookware and utensils. Or... step into the back yard and use the large, 4 cooking surface Titan Park Grill.
Venture outside to enjoy the deck, covered fire pit on the bank of the river, and the crystal clear water Rainbow River. Kayaks, a large 2-adult canoe, cushions, paddles, life vests, all provided. For entertainment, you'll find horseshoes, cornhole game, books, and toys for the kids.
If you prefer a Pet Free property, see Chimera : www.vrbo.com/730878.
Meraki and Chimera have more than three hundred (300+) 5-Star Reviews on the two major listing sites.
Many of our Summer guests book a year or more in advance. Preferred holiday dates go pretty quickly also, so booking early is necessary. A large percentage of our current reservations are returning guests. Inquire with owner for Multiple-Night Discounts for stays of more than three (3) nights.
Current Off Season Offer: Other than stays that include a Holiday, stays that begin Nov 1st or after & end before Mar 1st: • “Book three (3) or more days and get two (2) days our compliments.” • “Book seven (7) or more days and get four (4) days our compliments.” The Vrbo system doesn't account for Comp Days. Book your Rental Days and we'll edit the Reservation after you make it. Multiple Night Discounts do not apply to Reservations with Comp Days. Stays that include a Holiday do not include Comp Days.
Rental Rates Effective Jan 1, 2026*: Multi-Nite Discounted Rates May-Sep Oct-April Nights Rate/Night Nights Rate/Night 2-3 438.00 2-3 408.00 4-6 423.00 4-6 398.00 7** 408.00 7** 388.00 1 Mo. n/a 1 Mo.*** 7,500.00 ***Jan-Apr Only *Extra Guest Charge of $25/night/number of guests more than 10; includes Overnight Guests and Daytime Visitors. Children ages 6 and under are wecome but not counted. Daytime Visits end at 7:00 pm. 4-6 Night Rate will apply to Reservations for 8 to 10 days which include more than 2 Weekend Days. Weekend Days are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Weekly Discount doesn't apply to a stay beginning and ending on a Saturday. Meraki has an RV Water Connection and Electric Connection – no sewer. No RV Fee, but all RV guests count as house guests. $200 Cleaning Fee Taxes: Rent, Cleaning Fee, Pet Fee, and Event Fee, if applicable, are subject to 11.5% Tax (7% State of Florida Sales Tax & 4.5% Marion County Bed Tax) Monthly Rate: Subject to availability; Only for stays beginning 1st of the month, Jan– Apr, and cannot extend into May. Extra Guest Rate does not apply. Contact Owner... Holiday Rates: We don't increase rates for Holidays, but... Holidays have a Minimum Four (4) Night Stay. Multi-Night Discounts Apply. 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.
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 horseback riding experience.
The outside of Chimera is under 24-hour video surveillance.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Car required
Wheelchair-accessible parking available
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Lobster/crab pot
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
Spices
Stovetop
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Day bed
Sofa bed
Bathroom
4 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Video games
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Dock
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
3 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
1 accessible parking space
No elevator (single-level property)
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Designated smoking areas
Note from host: No Smoking inside house - Allowed at the fire pit
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping (on request)
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On a river
On the waterfront
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Water sports equipment
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Swimming nearby
Theme park nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
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)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Garden
Housekeeping (on request)
Unit size: 2,529 square feet
Similar properties
Cozy cabin on 10 acre farm with horses, chickens, cats, dog & gardens
Dunnellon
Cozy cabin on 10 acre farm with horses, chickens, cats, dog & gardens
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
Rules
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.
Pets
Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
3 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Incurs a Non-Refundable $100 Pet Fee
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Subject to approval by owner
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
No Smoking inside house - Allowed at the fire pit
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
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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 required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Located in Dunnellon, this vacation 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 Petting Zoo Ocala and Circle Square Cultural Center. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Dunnellon travel guide
Is On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days located?
This family-friendly Dunnellon vacation home is located on the waterfront, within a 5-minute walk of Rainbow Springs State Park, Rainbow River, and K.P. Hole County Park. Blue Run of Dunnellon Park and Lake Rousseau are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
On Rainbow River / Pets OK / Multi-Night Discounts / Off Season Comp Days Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
This is a wonderful property. Our family enjoyed our stay and will choose this property in the future. We are a family of 8, our dog traveled with us. This property has everything you might need! It’s a great use of space! The view from the backyard is amazing.
This is our second time staying at this property and it never fails to be an absolutely amazing time! Hal is very communicative and friendly, the property is beautiful and is a perfect location and its dog friendly! My family love coming here as it very comfortably fits our giant crew :) Will be back again!
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.
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.
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.
This place is a gem, a taste of old Florida with modern conveniences. Wonderful view of a beautiful river, lots of wildlife, good bass fishing and quiet neighborhood. Hal is a very considerate host and Ellen is glad to help or answer any questions you may have.
Our stay was perfectly suited for our large group. The bedrooms and bathrooms were very clean and accommodating. The river access was great for the smaller kids to play in without worry. Parking was ample and the kitchen was large and well stocked with supplies to cook with. We look forward to staying at Meraki again! Hal was very communicative and an excellent host.
Alison W.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Aaron H.
15 February 2019
The house is cleverly layed out to facilitate a very comfortable stay for up to 15 guests
The Rainbow River property “Meraki” was everything our group of 14 was looking for to celebrate my birthday. When you first pull up it is startling how much parking space there is in front of the house. We had 8 cars and SUVs and a kayak trailer and still had plenty of room to maneuver and not block anyone in.
