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144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!

Photo gallery for 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!

Sailfish Water Villa fountain & waterfall,  Hot Tub, Fire & Boho lounging areas
Lanais, Shelldeck, Gas Pool/Tub, 140'dock, Yaks/SUP, BBQ Bar , Firepit, on Water
3 seating areas, outdoor TV, Copper gas firepit, boho sofa/daybed, formal dining
Chef's fully equipped kitchen w 10 person  counter @ Viking 8 burner gas stove.
King Size Primary, velvet frame/header, work desk & en-suite primary bath

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View in a map
Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Place, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Riverwalk
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Museum of Discovery and Science
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Airport, Miami, FL (MIA-Miami Intl.)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1 / Primary suite

1 King Bed and 1 Queen Sofa Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

Bedroom 4 - Loft sleeping area

2 Single Beds and 1 King Bed

Foyer

1 Double Futon

Multi purpose (Garage)

1 Queen Sofa Bed and 1 Single Futon

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2 (Jack and Jill)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 3 (attached Cabana)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Primary Suite Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!

**YOUR FIFA WORLD CUP SANCTUARY, ADVENTURE AND BOATING COMMAND CENTER:**
Sailfish Water Villa - a 4,000 sq ft sanctuary w/ 144' private canal dock w/ direct New River north fork access then minutes cruise to the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Blvd, Intracoastal and the beach. Contact us for seasonal discounts!
Licensed STR # VR - 22020007

**DOCK & WATER TOYS**
• 144’ canal dock → 1 min New River north fork access (50’+ yacht-capable)
• Add our 26’ Avalon Saltwater Entertainer Pontoon + Bluetooth + Built in cooler & Bar seating ($595/day. Message about big multi-day discounts with unlimited multi-day use - seats 13! Seperate agreement)*
• 4 kayaks + 2 SUPs + fishing rods
• Regular dockside Manatee sightings (Wildlife not guaranteed)*

**ENTERTAINER'S BACKYARD**
• Saltwater heated pool w/ signature Sailfish waterfall
• 8-person hot tub (attached to pool)
• Huge shellstone deck w/ granite BBQ island bar & mini fridge
• Fire lounge w/ outdoor 4KTV & Designer Boho sofa & Outdoor dinning
• Ping pong + cornhole + pool toys
• Tropical Flora & Fauna


**LUXURY INTERIORS**
• Chef’s kitchen w/ 10+ person Calacatta gold counter
• Secret loft: 55” Smart TV + games + bunk room
• 800 sq ft A/C garage: Bonus Queen sofa bed & Lounging area + 55” TV + beverage fridge
• Master spa: Whirlpool tub + LED mood lighting + Rainfall/massage shower
• 6 Smart TVs (inc. 75" 4K) w/ premium cable & streaming

**PREMIUM HEALTH, SAFETY & CONVENIENCE**
• Hospital-grade MERV 13 air filtration
• Whole-house commercial water filtration & heating (never run out of hot water)
• 24/7 Security: Dock/outdoor cameras + smart gated parking (5 cars)
• EV Charging: Level II station (Tesla J1776 & J1772 all EVS compatible)
• Boater Essentials: Shore power (30 & 50 amp) + water hookups
• Effortless Access: Smart self check-in + digital guidebook
• Beach Kit Included: Chairs, towels, cooler, umbrella
• Storage: Secure garage
• Premium Golf cart available

**PERFECT LOCATION**
• 3min → Las Olas dining & shopping • 8min → Beach shuttle • 10min → Boat Show, Art & Music Festivals

**Your private estate is fully self-contained - we provide 24/7 digital support for seamless luxury stays.**

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please be vigilant near the pool, hot tub and dock
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Required to message event details before booking
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 3 total
Please message me pet breed.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
You will be messaged full check out instructions the day before departure.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Written host approval is required for any event or extra visitors; undisclosed events or guests may result in cancellation or eviction
Pool/spa heat is host‑scheduled w guest input; heater must be off overnight and when not in use. Higher temps or longer run times may incur extra fees
By booking you accept the full Rental Terms, local laws and city ordinances, including any limits on who may legally occupy or reside at the property.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 2093162vb
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 and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12
Note from host: Required to message event details before booking
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Fort Lauderdale

Located in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, a neighbourhood in Fort Lauderdale, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Bahia Mar Marina and Port Everglades are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Las Olas Boulevard and Dania Pointe. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Chase Stadium, or consider Amerant Bank Arena for a night out. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and horse riding nearby.
Map
Fort Lauderdale, FL

What's nearby

  • Broward Center for the Performing Arts - 6 min drive - 1.6 km
  • Riverwalk - 6 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Broward County Library - 6 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Museum of Discovery and Science - 7 min drive - 2.0 km
  • NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale - 7 min drive - 2.6 km

Getting around

  • Fort Lauderdale Station - 16 min walk
  • Hollywood International Airport (FLL) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wawa - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪RaceTrac - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Snappers Fish & Chicken - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - ‬15 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

How much does it cost to stay at 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!?

