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2023
Dayleann Vallejo | Spa Director for The Spa at The Alfond Inn
Dayleann Vallejo joins The Alfond Inn at Rollins, Winter Park, as Spa Director for The Spa at The Alfond Inn, opening early summer 2023. Vallejo brings more than 17 years of experience in the spa industry and previously managed the spa at the iconic Nobu Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. The Spa at The Alfond Inn, a full-service spa and wellness center, will serve as a premier beauty and wellness destination in the area.
Visit Site09
2023
Romance In The Park
January 9, 2023. Winter Park, Florida – Thanks to its cobblestone streets, sidewalk cafes, and live oaks offering welcoming shade, it's easy to see why Winter Park is one of Florida's most gracious and romantic cities. Central Park is the lush green heart of town, flanked by the promenade called Park Avenue, where restaurants and people-watching are favorite activities. The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning hotel celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, is just a short stroll away.
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2022
Cheers! Our guide to Hotel Happy Hours
How many times did you want to attend a hotel party in high school or college because you thought it would be amazing? Now that you’re an adult, it’s hotel party time any time! You can have a staycation at one of our lavish hotels in The City Beautiful. To help you out, we've compiled a list of hotel happy hours in Orlando for you to explore with your date!
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2022
Contrary To Its Name, Winter Park, Is The Place To Go For An Old-World Charm In Orlando
There are many things to do in Orlando, making it an ideal holiday spot because of its incredible diversity, which assures each tourist a memorable trip. Winter Park is indeed a fantastic destination that provides the best memories. It is among Florida's most beautiful cities and well known for its majestic trees, numerous gardens, brick-lined avenues, magnificent mansions, museums, bright lakes, and upscale stores down Park Avenue. It's also famous as a wintertime vacation spot for snowbirds from the Midwest, who favor its plentiful sunshine and temperate weather to periods of subfreezing weather and gloomy sky. Let's check out how to have the best vacation in Winter Park.
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2022
Orlando Hotel Deals for a Christmas and Holidays Getaway
We live in one of the nation's top tourist destinations and most of our Orlando hotels and resorts are offering deals for local couples itching for a change of scenery. If you're feeling ready for a mini getaway (even if it's just 15 minutes from your house), here are the best Orlando hotel deals and packages for the holidays.
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2022
Travel: Why Orlando is not just for Kids
Winter Park: This stylish and upmarket area, known as The City of Culture and Heritage, is well-established as a place where many wealthy Floridians make their home. It’s even got its own Park Avenue and Central Park (although not quite as big as New York) with individual shops, high-end restaurants and bars and museums.
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2022
The Alfond Inn at Rollins is Ready for The Holidays
Pet-friendly The Alfond Inn at Rollins College is all in on the holiday festivities this year and is celebrating with several experiences that your clients can enjoy in the lovely city of Winter Garden, Florida. The Holiday Shop + Stay package offers two nights’ stay plus The Mall at Millenia Experience that includes chauffeured transportation and a $100 gift card to The Capital Grille so your clients can recharge after giving their wallets a workout—not only does Winter Park boast a bevy of fine boutiques, but The Mall at Millenia is known for its ultra-luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Hermes. The package also includes special offers from select shops, a welcome give and a limited-edition tote so they can carry at least a portion of their plunder.
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2022
Celebrate With Us!
November 7, 2022, Winter Park, Florida – The festive season is already sparkling following a major award for The Alfond Inn at Rollins. The hotel was ranked among the top 10 “Best Hotels in Florida” by Condé Nast Traveler in their annual Readers’ Choice Awards for 2022.
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2022
Orlando for adults has a lot to offer
Think this theme park destination is just for those on holiday with children? Think again, this city has a wealth of upmarket experiences . High-end restaurants and shops, luxury hotels and a world-class museum of Tiffany treasures are among the many reasons that Orlando, Florida is not just for the kids. I’ve been traveling to this central Florida destination since my own children were youngsters, now with families of their own, and it is always exciting, fun with new things to discover every time. My latest trip to the ‘theme park capital of the world’ earlier this year proved to be a true eye-opener of what the city has to offer beyond the parks. That is not to say that Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld as well as other attractions are not high on any grown-up’s agenda for their stay here, but luxury, relaxing Orlando beckons too. In just a few days my husband and I had a chance to sample what many never see, but should definitely explore on their next trip.
Visit Site14
2022
Winter Park is an all-season gem just hours from Tampa Bay
The posted speed limit for this posh town’s Park Avenue reads 20 mph. But locals and visitors to Winter Park both know it’s really stroll/browse. A destination for most day-trippers, as well as locals, the avenue is lined with benches that invite passersby to pause under the shade of mature trees. More benches are just across the street, along the six blocks of Central Park.
