Some days the demands of the world are just too much. Too many meetings. Endless calls and emails. You just need to get away to a place where you can unwind and relax. A place that feels immune to all the technology and demands hounding you daily. The Lakeside Inn, in the charming town of Mount Dora, could be just the escape you need!
The history of Mount Dora and Lakeside Inn has been intertwined for over 140 years. “The hotel opened in 1883, and at the time, it was the only hotel around,” shared Dylan Leigh Gamez, Marketing & Public Relations Manager for Lakeside Inn. Built during the height of the Victorian Era, it’s the oldest continuously operated hotel in the State of Florida. At the time, the central lake region of Florida was a very attractive destination for those in northern cities needing an escape from the cold. Locals advertised it as the ‘mountains of Florida’ as a way to entice travelers – and it worked well. Many took the week-long trip aboard a lake steamer from New York, through the chain of lakes to Lake Dora to enjoy time spent at the hotel now known as Lakeside Inn.
Eventually, Henry Flagler’s train system made the area more accessible, with the station a short walk from the hotel doors. “Over the years, different buildings were added. There’s been so many changes and so many interesting guests,” shared Gamez. One of the most touted guests is President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace. “They stayed for a month. They had a little area where they overlooked the lake, and they came here just to decompress,” added Gamez.
The features that attracted the earliest visitors are still some of the hotel’s greatest features. “It’s the only place where you’re going to get a view like this of both the sunset and the lake. When you check-in, it feels like you’re taking a step back in time. When you see people come here, they just take a breath the moment they walk in the front door. You can just pull up one of the rockers with your coffee and a book, or a cocktail at night. You could go out on the dock, watch the world go by and not deal with all the daily stress. There’s not really any better, more relaxing place,” shared Gamez.
When you’re ready for a bit of distraction, the town of Mount Dora has plenty to offer. Whether you’re spending time with a special someone, relaxing with family, or getting away with the girls, you’ll find fun activities for everyone. From Segway tours, museums, boat tours along Dora Canal, electric carriage rides and historical ghost tours to one of the many festivals and themed weekends, there’s always something to do in Mount Dora. “Whether you just want to relax or whether you’re more the adventurous type, you can really kind of find your niche here, whatever it is you’re looking to do,” added Gamez. Mount Dora and Lakeside Inn are an especially great option for a girl’s weekend. You can relax poolside, walk to the historic district to shop, and enjoy a fun pub crawl to top off the night. Mount Dora is considered a great shopping destination, featuring eclectic artisan shops and many antique stores among the fun boutiques and traditional tourist offerings.
For food lovers, there are a wealth of options to explore. Lakeside offers southern classics in its main dining room at The Beauclaire, its pub Tremain’s Tavern, outside at The Verandah, or even poolside at the Waterside Bar. “We have an award-winning chicken pot pie. We are also known for one of our historic signature recipes, our tomato pie. It’s very old South,” shared Gamez. Just a few steps away in historic Mount Dora, you’ll find foodie favorites like 1921, Goblin Market, Pisces Rising, and the Mount Dora Marketplace.
But what makes Lakeside Inn really stand out is the people. From the friendly faces at check-in to the kind wait staff, their primary goal is to make sure you have a wonderful stay. The moment you walk in, you feel like you’re visiting friends and family at a vacation home, not a boutique inn. No request is overlooked. They go out of their way to offer recommendations or craft an experience to fit your needs. “It is unlike anywhere you’ve probably stayed before. The floors will creak. It is a historic hotel. But it is so incredibly charming. The people who work here, the owners, take such pride in it. And that love that goes into it from both the owners and the staff is really what makes it such a unique place.”
When the demands of the day get too much, head north to Mount Dora and Lakeside Inn to find a cure. It offers the southern hospitality and lakeside relaxation that can soothe even the most tired soul.