A Vintage Deal: clean, roomy, and inexpensive. Ideal for a long stay.
I stayed one week at Lake Ida Beach Resort for a visit to Legoland and area attractions. This property is a classic aged vintage Florida bungalow/cabin roadside resort/hotel with about twenty units; a few of the bungalows are duplexes (1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 14-15). Our unit 12 had a fully stocked kitchenette. The property is on the main road through Winter Haven yet secluded at the north edge of town between Lake Ida and a cemetery; a few minutes from the main business areas of town: several dozen restaurants, groceries, Wal-Mart, Staples, Post Office. It is eight miles and one well marked turn from Legoland; Disney World is 24 miles to the north east via state roads (9 miles) then I-4 (15 miles).
Vintage property maintained by the current owners for well over a decade; a property like this is always a work in progress. Our unit was entirely serviceable with everything working and countless extras that made our week stay a pleasure. A nicely stocked kitchenette with dinette for four. A full sized sofa and chair in the setting area. Around the corner two double beds, dresser and large closet in the sleeping area. The TV is in a cutout in the wall and rotated to face either the bedroom or sitting area. The bath has a clean but dated tub shower unit, a well-lit lavatory, and a second closet.
The free Wi-Fi was acceptable, I connected every time without issue. Wi-Fi speed test from 10M (night) to 3m (morning); now 8:30am Friday 10m down/4.5m up. There is a main and repeater, the main was usually faster. I was able to Skype and upload without serious issue. My Wal-Mart/T-Mobile phone would drop coverage if sit to low in the room; possibly that tower is eclipsed in this unit. My other cell phone was fine. The TV has a bunch of local and cable channels. My son found Disney and I found the news.
Units 10, 11 and 12 seem best located with 16 opposite 12 missing the lake view. Units 6 and 7 are up closer to the road. All units have an adjacent parking spot; extra parking is available, but limited you should inquire. Reservations for any stay is a must. Only limited select units are offered for online bookings (currently: 6, 7, 12, & 16); the remaining units are typically reserved by corporate customers and other long stays. You may want to inquire directly. As each unit is somewhat unique your experience will vary.
Pluses for us: inexpensive, lots of space, separate sleeping and living areas, and quite. We ate in for all our breakfasts and several dinners.
We had a view from of Lake Ida from all three rooms. Across the lawn there is a small fishing pier great views at sun rise. A small disused row boat on the lawn that and the disused shuffle board courts by unit 19 likely earned this property its vintage beach resort name ‘back in the day’. The lake is totally quite at night with lights visible on the north shore. The sun rises are stunning. Ducks and wild birds feed on the grassy lawn in the morning. There are even a few small resident gators.
Turning off the AC I did not hear anything at night as I wrote most of this except the faint noise of an occasional car on the highway cabins closer to the highway (#1 to #8 and #19 would seem to have various noticeable traffic noise. With the newer wall unit AC going 24/7 and the older full sized refrigerator running I never was disturbed by anything outside during my stay, no cars or talking.
The pool is vintage clean and clear with 9 to 3 ½ foot ends with entry steps. Due to the small number of units on the property the pool was nearly private for our entire visit; we encountered just three other guests during our several visits. The old pool patio area is fine plenty of chairs and lounges and room, but I note there is old pool furniture in and odds and ends stacked under the equipment shed adjacent to the pool at one end. The block retaining wall beside the few steps up to the pool from the lake side is leaning in, the gate old. There is a second gate from the office side without steps.
This is a vintage property. The older couple that operates it sees to their guests needs. My couple of reasonable extra requests were met quickly and properly. My non-smoking bungalow, unit 12, was dated but clean and tight. No bugs or vermin or signs of them. Paneled walls, fresh paint, well lit, everything in working order. The beds were firm, the sheets clean and white; extra pillow and blanket in the closet. Plenty of clean white towels changed as used. Beds made, trash emptied, floors cleaned daily.
There is an old shed at the end of the drive beside units 14/15. Beside it behind unit 16 two old trailer units with disused rooms that should have been razed decades ago; kept to remodel someday because of zoning. Outdoors: the pavement is old, handrails are bent, there is clutter about in a several areas, the shrubs need a trim, and so on. Shopping carts used to haul trash bags from the units make it look like a couple of street people stopped by. If any of this disturbs you, take a pass.
If you are looking for a deal and do not mind the vintage nature consider this property. I would be happy staying there for several weeks or more. I met several long term guest during my stay, all loved the property and many were repeat residents. I would have no issue retuning here. We enjoy our stay. This was the best most relaxing hotel of our several week trip.
The short drive to Legoland allowed for: dining, shopping and laundry without hunting about. Heading out to Orlando was easy, under an hour. Traveling with kids check out the Cypress Bowl (see separate review), my son won 1200 tickets in thier arcade.
Typical Unit (12)
Nicely furnished unit. Kitchen set up for four with extras. An eclectic mix of vintage clean serviceable kitchen and household items.
Towels and linens white and newish.
Large & Small Plates, Bowls, Glasses, cups and saucers for four plus
Sufficient Flatware for four and better than basic Cooking Utensils
Cookware: two Pots w/ Lids, Sm Pan, two Skillets, Cookie Sheet
Kitchen Ware: two Serving Bowls, Pasta/Vegetable strainer, Orange Juicer, Cutting Board, more
Appliances and extras:
Flat panel TV
Small new self-lighting gas stove
Full sized refrigerator
Microwave
Toaster
Coffee Maker (filters in cabinet)
Dish Rack, Dish Soap and Sponge
Ironing Board and Iron (in bath room closet)
Clothes Basket (in bathroom closet)
Broom, Dustpan, and Mop (quaintly hanging from nails by door)
Furniture: Dinette and four chairs, sofa and chair, two beds, night stand, end table, dresser
Drapes are good. Art is okay. Various appointments are quaint.
Every outlet, switch, and lamp worked.