The Best Bed and Breakfasts to Book in Florida

Azaleana Manor sits on the bank of St Johns River in Orange Park, 20 minutes from downtown Jacksonville. Its four-acre (1.6ha) plot is populated with azaleas, 100-year-old oak trees, and a 10,000sqft (929sqm) mansion and wedding venue with six suites, including a riverfront Groom’s Suite with carved marble fireplace. The manor includes a great room, bar, 1,000-book library and access to the adjacent sister property’s restaurant, pub and three swimming pools.

Located in the barrier island town of Melbourne Beach, just steps from the ocean, this historic, 12-room resort treats you to fresh flowers, robes and nightly turndown service. To spend your evenings in a two-person spa tub, book the 625sqft (58sqm) Carriage House Suite. The resort can arrange in-room massages and vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free breakfasts like eggs florentine and pear custard french toast, which you can enjoy on your private porch. Fresh-baked cookies will keep you going until evening, when wine and hors d’oeuvres are served in the courtyard under bougainvillea and allamanda.

Located in downtown Gainesville, this Victorian-style inn has 12 suites, seven cottages, a saltwater pool, a koi pond and a putting green surrounded by the McKenzie Gardens. The property’s McKenzie House, built in 1895, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Check into Luisa’s Room to soak in the 6ft (1.8m) whirlpool tub before enjoying the books and games that fill the inn’s library. Stays here include daily breakfast and evening cheese and wine on the porch.

With a tropical, midcentury-modern aesthetic, this inn perches beside the Indian River in New Smyrna Beach. Of the 14 rooms, opt for the Luxury Bay Front room for a soaking tub underneath a sky-lit cupola, or the Honeymoon Suite for the air-jetted soaking tub and wine chiller. This pet-friendly sanctuary, with views of the river and Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, offers boat dockage, fishing from its private dock, and glimpses of dolphins, manatees and sea turtles.

This Caribbean-style oceanfront inn features 11 guest rooms and suites spread across its Main House and Carriage House – a two-bed, pet-friendly unit complete with living room, kitchen and sunroom. Located on a barrier island between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, Windemere Inn has a pool, Tesla charging station, airport shuttle and daily breakfasts like brie, asparagus and ham quiche with baked cheese grits. Don’t miss the complimentary, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and wine brownies.

Surrounded by tropical gardens and orchids, the 24-room Heron House is one block from Duval Street. Rattan furniture, watercolors by Key West artists, and a porch or patio give each room a tropical feel. Relax by the pool or on the rooftop sundeck as you indulge in complimentary snacks, lemonade, cold face towels and evening happy hour. Don’t miss the garden, featuring more than 1,000 exotic plants. This B&B has an attentive staff that speaks English and German and offers concierge services.

Located in Floral City in the northwest of the state, this ranch is a slice of “old Florida.” On a farm populated with oak trees and Gypsy Vanner horses, the three-room ranch offers a respite for horse-lovers. As well as admiring the foals, you can take a dip in the refreshing swimming pool with pasture views, and enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast of eggs, bacon, cereals, yogurt, fruit and sweets like crepes, waffles and french toast.

Built in 1895, Dolan House is a two-room bed and breakfast located in southwest Florida, one hour north of Tampa and one hour west of Orlando. The two-story yellow clapboard home is nestled among oak trees and Spanish moss on Florida’s adventure coast. Step back in time as you soak in the Snow Room’s claw-foot tub, or enjoy the Florida sunshine on the peaceful balcony of the Ederington Room.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this rural north-central Florida mansion was originally a “cracker-style” pine farmhouse. Surrounded by oaks, magnolias, palm trees and gardens of azaleas, camellias and roses, the Greek Revival-style inn was built in 1945 and has 10 rooms and two cottages. Featuring everything from antique brass beds to claw-foot baths and two-person whirlpool tubs, each room is well appointed. Wake up to a three-course breakfast followed by home-baked cookies and evening wine in the antiques capital of Florida.