Vacation Rentals by Owner

1 1/2 Acre Intercoastal Home W/ Guest House, Trail, Beach, Dock, Playground [#231081ha] | View Property

Merritt Island
6 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 1 half bathrooms
$7700/wk US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (15)

• WOODWARD FAMILY VACATION

  WOODWARD FAMILY VACATION

  • Guest Barry
  • Date of stay 06/19/10
  • Review Submitted 10/22/10
  When we saw the pictures on line, we thought it was great. Who would have known that we would walk right into "paradise". There was something for everyone, and my 90 year old dad spend the majority of his time on the dock snagging anything that came along in the river. Had the time of his life. The grandkids were in the pool most of the time, and were worn out by day's end. It was nice to have a table that would seat everyone for a meal. If I could find a way to win the lottery, I would make Andrea an offer she could not refuse!!! I actually have some ideas based on this place that I can use at the family lake house. To Andrea and staff: Thanks for making our stay the most memorable of all for the entire family. There was not anything we asked for or needed that was not provided by anyone. We will definitely be back, it's paradise in it's fullest sense. The Woodward Family......

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Loblolly is Paradise!!

  Loblolly is Paradise!!

  • Guest Carina G.
  • Date of stay 04/02/10
  • Review Submitted 04/13/10
  Our experience at the beautiful Loblolly Estate was perfection. Being native Floridians, we have always rented large beachfront homes for our twice yearly family getaways. When we first found Loblolly, I just skipped past it; riverfront was not even a thought for us! Gratefully, one of our family members insisted we take a second look, and after speaking to Andrea (Loblolly's owner) she convinced me to reconsider and discover the pleasure of a riverfront retreat. So glad she did. The river view, serenity, frolicking dolphins, pelicans, boaters and nightly sunsets in front of the waterside fire cannot be matched. The kids crabbed, fished, star-gazed on the huge dock and built fires to their heart's content. The place is amazing for kids; there is a game room, sandbox, tree house, jacuzzi, heated pool, toyroom, plus a separate girl's bunkbed room and the boy's loft retreat. Both can sleep 4 kids in each room. No expense was spared to renovate this incredible historic home. Every room is furnished and decorated as if the owners are very much there and you are a guest in their home. Books abound, as well as karyoke, puzzles, music library and even a great bingo setup (which became a daily ritual with creative prizes for the lucky winners). The kitchen is equipped for feeding a large group; we did not eat out once in the nine days we were there! Dinner was had nightly under the stars in the side patio, next to the outdoor grill/kitchen. I should note that I am a hopeless neat-freak and this house was immaculately kept. Every nook and cranny was dust-free and well maintained. Our grounds were swept and cared for daily by Jeremy (the grounds keeper); we were pampered thoroughly. The only complaint that we had is that the pictures did not do the house justice.............at all! We are already planning our next stay. Andrea and crew; thanks so very much for making us feel at home in your lovely little piece of heaven!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Perfection

  Perfection

  • Guest sharyne and Paul
  • Date of stay 03/15/10
  • Review Submitted 03/23/10
  Loblolly is the perfect place to experience what Old Florida River Living is all about (in style). From the gracious gardens to the walk in the pool to the boat house, not a detail was missed. The architecture and design of the entire facility is spot on. Every detail was carefully thought out. If you are hoping for a magical stress free memorable holiday, Loblolly is the place to be. We thoroughly enjoyed all there was to offer.

  Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: We are thrilled you enjoyed Loblolly for what it is. We try to explain to people that home has an "old world" feeling. Loblolly's simplicity is what makes it so special not it's opulence. Thank you for your kind words. We hope to see you again ~ The Owners

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Amzaing place to escape!

  Amzaing place to escape!

