Lakeside Inn on Lake Dora

Hotels
8.1 (981 reviews)
100 N Alexander St , Mount Dora , US
+1 (352) 383-4101
[email protected]

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Free WiFi
Free Parking
Air conditioning
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
Pets allowed
Hiking
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Excellent location / lakeside / walking distance
Friendly, helpful staff
Historic charm and lovely grounds
Good on-site restaurant and breakfast
Nice pool and relaxing views
Cons:
Inconsistent cleanliness (dust, mold smell, insect/spider reports)
Uncomfortable beds / pillows for some guests
Room maintenance issues (TV, bathroom door, small rooms)
Some missing in-room amenities (no fridge/microwave)
Can feel expensive for the room condition; no elevator in some buildings

Categories

Cleanliness
6.5
Mixed cleanliness: some rooms described as spotlessly clean, but several guests noted dust, a moldy smell in at least one room, black specks on a bed, and a spider incident—overall inconsistent housekeeping.
Service
9.2
Service praised repeatedly: staff described as super friendly, helpful, excellent attention, and accommodating (e.g., able to extend a stay), indicating strong guest service overall.
Location
9.6
Consistently excellent location: many guests cite walking distance to everything, lakefront setting, and perfect downtown/lakeside placement as a primary positive.
Room Quality
7
Room quality is mixed: some guests loved their rooms, but multiple reports of uncomfortable/too-soft beds and pillows, malfunctioning TV, bathroom door issues, and small rooms for certain categories.
Amenities
7.6
Amenities are generally positive but uneven: on-site restaurant and a well-sized, uncrowded pool are praised, though lack of in-room fridge/microwave for some, no elevators in some buildings, and occasional maintenance/cleaning needs were noted.
Value for Money
7
Value perceptions mixed: guests enjoyed the location and experience but some felt the price (example: ~$200/night) was high for the condition/age of rooms and facilities.
Food and Beverage
9
Food and beverage generally strong: on-site restaurant and breakfast received positive remarks (delicious breakfast, very good restaurant, wonderful dining room and food).
Overall Experience
8.9
Overall experience skews positive due to historic charm, magical lakeside setting, friendly staff and great location; negatives (cleanliness issues, room maintenance, occasional pests) temper but do not outweigh the strong positives.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-10-12 14:29

Property Description

Florida's most historic hotel, Lakeside Inn, is located in the heart of Mount Dora. Built in 1883, it is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Florida and the last of the grand Victorian-era hotels still standing in Central Florida. Its five yellow-and-white buildings hold 90 guest rooms and suites, The Beauclaire dining room, Tremain's Tavern, a 200-foot verandah lined with white rocking chairs, the Grand Lobby and The GateHouse Gift Gallery.

Important information:

You must show a valid photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all special requests cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability upon check-in. Additional charges may apply. Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: MCO

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed. Cots are not available.

  • Age restriction

    Guests must be at least 18 years old to check in.

  • Parking

    Free parking is available on site.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available and is free of charge.

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

8.1
Based on 981 reviews
Cleanliness: 6.5
Service: 9.2
Location: 9.6
Room Quality: 7
Amenities: 7.6
Value for Money: 7
Food and Beverage: 9
Overall Experience: 8.9
T
Thomas • extended_group • ch
10
2026-10-23 • via Nuitee
L
Leo • solo_traveller • us
9
Our stay was perfect and we hope to visit again soon!
Pros:

Loved the historical charm of this unique Lake Hotel situated at the best location in lovely Mt Dora! What a gem of a place and so many eye catching novelties inside to admire!

Cons:

We loved it all!

2026-10-22 • via Nuitee
B
Bland • solo_traveller • us
7
Pros:

The location!

Cons:

Bathroom
Bathtub had rust stains
There is no space to place your toiletries

2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
T
Timothy • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-10-19 • via Nuitee
L
Lloyd • couple • us
7
We spent our honeymoon here 36 years ago so it was fun to come back.
Pros:

Beautiful site, well kept grounds. Walking distance to downtown.

Cons:

Our room could have used some redecoration. Bathroom was outdated but very clean.

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
M
Martha • family_with_children • us
8
I will return
Pros:

Great restaurant food great and large pirtion

Cons:

Handicap access to lobby restrooms other than lounge not accessible

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
L
Luisa • couple • us
7
Magical and peaceful this was my second time staying there
Pros:

The property is so charming and beautiful lake site

Cons:

The property has its challenges because of its age so don’t expect luxury

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
D
dennis • couple • us
7
We enjoyed it very much
Pros:

Both good

Cons:

Directions entering to park a car , should have had a bellman meet me at entrance , unload luggage , and walk us in before parking my car.

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
G
geovanna • solo_traveller • us
3
Pros:

The location is great. Is a walking distance of everything because is a small town.

Cons:

That it didn't had breakfast included and the pillows were very uncomfortable as the bed as well.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • couple • us
10
Pros:

Location and staff

Cons:

N/A

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
D
Donna • extended_group • us
10
Loved staying at Lakeside Inn! Great location to everything, super friendly staff. We will be back!
Pros:

You cannot beat the location. Walking distance to everything!

Cons:

TV was not working properly. Limited channels, buffering etc. Bathroom door would not close properly.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
V
Vilma • extended_group • us
9
Old Florida charm, perfect for a weekend!
Pros:

History you can breathe in around every corner, with the most perfect location.

Cons:

I truly believe the maintenance could be much better. I noticed quite a bit of dust on the furniture, and the outdoor chairs could definitely use a good cleaning. With a little more attention to these details, the overall experience could be even better.

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
N
Nicole • couple • us
7
Quiet getaway
Pros:

It’s historic, location, quiet. We did ask to stay one more night and they were able to make it happen.

Cons:

Expensive, our original room was bigger but there were little black specks on the bed. (I believe it was something falling down from the ceiling fan.)They moved us to a smaller room with a much smaller bathroom. We paid $200 a night. Restaurant on site was good, pool was nice size and not crowded.

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
G
Gendron • family_with_children • us
8
I would stay again
Pros:

I liked the location as everything was in walking distance. The staff was great answering questions. Breakfast was delicious too

Cons:

I am used to at least having a fridge and microwave in the room but neither was provided in the room I occupied. No place to store leftovers or snacks

2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • solo_traveller • us
5
I’m not sure if we would stay here again.
Pros:

Love the historical history of the Inn. Location is wonderful, right in front of the lake.

Cons:

The 4 inch spider that was on the wall next to my bed 😭. I was terrified and didn’t sleep all night.
The bed was way to soft. Not comfortable

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • us
10
Pros:

Room was fantastic. Also enjoyed the restaurant very much.

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • couple • us
8
Relaxing place
Pros:

Location, pool, staff

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
M
Mirella • solo_traveller • br
10
2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
M
Martha • couple • us
10
Vivir unos días en el paraíso. El ambiente, la ubicación, el paisaje. La atención excelente.
Pros:

La ubicación, el ambiente, la atención, absolutamente todo. No lo conocíamos. A partir de ahora, Mount Dora y Lakeside Inn, nuestro lugar preferido en el Mundo. Cómo lo encontramos? Con la ayuda de la AI. Nos encantó. El paisaje, las instalaciones del hotel, un lugar de ensueño.

Cons:

Nada.

2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
M
Marcia • solo_traveller • us
10
I loved it and want to go back soon.
Pros:

The room was spotlessly clean. I love that it was a quiet location yet right downtown and on the Lake. It was magical being able to spend time sitting by the lake and sunset and dawn.

Cons:

It was hard to find especially becuase the main entrance was closed.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee