Despite its unusual location, visitors fill Country Place Bed and Breakfast's rooms.
By EBONY WINDOM
Published May 16, 2003
LAND O'LAKES - Nestled just off busy N Dale Mabry Highway is Country Place Bed and Breakfast. It's miles from any historic district and tourism hot spots, yet Country Place stays busy.
The inn's guest book boasts of visitors from all over the United States who have stayed in one of the eight rooms in the 4,000-square-foot, split-level house.
The family owned and operated inn draws vacationing families and overflow from local nudist resorts.
"You're 25-30 minutes from the airport," manager Jim Butler said. "We're the only one (bed and breakfast) in the local area."
When Country Place opened five years ago at 20617 County Line Road, the odd location hurt business. Management decided to increase its visibility by launching a state-of-the-art Web site and constructing an enormous sign visible from the busy four-lane highway.
"Our business has quadrupled since August. I'm booking reservations now for Thanksgiving," Butler said.
The advertising has paid off.
"I found it by driving by and seeing this sign," said Dmitry Goldoff, 44, of Lutz. Goldoff's relatives traveled from California for his daughter's bat mitzvah. With little room at his house, he made reservations at Country Place for his brother and parents. "We were looking for something close, and there are no hotels."
The 18 acres surrounding the bed and breakfast, complete with red maple trees and fragrant jasmine blossoms, offer a serene setting for out-of-towners.
"It's very Florida," Butler said.
"It's semirural. When you're here, it's kind of quiet other than the road traffic."
Country Place has the look and feel of a farmhouse, with a cozy front porch and colorful, handmade quilts draped over beds and hanging on the walls.
Little Moss Lake offers a retreat for guests to fish or canoe just behind the inn. Visitors can breakfast on fresh fruit and pastries. Rates on the Web site range from $50 to $60 per night.
"I think you have more privacy," said Madeline Dehaan, owner and mother-in-law of the manager. "Hotels are usually just one-night stands. Whereas this is more of a vacation home."
For reservations, call (813) 948-1016 or toll-free 1-866-813-1016. Visit countryplacebandb.tripod.com.
