Winter Park Florida Hotel: A Historic Stay on Park Avenue
Historic Charm, Balcony Views, and Small-Town Florida Appeal.
Key Takeaways
- The Park Plaza Hotel is a historic Winter Park Florida hotel, known for its charm and ideal location on Park Avenue.
- Opened in 1922, the hotel features antique decor, cozy rooms, and balconies that enhance the guest experience.
- Guests enjoy free coffee, valet parking, and a true boutique hotel atmosphere away from chain hotels.
- The Front Balcony room offers more space and a great view, perfect for relaxing with a drink after a busy day.
- Overall, the Park Plaza Hotel is recommended for its unique character, cozy ambiance, and convenient proximity to local attractions.
307 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
The Park Plaza Hotel entry looking out onto
Park Avenue
A guest bed in a Front Balcony Room- The balcony facing Central Park
I really love the Park Plaza Hotel, a historic Winter Park Florida hotel right in the heart of town. It’s right on Park Avenue and has become my go-to place whenever I travel to Orlando for work. A friend who knows I enjoy historic hotels with a story recommended it to me, so I checked it out. I’m glad I did.
The Historic Park Plaza Hotel
If you’re looking for a Winter Park Florida hotel with history and character, it’s hard to beat the Park Plaza.
The Park Plaza Hotel opened in 1922 to meet the growing number of visitors coming to Winter Park and nearby Rollins College. It was first called the Hamilton Hotel. Today, it’s known as Winter Park’s most historic hotel. In the late 1970s, new owners took over and changed the name to The Park Plaza Hotel.
- A historic photo of the hotel
- The lobby
- The lobby
The hotel is right on Park Avenue and has a vintage lobby filled with woodwork, a winding staircase, an old elevator, and lots of antiques. You can easily walk to Central Park next door, and there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby. Rollins College is also within walking distance. The hotel has a lot of character, with squeaky wood floors, two stories, real room keys, and balconies. I’ll share more about the balconies soon.
The location is perfect. It’s a small town with brick streets and a historic feel, which is pretty rare in Florida. There are small shops, local restaurants, and the hotel is close to everything.
The Rooms: Cozy, Charming and Full of Character
The rooms at this historic Winter Park hotel are cozy and comfortable, with wood floors, area rugs, antique furniture, and exposed brick walls. It’s nicely done for a historic hotel. The creaky floors actually make me feel at home since I live in a 100-year-old house and am used to them. Just a heads up: there are complimentary earplugs on the table because the walls are very thin. On each stay, my first night, I do not sleep well because I can hear everything. On my first stay, my neighbors were up all night having fun, so I barely got any rest. The next night was much better once they left. Also, the train tracks are behind the hotel, so you’ll hear trains go by. I’m used to it as I live near trains, but you might want to use those earplugs.
Real keys are still used- A Parkside Balcony Room, wine on the table is available for purchase
- A bathroom in a Front Balcony Room
Book the Balcony
If you can, book a room with a Front Balcony or a Parkside Balcony. My Front Balcony room was bigger than the Parkside one. It had a four-poster bed and a sitting area. The balcony looks out over Park Avenue and has two chairs and a table. The Parkside Balcony faces Central Park on the side street, and you can still see Park Avenue from an angle. That room is smaller and doesn’t have a sitting area, but the balcony setup is the same. The balcony is continuous, so guests can walk along it. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s easy to step out and join them for a drink or a chat.
A Front Balcony Room- A Front Balcony Room
- A Front Balcony Room, view from the sitting room
The balcony is my favorite part of staying at The Park Plaza Hotel. I love sitting there in the morning with coffee or in the evening with a glass of wine, watching people stroll down Park Avenue, walk their dogs, or go on dates. The sound of trains behind me reminds me of home, where I sit on my porch and hear the same thing. Being able to do this while away from home helps me relax after a busy workday. The balcony really is the best part of this hotel.
- A guest room
- A Parkside Balcony Room (it does not have the sitting room)
A Parkside Balcony Room
A True Boutique Hotel
The Park Plaza Hotel in Winter Park, Florida, is a true boutique hotel. It isn’t part of any big chain, which makes it special. They offer free coffee and water in the lobby, and valet parking is available. The rooms all have a couple of bottles of wine for sale, along with wine glasses and a corkscrew, perfect for drinking on the balcony. There are also plenty of parking lots nearby, and street parking is free after a certain time. As for ghosts, I haven’t seen anything myself, but if you ask the staff, they might have a story or two.
- The Front Balcony facing Park Avenue
- A perfect place to relax after work
- The Parkside Balcony, facing Central Park
So, Would I Stay Again? Well, Yes!
The Park Plaza Hotel is my spot to go after a hectic day at work (yes! I’ve stayed here multiple times), and I think it could be what you need too, no matter why you’re in town. With its historic vibe and comfy rooms, it makes me feel at home. I especially love the balcony overlooking Park Avenue. Sure, this boutique hotel has its quirks, but that just adds to its uniqueness. If you’re looking for a hotel with character, a great location, and a bit of history, and away from the craziness of the convention center or the tourism, you definitely want to check out the Park Plaza Hotel. I’m definitely looking forward to going back!
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