Visit Site13
2022
Best Restaurants to Host an Orlando Friendsgiving Celebration
Hamilton's Kitchen is located inside the stunning Alfond Inn in downtown Winter Park. The semi-private dining room would be an excellent place to host an intimate Friendsgiving celebration. In addition, The Alfond Inn's lobby is filled with art from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, so be sure to wander around to see all the art adorning the walls.
Visit Site10
2022
These Are Orlando's Coolest Hotels to Book For 2022
Also known as the theme park capital of the United States, Orlando is a world-famous destination recognized for its striking amusement parks. Millions of vacationers are seen exploring Central Florida and mostly spending their nights in this gorgeous city. Orlando boasts several hotels that would fit all budgets. Travers will even find several accommodation options within the beautiful theme parks that offer a magnificent experience of the city. Planning to spend some travel nights in Orlando? Here are the 10 coolest hotels you can book for 2022.
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2022
How to Celebrate National Dog Day at The Alfond Inn at Rollins
August 16, 2022. Winter Park, Florida - August 26 may be National Dog Day, one of social media's most popular days to celebrate all canines, but at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, every day brings a warm welcome to man's (and woman's) best friend. Here are a few ways that it's always a dog's life at The Alfond Inn at Rollins.
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2022
A grown-up's guide to Orlando
Orlando is the ultimate family destination, but that doesn't mean it should be shunned by couples or groups of friends. Here's how to have adult - only fun in the City Beautiful.
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2022
The City of Winter Park
Approximately 20 minutes northeast of downtown Orland, and not to be confused with Winter Garden to the west, Winter Park gained its name after the arrival of South Florida Railroad in 1880. The highly rated Rollins College - Florida's first four-year university - opened shortly thereafter, heralding the city's refined future. Today, Winter Park's epicenter is Park Avenue, a tree-line, cobblestoned street bursting with acclaimed eateries, museums and some of the Orlando area's best shopping. The city also has much for outdoor enthusiasts, including a robust parks system and the gorgeous Winter Park Chain of Lakes.
Visit Site13
2022
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Names One of the "15 Best Resort Hotels in Florida" by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards
The 112-room independently-owned boutique hotel is located in the heart of historic Winter Park, close to Orlando. Owned by Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal arts college in Winter Park, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is distinguished by its philanthropic mission, directing all of its net operating income to The Alfond Scholars Program for scholarships. It is the only hotel in the United States that exhibits a rotating installation of artworks from a museum collection, The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, which is part of the permanent collection of Rollins Museum of Art.
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2022
Elevate Your Vacation Dining With Top Hotel Restaurants In Orlando
Tour some of Orlando's best hotel dining - including several MICHELIN restaurants like Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress (pictured) - with Instagram influencer and guest blogger Christina Petsos.
Visit Site18
2022
Springtime Adventures in the Park
The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in Winter Park, is welcoming spring with imaginative additions to the menu at Hamilton’s Kitchen, groundbreaking art exhibits at the Rollins Museum of Art and news that the hotel expansion is on target to be completed in 2023. The Alfond Inn invites guests to experience the springtime beauty of Winter Park with a new Adventures in the Park package that includes a two night stay in a Classic Room, a cruise on the Winter Park Boat Tour, a pair of tickets to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, as well as two Gourmet Box Lunches. The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in Winter Park, is welcoming spring with imaginative additions to the menu at Hamilton’s Kitchen, groundbreaking art exhibits at the Rollins Museum of Art and news that the hotel expansion is on target to be completed in 2023. The Alfond Inn invites guests to experience the springtime beauty of Winter Park with a new Adventures in the Park package that includes a two night stay in a Classic Room, a cruise on the Winter Park Boat Tour, a pair of tickets to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, as well as two Gourmet Box Lunches. Adventures in the Park: • Two night stay in a Classic Room (double occupancy). • Two tickets for the scenic Winter Park Boat Tour • Two tickets to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art • Two Gourmet Box Lunches • Rates start at $259 per room, per night, based on a two night stay. • Taxes are extra and the package is based on availability. • Details at The Alfond Inn at Rollins Mother’s Day 2022 Celebrate Mom on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8, 2022 at The Alfond Inn at Rollins. The hotel will offer a buffet-style brunch at Hamilton’s Kitchen. There will be two seatings, at 10AM and 1 PM. Tickets are $69 for Adults, $29 for Children ages 5–12. Visit Hamilton’s Kitchen for details.
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2022
Plan a Getaway with Your Pup at These Dog-Friendly Hotels
Are you a dog-loving couple? Is your furry companion an important part of your relationship? Then you'll probably want to bring them along on your next staycation or getaway in Orlando. And even if you're not, perhaps you know a couple who loves their pup and wants to bring their dog to Orlando. I've pulled together a collection of dog-friendly hotels that are great for a getaway with your entire family. DOG-FRIENDLY HOTELS NEAR DOWNTOWN ORLANDO AND BEYOND THE ALFOND INN Category: Boutique Great for: Sophisticated escape amid the charm of Park Avenue This exquisite boutique hotel just off of Park Avenue is just what you need for a romantic weekend getting reacquainted with one of Orlando's best neighborhoods, and with each other. And your pup can enjoy all the luxuries too. In fact, you can book a special Very Important Pup package which includes a two-night stay, specialty dog bowl, dog treats and toys, pet fee included in the rate, and a donation to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.
