Definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Mount Dora/Tavares. The new owners could not have…read moremade this trip any more perfect for me. From the second, I got on the boat until I got off the boat two hours later I was beyond well taken care of. The live music was engaging and the perfect compliment to the boat ride itself and just being on the water. The charcuterie board was yummy and completely worth the $25 it cost. I would 100% recommend doing the sunset cruise to anyone looking to enjoy their time Tavares on the lake.

Beautiful. Cruise on lake Dora. Very hospitable owner and staff. Music good spirits good vistas…read moreand to top it off a glorious sunset

William John Howey (January 19, 1876 - June 7, 1938) was an American real-estate developer, citrus…read moregrower, and Republican politician from Florida. He founded and served as mayor for the town of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida where he developed and sold citrus groves, becoming one of Florida's greatest citrus developers. He was one of the first citrus growers to send fruit from Florida to England. In 1921 he opened Florida's first citrus juice plant. He ran for governor on the Republican ticket in 1928 and 1932. Mr. Howey's prominence led to many distinguished guests visiting the Howey mansion, These included Lord Bathhurst of England, H.B. McNeal, publisher of Golfer's Magazine, golf master Chick Evans, Kansas Governor Alfred Landon, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Phillip's of petroleum fame, and President Calvin Coolidge who was guest of honor at an all-male dinner party in February 1930. Mr. Howey's former home near Lake Wales, Florida became the site of Florida's Bok Tower at the Bok Tower Gardens. In 1925 Mr. Howey commissioned a 20 room mansion in the town he founded. The architect was Katherine Cotheal Budd. During WWI she designed temporary lodgings known as hostess homes for women who were visiting their husbands at military training camps. Budd is credited for creating 72 lodgings with a homelike atmosphere and the Howey House is one of a few existing examples of her work. The Howey Mansion was designed in the popular Mediterranean Revival style. The house is set back on a wide lawn with wrought iron gates and a long horseshoe drive. The entrance to the home features an elaborate, two story bas relief frontispiece .The massive front door and the woodwork on the first floor is made from peaky cypress. Leading to the second floor is a graceful curving stone stairway with a wrought iron banister. Other features of the home include three large fireplaces, a ballroom-size drawing room, enormous beamed ceilings, and a servant call-bell phone system. There is even a hidden passage behind a sliding bookshelf panel in the library. The original 15 acres grounds of the mansion were called The Park and included many botanical plants and shrubs. On March 6, 1927 The Park was the host site for an open air concert performed by the New York Civic Opera Company bringing the top opera singers of the day to the mansion for a concert for the community. The mansion was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Place on January 27, 1983. On April 12, 2017 it was listed for sale at $480,000. The new owners are Brad and Clay Cowherd, Orlando real estate investors who have made period-accurate restoration of the house. I visited the Howey Mansion for the Founders Day Festival. Admission for tours of the home was discounted to $10. The Howey Mansion is available for private rentals like weddings while historical tours are also available Monday through Friday at 11am. The Founder's Day event included a local market, food trucks, live music, and family activities. I enjoyed visiting the tents and touring the mansion including the hidden bar in the basement that was created during prohibition. Behind the mansion, is a trail through the woods that will take you to the Georgian marble mausoleum where the Howey family is interred including William J. Howey (1938), daughter, Lois Valerie Howey (1941), and Mary Hastings Howey (1981). This year Centennial Founder's Day Celebration, marked100 years since the town's founding in 1925.

What an incredible place! We really enjoyed the tour Fran and Mercy gave us. They were extremely…read moreknowledgeable about the property and you can tell they love what they do. The property itself is gorgeous. If you're looking for an event space, you're in luck they rent it out for weddings and other events.

I was here recently for a wedding reception during the summer. We parked in the playground parking…read morelot and walked over to the venue. The playground was cool; it had water features. When we walked in downstairs, there was a bar on the side and tables and chairs. We got a drink and went outside for the view of the lake. It was cool to see the seaplanes taking off. The receiption took place upstairs. The bar in the middle was a good location and the line never got too long. They encouraged holding on to our wine glasses if we wanted a refill. The wedding wasn't too large so there was room for tables on both sides and a dance floor. The couple also set up a screen to project video during dancing; there was room for all of it. The food buffet was delicious and refilled generously. It was in all a great experience. Only one terrifying thing worth mentioning was at the end of the night, it was dark outside and light inside so all of the mosquitoes were attacking the windows and anywhere there was light. The staff said these were the type of mosquito that only lives one day. Still terrifying because there were so many of them (biblical amounts) and when we walked outside, we had to go through them. This is nature and not the venue's fault but be aware!

