Where to Stay in Central Florida: Mount Dora Historic Inn

Sunset Over Lake Dora, Mount Dora, Florida
Sunset Over Lake Dora, Mount Dora, Florida

There’s nothing like escaping to the mountains for a little R&R and that’s just what I did last weekend. And, I stayed within Florida. My little getaway was to Mount Dora which towers 182 feet above sea level, the second highest elevation in Florida.

Located less than an hour’s drive northwest of Orlando, Mount Dora is an adorable lakefront community with boutique shops, delicious restaurants, an abundance of activities and quaint bed and breakfast inns. During my visit I was the guest of Mount Dora Historic Inn and stayed in their spacious Oasis Cottage.

Mount Dora Historic Inn, Built in 1886
Mount Dora Historic Inn, Built in 1886

Choices with Mount Dora Historic Inn

Mount Dora Historic Inn offers a collection of four rooms within the inn and several cottages located nearby. The Inn is a  B&B featuring private baths and breakfast each morning. I enjoy B&Bs but I also like some flexibility and independence, which is what the Oasis Cottage offered. Check out Couponers United’s review of her stay at the Mount Dora Historic Inn. 

Oasis Cottage is Part of the Mount Dora Historic Inn
Oasis Cottage is Part of the Mount Dora Historic Inn

The Oasis Cottage is part of the Conch House Cottages and is located behind another cottage named Veranda (which dates back to 1912). The cottage is adorable and includes an enclosed patio area; an outdoor area (complete with an avocado tree); spacious kitchen complete with refrigerator, oven, stove, sink and microwave; living area; cable television, lovely bedroom and bathroom with shower. Of course, Wi-Fi. The rate for an overnight stay varies throughout the year and from weekend to weekday and ranges from $145 to $190, plus tax. Cottages and rooms can be rented by the night, weekend, week and for extended stays.

Kitchen and Living Area of Oasis Cottage, Mount Dora, Fla.
Kitchen and Living Area of Oasis Cottage, Mount Dora, Fla.

The inn and cottages are just a few blocks away from Mount Dora shopping and dining meaning you can park your car and just explore the downtown area and neighborhood all day long without worrying about where to park the car.

Meet the Innkeepers

Chef Jim Tuttle and his wife Ana own Mount Dora Historic Inn and although breakfast is typically not served for Oasis or Veranda Cottage guests, our hosts prepared a special meal typically served at the inn for my colleagues and me. The menu featured recipes from the chef’s upcoming cookbook due out in December.

Chef Jim Tuttle Displays a Cheese Souffle, Mount Dora Historic Inn
Chef Jim Tuttle Displays a Cheese Souffle, Mount Dora Historic Inn

Breakfast began with Grandma’s Vanilla Citrus Soup followed by a savory cheese souffle and Grandma’s Sweet Potato Pancakes. The entire meal was delicious. Served chilled, the vanilla citrus soup was refreshing on a warm Florida morning while the pancakes were perfectly soft and moist without syrup or butter. The souffle was light and fluffy, yet hearty. It was definitely a great way to begin the day of exploring Mount Dora.

Grandma's Vanilla Citrus Soup, Mount Dora Historic Inn, Fla.
Grandma's Vanilla Citrus Soup, Mount Dora Historic Inn, Fla.

“Everything doesn’t need to be complex to be delicious,” Chef Jim told us as he explained his cooking background and philosophy. He grew up learning from his grandma who lived in Savannah, Ga., and in his adult life trained with a a top chef for Marriott. His upcoming cookbook emphasizes simplicity and will include recipes for what he prepared that morning along with sections on recipes for those with celiac disease  and vegan/vegetarian dishes.

Innkeeper Jim Tuttle Shows Off the Character of Veranda Cottage, Built 1912, Mount Dora, Fla.
Innkeeper Jim Tuttle Shows Off the Character of Veranda Cottage, Built 1912, Mount Dora, Fla.

Some of Chef Jim’s recipes are posted on the Mount Dora Historic Inn website but you’ll need to wait for his cookbook for more tasty goodness.

Mount Dora Historic Inn
221 East 4th Ave.
Mount Dora, Fla. 32757
Tel: 800-927-6344 or 352 735 1212
mountdorahistoricinn.com

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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