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The BoatHouse on the Hillsborough River- Enjoy river and downtown water views

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Exterior
Smart TV
Smart TV
Terrace/patio
Marina

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom2 bathroomsSleeps 474 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

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Tampa, FL
  • Place, University of Tampa
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Raymond James Stadium
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Port of Tampa
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Airport, Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.)
    ‪11 min drive‬

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  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
4.8 out of 5, Exceptional, 137 reviews
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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The BoatHouse on the Hillsborough River- Enjoy river and downtown water views

Welcome to your own private oasis on the Hillsborough River with breathtaking water and downtown Tampa views. Relax on your own private dock with a cocktail while you wave to passing boaters and kayakers and enjoy seeing all the wildlife that calls the river home.

Hop on the Pirate Water Taxi that picks up at Armature Works ( 5 min drive from the house) and take a cruise down river to the Tampa Riverwalk in downtown Tampa, where you can hop on/off to enjoy some of Tampa’s best restaurants, nightlife, museums and parks!

The boathouse has 1 large bedroom with a King size bed and en suite bathroom with shower.
There is an additional half bathroom as well and a stacked washer and dryer.
The kitchen/living room combo room has breathtaking views of downtown Tampa and the river.
The house was built over 50 years ago and has all the charm of an old Florida house with all the modern amenities you can expect from a vacation rental. You will spend most of your time sitting out on the dock, watching the passing boaters, wildlife and the beautiful view of downtown Tampa. There is nothing fancy about the boathouse, but it has what we all need -a comfy bed, fast WIFI and a comfortable and clean space to relax and get away from it all!
The living room has a sectional couch that transforms into a full size bed that will accommodate another couple or additional children.
The house also has it's own private gated parking lot for your vehicle.

Have a larger group? Combine the boathouse with the Bungalow, listing # 801363 and 991365
During your stay at this holiday home, you'll be within walking distance of Tampa Riverwalk. Enjoy features like a water park and laundry facilities. The holiday home offers free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine and 1.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Splash around at the water park
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Tampa Riverwalk and a few minutes from Raymond James Stadium
The BoatHouse on the Hillsborough River- Enjoy river and downtown water views offers its guests a water park.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: you may smoke outside

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 800 square feet

Policies

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Rules

Cleaning fee does not include removal of trash, or washing of dishes. $25 additional fee taken from damage deposit if not complete.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
You may smoke outside

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Reviews

The BoatHouse on the Hillsborough River- Enjoy river and downtown water views Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.2/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 102 out of 139 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 32 out of 139 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 139 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 139 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 139 reviews

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Dennis F.

PROSNice viewClose to attractionsCONS - SafetyProperty is in an “up & coming” neighborhood - did not feel safe and would not walk anywhere at night.Property has serious structural issues. Floors sloped as if you are in a funhouse. Center of property (kitchen/LR) is sinking/needs support. Sliding glass door locks do not work, secured with a broomstick/piece of wood. One sliding glass door is so off from sinking that there is a huge gap at bottom.Anchor light on the LR wall was broke, had missing bulbs & cord was fried.Dock slopes in towards the house, with no railings. All furniture on dock is rusty.Cons - CleanlinessHeavy musty smell throughout the property & had to blast the A/C the whole time to alleviate smell. Mildew/mold stains on master bath ceiling. Pics of property showed clawfoot tub/shower, and this property had a walk-in shower. Toiletries supplied were previously used/half full.Property was not cleaned sufficiently for guests. WE scrubbed the stove top upon arrival as it had some greasy slimy stuff on it/not clean at all.Strong fish odor in refrigerator & freezer. Floors in kitchen, LR, & BR had large dust bunnies everywhere.1 outdoor trashcan filled with fish garbage that smelled so awful that the workers didn’t even take on trash day.If we had the time to search for another property once we arrived, we would not have stayed here. But we had a packed schedule and made the most of it.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gerry M.

Liked: Cleanliness
The boat house was exactly as listed. It was clean and the bed was very comfortable. The glass top on the stove was cracked but we weren’t going to cook on vacation anyways. The view from the deck is amazing. There is some fishing equipment provided but it’s pretty worn out and I’m pretty particular so I just bought my own stuff. The fishing was pretty good for small Sheephead and Snook. Just go a few houses down to Ricks and the owner at the bait shop is super helpful and has plenty of live shrimp. The house also had a good security fence and a big gate. The palms could use a trimming around the gate pin pad coming in but we were in a Corvette so that doesn’t help. Overall experience was amazing. Would definitely come back here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leland R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Place was clean & views were Awesome
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Molly K.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is probably one of the most unique and fun vrbo’s we have ever stayed at. Exceptionally clean, everything you need, great location and so fun to fish on the river.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

karmann H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

richard m.

