Suite Land

Perfect pre- and post-cruise accommodation options

VISITORS TO FLORIDA’S GREATER ORLANDO AREA ARE OFTEN SURPRISED BY WHAT THEY FIND.

Those who venture outside the sparkling realm of theme parks find another world with a magic all of its own — genteel and dignified, with old-fashioned grandeur and a distinctly Southern sense of charm. It’s here that the quiet luxury of The Alfond Inn makes a welcome retreat before or after your cruise from Port Canaveral. OL D AND NE W _ The cobblestoned streets of Winter Park lead to the 112-room boutique hotel, which is both modern and timeless, with large interior spaces and archways beckoning off to comfortable lounges and elegant ballrooms. The hotel is owned by Rollins College and the walls serve as a showcase for The Alfond College of Contemporary Art, which features works donated to Rollins College that are part of the permanent collection of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. The inn’s restaurant, Hamilton’s Kitchen, is named for Hamilton Holt, Rollins’ president from 1925 to 1949. But it’s the time-honored values of hospitality and service — and the natural beauty of Central Florida’s lakefront parkland — that make The Alfond stand out.

DINNER AND A S TROL L _ The Alfond is located between the picturesque college campus and two of Winter Park’s numerous lakes. There are scenic boat tours on Lake Osceola and a waterfront path along Lake Virginia. The shopping district along nearby Park Avenue boasts more than 100 boutiques, specialty shops, cafés, and museums.

But one of the town’s best destinations is within the inn itself: Hamilton’s Kitchen, which specializes in modern Southern cuisine made with local ingredients and served in a comfortable, genial atmosphere. The bar’s cocktail menu is intriguing, with a special collection linked to the art on display, as well as a selection of local craft beers. TheAlfondInn.com