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2022
At The Alfond Inn at Rollins, Love Grows All February Long
January 24, 2022. Winter Park, Florida – For Valentine’s celebrations this year, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is putting some sparkle in the tropical air with a new Romance in the Park package. Couples can check into a Classic Room, where a bottle of chilled champagne and a specialty cake for two awaits them, then slip down to dinner at the award-winning Hamilton’s Kitchen where Chef Stephen Doyle’s menu champions Florida products and classic favorites. Because parting is such sweet sorrow, the hotel has extended the Romance in the Park package through the month of February.
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2021
5 properties that elevate the aesthetic of hotel art
Art and travel are a great complement to one another. Notable museums and art shows often top the list of attractions that draw visitors to a destination. And in some hotels, art has become almost as essential as a well-dressed bed. Increasingly, properties are collaborating with artists to create and display museum-quality works, giving overnight guests the opportunity to appreciate beautiful and thought-provoking art without stepping beyond the hotel’s doors. From North Carolina to the Sunshine State, here’s a glance at five properties in the Southeast highlighting impressive art displays.
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2021
Best Hotels in Orlando
9. Alfond Inn Best for a quiet retreat A contender for the slickest hotel in Greater Orlando is this 112-room boutique spot in Winter Park. The low-key, designer style has a relaxing, intimate feel and a constantly changing display of art from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at nearby Rollins College. Rooms come with gorgeous fabrics, large bathrooms and fancy toiletries. There’s a lovely rooftop pool and the restaurant is known as a star that lights up the local dining scene.
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2021
The best neighborhoods in Orlando
Winter Park is a historic neighborhood in Orlando. The area is home to a string of popular lakes, a beautiful downtown area (buzzing with storefronts, restaurants, and al fresco dining), and lush parks where families relax and soak up the warm weather together.
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2021
Tripadvisor Creates its First Immersive Audio Experience in North America via Amazon Alexa, in partnership with Visit Orlando
"Through this creative partnership, consumers can proceed to ask several questions to their Amazon Alexa devices or app about Orlando to determine which neighborhood will inspire their wanderlust most, including a journey through the destination's many restaurants, hotels and must-see attractions. The activation will then provide specific points of interest and Tripadvisor-powered information about locations like the award-winning restaurant, The Ravenous Pig, or one of Orlando's most pet-friendly hotels, The Alfond Inn."
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2021
The Most Romantic Hotels in Florida for Couples Getaways
Enjoy a sophisticated and romantic Florida getaway at this little gem of a boutique hotel in Winter Park, an Orlando-area city that offers a totally different vibe from all the nearby theme parks. Owned by Rollins College, the 112-room Alfond Inn showcases pieces from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art at Rollins College throughout the property. Guests can take a virtual happy hour tour of the art collection or just discover it on their own throughout their stay. Take a dip in the heated pool or venture out the hotel’s front doors on foot to explore the shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants that call Winter Park home.
Visit Site29
2021
Best in Florida and the Return of Festive Season
The festive season kicks off early this year at The Alfond Inn at Rollins as the hotel toasts a major win from Condé Nast Traveler while heralding the return of the its treasured holiday events. As locals and visitors alike come back to the hotel for dining, business and leisure, there are awards to celebrate and holiday happenings in store now and throughout the season.
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2021
American Modernisms at The Alfond Inn at Rollins
A stay at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, recently ranked as one of the Top Resort Hotels in Florida in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2021, is an immersion in both cutting-edge luxury and contemporary art. It’s the only hotel in the United States that serves as the extension of an art museum, the Rollins Museum of Art (RMA), which is part of neighboring Rollins College, which also owns The Alfond Inn at Rollins. The hotel exhibits a rotating installation of paintings, photographs, sculptures and mixed-media works of art from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art at RMA.
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2021
The Top 15 Resort Hotels in Florida
If you ask T+L readers, the best resorts in Florida are the ones situated on the coast. (Proof: 12 of the 15 properties on this year's list can be found along a seashore.) From the tropical islands in the Keys to the golf course-studded retreats by the Gulf of Mexico, the voters' hearts are with the water. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities. Located in a sleepy barrier-island town on the Gulf Coast, Gasparilla Inn & Club (No. 4) balances the easygoing vibes of the Sunshine State with the elegant, old-world spirit of its historic building, which dates from 1913. "The décor and atmosphere of this hotel make it so special," said one reader. "The bar is one of my favorite places on earth. It all feels like you've gone back in time." Another reader exclaimed that the hotel is "absolutely first-rate in all categories."
