The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL, provides a firepit and more. Guests can connect to in-room WiFi.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms1 bathroom
Popular amenities
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue
Fireplace
Add dates for prices
About this property
The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL,
No matter if you're a passionate angler, a wildlife lover, a Florida history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, in town for a Gator game, or simply craving peace and quiet—you’re bound to love it here! Cross Creek offers a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle and bustle while being just a 20-minute drive from Gainesville and Ocala. It is conveniently located equally distant from popular attractions like the Ocala National Forest, High Springs (florida springs destination), the St. Johns River in Palatka, The University of Florida and Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The legendary Yearling Restaurant is just steps away offering authentic Florida cuisine and cocktails, If you have never been it is a must. Whether you're just passing through or planning a month-long stay, I've put great effort into creating a unique and delightful experience that blends Old Florida charm with modern comforts—one you'll surely want to revisit and share with friends.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cottage: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Food and drink
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Things to do
Kayak
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)
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
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
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
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
About the area
Hawthorne is home to this cottage. Micanopy Historical Society Museum and Hippodrome State Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Ironwood Golf Course and Regal Celebration Pointe. The Orange Shop and Thomas Center are also worth visiting. Visit our Hawthorne travel guide
Is The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL, pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).
How much is parking at The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL,?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL,?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL,?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL, located?
Situated in Hawthorne, this cottage is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park and within 9 miles (15 km) of Orange Creek Restoration Area and The Orange Shop. Micanopy Historical Society Museum and Kate's Fish Camp are also within 12 miles (20 km).
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The Blue Heron Hideaway- 2-bedroom cottage in lovely Cross Creek, FL, Reviews
Reviews
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.
Staying at The Blue Heron Hideaway is a true Florida getaway. The attention to detail and deep connection to this historic gem exceeds all expectations.
If you’re looking for a charming, peaceful retreat, this is the place. Packed full of charm and attention to detail, this immaculately clean and cozy cabin is right for you. Shanica is a fabulous host who welcomed us into her fabulously redone house with open arms like family. The ability to rest, relax and get away from the busy city life was like none other. However, if you don’t appreciate the quiet of nature and its beauty combined with the lovely thought and detail the host has put into the place, then this one’s not for you!
We had a fantastic weekend at this one-of-a-kind cottage. The house was clean and well maintained. The bed was super comfortable and the kitchen had everything we needed for our stay. We really enjoyed the huge deck outside with all the wildlife sounds and scenes.Shanica was incredibly responsive and thoughtful. She even left me a handwritten birthday note on the counter when we arrived. The house location was in a quiet neighborhood and conveniently located to everything I had on my birthday to do list.I especially enjoyed listening to the record player. It had a great selection of vinyl. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.
I loved everything about this place! The huge new deck overlooking the canal with all the birds calling, the huge screened lanai, the comfort of the beds and the silky feel of the sheets. The decor is so interesting everywhere you look. Shani really has an eye for lovely things and gives great attention to detail. I loved looking through and playing the vinyl record collection and reading through the book collections she has all about Cross Creek. The bathroom is beautiful and unique. We had dinner both nights at the Yearling, a very popular restaurant a few houses away. A definite place to go while you are here. The Spanish moss (which is neither Spanish nor moss) hangs heavily on all the trees in the area and really enhances the mood of "old Florida" I may just have to use Shani's Realtor skills to find me a similar place of my own!
Relaxing and peaceful with country charm. Thankful they allowed dogs. We like to travel with our dog and she was comfortable and enjoyed walking around the neighborhood. Not too far from Gainesville and we also enjoyed eating dinner at The Yearling which is right next door.
Had a great experience. Loved the feel of going back in time.
John E.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Anais V.
8 Jun 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Beautiful Spot (with a few kinks)
Super cute spot in the Florida backcountry. We took a quick mother's day trip to enjoy a quiet, relaxing weekend while visiting the lakes and springs. Below are some pros and cons to our experience.Pros: Lovely patio, deck, and firepit area (with some firewood provided), modern amenities inside, stylish decor, easy check-in, fairly quick communicationCons: Smelly, yellow water, the TV on the patio only plays DVDs, spiders galore (inside and outside), lots of expired goodies left behind by others, and an unknown stain on one of the pillowcasesOverall, I would stay again despite the kinks but would be much more prepared to make it a smoother experience.
1st impression - Curb Appeal had us wondering what we had gotten into, a bit scary with all the flora everywhere, not knowing what slithering "eeeeks" are hiding behind or under it all! The Deck is Beautiful, it sad to see the water level on the canal so low as we had a boat to dock, but we made other arrangements to no fault of yours. The cottage was above all expectations as we entered: very clean, well stocked with everything we could have imagined, Bravo! A couple concerns: only 1 exit as all other doors were locked from the outside - outside bedroom door was not a tight seal, we put a rug along the bottom mainly for our own self comfort. Our last day there, the guys left a bit earlier than my grandaughter & I ... The guys locked the outside screen door when they left leaving us locked in.The reason for our stay : GATOR HUNTING, It was a first time for myself & my Granddaughter, Our hunt was on Lake Lochloosa - with cousins Andy & Kurt who live in this area, she & I from P.A. & Mid Florida. We had success bringing on board our boat a 10'11" - 311 lbd monster. Reminding me : The baby Gators are adorable, Yes, They Are Cute ..... All Guests, PLEASE DO NOT FEED the Gators, This makes them people friendly, not afraid, becoming a Nuisance to people near the water & those lil cuties become a BIG problem and must be removed !!