It has two buildings that are very clean and well maintained. The first is a two story house with four distinct bedrooms and three fully functional bathrooms. This made it very easy to sleep our group of 14 family and close friends comfortably. There is no shortage of both indoor space if it rains and outdoor space for anything you can imagine.
The second building is a massive living space that has a fully functional kitchen that made it very easy to prepare large meals and many of the non-perishable ingredients we needed were already waiting for us in the walk in pantry. This second space has a bunk bed and half bath for extra sleeping space and a sunroom that looks out on a massive backyard with a paved walkway to a large fire pit that allows swimmers to warm up after a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Rainbow River.
The dock was still under construction but there were already tons of massive fish and amphibious wildlife visiting the structure offering a good snorkeling opportunity. The area adjacent to the dock is a basin of calm clear water perfect for swimming and with a shallow grade making it simple to enter and exit.
One side of the property is heavily wooded and while the other side has a house recessed away from the river we had absolutely no problems with neighbors. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity, the owner Hal has a second house down river that, with permission from the second renter, allowed our group to put our kayaks, tubes, and even Scuba Divers in at this property and float an hour and a half to the second property. This conveniently allowed us to avoid driving on main roads and avoid dealing with the public access for the river.
The property met and exceeded our expectations and the owner provided hospitality that went above and beyond what is standard. The owner Hal was extremely responsive and went out of his way to make sure we had the absolute best experience possible! Thank you so much and my family, friends, and I cannot wait for the next adventure here!
-Aaron
TL;DR- Very comfortable beds, great separation of space, huge kitchen, fresh and clean towels/linens, weird but awesome construction, tons of parking, perfect location, super convenient river access sharing arrangement, super attentive and caring property owner. Would definitely visit again and recommend to others.
We are a big group of adult friends who travel down south every January to act like kids. We swim with the manatees, and enjoy paddling and snorkeling the beautiful local rivers. This property was a bit aged and rough around the edges, perhaps a bit dusty here and there, but honestly PERFECT for us. We absolutely loved it. Hal, the owner, and Ellen the property manger were wonderfully communicative and responsive, and checked in with us to be sure we had everything we needed throughout our stay. The photos in the listing do not do the kitchen/hang out area justice. It's very very large, with a ton of counter space. We are a group that likes to cook, so we appreciated that the kitchen was spacious and well outfitted. The bedroom house is a bit funky with the heat and cooling (regardless of the adjustments we made, the upstairs rooms ran very hot, while the downstairs rooms ran very cold) but we made it work. The separation of big group hangout space and quiet sleeping space was really lovely. It's a bit of a challenge to find properties with four bedrooms with queen or king beds so that we can all have our private space, so that was wonderful. The house was squeaky clean in all the ways that mattered- kitchens, bathrooms, and linens were all fresh. The beds were SO COMFORTABLE. Again, the property is a bit of an odd construction, but it worked for us. The early risers relocated the coffee pot from the big communal kitchen to the kitchenette in the bedroom house and many of us enjoyed early morning coffee while sitting next to the river while the folks in the big space were able to sleep in a bit. It was nice to have two big sitting areas, PLUS a screened in porch with a couch. Tons of parking space. The listing just doesn't accurately convey how big the property is! In addition to the space, the owner has provided games, floaty toys, life preservers, masks and fins. LOTS of stuff to add to your experience. Oh, and the fire pit is just lovely.
A special note on the river sharing arrangement- it may seem a bit odd, but it's SO GREAT. Take advantage of it!
Thank you, Hal, for sharing your wonderful property with us!
Communication with Hal was fantastic from the moment of booking his property almost a year ago! Ellen was great....she was there when we arrived and answered any questions for us. The beds were incredibly comfortable and having the separate "kitchen house" was great. From the kayaks, to towels, to games...this is one of the best appointed houses we have ever rented. Thank you for providing a great place for a Christmas getaway!
Hosted a get together with 10 friends, great location on rainbow river, plenty of backyard space for games, and Hal and company are thoughtful and considerate hosts! I highly recommend this location :)
LOVED Meraki on the Rainbow River! Hal was great to work with and the property was perfect for our family. We consisted of three brothers and their wives/kids so there was about 15 of us ranging from 1 year old to adults. The bunkhouse/kitchen was AMAZING to have the younger boys sleep in and hang out without them waking three little ones in the main house that went to sleep between 7-8pm. So it made for such a relaxing week. There was a place for everyone and the kitchen area was such a neat place to congregate and the main area could be a quiet respite for day naps and for the little ones and sleepy parents to rest. All in all, a great experience! And it was so fun getting up early each morning to have coffee and enjoy the wildlife! The river was amazing every day and we hope to go back one day! Thanks so much, Hal!
The kitchen with the porch and living room was great for everyone to hang out in the cool air. The gazebo was the next best place around the fireplace. Watching all the tube and kayaking. Then the amount of beds and bathrooms was perfect. Had a wonderful time and will come back.
What a perfect getaway! House really has everything you need. We spent most of our time down by the river w a fire crackling behind us- from watching the sunrise to setting!
There are lists of games and areas to also get quiet time. Having the kitchen in a separate house was great w teenagers too. They could sleep in while the adults could make noise.
The homeowner and manager we amazing and generous. They are 5 stars are on there own!
We would all go back to that home in a heartbeat, it was as relaxing as being at your family home on the river.
Had a fantastic relaxing stay with family. Was so convenient to launch Kayaks/ tubes onto to the beautiful Rainbow River right from the property. We spent everyday on the River and enjoyed the fire pit at night. House was comfortable with room for all of us to spread out. Dogs enjoyed running around the property chasing squirrels. Will definitely be back.