ADORA INN — Hotel in Mount Dora

Upon arrival my wife and I, celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary, were greeted cheerfully by Arthur in the kitchen at the rear of the house. It was through the kitchen that we entered the home, luggage in tow, and were struck immediately by the warmth and vitality within. Despite the century plus age of the building, the interior and occupants possessed a modern elegance and delightfully enhanced the already charming dwelling.

My wife and I stayed in the Treehouse Room on the third floor of the house and absolutely loved it. The space was ample and the bed was quite comfortable. All of our needs were met and we had every bit of privacy and peace required. The bathroom featured a very large tub and although there was not a traditional shower set-up, we enjoyed the alternative style of bathing. Such temporary adjustments in convenience allow the mind to wander to days of old when the luxuries we enjoy today would have seemed vastly extravagant.

Each morning we were greeted by the wafting aromas of a gourmet breakfast being prepared in the kitchen by either host John or Arthur. It was on the morning of our first full day that we realized the depth of care these hosts took to provide an astounding experience to every guest of the inn. An interesting dichotomy began to emerge between the absolute professionalism of the pair and the overwhelming sense of ease and comfort they implied through every interaction. It was truly as if we were in the home of dear friends.

When breakfast was served there were two tables available; one inside and another on the four-season front porch. All of the guests of the inn would congregate and choose a table. The interaction with new friends was a delight and only dwarfed by the amazing story-telling ability of John. We had the privilege of enjoying breakfast with John on two of our three mornings at the Adora Inn and he is a wealth of knowledge with an amazing ability to spin a yarn.

On our final evening my wife and I were treated to an intimate Dinner at the Inn which was quaint and fantastic. Both John and Arthur catered to us as hosts and sat with us as friends and the experience could not have been more memorable. Throughout our time at the Adora Inn the food was spectacular and dinner was no exception. As hosts John and Arthur do this all the time so for them it may have been routine, but for us it was anything but.

I could not recommend the Adora Inn to a higher degree. As a hospitality professional I understand and appreciate the level of professionalism and quality of service provided by the Adora Inn. Not once was cleanliness an issue nor was any need unmet. Having interacted with several repeat guests during our four days at the inn, it is clear that service of a consistently high quality is the standard that has been set by John and Arthur and the Adora Inn is a destination that will forever be recalled...

On October 24, 2016 my husband and I booked a weekend getaway at the Adora Inn for November 4 thru the 6. After reading all of the positive reviews we couldn't wait to visit the Adora Inn.

During the early morning hours of October 29, 2016 my husband, who is a Deputy Sheriff, was assisting an injured motorist in the median of Highway 60 when a drunk driver veered off of the road and struck my husband and the lady he was helping. The lady passed away and my husband was airlifted to our trauma hospital in critical condition.

On Monday, October 31, my sister reached out to the Adora Inn and requested to know what the family could do to cancel or reschedule the reservations. She was told the person making the reservation would have to call. I understand and can appreciate the fact they did not want just anybody cancelling reseverations.

On Wednesday, November 2, I was able to call Adora Inn and speak with John, who I was advised is the owner. John was very rude and told me there was no way he could refund my money. John told me I had signed an agreement and they could cancel my reservation and attempt to rebook the room. In the chance the room was rebooked, I would be refunded my money. However, if the room was not rebooked, I would lose my money. The same afternoon my mom called Adora Inn and spoke with John, who was once again very rude. John began screaming at my mom and stated they were a small business who had been impacted by the hurricane and they could not go and refund money just because. (This obviously was not "just because") My mom never once put John on speaker phone and I could hear him yelling and belittling her from several feet away. I received an email from John confirming the room had been cancelled and in the chance of it being rebooked, they would refund the money.

Later in the week John called me and told me he had rebooked the room and would refund my money IF my friends took down their reviews. As I was sitting next to my husband's bed in ICU where he is currently on a venilator, John began yelling at me for allowing my friends to disrespect his business. For two minutes, I listened to John yell and scream. Through tears I attempted to ask him to stop screaming at me and that I was sitting next to my husband in ICU. The conversation ended with me telling John if he did not refund the money, regardless of the revews I would contact the Better Business Bureau and any media outlet I could find.

I understand they are a small business and are impacted by things such as weather, however, I cannot comprehend treating someone as poorly as we were treated. In all honesty, regardless of a refund, the chances of us one day visiting the Adora Inn were great, until I was yelled at...

Let us count the ways Adora Inn wins five+ stars, starting with the inn itself. This beautifully maintained, spacious home is a tranquil retreat from the hustle of the world—the perfect place to come back to after a hectic day as a tourist. Its modern décor and minimalist vibe soothe the soul and delight the eye. The inn offers several public spaces to perch, including a comfortable living room with a fireplace, outdoor garden areas, and a fabulous indoor “porch” that can serve both as a fine dining space and a casual spot to lose a few hours in a book or play cards with your travel companion. Around 5, we enjoyed aperitifs there—lazily looking out at the tree-lined residential street and enjoying the cool breeze of the indoor air conditioning. (It was hot as heck outside when we visited in June, and the porch became our cool refuge.) The bedrooms are designed for rest—with calming colors and minimal furnishings. The bathrooms in our two rooms featured clawfoot tubs—so bring your favorite bath bubbles and sink deep into relaxation. Another burst of stars goes to the culinary excellence you’ll encounter at breakfast, including homemade scones, pineapple tarts, and fresh fruit, alongside a hearty frittata or cheese-laden omelet and freshly baked ciabatta with butter and jam. Hosts John and Arthur are both accomplished chefs and I highly recommend ordering “Dinner at the Inn,” billed as a “romantic dinner served by candlelight on the intimate front porch.” Do it. We treated ourselves the first night we arrived, and it was everything promised and more. Two hours in, as we started on an impossibly tasty dessert of braised pears that left our mouths tingling with pleasure, John and Arthur joined us, and we spent another hour learning about each other’s lives. Arthur is an accomplished artist—his works hang throughout the house—and John served in the hospitality industry for 24 years. Full confession: I usually skip B&B’s because I’ve found that most B&B hosts lack the skills for the job. But John and Arthur are the perfect hosts—knowing exactly when to give a guest space. This sweet retreat in the heart of Mt. Dora is a treasure. If you treasure quiet elegance with a modern twist, the Adora...