Art at the Alfond Inn in Winter Park

By Ginger Harris

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Winter Park, I suggest checking in at the Alfond Inn.

The hotel is just minutes from the Winter Park Art Festival, the yearly juried art show that has a huge and prestigious presence in the Sunshine State, as well as the art world.

And while the festival is just a once-a-year, weekend event, the art collection at the hotel is a permanent fixture. It’s a perfect location because Winter Park, as you may or may not know, is a hub for art and philanthropists. The city was settled in the 19^th Century by visionaries and artists.

The boutique hotel offers an art collection that’s unique, unexpected and stunning. The collection is owned by Rollins College, a liberal arts school that brings a steady stream of culture to Winter Park.

In the collection, assembled and donated to the Rollins College by alumni and hotel owners Barbara and Ted Alfond, are 100-plus pieces of contemporary art.

And while you may not be able to shop the collection, you can peruse it. And sometimes window shopping is the best shopping of all. Reservations are requested, but the tour is free. Every few months the collection changes to include something new and fabulous, which means each time you stay, you’re bound to see something new.

As for the hotel itself, the beds are soft, the room service is delicious and the décor is packed with eye-catching art. The best part for your inner shopper? Its located within walking distance to Winter Park’s downtown area shops.

Art, convenience and comfort all in one makes for a very happy hotel guest.

When You Go:...Alfond Inn
300 E. New England Ave.
Winter Park, Fla. 32789