Where to Stay in Melbourne FL – The Pineapple River House Review
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I was recently invited to stay at the Pineapple River House in Eau Gallie. This is a large riverside Airbnb that I think is the perfect place to stay for a vacation to the Space Coast. Andrew, our dog Charlie and I all stayed there for a few nights and had such a fun time relaxing on the dock and seeing the sunrise. We were provided with accommodations, however, thoughts and opinions on our visit are my own. If you are looking for a place to stay in Melbourne, Fl, I can’t recommend this spot enough!
Location – The Best Place to Stay in Melbourne, FL
There are many Melbourne Airbnb’s, but my favorites are managed by Uncle Scotty’s Airbnb’s. The Pineapple River House is the prime location of all the different options. This expansive property sits right on the Eau Gallie River, which lends itself to amazing sunrise views.
This Airbnb is only a few minutes away from the Eau Gallie Arts District. Longtime readers will know that’s one of my favorite parts of town! Staying here allows you to be extremely close to all the excellent restaurants and bars down there. It’s a bit of a walk, but you could borrow the on property bikes to get there.
As you drive up, you will see the Pineapple River House from the road because there is a big Key West style buoy out front! It really sets the mood for the tropical experience you are about to have staying here.
Layout and Atmosphere
We stayed at the Pineapple River House, however there are also two other properties right beside this house. The River House has the backyard area with the dock and view of the water, and then there is a side house broken up into two other Airbnb’s. Now if you have a really big group who all wants to stay together, you can rent out all three spots!
The Pineapple River House has a ton of room though, so you would need a lot of people to do that. It is a three bedroom house, with three queen beds and one king. Along with this, there is a camper outside that has been converted into a bedroom! It is the cutest little sleeping spot with a queen bed and a small table and kitchenette. I was seriously considering trying out #vanlife after I saw how comfy this camper was!
The two side houses are the Pineapple Cottage and the Blue Heron Cottage. The Pineapple Cottage has a bedroom with a king bed, a bathroom, a small kitchen and a living area. There is room for an air mattress in the living room though and they basically encourage bringing as many people as you can fit! The more the merrier is a fitting message for Uncle Scotty’s!
The Blue Heron cottage is a similar size with a slightly larger kitchen and a pull out queen couch. This property also includes a bedroom with a queen bed and one bathroom. So if you rented out all three of these properties, there are enough beds for about eighteen people if you sleep two per queen or king bed! That’s twelve in the Pineapple River House, four in the Blue Heron Cottage and two in the Pineapple Cottage for anyone counting. They have done this before for bridal parties and traveling sports team and said everyone had so much fun! There’s plenty of room outdoors for everyone to hang out and I can only imagine what an amazing family reunion you could have here!
Kitchen and Bathroom At The Pineapple River House
In addition to the three bedrooms, the Pineapple River Hosue Airbnb also has a gigantic kitchen and living room. We cooked here one night during our stay and found the kitchen to be fully stocked with all the cooking utensils you would need. Uncle Scotty even stocks the fridge with your basic condiments and some complimentary beer!
There is an electric grill on the dock, but it can be hard to operate on windy days. That’s why, there’s also a charcoal grill that you can use as well! Our favorite part of staying here was sitting out on the deck. It overlooks the Indian River Lagoon and is just in such a peaceful spot.
There is one bathroom with a stand in shower. This is the only downside to me about the property. If there’s eight or more people staying here, the bathroom situation will get challenging. The bathroom was stocked with towels and multiple kinds of soap. This place had everything a hotel had and more!
Uncle Scotty Airbnb Amenities
What really set this Airbnb apart from hotels were the countless amenities! Not only are you right on the water, but there are free kayaks and canoes to rent. Jet skis are available to rent at $75 for a half day and $100 for full day use.
There are also free bikes to ride around town and a book of recommended restaurants and things to do. They know their stuff because it featured many of the Melbourne restaurants I recommend 🙂
Other amenities include a washer and dryer, free WiFi, and Netflix and cable on the flat screen TV’s. An electric and a charcoal grills are available for use. Parking is free, which is such a benefit over hotels that almost always charge for parking now.
Lastly, pets are also allowed to stay for free! The Uncle Scotty family loves pets, especially dogs and they welcome your furry friends. We brought Charlie and he had a blast! He loved roaming the backyard and quickly made himself at home on the bed.
Uncle Scotty’s AirBnB Prices
Obviously, a huge perk at staying at Airbnb’s is price and Uncle Scotty’s properties are definitely a bang for your buck. The Pineapple River House starts at $200 a night and goes into the $300’s during peak season, however this is mainly due to the fact that it can sleep so many people. It would be impossible to sleep more than eight people at that price anywhere else in Melbourne.
If you are a group of two or four, you would be better off renting the other two houses mentioned. The Pineapple Cottage starts $100 per night after cleaning and service fees, and the Blue Heron Cottage is around $120. These properties include all the amenities of the Pineapple Rover House as well, so it’s really a deal compared to other places to stay in Melbourne, Florida. If you want to save $40 on your stay, sign up to Airbnb through my link here.
Like any other Airbnb, your room won’t be cleaned every day like at a hotel and there’s no free breakfast like some hotels and bed and breakfasts. There isn’t a pool at any of the properties mentioned here, but Uncle Scotty does offer this nearby Airbnb that does have a pool. Those are the only negatives to consider when weighing the costs of staying here or at a local hotel. However, if you want to really experience all Melbourne has to offer, these Airbnb’s are the way to go.
Know Before You Go
- You will need an Airbnb account to book your stay here. If you don’t have one, use my link to receive $40 off a stay of $75 or more.
- Uncle Scotty has nine different Airbnb options that sleep 2 to 12 guests and start at $49 per night.
- The Pineapple River House mentioned here sleeps 12, but you can rent the other two cottages for a total of 18 guests.
- All properties have a one time $45 cleaning fee and daily service and occupancy fees (around $20/day).
- Parking is free and pets stay free!
- Basic bathroom and kitchen amenities are included at each property.
- The Pineapple River House offers free bike and kayak rentals, as well as jet ski rentals for $75-$100.
- Check in is at 3 PM and check out is at noon.
- You can book through Airbnb and cancel for free up until 48 hours before your reservation.
- The Pineapple River House and most other Uncle Scotty properties are only a short distance for the Eau Gallie Arts District.
I have lived in Melbourne, FL for eight years and have always been surprised that the only hotel options are near the beach or the airport. This town boasts two lively downtown areas with great cuisine and frequent events. If you plan to check out this and the water on your vacation, than I think staying at one of Uncle Scotty’s Airbnbs is the best bet.
Not only are the locations perfect, but the property management team goes above and beyond to give your the best stay possible. You can count on an impressive living space and most hotel amenities for a cheaper price with Uncle Scotty.
If you plan to visit the Space Coast, be sure to check out my Ultimate Travel Guide Before your visit! I’ve listed all the best restaurants and things to do during your stay.