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10 Favorite Florida Inns

By HERB HILLER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 21, 2000

Facing months of heat and humidity, why not take advantage of the discounted summer rates at Florida's top resorts? Each one listed here rates at least four stars and four diamonds -- out of five -- awarded by the Mobil Travel Guide and AAA TourBook. We've added a couple of venerable Tampa Bay hotels, for a shorter trip.

For readers who prefer more intimate accommodations, we tell you about some fine small hotels and B&Bs.

The Fairbanks House

• 227 S Seventh St.

• Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

• (800) 261-4838, (904) 277-0500

• Web site: http://www.fairbankshouse.com

• E-mail: fairbanks@net-magic.net

• A high stack of Italianate grandeur on its own acre, this 1885 Victorian mansion towers above historic downtown Fernandina. Soaring interiors accommodate dramatic chandeliers, archways and regal draperies in a mansion conversion architecturally unequaled among Florida B&Bs. Swimming pool; gourmet breakfast. Five-minute walk to many restaurants.

Cypress Glen Bed & Breakfast

• 10336 Centurion Court

• Orlando, FL 32836

• (888) 909-0338, (407) 909-0338

• Web site: http://www.cypressglen.com

• E-mail: cypglen@aol.com

• Contemporary house on a country road less than 10 minutes from Disney's Maingate supplies flawless art deco interiors graced with original Erte art, lushly landscaped pool, tap room and wine cellar at guests' disposal. Whole bean coffee aromas start continental breakfast mornings. A splurge.

Thurston House

• 851 Lake Ave.

• Maitland, FL 32751

• (800) 843-2721, (407) 539-1911

• Web site: http://www.thurstonhouse.com

• E-mail: thurstonbb@aol.com

• Chaletlike, many-gabled 1885 pine and cypress house sits behind its big front porch along a forest edge beside gladelike Lake Eulalia. Benches among flower and herb gardens and the country-styled guest rooms arouse seclusive urge. Five-minute drive to many restaurants.

Big Oaks Ranch

• 615 Grand Chenier Cove

• Chuluota, FL 32766

• (407) 365-8885

• Working cattle ranch in Seminole County on the Econlockhatchee River supplies rustic but comfortable farm house digs with bunkhouse detailing. Hike, paddle, laze, swim at riverfront beaches, enjoy use of a fully equipped kitchen. Some baths down the hall. Families love the place. Ten-to-15-minute drive to area restaurants.

Darst Victorian Manor Bed & Breakfast

• 495 Old Highway 441

• Mount Dora, FL 32757

• (352) 383-4050, (888) 533-2778

• Web site: http://www.bbonline.com/fl/darstmanor/

• Replica Victorian mansion atop a knoll overlooks Lake Dora -- and little else. In-room velour robes and fresh flowers indulge guests who lodge at the brink of Victorian excess. Fireplace parlor, full breakfast. Less than a 10-minute walk to downtown shops and restaurants.

Manasota Beach Club

• 7660 Manasota Key Road

• Englewood, FL 34223

• (941) 474-2614

• Web site: http://www.manasotabeachclub.com

• E-mail: mbc7660@aol.com

• Rare, family-run beach resort, woody, scaled below the trees. The main lodge (its library cataloged by the Dewey Decimal System) is more than 100 years old; guest quarters in private cottages, many kitchen-equipped. Trails and sport facilities spread across 22 wooded acres. Winter, all meals included. Rest of year, guests typically prepare their own meals.

The Harrington House Bed & Breakfast

• 5626 Gulf Drive

• Holmes Beach, FL 34217

• (888) 828-5566, (941) 778-5444

• Web site: http://www.harringtonhouse.com

• harhousebb@pcsonline.com

• Doors fling open onto the beach from this airy 1925 shore house. Stunning two-story-high living room wall lined with books. Romantic rooms, most with French doors opening onto balconied gulf views. Full gourmet breakfast, swimming pool. Additional rooms in two nearby houses of like character. Walking close to restaurants of Anna Maria Island.

The Cottage at Shadowbright

• 8140 S Shadowbright Place

• Floral City, FL 34436

• (352) 341-0546

• Web site: http://www.bbonline.com/fl/shadowbright/

• Romantic stone cottage down a quiet lane on two acres of shady oaks and gardens. Stone fireplace in the bedroom, fully equipped kitchen. Cottage dates from the early 1930s on a site commemorated in a booklet of poems by its first owner. One mile down back roads to the Withlacoochee State Trail; quarter-hour drive to restaurants in Inverness.

Calhoun Street Inn

• 525 N Calhoun St.

• Tallahassee, Fl 32301

• (850) 425-5095

• Web site: http://www.bbonline.com/fl/calhounstreet

• E-mail: gailrei@juno.com

• Distinctly slate blue and mauve Eastlake house, from 1907, an easy 10-minute walk from downtown, a few minutes farther to popular restaurants on Thomasville Road. Large rooms on two floors furnished without frills for business traveler comfort; living room with Victorian antiques. Full breakfast. Closed May to mid-Sept.

Wolfe Creek School House Inn & Cottages

• Rte. 6, Box 283

• Milton, FL 32570

• (Coldwater Creek, 12 miles north of Milton off CR 87)

• (800) 239-6864, (850) 623-6197

• Web site: http://www.adventuresunlimited.com

• Schoolhouse relocated from the rural Fidelis community converted to remote-in-time eight rooms with 12-foot-high ceilings, hardwood floors and beaded walls. Rocking chair porch overlooks the woodland grounds of an outdoors outfitter. Continental breakfast supplied by straw basket placed in room fridge. Twenty-minute drive to Milton restaurants.

Freelance writer Herb Hiller is a longtime Florida inn-watcher.