As of 10 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury! on 20 Jul, 2026 start from S$1,848, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 3 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 144' New River Dock DT FTL! Sailfish Pool, Hottub, Pontoon & Fire Lounge Luxury! located?

This family-friendly Fort Lauderdale holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of Museum of Discovery and Science and Las Olas Boulevard. Broward Center for the Performing Arts and NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale are also within 2 miles (3 km). Fort Lauderdale Station is 16 minutes by foot and Fort Lauderdale Brightline Train Station (FBT) is 28 minutes.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 34 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 34 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 34 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 34 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 34 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

William M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
the stay couldn't have been better
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Mar, 2026
Thank you, William. We're so happy to hear your stay at Sailfish Water Villa couldnt have been better Your family was a pleasure to host and we'd be delighted to welcome you all back anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Luciano G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nikki and Kevin were absolutely fantastic hosts! From the moment we booked, communication was quick, friendly, and helpful. The property was exactly as described, Clean, comfortable, peaceful, and full of thoughtful touches that made our stay feel extra special.You can really tell they care about creating a great experience for their guests. Everything was well organized, check-in was easy, and they made us feel welcome throughout our stay. The location was perfect, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy our trip.We would happily stay here again and highly recommend Nikki and Kevin’s place to anyone looking for a memorable and stress-free getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 9 May, 2026
Thank you so much for this wonderful review and for choosing Sailfish Water Villa for your getaway. It means a lot to hear that you found the home exactly as described, clean, comfortable, and peaceful, and that the little touches helped make your stay feel special. Your kind words about our communication and organization really encourage us, and we’d be thrilled to welcome you back anytime you’re in Fort Lauderdale.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Connie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
There aren’t words to express how incredible this property is. We spent the weekend celebrating a family event and it was wonderful in every way. The kitchen is amazing as we prepared and ate all of our meals there. The kitchen was so well equipped with everything we needed. The amenities are unending and the option to rent the boat was icing on the cake. The property was clean, comfortable and perfect in every way. Kevin and Nikki were great hosts and promptly responded to our couple questions. Check-in and check-out went very smoothly. We enjoyed the pool, hot tub, ping pong table, kayaks and paddle boards plus the many games available. The covered patio was so nice when we wanted a break from the sun. Our entire family gives our stay 5 stars!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 May, 2026
Connie, thank you so much for this wonderful review and for choosing Sailfish Water Villa to celebrate such a special family milestone. It makes us very happy to hear that the kitchen, pool, hot tub, games, and boat option all helped make your 70th‑birthday weekend memorable, and that you found the home clean, comfortable, and well equipped. Your family was a pleasure to host from start to finish, and we’d be delighted to welcome you all back anytime you’re in Fort Lauderdale.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
9/10 — Great stay overall. We spent a week at Sailfish Water Villa and had a really enjoyable time. Nikki and Kevin were fantastic communicators — responsive, helpful, and easy to work with throughout. The house was clean, well-maintained, and had everything we needed. The kitchen is a standout and the backyard/pool area is a great space to relax.One note for future guests: the pool and spa share a single heater, so only one can be heated at a time and you'll need to coordinate a schedule with the hosts. This is disclosed in the house manual after booking, but it would be helpful to have this called out more prominently on the listing itself, especially for non-refundable reservations. Not a dealbreaker at all, just good to know going in.Location is solid — easy to drive to the beach, Las Olas, and restaurants — though it's not a particularly walkable neighborhood.Overall, would definitely recommend.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Apr, 2026
Kenneth, thank you so much for the thoughtful and detailed review. We’re really glad you enjoyed your stay at Sailfish Water Villa and that you found the home, kitchen, and pool area comfortable and well-equipped. Your note about the shared heater for the pool and spa is very helpful—we’ll update our listing to make that detail more prominent for future guests. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’d be happy to welcome you back anytime.
Verified

8/10 Good

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was amazing. Communication was perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jodi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect stay no issues easy check in and super friendly and helpful I’ll be back
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Place was perfect. Highly recommend. Nikki and Kevin quickly answered anytime we needed them or had a question about the property.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Sept, 2025
Thank you, Nicolas. We're happpy your group enjoyed the property. Please come back again anytime.
Verified