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2021
Celebrate Dog Day in the ‘best dog-friendly vacation’ spot: Orlando
Orlando has earned the top spot for the most dog-friendly vacation destination, according to booking.com. How did the travel site determine the winner? Booking.com totaled the number of facilities in each category (dog-friendly hotels, pet shops, dog-friendly parks and dog-friendly hikes) for each U.S. city, then assigned a score in each category by the percentile ranking of the number of facilities per capita. The resulting scores were then weighted and added. The City Beautiful scored 93 out of 100. For travelers weary after a long day of celebrating their dog, many of Central Florida’s more than 450 hotels welcome canines. A few of note: Loews hotels at Universal Orlando Resort offer a special program called Loews Loves Pets that includes welcome amenities like a bowl, placemat and a special treat. The package also gives information on hotel pet services, dog-walking routes, local veterinarians, pet shops, groomers and more. Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, Yacht Club Resort and The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort welcome four-legged friends. Canine customers are greeted with Pluto’s Welcome Kit, which includes a mat, bowls, pet ID tag, disposable bags, puppy pads and dog-walking maps. For a luxe, dogs-only visit that will make owners jealous, take your furry friend over to Best Friends Pet Hotel. The Alfond Inn (300 E. New England Ave. in Winter Park) offers a VIP (Very Important Pup) Package with dog-friendly rooms, complimentary keepsake water bowls and treats at turndown.
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2021
Seeking advantage in a crowded market, some hotels are becoming ‘art museums with bedrooms’
Hotels are adding large and noteworthy collections of art — usually by local artists or representing local culture — to better connect with their communities. Others are in art destinations. The ART adjoins the Denver Art Museum, whose former curator of modern and contemporary art mounted its collection. The 250 Main in Rockland, Maine, walking distance from the Farnsworth Art Museum and new Center for Maine Contemporary Art, displays works by contemporary Maine artists. Art including pieces by Jenny Holzer and David Hockney from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College rotates through the Alfond Inn in Winter Park, Fla.
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2021
Foodie Road Trip: Out and About in Orlando
Sprawl has given rise to an amalgam of distinct neighborhoods, each adding its own stamp to the city’s passport of culinary destinations—including Winter Park, which some of the area’s most lauded restaurants call home. Where to Stay In the heart of downtown Winter Park sits The Alfond Inn at Rollins College. This Spanish-Mediterranean Revival-style gem recalls the look of the historic bungalows it’s nestled amongst. Staying at The Alfond is more than a getaway—proceeds from the hotel support Rollins College’s premier scholarship fund, offering up to 10 full scholarships each year to first-year students. And don’t overlook the hotel’s prestigious art collection donated by Rollins College alumni Barbara and Ted Alfond. Designed as an imaginative extension of the college’s Cornell Fine Arts Museum, more than 300 pieces by established and emerging artists are displayed on rotation throughout the hotel’s public areas.
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2021
5 Weekend Vacations You Need to Take
ORLANDO IMAGE: COURTESY OF ALFOND INN Flight Time: 2 hours 15 mins | Daily from IAH on United, Spirit; Daily from Hobby on Southwest Let’s be honest. You’re probably heading to Disney (which is actually in Lake Buena Vista), but for a refined take on Orlando, consider upscale, historic Winter Park, a bastion of cafés—including Beard-nom The Ravenous Pig, theravenouspig.com—great shopping, meandering waterways, and outdoor arts festivals galore. Stay at swanky art hotel, The Alfond Inn, thealfondinn.com, owned and curated by Rollins College (where Mister Rogers went to school).—GK
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2021
Rollins' Cornell Fine Arts Museum to change name this fall, move to larger space in Winter Park
Rollins College's Cornell Fine Arts Museum is changing its name in September, as the first step toward moving the museum into a new home in downtown Winter Park. Once completed, the new Rollins Museum of Art will be located one block off Park Avenue, at the intersection of Interlachen and New England avenues across from the Alfond Inn, where part of Rollins’ contemporary art collection is already exhibited.
Visit Site29
2021
Long-Awaited Expansion Begins for The Alfond Inn at Rollins
The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of historic Winter Park, has announced that it intends to break ground on a much-anticipated expansion this summer. Owned by neighboring Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is a unique luxury property. The hotel directs net operating income to The Alfond Scholars Program and has given away millions of dollars in full scholarships to Rollins College since 2013.
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2021
Let’s Go! Getaway Package
What’s the best recipe for a restorative domestic vacation that offers culture, great food and blissful weather? Start with a lush, warm weather destination, a walking city with a European flair. Then check into a luxury boutique hotel that’s been named one of the Best Hotels in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, a dog-friendly property that’s a stroll away from outdoor cafes, wine bars, shopping and world class museums. That’s the essence of the Let’s Go! Getaway Package at The Alfond Inn at Rollins.
