Thurston House Bed & Breakfast
Orlando, Florida

This wonderful inn sits right on Lake Oconee. You can watch the ducks float around on the lake. Or if you time it right, enjoy the launching of a shuttle as I was hoping to do. You're in the middle of a city area but you'd never know it on these secluded 5 acres that were once the summer home of THE original snowbird.

We found trees with some of the broadest bases that we've seen in the south and bamboo that could date back to the 1800's. Gorgeous flowers adorned the walkways and Carole pointed out to us the walking path around the lake, along which Lexxus and I enjoyed a walk in the evening, just before sunset.

After our tour of the 4 guest rooms, we were given The Heir room, with large windows overlooking the lake. As the moon rose over the lake, I got some great photos! Our room boasted an iron-frame queen size bed, desk with telephone and answering machine, TV, sofa and all the amenities we needed. There were candies and chocolates awaiting us and on a table rested a flashlight, a nice touch that we had not seen before. As we settled in for the night, the bed was so great that I fell asleep and missed the launch of the shuttle that I had hoped to spot!

Carole and Joe have stripped the old paint from the woodwork in the home, including a built in buffet in the dining room, the wainscoting and around the fireplaces, exposing beautiful southern pine and cypress. The rooms all have the original wood flooring, which has been restored to like-new condition. The large screened porch on the first floor offers great views of the lake and lots of comfortable seating. A smaller screened balcony on the second floor also overlooks the lake.

Breakfast during the week is an expanded continental. There was coffee, tea and orange juice. We dined with soft background music, fresh flowers and candles on the table. As we arrived, zuchini bread and chocolate mufins and a canatloupe quarter with raisins & coconut awaited us. Also available were a variety of cereals and Portuguese muffins that Carole special orders from a Portuguese bakery in Massachusetts.

With a location just minutes from downtown Orlando (although it's hard to believe...it's so quiet and secluded) this jewel is the perfect spot for a romantic retreat or a traveling business person. The Inn is definitely business-friendly, as evidenced by the individual answering machines in each room, phones and desks and ample off-street parking.

The next time you are headed to the land of Disney, visit their Website, make plans to stay here and be sure to tell Carole that Cruising America says HI!