  • Guest MN family2010
  • Date of stay 03/08/10
  • Review Submitted 03/25/10
  This property far exceeded expectations! It was so family friendly and welcoming. The outdoor play area was ideal. There were dolphins frolicking just off the shore and numerous little places outside to find peace and enjoy the surroundings. Fruit trees and beautiful gardens lined the property. Indoors, there is an abundance of toys, games, musical instruments, and activities for families to enjoy together. Andrea is easy to work with, and is incredibly attentive to detail. The house staff goes out of their way to ensure a comfortable stay. Don't forget to enjoy the game room, complete with Pac Man and ping pong! A truly fabulous vacation destination!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Reunion at Loblolly

  Reunion at Loblolly

  • Guest Jennifer M.
  • Date of stay 03/05/10
  • Review Submitted 03/11/10
  Our stay at Loblolly was simpling amazing. Andrea made it easy and stress free from start to finish. The pictures of Loblolly do not do justice to what the reality of this home provides. The property was breathtaking in every aspect, inside and out. From the impressive kitchen with viking appliances to the tile in the bathrooms, there was no detail unnoticed in this gorgeous space. Every time we wondered if the kitchen was stocked with something we wanted we would open a cabinet and there would be exactly what we were hoping for! Every person at the house was wondering how they could pick up the kitchen and take it home! It was a chef's dream! I often find at most vacation rentals that the beds are not always the best, but all the beds were beyond comfortable! Also, the outdoor kitchen and patio space was a treat and the "rec" room was a fun bonus for the adults. The house had so much to offer we only left to go to the local produce stand and grocery store! We named the dock "the sweet spot" as we loved sitting out there enjoying the river, dolphin watching and enjoying our morning cup of joe. Loblolly is a perfect location for a relaxing vacation with friends, special event or family affair. We can't wait to make our way back there.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Loblolly is Amazing

  Loblolly is Amazing

  • Guest sparkle2010
  • Date of stay 03/05/10
  • Review Submitted 03/10/10
  Let me start by saying that the picures of Loblolly do not do it justice. This home is absolutely wonderful and welcoming. My girls and I felt right at home and picked up right where we left off 18 yrs ago. Thanks to the owener for doing such a teriffic job!!

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Loved Loblolly!

  Loved Loblolly!

  • Guest Melinda R.
  • Date of stay 03/05/10
  • Review Submitted 03/09/10
  The pictures didn't due the property justice! From the moment we arrived, the staff was very kind & helpful. The sunsets were spectacular every evening. We loved every minute of our stay & would go back without any hesitation.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Wonderful time at Loblolly!!

  Wonderful time at Loblolly!!

  • Guest Maine-a
  • Date of stay 02/15/10
  • Review Submitted 03/17/10
  We were there Feb 14th-20th. Weather was cool but the accommodations were hot!! The property was fantastic, not a detail out of place. There was a caretaker on the premises most of the time we were there and he was very inconspicuous. Plenty to do in the Merritt Island area. Would highly recommend the property.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Owner response: We really enjoyed working with these folks. A group of 8 couples all came to celebrate an important milestone in a very special person's life. We made sure that anything they needed they had to celebrate together. These types of gatherings make all the work and time that went into our restoration of Loblolly all worth it! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us~ The owners