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2021
Execs: Here's how the Covid-19 vaccine rollout will affect Orlando-area companies
Orlando Business Journal asked top business leaders how the Covid-19 vaccine rollout would affect their companies. Here’s what they shared: Jesse Martinez, general manger, The Alfond Inn: “As we move into the next phase of recovery with the mass distribution of the vaccines, this could not be more important to the tourism industry as we stand today. We are anticipating an efficient vaccine rollout to help build traveler confidence. In order for the industry to survive, we need large meeting attendees along with business and leisure travelers to feel safe. The pent-up demand to travel is there.”
Visit Site03
2021
This Valentine’s Day, Reset Together Time with These Special Offers
These days, when together time 24/7 feels like forever time, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is offering a chance to reset, change the menu, change the scenery and add a spark to your Valentine’s weekend with a Romance in the Park package. The offer includes dinner for two at Hamilton’s Kitchen, a special cake for two, and a bottle of bubbly at rates starting at $339 per night.
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2020
Meeting Trends from The Alfond Inn at Rollins
MaryBeth Smith is the Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing for IRadimed, the leader in MRI patient care and the producer of the world’s first and bestselling non-magnetic MRI infusion pumps and patient monitors. The company is headquartered in Winter Springs, Florida. This Fall IRadimed conducted its first in-person meetings at The Alfond Inn at Rollins since Covid-19. We reached out to find out more about the meeting planning process at a global corporation during Covid-19 and the impact of getting teams back together again.
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2020
Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner To Go and Dine In
Head to Winter Park’s boutique hotel, The Alfond Inn, for a festive Thanksgiving feast. Thanksgiving dinner will be served in the Park Avenue Ballroom, where families will be seated together. Tables will be socially distanced. Chef Bryan Butler has prepared a menu of holiday classics including roasted turkey and turkey gravy, braised short rib, whipped potatoes and sweet potatoes, traditional stuffing, honey glazed carrots, pumpkin pie and more. The cost is $59/adult, $29 for children 5 – 12 years old and free for children under 4.
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2020
Have a rice day! Celebrating National Rice Month around Orlando
Shrimp & Scallops with Risotto and Red Pepper Coulis — Hamilton’s Kitchen Risotto equals creamy comfort, sometimes spooned up from a bowl, other times providing a soft, luscious bed for some or other Italian-inspired deliciousness. The latter is what you’ll find on the Fall menu at Hamilton’s Kitchen, where Chef Stephen Doyle presides. “Although risotto is a very hands-on way to make rice, when done correctly it yields a wonderful dish,” he says. “It has a creamy consistency made with a broth and stirred repeatedly. We add cream, Parmesan cheese, peas, asparagus, salt and pepper to ours.”
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2020
Big Hearts, Small Ceremonies
Wedding Designer Lisa Stoner on Minimony Trends and Today’s Ceremonies at The Alfond Inn at Rollins Couples know that love doesn’t wait forever. That’s why many brides and grooms are choosing to say “I Do” with intimate weddings this fall and planning full-blown nuptials a year from now, according to Lisa Stoner, founder of Lisa Stoner Events & Styling in Orlando. We asked Stoner, who has designed and planned many weddings at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, to talk about the evolving wedding landscape in the Winter Park area.
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2020
Road Trip: Winter Park, FL
Although founded as a vacation destination in the 1800s, this idyllic city nestled north of Orlando feels quainter than its hustle-and-bustle neighbor. Winter Park has the vibe and walkability of a European village, complete with restaurants that celebrate Florida’s bounty through myriad culinary languages, as well as a wealth of art, museums, and natural beauty that’s next to none. Stay Part of Winter Park’s growth was due to the establishment of Rollins College. Today, The Alfond Inn is supporting Rollins students by directing its profits toward full scholarships for incoming liberal arts majors. While this mission is reason enough to book a room, The Alfond Inn also offers an unparalleled location and stylish surrounds. Guests can easily enjoy the city’s main street, Park Avenue, located two blocks away. They’re also invited to explore The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art for Rollins College, which appears throughout the boutique hotel. Attend a happy hour art tour, held every first Wednesday, or peruse the pieces on your own and snap your favorite to share on social media.
Visit Site10
2020
When In-Person Meetings are Calling, Small is Beautiful and Safe
Boutique hotels have always been defined by the notion that small is better, more beautiful and the level of service more highly personalized. Now we can add safer to the equation, particularly when it comes to the intimate scale of meetings that are on the rise since Covid-19 health mandates have paused large business meetings until further notice. At The Alfond Inn, the number of requests for micro-meetings, those of approximately 20 attendees or less, has dramatically replaced the large corporate RFPs from the financial, insurance, medical and retail industries for now and is a clear sign that this trend is here to stay for a while. It’s a carpe diem moment in hospitality that should be seized as an opportunity to address the pent-up need for human interaction and the growing demand for small, safe team meetups. What we’ve come to call “Zoom Gloom” fatigue is real. Colleagues are longing to connect with their peers in person not just on the screen and smaller properties are ideally positioned to capture this market.
