Lakeside Inn

When you enter the Lakeside Inn through its stone gateposts, you will feel as though you have traveled back in time immediately. Even before you step foot inside the lobby, you will feel yourself beginning to unwind and relax. Large moss-covered oak trees and acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that sweep down to the white sand shoreline of Lake Dora are what greet you as you arrive at this very special and historically significant location. You have been hearing for years about how kind and comfortable Mount Dora is, how it is a haven for artists and people who love antiques, and how it even has its own historic inn... and now you are finally here. Indeed, you have arrived at the hotel that holds the title of "Most Historic in Florida." The Lakeside Inn, which first opened its doors in 1883, holds the title of being Florida's oldest hotel that is still in operation today. The only one of Central Florida's once-grand hotels from the Victorian era that still stands today. The five buildings, which are painted yellow and white and have bright yellow accents, contain a total of 90 guest rooms and suites, the Beauclaire Dining Room, Tremain's Tavern, a 200 foot Verandah lined with traditional white rocking chairs, the Grand Lobby, and The Gatehouse Gift Gallery. In addition to a variety of picturesque outdoor venues, the inn features an expansive swimming pool with a lakefront location, two docks, and approximately 5,000 square feet of indoor function space. Lakeside Inn has a history dating back 134 years, and during that time it has played host to a number of notable dignitaries and celebrities. During the winter of 1930, President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge stayed at the inn for an entire month. The Lakeside Inn has also been recognized as the premier location in the Central Florida Lakes Region for hosting wedding ceremonies and receptions, earning it the title of "number one venue." Those who come to this historic inn for a vacation, a weekend getaway, a family reunion, an alumni gathering, a business meeting, or a corporate retreat can also look forward to dining at a restaurant that has won multiple awards. A trip to the Lakeside Inn can be filled with a wide variety of activities such as swimming, guided boat tours, carriage rides, seaplane rides, bird watching, nature walks, shopping, and antiquing... or it can be a simple, relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life spent sitting in a comfortable rocking chair and reading a good book. A trip to the Lakeside Inn is like taking a trip through time... to an era when people shared and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life with their families and friends.