It’s Fall at Central Florida B&B!

I know what you are thinking. Florida couldn’t possibly have any fall foliage. But, we in fact do and it is the glorious Golden Rain Tree! It starts out by growing leaves again, then it boasts beautful litle golden flowers. Once these fall off, making some beautiful yellow “snow” in our yard, there comes a pink colored pod…very beautiful!

Yes, it is fall at Thurston House…come see us soon! This is the time of year that a wide variety of festivals and outdoor activities start. Book now!

Reflections on 20 years at Central Florida B&B

Who would have thought when we opened for business 20 years ago, that we would still be here and going strong? After 10 months of planning & zoning meetings, and one year of extensive renovations, Thurston House our Maitland, Florida bed & breakfast proudly opened its doors to guests on September 15, 1992. Since the first day, we have constantly been fine tuning our accommodations, and have kept up with whatever changes there have been in the hospitality industry.

20 years ago there was no home computer or internet. We were one of the first B&B’s to have a website and our own domain name.  We now have complimentary wireless Internet throughout the inn. It is always great to see guests being able to catchup electronically, while enjoying our beautiful wraparound porch. 

We started with a variety of  furniture, amenities and linens, and have since upgraded all to the best we can possibly afford to offer. Breakfast started out as a more basic meal, and now we are known for our fabulously creative offerings. Every type of special needs diet has been accommodated, from Atkins to Vegan to Celiac and more. Our cookbook “Cooking Thurston House Style” is recently hot off the presses and available for purchase too.

Guests have come from all over the world, including 24 countries, every state, 4 territories and even from Maitland itself! We enjoy many repeat guests who have become our friends too. Here’s to another 20 years for our fabulous North Orlando bed & breakfast!

Central Florida Bed & Breakfast Debuts Cookbook!

Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast, has finally self published a cookbook – Cooking Thurston House Style. Guests have been asking for this for quite some time! Innkeeper Carole shared some of her all time favorite recipes, along with a few photos and some helpful hints. The book is available at Thurston House in Maitland, selling for $25. Book a room now, and ask that the innkeeper add this to your bill too. ENJOY!

Back To School at Rollin’s College!

It’s that time of year that students start heading back to this area to settle in for the new school year. Rollin’s College is just minutes from Thurston House and over our 20 years in business we have had our share of parents and incoming students stay here. Just now we have a mother & daughter from Switzerland. This is the 2nd daughter to be attending there. She and her sister are on tennis scholarships.

We feel a great connection to Rollin’s because besides being less than a 10 minute drive away from us, the college opened in 1885. That is the same year that Thurston House was built! For students this area is a wonderful mix of upscale city and small town feeling. Park Avenue, right next to the campus, is home to wonderful restaurants, galleries, stores and museums. What a wonderful experience for them!

Parent’s Weekend comes fast and this year it is November 2-4. Two rooms are still open but they always go quickly. Book now!

 

Certified Wildlife Habitat in Central Florida!

Our north Orlando Bed & Breakfast accommodation, Thurston House, proudly supports this program that is offered by the National Wildlife Federation.  It is a very simple process to qualify. By providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young, your garden can join the more than 150,000 Certifed Wildlife Habitat sites across the country.

Here are the components needed –

Food – Many of our yard trees and bushes have berries. The fruit trees provide flowers and then the fruit itself. A variety of flowers are very popular with butterflies and hummingbirds.

Water – We overlook beautiful Lake Eulalia but also have a bird bath.

Cover and places to live – We are surrounded by 8 acres of lush land with many trees and bushes offering a safe home for a variety of wildlife. Even the tall trees provide homes to owls and raccoons.

 You don’t have to have a huge yard or a lake to qualify, just be creative on how you can offer these components to your local wildlife. Do it now!
 

Andre Smith, Art & Maitland History

Thurston House is just minutes from a most fascinating complex of buildings and gardens – The Maitland Art Center.