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2020
Dog Friendly Destinations
Despite its proximity to Orlando's theme parks, Winter Park lacks that "big city" fee. Think classy European village instead of urban hustle and bustle. This Central Florida town ranks high on the dog-friendly meter. You and your furry friend will stay in elegance when you book a room at the pet-friendly Alfond Inn, located just a block from Park Avenue, which is the social hub of town. When you call to make reservations be sure to ask about the "Very Important Pup" package, which features a classic room, specialty dog bowl, a variety of doggie treats and toys (including a tennis ball!) and a donation to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.
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2020
When In-Person Meetings are Calling, Small is Beautiful and Safe
During times like these, when small is beautiful as well as safer, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is working with business clients to offer modified and highly flexible meetings tailored to small working groups. “We’re seeing a remarkable uptick in the number of requests for micro-meetings, many of them a lot more casual than those of the past,” says Debbie Potter, the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing, who has hosted groups from the financial, insurance, medical and retail industries. Potter notes the pent up need for human interaction and a growing trend for small, safe team meetups. “The fatigue from virtual meetings is real. Colleagues are longing to connect with their peers in person, not always on Zoom.”
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2020
Getting Away to Winter Park, Florida Where Outdoor Living is Easy, Elegant and Artful
School’s out, summer is here, and everyone is eager to get outside and take a break from virtual living. Winter Park, one of the hidden gems of Florida, is calling. This charming, compact and walkable city has a European feel. Home to Rollins College, art museums, Spanish Mediterranean-style mansions and a chain of blue lakes, Winter Park is an intimate community often cited as one of the best small towns in the country. It’s also one of those desirable places where life is lived outdoors, in cafes and restaurants as well as in parks and on tree-lined streets. It offers the kind of safe, breezy, open-air environment that everyone is looking for right now, making it an ideal getaway for outdoor living and social distancing. Winter Park is also home to The Alfond Inn at Rollins, named one of the Best Hotels in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. The hotel is welcoming guests back to Winter Park with its Yay!cation Getaway Package.
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2020
12 Best Weekend Getaways in Florida
Orlando Universal City Walk and Disney Springs already reopened; Disney World has announced plans for a phased re-opening on July 11, while Universal Orlando is putting things into motion earlier, throwing open the doors to all three of its theme parks—Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay—on June 5. But there’s more to do in Orlando than park-hopping. Explore the pretty bricked streets of the Winter Park neighborhood (which feels, dare we say, almost European?), near downtown, from a home base at the boutique and art-centric Alfond Inn to see a side of their city that Orlandoans treasure.
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2020
Alfond Inn Offers Spring Getaway Package
The Alfond Inn at Rollins in Winter Park, Orlando is welcoming back guests with a Yay!cation Getaway Package and 20 percent savings for Florida residents. The AAA Four Diamond hotel has recently been awarded AAA’s Best of Housekeeping Award, which recognizes AAA Inspected & Approved hotels that receive the highest possible cleanliness and condition scores. An achievement that matters more than ever as visitors begin traveling again and expect high standards of sanitation.
Visit Site12
2020
Roundup: Places to eat outside that aren’t a parking lot
Hamilton's Kitchen is the fancy restaurant in The Alfond Inn. It's so fancy, that it's where all the celebrities stay when they're in town for events like Winter with the Writers, so you could end up at a table next to someone like George Takeii and not even know it. Another bonus is that they have an expansive patio and outdoor courtyard area where you can park for a private wine party with your loved ones with plenty of physical distancing.
Visit Site24
2020
8 Pet-Friendly Hotels in Orlando for Fun-Filled Days with Your Mascot
1. A Hotel Where Dogs Get to be Very Important The Alfond Inn is located in a residential neighborhood, so it seems fitting that the art-filled boutique hotel has welcomed dogs from Day 1. Guests are invited to pack their pups — any size, but two maximum please — for an extra fee per room, per night. You’ll receive a complimentary dog bowl and have easy access to a dedicated dog-relief area. Better yet, a nearby 23-acre green space on Lake Baldwins allows four-legged friends to run off-leash during specific hours. Upgrade to the VIP Pup Package for a load of extras — treats, toys, coupons to pet shops, a mat for under the bowl, a Thunder Shirt, a free dog-walking session, and a donation to the local Pet Alliance.