Liked: Cleanliness

Long weekend

Great stay. Awesome location being a few minute drive to downtown and the riverwalk.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hal L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Rustic but nice

I was in town for a show and had a good experience at the property. I enjoyed sitting on the porch relaxing and fishing in the evening the most.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donald and Donna C., Allegan, MI

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely as before

Stayed here a few times now. Fantastic and so relaxing! Look forward to stay again when possible!! All the comforts of home and a view to enjoy!!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elise R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Winter thaw

This place was exactly as listed. Location was wonderful, property owner was easy to reach and very quick to respond. We will definitely be coming back to this house!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Connie C., Corolla, NC

Liked: Cleanliness

Stay on the River

We enjoyed being on the river. House is close to just about everything. Will definitely rent again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B., Muskego, WI

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Weekend Trip

We had an amazing weekend at the Boathouse! The views are absolutely stunning—you are literally right on the river, which made for such a peaceful and unique experience. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a restful stay. We also loved how close it was to Rick’s on the River and Armature Works, making it easy to enjoy great food and drinks nearby. On top of that, the host was very accommodating, making our stay even more enjoyable. Highly recommend for a relaxing getaway!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurie D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Boat House

Beautiful little spot of heaven on the river! Unfortunately, Helene busted up our party.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer Q.

Liked: Cleanliness

Enjoyable stay

It was simple and cute. Wasnt dissapointed at all! loved morning coffee on the water and the view of tampa at night. Enjoyed the short walk to ricks for good food and luve music.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Lisa S., los angeles, ca, usa

Liked: Cleanliness

A GREAT ESCAPE FROM WORK!

This is my second time at this property, first time in the boathouse, and I was very happy with the accommodation. Lauren is great to work with and everything is as described. This is a rental with a lot of character and history and, if you are not seeking luxury and are happy with a fun vibe on a river, the quirks (very sloping flooors) lend charm to the setting. The kitchen appliances and couch are brand new; the bed is comfy, the bathroom has fine water pressure. Only minor issue is that I am a very light sleeper and found the ac in the bedroom too loud, but i figured out to leave the air and celing fan on all day and then just use the celing fan at night. The house temp was 75 in the early a.m, so it all worked out. I will certainly rebook for next year! Thank you Lauren!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill L., Fort Collins, Co USA

Liked: Cleanliness

Water paradise

The views on the river were overwhelming.Seeing downtown Tampa from the boathouse was wonderful and the constant parade of boats passing by made our day.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Matt R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Tampa area boat house

Nothing fancy but it was adequate. The floors are not exactly level but the view and atmosphere is great. Enjoyed the close proximity to Rick’s on the river.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

karen p., Savannah

Liked: Cleanliness

We love this place!

This was our 2nd visit to the Boathouse and it was another great trip. Very cozy and relaxing. The host is amazing and went above and beyond to make something happen for us that was very special. Great anniversary experience!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Ms Janice

Had a wonderful stay! I will be returning
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Krista R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Relax by the water!

The pictures are truth. What you see is what you get. It was a great little place. The views of the sunset, sunrise and city were amazing. Love the city lights. In the other reviews I read about the "bad neighborhood" yes down the street there is a large apartment complex that is low-income housing. However it is down the road, you have a secure, coded fenced-in parking area. We felt absolutely safe. Crime happens everywhere, just be aware of your surroundings. Don't miss staying in this awesome little place. We will stay again! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Samantha R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect view

The property was very comfortable and you couldn't beat the view. Also a short drive to most things in Tampa. The property could use a little TLC but for the price and view, no complaints.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Debbie B.

Debbie

It is a cute boathouse with awesome views. Loved watching the rowing teams every morning and evening. Easy to get to Ben Davis beach. Could use some TLC and deep cleaning.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandra G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful view

Enjoyed the serenity of the river.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Beth S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Unique Place to Stay on Hillsborough River

The time was overall very good. Having repairs done to the dock while we were there, was not a good choice on behalf of the owners. Also, there were light bulbs burned out that need to be replaced. Especially the one under the microwave.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terri N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Boathouse

We had a great staybat the boathouse. The property was just as described. We will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022