6/10 Okay

John R.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
Inclement weather, did not use pool or spa but once but having to contact the owner to turn on the spa or heaters is a pain. Photos of canal, dock and boat were deceiving. Kitchen cabinets and drawers need to be purged of old and open food containers and then the house needs to be sprayed for bugs. The master bath has a problem with getting any hot water in the sink or shower.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Feb, 2026
John and Sandra, thank you for choosing Sailfish Water Villa and for noting that check‑in and communication were positives. We’re sorry that the cooler January weather and a few aspects of the home left you feeling the experience was only “okay.” On the pool and spa heat: as we shared with Sandra before arrival and again by message during your stay, the pool and spa share a single heater, which is common for attached systems. For equipment‑safety and energy‑use reasons, only one (pool or spa) can be heated at a time, and we control the system remotely on a schedule our guests choose. During your stay we turned the spa on and off at your request and offered to set up a daily schedule, but you ultimately decided not to use heat much because of the cold weather. We understand needing to message us to adjust heat is less convenient than a single remote, but this approach is explained in our house manual and helps ensure the system works reliably for all guests. Regarding the canal, dock, and boat photos: all photos on our listing are of our actual property, including the 144' dock on the canal. The Avalon boat photo is clealry labbled as off site as we offer the boat on P2P rental networks and don't want guests assuming that is our dock, that is a local public dock photo of the boat. The Avalon pontoon boat is an optional add‑on under a separate agreement and is not a standard Vrbo amenity; configuration details such as canopy/cover can vary over time. We’ve updated our listing and pre‑arrival information to make the distinction between the home, the dock, and the optional boat clearer for future guests. ​ On kitchen items and bugs: guests are welcome to use pantry staples such as spices and oils, and we agree that any old or open containers should be removed promptly between stays. After your feedback, we had our cleaners purge and reorganize the kitchen cabinets and drawers and also had our professional pest‑control service re‑treat the property. Because South Florida is a subtropical climate, occasional insects can appear even with regular service, which is why our Terms and house manual explain this and ask guests to notify us right away so we can send pest control back if needed. We did not receive a report of an ongoing bug issue from you during your stay; if we had, we would have arranged an immediate visit. ​ For the master bath hot water: we’re sorry for any inconvenience this caused you. The home is equipped with commercial‑grade, whole‑house hot‑water systems, and after receiving your comments we had a plumber inspect and restart the system to ensure proper hot‑water delivery to that bathroom. As with any mechanical system, occasional issues can arise, and we always encourage guests to contact us during their stay so we can troubleshoot or send a technician in real time. ​ We appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective, and we’re grateful that many other guests have rated us highly for cleanliness, communication, and the overall experience. We’ll keep refining our listing description and guest information so expectations around the pool/spa, dock and boat, and our subtropical environment are as clear as possible for future visitors.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rick G.

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

Totally enjoyed our stay

We totally enjoyed our stay. Nikki was very responsive and helpful. Check in and out process was smooth.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar, 2024
Thank you! Please consider Sailfish Villa again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brenda R.

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

Lovely Stay

Sailfish Villa was lovely and Nikki responded to each request. The kitchen was amazing!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2022
Thank you, Brenda! The kitchen is usually the focal point of gathering with family and friends. We made sure to emphasis the kitchen area in the house flow while incorporating the indoor/outdoor feel as much as possible. We are very happy you felt the same!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alex P.

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

Great home

Beautiful home. Perfect for family and friends. Great location to get anywhere you wanna go. Will definitely stay again
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 May, 2022
Thank you, Alex! We'd be happy to host your family and friends when you decide to come back to sunny Fort Lauderdale.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aaron N.

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

Excellent property

We enjoyed the holidays in this beautiful house on the water.
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jan, 2022
Thank you, Aaron! I am so happy you and your family enjoyed your stay at Sailfish Villa.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shyam D.

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

Beautiful Home, Very Close to Las Olas Beach!

We truly enjoyed the beautiful home, incredible kitchen, and quaint, clean pool. Also, it was very easy to go and from the beach, which is likewise incredible with amazing restaurants and bars.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May, 2022
Thank you, Shyam and family. We happy you took full advantage of the property and Fort Lauderdale. Please come back again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike C.

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

Stunning property

Perfect for getaway and close to everything . Great layout, very well organized . Great communication from owners . Would definitely stay there again .
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar, 2024
Thank you, Mike and family! Please consider coming back anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne M.

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

Mini vacation

Beautiful house. We had a relaxing time. House has everything you need
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 May, 2024
Thanks, Yvonne. You and your family are welcome back any time!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tyra G.