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2020
Yay!cation at The Alfond Inn at Rollins
There’s nothing like the ease of an old-fashioned road trip, a great excuse for a quick getaway to someplace new (or familiar), with a few luxury and comforts added to the mix, including free valet parking. That’s the premise behind the new Yay!cation Getaway Package from The Alfond Inn at Rollins. The idea is simple. Take a drive to Winter Park, Florida, one of the state’s most beautiful small cities, and check into The Alfond Inn at Rollins, named one of the Best Hotels in Florida by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. The Alfond will gladly provide a luxury staycation with free valet parking and one $50 hotel credit per stay, valid toward hotel services such as the Bar and Hamilton’s Kitchen, which was just singled out for the Best Brunch in Orlando 2020 by the Readers’ Choice awards in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.
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2020
Chef Stephen Shares Irish Inspired Dishes with FOX 35 Orlando
Chef Stephen joined Amy Kaufeldt and Danielle Knox of Good Day Orlando on Fox 35 to share his Irish-inspired dishes available at Hamilton's Kitchen. Just in time to find the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick's Day.
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2020
Refining Florida Flavors at Hamilton’s Kitchen
Chef Stephen Doyle has unveiled a new menu at Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, which won the Reader’s Choice Best Hotel Restaurant for the past two years in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards. The restaurant has also welcomed a new sommelier and wine-pairing dinners.
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2020
Rise & Shine
Whether you’re feeling egg-centric, craving chicken and waffles, or want to expand your morning horizons by trying something totally different, we’re here to help. Join our dining critic as he ventures to 20 terrific breakfast spots, plus four must-try places for brunch.
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2019
Cheers! A Guide to Hotel Happy Hours
How many times did you want to attend a hotel party in high school or college because you thought it would be amazing? Now that you’re an adult, it’s hotel party time any time you can have a staycation at one of our lavish hotels in The City Beautiful. To help you (and us) out, we’ve compiled a list of hotel happy hours in Orlando for you to explore with your date!
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2019
Chef Doyle Chats Magical Dining with WESH2
Check out Chef Doyle on WESH2
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2019
Giving Back at The Alfond Inn at Rollins
The Alfond Inn at Rollins has Provided more than $16.6 Million in Scholarships to Incoming Freshmen at Rollins College since 2013. Winter Park, Florida – The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award winning Florida hotel, was designed with three purposes in mind. First, it was built to be Winter Park’s very first luxury boutique hotel. The property was also designed to exhibit The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art , which is part of the collection of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College, and as such is the only hotel in the United States that serves as the extension of an art museum. Finally, what sets The Alfond Inn at Rollins apart from any other hotel is that it was created to endow scholarships. Owned by Rollins College, the origins of the The Alfond Inn are rooted in philanthropy. It was built with a $12.5 million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation.
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2019
Groove to Music on the Alfond Inn Lawn
Winter Park – The top 40 covers band Komfort Live will entertain guests on the lawn of the boutique hotel The Alfond Inn. During the casual concert, chefs will serve seasonal tastings, and alcoholic beverages will be unlimited. Tickets from $55 per person. Click here to buy tickets.
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2019
Dine on Farm-to-Table Freshness During Visit Orlando's Magical Dining
Tucked away inside The Alfond Inn just off of Winter Park’s famed Park Avenue, Hamilton’s Kitchen specializes in Southern cuisine with a modern twist. The warm, rustic space invites you to cozy up while dining with loved ones, and the artful menu features dishes utilizing fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. Executive Chef Stephen Doyle is the culinary brains behind this year’s menu, complete with delights like the Hamilton’s Shepherd’s Pie, Parmesan Orzo Primavera, and Compressed Watermelon. End the feast with the Macallan 12YR Butterscotch Pudding or Seasonal Granita.
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2019
Dog Day: How to celebrate this pawesome holiday in Orlando
National Dog Day — Aug. 26 — is a day set aside to show our beloved furry family members how much they mean to us. Here are just a few ways to celebrate in the Orlando area.
Visit Site05
2019
You'll feel like you're staying in an art museum at the Alfond Inn
Hospitality may be an art, but art is also a major part of the hospitality at the Alfond Inn in Orlando. This luxury boutique hotel has a casual elegance that's so warm and welcoming, thanks to the eclectic art that greets you at every turn. What differentiates the Alfond Inn from other art hotels, though – besides the fact that its proceeds provide scholarships to students at Rollins College, whose notable alumni include Mr. Rogers – is that the collection belongs to an academic art museum: the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins. It was conceived to embody and reflect the museum's teaching mission.
Visit Site05
2019
5 Reasons to Woof at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, Winter “Bark,” Florida
August 26 is National Dog Day but at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, every day is a celebration of man’s (and woman’s) best friend. The award-winning pet-friendly Alfond Inn at Rollins is located in Winter Park, the historic, walkable city known for its welcoming dog-friendly shops and more than two dozen dog-friendly restaurants and sidewalk cafes, along with a 23-acre green space on Lake Baldwin where dogs can run off-leash during specific posted hours.
