The Lakeside Inn, in Mount Dora, Central Florida, is a mere 30 miles east of buzzy Orlando. Yet, when I arrived at the property I felt like I had stepped back in time. The lobby was filled with potted plants, the floor a gleaming hardwood. A lineup of white rocking chairs graced the veranda.
It had quite a different feel to some of the resorts in the Orlando area.
Built in 1883, The Lakeside Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places. Looking around I noticed that it comprised five buildings, all painted a lemony yellow. Four were for guests and one was a gift shop. Lake Dora sparkled in front and the grounds were shaded with live oaks draped in Spanish Moss.
I noticed guests were moving from building to building, or down to the lakeside pool, at a relaxed, leisurely pace.
Breathing deeply, I was happy to slow down as well. After checking in, I made a beeline to the pool, plopped down with a book, and listened as multi-generations of families gently joked with each other and chatted about their dinner plans.
A Variety of Rooms, and Steps
The property has 90 guestrooms and suites in four of the buildings – Lakeside, Gables, Terrace, and Sunset Cottage. They are two stories high except Sunset Cottage which is three stories. I noticed that none had elevators and all had multiple sets of stairs inside and out. There were even steps to negotiate alternating levels on the same floor as my room. If you need help with your luggage, staff is available. But a warning, if you experience mobility issues this property might not work.
My second-floor Lakefront King room was enormous and had a stunning view of Lake Dora. There was a walk-in closet that could fit a Fiat and a bathroom with a shower/tub combination. It also had a sitting area with a small table and two chairs overlooking the water.
Other guest room configurations included Queen rooms with one queen bed and Florida rooms with a king or two double beds. Some had views of the courtyard lawn and pool. Inn suites had a king or two double beds, plus an attached parlor with a sofa bed, armchairs, a second TV, and a mini-fridge.
A note in my room explained that the majority of the inn’s housekeeping staff were deaf. The hotel asks that you put a sign on your door stating whether you’d like service or not.
Amenities Available at the Lakeside Inn
WiFi was complimentary, and all rooms had a flat-screen TV. What my room didn’t have was a mini fridge or coffee maker, although ice was available from a machine down the hall. I did notice when checking the hotel’s amenity list that you could request a mini-fridge be brought to your room for an extra fee.
Decor was comfy and traditional.
For those in need of an early morning caffeine fix like me, have no fear. You could help yourself at a complimentary coffee station set up in the lobby each morning.
Where to Eat and Drink
There were three choices to eat on site. Beauclaire Dining Room was casual yet elegant. Menu choices included steak, seafood, pasta, and chicken pot pie.
I opted for Tremain’s Tavern, drawn to the soft melodies being played by a musician on the room’s baby grand piano. It had the same menu as Beauclaire, as well as a bar menu with burgers, wings, and salads.
You can also sit outside on The Verandah and take in the lake as you enjoy a meal. In addition, during the day, beverages were available poolside from The Waterside Bar.
A Little Background on the Lakeside Inn
The Lakeside Inn is all about tradition and is Florida’s oldest continuously operated hotel. Originally called the Alexander House, it is the last of the Victorian grand dames that once dotted the region.
Built in 1883, 18 years after the Civil War, it reflects a time when the South was rebuilding. It was also when wealthy northerners started coming to this Harris Chain of Lakes region. Traveling from Jacksonville by lake steamer, they’d arrive via the Dora Canal, a man-made waterway connecting Lake Eustis and Lake Dora.
When Henry Flagler built his railway that reached down to Key West in the 1920s many of those early patrons defected. Due to neglect and fire, most of Lakeside Inn’s competitors disappeared and she eventually was the last one standing.
One dignitary who chose to stay at the inn for a month in 1930 was President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace. These days, the loyal clientele includes families, wedding parties, getaway couples, girlfriends and corporate groups.
Owners Jim and Alexandra Gunderson, who took possession of the property in 2011, have made it a priority to maintain the inn’s original allure. Paint colors for the interior and exterior, I learned, are registered by the National Historical Trust for Preservation.
What to do in the Area
Activities in the area include shopping on the artsy streets of Mount Dora, biking, hiking, and paddling. I took a kayaking tour down the Dora Canal starting in the nearby town of Tavares. Paddling along, I was thrilled to learn that the movie The African Queen (1951) had done re-takes there. Tarzan Finds a Son (1939) starring Johnny Weissmuller, also captured a few scenes on the canal.
Festivals are a big draw here as well. Check the Mount Dora website for dates on events including the Antique Extravaganza and Annual Arts Festival.
Rates at the Lakeside Inn
Rates range from $179 per night to $229 per night. Packages are available, as well as a same-day booking Last Minute Escape option. Dogs under 25 lb are allowed for a fee. No cats or exotic pets. Compare rates and book your stay at Expedia or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Discover Lake County arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