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• R and R at Loblolly

  R and R at Loblolly

  • Guest Chef Mike
  • Date of stay 02/14/10
  • Review Submitted 03/20/10
  We were gathering with a group of other couples to celebrate a dear friend's ongoing recovery from illness. We could not have chosen a better location. Loblolly exceeded expectations in every way. The owners provided us with everything we could possibly need. The meticulously groomed and manicured grounds are absolutely beautiful. A walk around the perimeter trail offers a perfect medium for some quiet introspective thought. The house is roomy and comfortable. It is artfully decorated in a nautical/homey sort of motif. Loblolly offers opportunity for multiple activities, from curling up on the couch in front of a crackling fire with a good book for some quiet time, to gathering with others in one of the many locations on the property. We only ventured out to a couple of local attractions of which there are many. Although these outings were enjoyable, I would just as soon have stayed and relaxed. The kitchens (indoor and out) are incredibly well equipped, and we spent time sipping red wine with friends and preparing epicurian delights, the preparation being equally as enjoyable as the consumption. Evenings were spent at the water's edge, sitting before a fire under starlit skies. The sunsets, viewed from a comfortable perch on the end of the dock or from the bubbly warm jacuzzi are spectacular. Those with an interest in wildlife will be amazed. This Florida ecosystem teems with life. The skies are graced with countless birds; ducks, herons, storks, egrets, pelicans, gulls, terns and my personal favorites, the fish-hunting ospreys. Pods of bottlenosed dolphins course up and down the waterway, periodically breaking the surface, seeming to frolic in gleeful abandon. Water temperatures were cool during our visit, so the gentle manatees were absent. On my last evening there, I was sitting by myself under the live oaks near the water's edge. A magnificent osprey swooped down from the sky and alighted on a limb in a nearby tree. He appeared to look my way and called out, "Kree, Kree." I think he was saying "You'll be back." and you know, I think I will.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Pleasant Surprise

  Pleasant Surprise

  • Guest BHS
  • Date of stay 02/13/10
  • Review Submitted 03/25/10
  This property, if evaluated on web presentation alone is a classic example of the business practice of UPOD {under promise and over deliver} Prior to our arrival, we were expecting a certain level of luxury but were pleasantly surprised by a truly remarkable location. If Loblolly were a stock, it would be Apple reporting record earnings for the quarter beating expectations by a large margin and happy stock holders watching the stock soar on the NASDAQ. Enough of the business analogies and more on specifics. The property is immaculately maintained with well manicured landscaping. Majestic live oak trees frame the property which has unobstructed views of the Intercoastal waterway. Inside, the home is quite spacious with extraordinary attention to detail. There is no cracked or chipped paint anywhere, the trim is neat and well maintained. There wasn't a speck of dust to be found anywhere which is remarkable considering the 4000 sq feet of living space.The kitchen is worthy of a gourmet chef with granite counter tops ( of course) and Viking appliances. There is an outdoor grilling area which has to be seen to be appreciated. There are several areas of the house which alone could be considered worth the price of admission. These include the 150 ft boat dock which extends out into the waterway where you can fish or entertain, the pool/hot tub which was cleverly crafted to replicate a beach leading to the ocean. there is even a place in the shallow ( beach end) where you can put a beach umbrella. A large wood burning fire place in the living room area provides a convivial area for relaxing or entertaining. There are so many quality features in this house it is difficult to appreciate everything in one short week. When surveying the surroundings, one realizes that highly creative and imaginative people were involved with no timidity regarding taking out the checkbook. If Martha Stewart were there I can imagine her saying "I wish I had thought of that " or " I really like that, can I pick your brain? " Located on Merritt Island provides a nice venue for numerous activities including numerous restaurants, shopping and sites such as the Space Center. As an aside, you can watch the Space Shuttle launches from the back yard (this is another worth the price of admission alone items). In conclusion only the most jaded traveler would not be impressed or enjoy Loblolly. This not a complete review since there so much to experience and so little time. Perhaps part 2 ?

