Stay & Play

Mount Dora, Florida: R & R at the Historic Lakeside Inn

by Jennifer Merrick

“If we are to do work of the highest excellence our periods of high activity must be followed by periods of rest,” reads the quote by former US president Calvin Coolidge on a plaque in my suite. Coolidge stayed at the Lakeside Inn for a month in 1930 after the completion of his presidency. After my visit, I would say that his choice for his respite was an exemplary one. Though located only 40 minutes northwest of Orlando, the inn, like the region itself, felt like a different world.

The large inviting porch was the first feature I noticed when we drove up. If it could talk, I’m sure it would have welcomed our group and insisted we have a seat on one of its rocking chairs. Maybe it would have told us a little about the inn, too.

Opened in 1883, the inn is the oldest continuously operated hotel in the state of Florida and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Five cheery yellow and white heritage buildings feature 90 guest rooms and suites, restaurants, event spaces and a gift shop. The landscaped grounds lead to the shores of Lake Dora, a 4,500-acre lake in the Harris Chain, and there’s also a large swimming pool with a panoramic lakeview. The Waterside Bar offers poolside drinks and snacks for lazy afternoons. Other dining options include Tremain’s Tavern, a casual pub with cozy fireplaces and live entertainment on weekends, the Beauclaire Restaurant for gracious meals with a southern flair and the Verandah for outdoor lakeview dining.

Besides the property itself with its oh so lovely porch, I also delighted in its location, right in the heart of the small town of Mount Dora, where everything was in easy walking distance.

Strolling, preferable with an ice-cream treat from Scoops on 5th, is the best way to see its well-preserved buildings, boutiques, antique shops, markets and eateries. A one-hour vintage trolley bus tour is another popular choice for learning about the town’s history and highlights.

Also conducive to R & R are all the natural attractions in the region. Lake County has over 1,000 lakes and 202 square miles of water along with an abundance of green spaces.

At the Ocala National Forest, we swam in the clear, turquoise waters of Alexander Springs. One of Florida’s natural freshwater springs, it was a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit and surrounded by subtropical vegetation. At nearby Rainbow River in Ocala/Marion County, we kayaked in the spring-fed waters while admiring the lush vegetation and wildlife that included cranes, egrets, turtles and even a small gator.

After the excitement of Orlando, our time at Lakeside Inn and the nature activities we participated in were soothing, reminding us of the importance of periods of rest.

www.lakeside-inn.com

www.visitlakefl.com

www.ocalamarion.com