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

Excellent getaway

We enjoyed our time at the Sailfish. My sons enjoyed the pool, the kayaks, fishing, and the basketball hoop in the garage area. The house was clean and had everything we needed in a home away from home. We would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May, 2022
Thank you, Tyra! We're very happy you and your family took full advantage of all the home and property has to offer. We'd love to host you again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paola D.

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

Amazing waterfront property

Nikki and Kevin are amazing hosts. The communication prior to arrival and during our stay was unbelievable!!! The house is amazing!! We were a party of 8 and the property was spacious. The house is located within 15-20 of the Fort Lauderdale airport and/or cruise port depending on the time of day. We also rented the pontoon boat which is in the backyard right on the water. We had such a great time. Thank you again Nikki and Kevin!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Apr, 2025
Thank you so much, Paola. We are so happy you found the property amazing. We look forward to hosting you again. Thanks again
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie K.

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

Much needed vacation

We were very happy with our stay. The home is well kept and clean. The beds and furniture were comfortable. The pool was nice and relaxing. The location is great. Close to everything. Just a short drive and easy parking to all the shops, restaurants/bars, and the beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul, 2021
Jamie and her family were a pleasure to host and we recommend them highly! They were communicative and respectful of the property and the surroundings and left it as they found it.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas M.

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

Awesome large group house in FLL

Great and beautiful House! Close to las olas for night life and amazing amenities at house with multiple tvs and space for large groups! Everyone in my group loved the layout and space for 8 adults and perfect for football watching and hanging out! Host were awesome and fast responding. They provide everything needed. Will be back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jan, 2025
Thank you, Nicholas. Were happy to read you thought the house was great and beautiful with amzing amenities. We'd love to have you back again anytime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary E.

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

Easter weekend

This property was perfect for our extended family to comfortably spend Easter weekend together. The house was beautiful and clean, the outside entertainment areas were perfect for our group, the hosts were excellent with communication, and the entire process and weekend was nothing but enjoyable!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Mar, 2024
Thank you and your family so much, Mary! You and your family were a pleasure to host and we would love to do so again. All our best!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danielle E.

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

Great stay

Nikki was very communicative and a great host. Everything we needed to know was provided in a manual, check-in and out process was seamless. The place was nicely decorated down to the smallest detail. The house was spacious and the backyard was the best part. Also very close to main restaurants and Las Olas beach.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Feb, 2022
Thank you, Danielle. I am so happy your family enjoyed the property and had a great stay. As traveller's ourselves, we know it's the little things that can go a long way when you're away from home.
Verified

4/10 Poor

Denise K.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
There were cockroaches and other bugs in the kitchen. They were probably attracted by the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen being full of food and crumbs. We had to kill multiple bugs every time we used the kitchen. There were loose hairs in the few bathroom drawers that had been emptied. They only emptied out a small section of one closet in the master bedroom. I’ve never stayed anywhere that just had so much of the owner’s personal property everywhere. There was a remote to turn on the heater for the pool and hot tub but it didn’t work. So we had to decide on a schedule of what hours we wanted the pool heater on versus the hot tub. The pool and hot tub couldn’t both be used at the same time. The temperature the hosts set the pool to was not warm enough for a baby, or really any of us. They also wanted to charge us extra to heat the pool to a usable temperature, but did back down on that. This is NOT a four bedroom house. The “loft” was an attic accessed by a pull down ladder with no window. It would NOT be a safe place for someone to sleep. We rented the pontoon as well and it did not have a canopy for shade. One of the beds was extremely creaky, making noise with the smallest movement. The couch needs to be replaced it had no cushioning left. On New Year’s Eve the neighbors set off firecrackers that sounded like bombs in the street right in front of the house and blared loud music for at least 5 hours.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Feb, 2026
Denise, thank you for staying with us over New Year’s and for your feedback. We’re glad check‑in and communication met your expectations, and we’re sorry to hear the stay as a whole did not feel like a good fit for you and your family. Regarding insects and cleanliness: we use a professional pest‑control company on a regular schedule, and our cleaners thoroughly clean the home between each stay, but we are in a South Florida subtropical waterfront location where roaches and other insects can occasionally appear despite best efforts, especially during colder snaps. This is why both our Terms of Accommodation and house manual explain that some pests are normal to the area and ask guests to keep doors closed, food sealed, and to notify us promptly so we can send pest control if needed. You did not contact us about any ongoing bug issue during your stay; had we known, we would have immediately sent the pest‑control company and housekeeping back out to address it. On the pool, spa and heater: our listing, Terms, and house manual note that the pool and spa share one heater, so only one can be heated at a time, and that we manage heat remotely on a schedule guests choose (for example, pool by day and spa in the evening). In our text exchanges we set up your preferred schedule, confirmed that the spa was working when you requested it, and offered the option of higher pool temperatures with full cost disclosure, which you ultimately declined but we ultimately provided at no cost. We understand it can be disappointing if the water does not feel warm enough for a baby, but the system was operating within design range and limited by the cooler holiday weather. About bedrooms and the loft: the Vrbo listing “Rooms & beds” section clearly describes Bedroom 4 as a loft sleeping area with pull‑down access, along with photos, so guests can judge whether the access and layout are suitable for their group before booking. We appreciate that, for your family, you did not feel the loft was a good fit, and we have further emphasized the loft description in our materials so expectations remain clear. ​ For the pontoon boat and canopy: the listing and pre‑arrival messages explain that the pontoon is an optional add‑on under a separate agreement, not a standard Vrbo amenity, and that specific configurations such as canopy/cover can vary. We’re sorry if the amount of shade did not match what you personally expected, and we’ve updated our boat information to spell out shade options more explicitly. ​ Finally, New Year’s Eve fireworks and loud music in the street are unfortunately outside our control; as noted in our Terms and house manual, the home is in a residential neighborhood where seasonal celebrations and normal neighbor activity can occur. That said, we always encourage guests to contact us in real time so we can offer suggestions or guidance if noise becomes a concern. ​ We care deeply about cleanliness, maintenance, and responsiveness, and we’re grateful that many other guests have rated us the highest allowable for those areas. We’ll continue working with our pest‑control provider, cleaners, and service companies to keep improving, and we encourage future guests to reach out during their stay so we can address any concern right away.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle A.