This is a beautiful event venue. The theme is antique. It's so gorgeous ! There's an amazing view…read moreof the lake because you are literally on the lake. It was so serene and made you appreciate nature. I recently worked at a wedding at this venue and I have only two complaints which makes it 4 stars instead of 5. 1. I was constantly up and down the stairs because dinner was upstairs and dancing was downstairs. 2. They also have specific rules about some of the antiques which can be difficult to comply with when you have people placing their wet cups on an antique table! It may be beneficial for them to maybe place some glass over the wood to preserve it better. Other than that the staff was helpful and made the event perfect for the bride and groom along with the wonderful coordinating staff, caterers, etc. 67/100 for the Review Challenge

Place is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. Service is excellent and food was magnificent!!! The steak and…read morechimichurri was simply mouth watering and the mac and cheese....GOOD LORD!!!! Fantastic spot for a wedding, 50th, Quinceañera, anniversary, etc.

Another goes out to my second IHG, Holiday Inn Express this week in Tavares, FL. I live in the…read morearea but needed a peaceful place for one night while I was having renovations done at home. Exceptionally clean and quiet. Bedding was super comfortable. They offer a nice selection of breakfast items which I typically enjoy but decided to sleep in for this stay. As I checked out, Ethan took excellent care of my departure. One main reason why I choose IHG is because of how customer service driven they are. Ethan was personable and friendly and made me feel like a valued guest.

Holiday Inn Express Tavares, Florida…read moreABUSIVE MANAGER, FALSE ACCUSATIONS, AND CRUEL CANCELLATION--LEFT FLOOD VICTIM HOMELESS. Rating: 1 / 5 Stars This review is a severe warning regarding the management at this location. I am a flood victim of a national disaster who booked this room for essential temporary housing. When I called to simply inquire about an early check-in, I was connected with the Manager (use name if you have it), who was immediately verbally abusive and aggressive on the phone. When I mentioned my vulnerable status as a disaster victim, she exhibited a stunning and cruel lack of empathy: she hung up on me and then immediately canceled my confirmed, paid reservation, leaving me suddenly and intentionally homeless. To cover up her inexcusable behavior, the manager then lied on the account, falsely claiming I was hostile. This is not just poor customer service; it is professional misconduct, abuse of authority, and intentional defamation. Do not trust this location. The manager's actions were reprehensible, unethical, and put a vulnerable guest in danger. IHG Corporate, after being contacted, refused to intervene, citing the franchise status, showing a complete failure to uphold brand standards for integrity and guest safety. Avoid this location at all costs.

I recently spent a weekend at the Mission Resort and Club. The property is gorgeous, the staff is…read morehelpful and knowledgeable, and the food is fabulous!! I highly recommend this property if you want a true "old Florida@ experience.

Service!!!!!!!! All areas of service contact are unwelcoming and unfriendly. With the exception of…read moreAndy, (shuttle drier) who was friendly and I believe the only person we encountered who smiled. Lobby staff seemed unorganized. Restaurant staff unfamiliar with what was offered, wasn't sure what a sparkling water was? Steak ordered med rare and presented well done. Breakfast buffet staff argued over who was going to serve our table. Staff behavior demonstrates low wages, poor management or both. Oh and the bed was terrible, very sunk in the middle. Pro shop staff did not know how to give cash change back so I had to use a CC. Requested high floor got a ground room facing a yard with a broken kids play tower. So disappointed in this establishment! The grounds are beautiful but a drive thru is enough.

My brother got married here and everything was beautiful from the reception area in the barn to the…read moreceremony down by the lake! The entire barn is air conditioned which was an added bonus and there was plenty of room for everyone!

From the owner: An Wedding & Special Event space like no other currently offering special pricing. Book your tour…read moretoday and see where your beautiful memories could be made! Where Luxury Meets Rustic - The Barn at Lakeside Ranch is located in Hawthorne FL on a private 40 acre lake. The fully air-conditioned barn is 11,000 sq ft offering a large reception space, full prep kitchen, 8 restrooms, an exquisite Bridal Parlor and Groom's Lounge.

Amazing venue for weddings, birthdays or any event you can think of. Beautiful views of Lake Dora,…read moreand private parking. A must for a successful event!

I agree with Yelper Janene who said: "he building is dated but the location is great" And it really…read moreis dated but being right on the water, has wonderful views. A lot of it looks like it's the same as its 1913 establishment date. The claim to fame is that the Mount Dora Yacht Club is Florida's oldest inland Yacht Club. But guess what it doesn't have? It doesn't have any yachts; hence a yachtless yacht club. So, about the only use of the place is as a rental facility for weddings, etc.

Wish I could give this park more stars than just 5! This park should be the standard of all parks!…read moreIf this park wasn't almost an hour from me, I would be here every single day. The playground is huge and has different sections of the playground with slides and monkey bars and this cool seat that you get on and you can move it so it shakes, a see-saw, and some water stuff to play with! There are fun smiley faces on the floor. There is also a place to have a birthday party and a trail to walk with a amazing view of the lake. You could go fishing here if you wanted. I just love this park!

I loved this park. My son is starting baseball and plays here. My son is on the spectrum and…read moreconsidered nonverbal. So this park was specifically made with disabilities in mind. They had wheel chair accesible play ground. With soft padded playground. With safety in mind. Swings and merry go round with safety belts and straps for securing wheelchairs. My son absolutely loved it. The baseball field and dugout were also wheelchair accessible. A few pavilions available for parties or get together. Very nice outdoor setting.