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2019
The Alfond Inn at Rollins introduces the new “Summer Memories Package”
Summertime (and really, anytime) the living is easy at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of historic Winter Park. The new Summer Memories package is great for visitors looking to stay cool and cultured in this historic, lake-filled city.
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2019
15 Best Hotels in Orlando, Florida
Booking a hotel in Orlando can be a complicated proposition. With so many major theme parks in the area, it’s no surprise that a number of resorts have special perks like early entry to the parks and free transportation to entice their guests—but what if you’re looking for a relaxing retreat away from the bustle? You don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. Our list of the best hotels in Orlando covers Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, as well as some luxury resorts and art-filled boutique hotels across town.
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2019
Where to shop, sight-see, and more along Winter Park, Florida's Park Avenue
Thirty miles east of Cinderella Castle, Winter Park, Florida, promises magic of a different kind. Five sparkling lakes in this well-to-do Orlando suburb are connected by bougainvillea-draped canals.
Visit Site08
2019
Florida's Award-Winning Boutique Hotel in Winter Park Expanding
April 8, 2019. Winter Park, Florida – The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of historic Winter Park, has announced plans to expand the property. Construction is expected to commence in late summer with a completion date anticipated for the first quarter of 2021.
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2019
Award-Winning Alfond Inn Enhances Luxury Experience with In Room Wine by the Glass Powered by Plum
Guest can now enjoy in-room wine by the glass at the touch of a button at the top-rated luxury Winter Park boutique property
Visit Site11
2019
This is how to see Orlando without kids or theme parks
This art-filled boutique hotel would be a special place to stay even if it wasn't for the fact that all profits endow the Alfond Scholars at Rollins College, a private liberal arts school whose alumni include Mister Rogers and Paul McCartney's stepson.
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2018
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Tops the Best-Of Lists
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Tops the Best-Of Lists Ranks high on Condé Nast Traveler 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards; Best Wedding Venue by the Orlando Sentinel; Best Local Hotel for Meetings and Weddings by theOrlando Business Journal
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2018
How I became a fan of contemporary art
Never in my wildest dreams would I consider myself a fan of contemporary art. Like my mother, I usually prefer the darker oil paintings from centuries ago. I like the color palette, the lighting, the subjects (still lifes, profiles of people I don’t know). I might even admit to French impressionism and its more realistic use of light. But never, ever contemporary art. (My mom instilled a love of art in us kids, but my exposure to contemporary art has been limited.) Until now.
Visit Site09
2018
Here Comes the Pooch!
Pups have always been welcome guests at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, voted Florida’s #1 Hotel by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and named the Best Wedding Venue by The Orlando Sentinel. Now the most adorable wedding trend unfolding in 2018 is the rise in faithful – and furry -- companions joining the bride and groom as they take their vows. Whether the beloved pooch is a ring bearer, flower pup, a member of the bridal party or simply struts down the aisle, there’s no question that canine tails are wagging weddings this year.
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2018
Bonjour Winter Park!
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Celebrates “Towards Impressionism” at the Cornell Museum of Fine Arts (CFAM)
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2017
Dog Lovers Say Happy Howlidays with a Stay!-Cation at Florida’s #1 Hotel
This holiday season, don’t just give your dog a bone. Show the favorite furry friend in your life how much you care by booking a VIP Pup Package at The Alfond Inn at Rollins.
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2017
A Holiday Shopping Package Gift-Wrapped in the Very Best of Winter Park, Florida
The perfect holiday gift? It just might be Holiday Shopping on Park Avenue, a package that offers shopping along one of America’s most quintessential and historic main streets and two nights of luxurious recuperation at The Alfond Inn at Rollins, routinely ranked as one of the top hotels in the world.
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2017
The Alfond Inn at Rollins is (Again) #1 in Florida
Condé Nast Traveler 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards Bestows #1 Ranking for 3rd Year in a Row.
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2017
New “Forever Days” Make More Wedding Dreams Come True - One Bride at a Time
At an intimate boutique hotel like The Alfond Inn at Rollins, where the high standards of service dictate just one-wedding-at-a-time, “Forever Days” means more brides can enjoy their dream wedding and the customized level of attention they deserve.
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2017
Top Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure
The Alfond Inn at Rollins has been singled out as one of The Top 100 Hotels in the World by the readers of Travel + Leisure in the World’s Best Awards 2017.
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2017
Creative Team Building
The Alfond Inn has become a hub for high level meetings, conferences and board retreats in the greater Orlando area.
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2017
Mastering the Art Hotel
Florida’s Acclaimed Boutique Hotel Re-Masters the Definition of a Fine Arts Museum.
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2016
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Recognized as #1 in Florida Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards
The Alfond Inn at Rollins Recognized as #1 in Florida Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards
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2016
The Art of Being a Top Hotel in the U.S. Thanks to the Readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine
The Art of Being a Top Hotel in the U.S. Thanks to the Readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine
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