FLASH SALE: END-OF-SUMMER FLORIDA GETAWAY

END-OF-SUMMER FLORIDA GETAWAY! $99 FLASH SALEExterior view of Thurston House

Who says you can’t vacation in Central Florida in the summertime?

Through the end of August, beat the heat with an unbelievable rate on a COOL stay at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast near Orlando.

Summer is the perfect time to explore Orlando’s numerous museums—inside luxuriously air-conditioned surroundings. Make Thurston House your home-away-from-home for a few days while you discover art, history, and theater—all less than five miles away.

Thurston House is set on eight park-like acres in Maitland, just north of Orlando’s city limits. Built in 1885, this Queen-Anne Victorian has its own story to tell, with gleaming pine woodwork in relaxing parlors and modern hotel comforts in our three unique guest rooms. Set your personal room thermostat as cool as you’d like!

What to Do to Stay Cool in Central Florida Summers

Once you’ve settled into your Thurston House home-away-from-home, head over to the largest collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, held by the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park. Browse the Museum Shop where you just might find Tiffany-designed jewelry you can’t live without! Then, step outside for just a moment to discover one of dozens of cool bistros or bars for lunch or dinner.

The Orlando area boasts many other art venues where you can continue your cool end-of-summer getaway. The Rollins Museum of Art, also in Winter Park, is featuring several new exhibitions running throughout the summer. A short mile’s drive to Loch Haven Cultural Park (Orlando) is the Orlando Museum of Art, currently displaying Clyde Butcher’s photography of Florida’s most inspiring natural environments, in addition to OMART’s large permanent contemporary collection.

The intimate Mennello Museum of American Art, also in Loch Haven Park, primarily displays the permanent collection of paintings by Earl Cunningham. As you approach, don’t miss the 350-year-old sprawling live oak tree draped with Spanish moss called “The Mayor” in the Mennello Sculpture Gardens. Art’s not your thing? Stay cool at the Orlando Science Center or the Orlando Fire Museum …yes, also in Loch Haven Park.

Perhaps you’d like to beat the heat with some dramatic entertainment in a cool theater setting. We have that too! The Orlando Shakespeare Theater is only a few miles from Thurston House, and the Winter Park Playhouse is even closer. In August, the Playhouse opens Two for Murder, a new production combining “classic musical comedy and madcap mystery.” This should be fun!

Front of theater for end-of-summer getaway near Orlando

Last but not least…Enzian Theater, right here in Maitland, is another fabulous strategy for a cool getaway during the last hot days of summer. Enzian is a single-screen cinema café and prides itself on being Central Florida’s only alternative cinema offering independent, foreign, and classic films.

Who says you have to stay home to endure Central Florida’s summer heat? Take advantage of these unbeatable end-of-summer getaway rates…as low as $99*…to enjoy a COOL getaway with Thurston House B&B as your home base for Orlando area fun!

Use discount code SUMMER when booking online. Summer won’t last forever…check availability now!

*FLASH SALE ends July 31st and is available for room stays any night of the week through August 31, 2022. $99 rate applies to the Cubbedge Room (no code needed); subject to availability; other rooms available at similar savings by using code SUMMER. Minimum two-night stay required. Cannot be combined with other discounts. FLASH SALE for new reservations only; requires full payment at time of booking.

2021 At Our Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Home

Our Central Florida Bed and Breakfast…Reflections on 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we look back over the year and reflect on all the good times and warm memories we have. Hosting guests at our Central Florida bed and breakfast, Thurston House, continues to reward—this year was no exception.

Front view of Central Florida B&B Thurston HouseWe feel so fortunate, not only living here in the heart of Central Florida with its year-round lush flora and lakes at every turn, but also being able to share our home with so many others. Each guest who stays at our Orlando-area bed and breakfast, people like you, brings along a unique story to tell, and we look forward to making this the most comfortable “home away from home” during your stay.

Since 1885, this charming house has always been a home—to the Thurston, Cubbedge, Hirsch, O’Heir, and Ballard families. Thurston House, celebrating 30 years of hosting guests from all around the world and all 50 states, undergoes a significant transition this year. As veteran innkeepers, Carole and Joe Ballard, retire to their beloved Maine, we welcome a new family—a new innkeeper. As of the fall, Beverly Fuller has moved from Texas to make Thurston House her home and to continue the legacy of helping you have the best possible stay in Central Florida.