“A Day in the Life of the Research Studio”

June 8, 2012 – Sept. 19, 2012

André Smith (1880 – 1959) founded the Research Studio (now called the A&H’s Maitland Art Center) in 1937. He first invited artists to live and create within its walls in January 1938. These artists were called “Bok Fellows,” after Smith’s great patron, Mary Curtis Bok. From (1938 – 1959), nearly 70 individuals participated in this great experiment, including Milton Avery, Doris Lee, Ralston Crawford, and more. What was their day-to-day life like? Using artworks and recently-donated color photography as documentation, the exhibition will recreate the atmosphere of that classic period.

 Maitland Art Center Galleries
231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm

 And don’t miss the history museum next door –

Maitland’s Legacies: Creativity & Innovation

New permanent exhibit

 The story of Maitland’s legacies united all of the Art & History Museums – Maitland, and extends beyond local geography, mirroring many American communities. The important individuals and families that made up these legacies include the Waterhouse family, the Galloway family, André Smith, and many others, including the Dommerichs, the Hills, and many more.

 What united these people that founded our institutions? These pioneers were creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, and visionary. They came to this new, verdant place and made opportunities for themselves and others. Drawn from a variety of social classes, they built both culture and community. Using archival photographs, artifacts, and documents, the exhibition will explore these stories as they relate to the economic, technological, and social aspects of the American experience. There is even a little section for Thurston House!

 Maitland Historical Museum
221 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
Thursday – Sunday 12p.m. – 4p.m.

 Both the Maitland Art Center and the Historical Museum are a short drive or a pleasant stroll from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation!

Central Florida Amazing Bed & Breakfast Special Deal!

Not often does a special this good come along. Thurston House in North Orlando, Maitland is offering a 30% discount for reservations booked by 6/20. Everyone loves a deal, and when it has to do with a two night stay at a lovely bed & breakfast, all the better! Book by the end of day June 20th for a two night stay and receive a 30% dicounted price! This deal is only available for August 16-26, and October 1-31. Rooms must be prepaid in full, and there is no cancellation allowed. Enjoy the best of Central Florida with many special places to see, areas for shopping and great dining options. This great deal may only come once in a lifetime so BOOK NOW! When you book online, the innkeeper will make the neccesary adjustments then send an updated reservation confirmation to you. Or…you can just call and take care of it.

The August dates will show you Sizzling Central Florida Summer at its best! The October dates will introduce you to foliage, Florida style. The Golden Rain trees will show off their fall colors just for you. There are also two arts festivals the month of October – The Maitland Rotary Art Under the Stars 10/5-7 and the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival 10/13-14.    

With such a great deal you’ll have plenty of money left for enjoying all that Central Florida offers to you! HURRY!

Art & History – Maitland – Central Florida

With a MissionStatement like this –

“We engage the public by educating, collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and promoting art and history reflective of the American experience inspired by Maitland’s heritage and the legacy of André Smith’s Research Studio.

Through our multidisciplinary collections, unique architectural environment, and inspirational programming, we stimulate thought, spark the imagination, enrich the spirit, and foster appreciation in art, historical research, and preservation.”…..

you can be assured this organization – Art & History – Maitland – is truly something special.

The organization boasts 5 museums, everything from an 1884 Carpentry Shop & Waterhouse Residence, a Mayan themed Artist Colony, to an Antique Telephone Museum and much more. Ongoing art and history exhibits fascinate and delight the senses. Culture & Cocktail programs offer another unique view of what this organization is about. Couldn’t you use a bit of CULTURE right now?

All museums are a short stroll or drive from Thurston House, North Orlando’s finest bed & breakfast accommodation.

Central Florida Last Minute Gift Idea!

What do you get someone who has everything they need? How about an eagle, osprey or even an owl? At the Florida Audubon Birds of Prey Center in Maitland there are many birds just waiting for a family to adopt them. Click on their website link and start shopping for that perfect bird gift. Then, plan a trip to Thurston House Central Florida B&B to visit your bird. We are just a short stroll away!