A family-friendly stay in Weeki Wachee Gardens awaits you at this holiday home. You'll be 0.1 km (0.1 mi) from Weeki Wachee River and 5.6 km (3.5 mi) from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen, a washing machine and free WiFi. .Home features 2 bathrooms, a balcony and a sofa bed. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A fenced private garden, a Smart TV and a coffee/tea maker are also available. .This pet-friendly holiday home offers a water park, a garden and barbecues. Plus you'll find laundry facilities. .Near this Weeki Wachee Gardens holiday home, you'll find Weeki Wachee Springs.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
Weeki Wachee Springs - 10 min drive - 10.8 km
Hudson Beach - 25 min drive - 33.2 km
Three Sisters Springs - 43 min drive - 63.0 km
Getting around
Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.) - 60 min drive
Restaurants
Dunkin' - 13 min drive
7-Eleven - 13 min drive
Applebee's Grill + Bar - 13 min drive
Steak 'n Shake - 13 min drive
Weeki Pub - 7 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River!
Welcome to The Red Elephant Inn – where retro flair meets waterfront fun! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath canal-front home brings together the bold, funky charm of the 80s and 90s with the comforts of modern living. With 1,300 sq. ft. of indoor space and a massive 336 sq. ft. covered deck, there’s room for the whole crew to unwind and play.
Inside, you’ll find colorful, throwback décor that sets the mood for old-school fun—perfect for family game nights, relaxing with a drink, or simply kicking back in a space that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Outside, the real fun begins: • Let the kids splash, swim, and slide right off the dock • Chill on the deck with water views and good company • Soak up the laid-back Florida vibes canal-side
Whether you’re here for nostalgia, relaxation, or just a vacation that doesn’t feel like every other one—The Red Elephant Inn delivers. Life’s too short for boring stays. Book now for a truly memorable getaway! Pets: We welcome up to 2 dogs. The pet fee of $250 per stay covers up to 2 dogs. Guests wishing to bring more than 2 dogs must contact us for prior approval and additional fees may apply.
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
Electric car charging station
Garden
Unit size: 1,346 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Pets:
We welcome up to 2 dogs.
The pet fee of $250 per stay covers up to 2 dogs.
Pets
Pets are welcome
Service animals are exempt from fees.
Note from host: We welcome up to 2 dogs.
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in all accommodation.
Property is also known as
211092
Frequently asked questions
Are there any beaches close to Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River!?
The closest beach to Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! is Pine Island Beach Park (5.9 km).
Does Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! have a pool?
No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.
Does Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! have a waterslide?
No, but it has a waterpark and lazy river.
Is Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! family-friendly?
You bet! With amenities such as a playground and a water park, as well as children's dinnerware and travel cots, it's no surprise that Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! is a winner with our family travellers.
Is there a free airport shuttle available at Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River!?
No, Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! does not offer an airport shuttle service.
What time are check-in & check-out at Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.
Water Slide, Swim Mat, Kayaks! PET FRIENDLY - Retro Weeki Wachee River! Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 14 reviews
10 - Excellent
12
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 14 reviews
8 - Good
2
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 14 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
10/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
8/10 Good
Stephany S.
6 Apr 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Stephany S.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
10/10 Excellent
Alesha T.
23 Mar 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Trip was seamless from checkin to checkout. Kelly and Dave answered our questions promptly. We received a message from them daily to make sure our needs were being met. The customized Home Screen on the living room television was so helpful. We rented two water scooters and they were there and charged when we arrived. This was our second stay with this company and we are planning our third trip with them. You will NOT find a better stay in the area!!!
Alesha T.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
10/10 Excellent
Sarah H.
21 Mar 2026
The property was lovely, thank you Kelly for having us!
Sarah H.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
10/10 Excellent
Daniel C.
26 Nov 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The house was so clean, comfortable, and fun. We loved the easy access to kayaking the river and really enjoyed the slide!!
Daniel C.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Leslie S.
27 Oct 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, comfortable space to celebrate my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding. Very relaxing, lots of space to spread out. Will definitely be back!
Leslie S.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Becky N.
16 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great rental with all kinds of fun things! We enjoyed the game stash and the screen in porch was amazing! We were a little disappointed in the availability and quality of the kayaks. We were a group of seven and there weren’t enough working kayaks for our group. And outdoor seating was missing. But the house served us well, hosts were very responsive to any questions or issues we had, and the location was convenient to the handful of nearby restaurants.
Becky N.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jessica R.
30 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Absolutely loved our stay!! Very quiet area. Clean, inside and out. Loved the many choices of kayaks as well. We saw 5 manatees in front of the house. And several turtles. Definitely recommend.
Jessica R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
krystle b.
13 Jul 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The great Weeki Wachee
Wonderful house, especially if you have children. The dock was great with the slide and the Lily pad. Multiple life jackets for alol ages. The kayaks were great. We saw dolphins and manatees directly off the dock as well as every time we went out and kayaked upstream. It was nice to also have dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent supplied. They have plenty of beach towels as well. The host was extremely responsive. I would highly recommend.
krystle b.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
sarah v.
23 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The best!
The dock outback was awesome, perfect location to the pretty water and the house itself was fully equipped with everything we needed! Hosts were super nice and responded to all of our needs quickly. Would definitely stay here again or maybe pick one of their other properties to try! We love weeki!
sarah v.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Justin W.
22 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Weeki Wachee First-Timers
Family of 5 staying for the very 1st time on the Weeki Wachee. What a dream! For those of you reading these comments and have never been: the Weeki Wachee is a CRYSTAL CLEAR spring-fed river that pours out into the gulf. Water temps are 70's year round.If you're looking at pics of the property, you may notice the water appears murky. That's because the house is situated on a canal outlet of the river...but all you have to do is take a short kayak trip and you'll be in beautiful waters in no time. The canal itself is fine and very swimmable. Apparently alligators are very rare, or so we were told from multiple sources.The whole vacation I was annoyingly obsessed with seeing a manatee. We trekked up and down the river but never saw one...until a manatee swam RIGHT BY OUR DOCK - on 2 separate days! Oh my goodness...might not be a big deal to the average Floridian but for a guy who grew up north, that's just nuts. We also came across lots of cool fish, turtles, and water fowl. The fish like to jump out of the water here.The house itself was very well stocked, clean, comfy, with a bunch of kayaks and too many amenities to mention. My family really appreciated the retro theme, which the owners clearly put a lot of thought and effort into. Just an amazing stay. Complaints 0.
Justin W.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Steve B., Lakeland
17 Mar 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Spring break long weekend
The property was great. Had a few hiccups initially but they were very quickly corrected by the owners. Family had a great time at the property. Would recommend to others.
Steve B.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ken M.
20 Jan 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome Place
Great house on the river.
Ken M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
10/10 Excellent
Monica R.
29 Jul 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Manatees AND Dolphins!
House was very clean and well stocked. There were plenty of kayaks for our family to use. Short paddle to the main river. Kids had a great time on the slide and the water mat. We had a manatee swim by the rental house one day and saw 4 while kayaking on the main river. 3 dolphins swam by the rental house one day, which was a very unexpected surprise. Overall this was a great trip.
Monica R.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Rebecca S., Dade city FL
29 Mar 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Best getaway
This place was amazing for our family. So many things to do to keep us all busy. The house had everything we needed and more. Great location