Admittedly, it’s easy to find plenty of things to do for an Orlando-area vacation. The cities of Maitland and Winter Park alone offer days of the best shopping, dining, museums, gardens, lakes and theaters that Florida has to offer. In fact, some of Central Florida’s most popular attractions—Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, Morse Museum of American Art, Enzian Theater, Leu Gardens, Art & History Museums—Maitland, and more are all just minutes from Thurston House. In addition, there are numerous festivals, farmers markets, and live music events spread throughout the year.

Our goal here at Thurston House Bed & Breakfast is to make you feel at home during your vacation stay in Central Florida. This region is active and flourishing year round, and we love sharing our history and natural beauty with our guests. Reviews from guests, like the ones below, remind us why we love what we do!

 

From Our 2021 Thurston House Guest Book:wicker seating on porch overlooking Lake Eulalia in Central Florida

“What a wonderful three days! You will be a huge success, we are sure. Your attention to detail is awesome….” ~Liz & Vince, December 2021

“Beverly, so many thanks for being such a gracious, caring and hospitable hostess. You have found your calling! We were honored to be your first guests.” ~Jody & Kevin, November 2021

“Beautiful place, wonderful innkeeper, clean, cozy, great breakfast, and an incredible front porch!” ~Melissa, November 2021

 

Looking Ahead to 2022 for Our Bed & Breakfast Home:

Is a vacation in Central Florida in your 2022 future? We’ve all experienced seasons of change—some more wonderful than others. A new innkeeper for Thurston House brings fresh vision and an exciting new vibe. A wonderful buzz about room updates, locally-sourced breakfast ingredients, a backyard urban garden, and free Tuesdays builds anticipation of exciting things to come in 2022. From where—and with what interesting stories—will our guests come this year?

image of innkeeper at Thurston House bed & breakfast in Central FloridaFor those of you who have stayed with us in the past, we say “thank you” and invite you to return! If you’ve never vacationed in Central Florida, you don’t know what you’re missing! We do hope you will join us and share in the great things unfolding in 2022.

Beverly can’t wait to meet you…especially on a Tuesday! Happy New Year from Thurston House!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida

FlowersBeautiful Leu Gardens in Orlando is only 15 minutes from Thurston House in Central Florida. It has 50 acres of beautiful land that feature many different types of garden areas – America’s largest camellia collection outside of California, 3 acres of idea gardens, the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a 2 acre tropical stream garden, vegetable andherb gardens, a butterfly garden, succulent garden and palm, bamboo and cycad garden.

The garden hosts weddings almost every day, and has several wonderful locations for these special events. All through the year there are events planned, including night jazz strolls, movie date nights, classes, and plant sales.

The gardens are open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but be sure to check their website for early closings as well as their FREE admissions dates!

Florida Inns Are Everywhere!

Plan a trip in & around Florida and you can experience such diversity at our bed & breakfast inns. We feature b&b’s on the beach, on a key, in the wilderness, in the oldest city, in a modern suburban building, on an island, in horse country…so many to choose from! Florida is a huge state that starts at the Panhandle area, along the beautiful West Gulf coast, along the Keys, up the wonderful East coast with it’s magnificiant ocean waves. Inland brings you to moss-draped oaks trees, forests, quaint downtowns, wineries, tea rooms, college towns, fabulous museums, and so much more.

Find an inn and choose your route around our Sunshine State…where there is something perfect for everyone!

Thurston House Times – the 7th “thing”

The 7th of 125 things about Thurston House, us and the City of Maitland…all in honor of our 125th anniversary next July of the founding of Maitland and the completion of  Thurston House.

Did you realize that Thurston House is only 5 short miles from downtown Orlando, the City Beautiful? Less than ten minutes drive takes you to the heart of the city, Lake Eola. Just park, stroll & enjoy it all. 

The ampitheater at Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando.

The ampitheater at Lake Eola Park, downtown Orlando.

Thurston House Times – Rollin’s College!

Rollin’s College Parent’s/family weekend will come fast once school gets back in session. There are only two rooms left so hurry and book soon. The weekend is scheduled 10/23-25…. Students and parents come from all over and there is always a mad scramble for rooms if you wait too long. 

Entrance to Rollins College

Entrance to Rollins College

Ironically, we have a place in York Harbor, Maine where the Rollins name is part of its’ history…yes, same family connection. That is a story for another day!

North Orlando – Travel Specials Announced!

Thurston House bed & breakfast, in the beautiful Maitland Winter Park area of Central Florida, has just posted several specials on their website. Just because the economy may be challenging doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night away just for YOU. Call the innkeeper or book on line NOW…HURRY!

Welcoming front door at Thurston House

Welcoming front door at Thurston House