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6

• Lobolly Vacation

  Lobolly Vacation

  • Guest pfkf
  • Date of stay 02/13/10
  • Review Submitted 03/19/10
  What a wonderful destination. Outstanding for a family vacation or special birthday/event celebration with friends. Property is large and beautifully maintained right in the inland waterway. Pool, Hot Tub, Boat and fishing dock ideal for watching the sunset. Large childrens play area and walking trail. The nicely landscaped gardens provide a natural quiet and privacy. There is a large patio area with gas grill for outdoor dinners and lunches which we took advantage of several times. The interior is newly refurbished and decorated in an antique nautical style which is very comfortable. There is a great attention to detail throughout. We were constantly finding little things which reinforced the owners thoughtful and creative nature. The center of the home is a large living area with a large fireplace. The spacious bedrooms rotate off the living area offering privacy while still being near the action. There is a large kitchen with all the latest cooking equipment to feed your crew of family and friends. The property is only minutes off the highway and close to numerous area attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center, Zoo, Saltwater fishing, beaches and of course Disney. There are several nice restaurnats nearby which were happy to accomadate our large group. this allowed us a good balance of dining in and out which we liked. The owners and staff we interacted with were only too happy to assist us. Answering questions and helping to make our stay a memory we will treasure for years to come.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you for your kind comments. Loved the fact that you picked up on the theme "Antique Nautical"... we decided on this because our landscape architect came into the house for the 1st time as we were starting to decorate and said "Wow, this room is like being on a ship!"... all history from there- thanks to Susan. We hope that you will consider Loblolly your own personal vacation home for many years to come. We'd love to have you stay at Loblolly again. Again thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• What a Time!

  What a Time!

  • Guest melowmed
  • Date of stay 07/31/09
  • Review Submitted 09/01/09
  Staying at Lablolly was one of the most surprising and unexpected experiences. Being part of that house even for a short period of time did wonders. It gave us inspiration and boost of energy that few vacations may offer. Our son had a real blast! The outside activities were endless: fishing, swimming, playing ball, jumping in the bounce house, playing in the tree house (absolutely amazing one), riding a carriage around the property trail, playing in the play room filled with all toys possible, and much more! We never left the house because we were busy exploring it! Beautiful library, romantic nights by the fire with marshmellows, heated pool, few steps from the intracostal water, piano and other musical instruments (for those, who play), beautiful sunsets on the pier, comfortable and cozy rooms, etc. But most important was a rare feeling of complete satisfaction, when everything fall into places and nothing else matter. Its the kind of a place that one leaves to come back soon... Thank you, Andrea and Peter! And viva Loblolly!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

• Beautiful comfortable home away from home

  Beautiful comfortable home away from home

  • Guest Naperville
  • Date of stay 06/06/09
  • Review Submitted 01/13/10
  My expectations were more than met when my family stayed at Loblolly. The home was so clean and beautiful. The actaul landscape of the grounds were breathtaking. I was very surprised with all of the little things that were included in the home, like clean towels, all of the kitchen utensils that made cooking so enjoyable and fun!!!, and the toys for the children to play with in the pool. I have never been to a more peaceful place. There was so much to do during the day like visit Coco Beach and the shopping but to come back to the property and enjoy the sunset in the beautiful back yard was the best. The pictures listed did not fully capture the beauty of the property. I would definately recommend the property to friends and family.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Ultimate Relaxation and the finest luxury!

  Ultimate Relaxation and the finest luxury!

  • Guest Shani P
  • Date of stay 05/15/09
  • Review Submitted 09/27/09
  This property was so much more than we expected,.. no pictures could ever do it justice!! We were a group of mothers needing some quiet, and peace,...and we got that and so much more. It was peacefull, beautiful, and had everything there for fun and relaxation that one could imagine. Everything was taken care of for us and even the smallest details were thought of! Right down to the welcome basket with special gifts. We can't say enough about this wonderful place..It truly is more than a vacation rental.. it's an "experience" and one we only hope to get chance to have again. Thank you so much for everything!!! We miss Loblolly!!! Shannon, Stephanie, Tiffany, Danielle, Sharon, Heather and Kim.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Fantastic Experience

  Fantastic Experience

  • Guest BJCZ
  • Date of stay 04/25/09
  • Review Submitted 04/08/10
  We had the most wonderful time at Loblolly... the home could not have been better. It is the most beautiful and well thought out house we have ever been in. We loved sitting out on the dock watching fish jump and dolphins play. The children spent hours swinging and playing Captain of the Ship in the tree house, and no one could get enough of the pool. Every detail was perfect. We absolutely loved our time here-reconnecting with friends and enjoying the scenery. Andrea was so welcoming and so helpful. Bonnie, Andrew, Liana, Heidi, Josephine, Anne and James Massachusetts

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6