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

Huge kitchen!

Family and friends gathered at this house over NYE. We booked the house based on # of bedrooms, huge kitchen and home location. We were a bit confused as the loft was more like a bonus room. Huge and fun but no bed was in there. The kitchen was awesome! Pool and hot tub great! Beds and pillows all comfy. Owners were outstanding in communication and checking in to see if we needed anything. Need a ginormous well equipped kitchen, pool and hot tub and relaxing outdoor space? This is the home for you!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jan, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're delighted that you and your family had a wonderful time celebrating New Year's Eve week at Sailfish Villa. We appreciate your kind words about the kitchen, pool, hot tub, and our communication. We apologize for any confusion regarding the loft. As noted in our listing, the loft features air beds(2 available). We understand that this may not have been what you expected. We're glad you found everything else to your satisfaction and enjoyed the amenities. We hope to welcome you back for another great stay in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

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

Ft. Lauderdale

We had a wonderful getaway . The house is super clean, beds all comfortable. Amazing kitchen. Backyard was our favorite spot. Pool and hot tub were perfect. Our son loved fishing off the dock and collecting coconuts. Nikki the owner was quick to respond to any questions. We would definitely use it again.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Mar, 2023
Kelly and her family were a pleasure to host. We would have them back anytime and highly recommend them to others. Thanks, Kelly & Family!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

armando v.

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

Thank you Nikki and Kevin for allowing us to stay in your beautiful Ft. Lauderdale vacation home.

My family and I had a lovely time in your vacation home. Our 3 kids and grandkids celebrated the New year and bbq outdoors and used the pool and the jacuzzi . We had a lovely view and we saw fireworks at night from the backyard. We also saw a beautiful manatee in the water enjoying the afternoon. We recommend this property for a large party. The comfort was amazing and the home was beautifully done. The Villar Family 🤩🍾
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jan, 2023
We are so happy your family had a lovely time and made great use of Sailfish Villa. It was great that you saw our friends, the manatees - they love the warmer water of our U shaped dock. We know people who have lived their whole life in FTL and not seen a manatee in the wild. Thanks again and please come back!

About the host

Hosted by Nikki Zembal

Host profile image
I live in and love Fort Lauderdale and I love VRBO!
That means you'll get high service and local recommendations!

Feel free to book or message me first.
I'm happy to answer any specific questions in advance.

By day, I am a small business owner.
By night, I enjoy reading, movies, biking, and preparing extravagant meals.
Most of all I enjoy spending time with family and friends!

I am a well traveled VRBO guest & I love to travel as much as you do.
I know what a host should do to create a comfortable guest experience.

My favorite countries visited so far: Mexico, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Spain & Morocco.

I hope you enjoy my property and Fort Lauderdale, The Venice of America!

Lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Speaks English, Français
Work: Local business owner + VRBO Host

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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