Your anniversary is a time to think back to the day you took your vows and remember all the hopes you had for the future. If your dreams included a beautifully decorated house on the beach, we might be able to help you out—for the weekend, at least. This year, spend your anniversary being pampered at one of Florida’s most romantic inns on www.iloveinns.com. The innkeepers at our bed and breakfasts pay attention to detail with comfortable amenities, architecture to showcase Florida’s most stunning views and vacation packages for that extra touch of romance.
Second Honeymoon
Like the phases of the moon, the honeymoon phase can return anytime you decide to book a vacation together. Who says the honeymoon suite is just for newlyweds?
Take a second honeymoon at the Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn (http://www.donvicenteinn.com) in Tampa. The warm wood and brick walls of the stylish dining room and underground lounge make a great setting for a romantic dinner for two or for an anniversary party with friends and family. Afterward, retreat to the Bridal Suite and take in the panoramic view of the city from one of four cast iron balconies. The room is spacious with hardwood floors and an elegant antique sitting area.
Hold hands along the brick pathway that winds through the private gardens of Simonton Court Historic Inn & Cottages (www.simontoncourt.com) in Key West. This former cigar factory is now marked by elegant modern décor that accents clean white furnishings with bright tropical colors. Spending time together is easy when the inn is just around the corner from the nightlife of Duval Street and three blocks from the Gulf of Mexico.
Hollywood Ending
In real life, the best parts begin after the credits roll. Change your setting to Florida and your costumes to bathing suits and sandals and make a sequel. Choose the set of your next adventure together at the Herlong Mansion Bed and Breakfast (www.herlong.com) in Micanopy. Guests can enjoy the quirky antique furnishings while taking advantage of services such as in-room massages and private candlelight dinners. The quiet town of Micanopy is the setting for the films Doc Hollywood, with Michael J. Fox, Woody Harrelson, and Bridget Fonda; and Cross Creek, with Mary Steenburgen, Peter Coyote, and Rip Torn. Here, all is quiet on the set—events are closed off at nine p.m. for a tranquil ambiance.
In the movies, an innocent boat ride can lead to a steamy romance on a desert island. In downtown St. Petersburg, guests of The Historic Beach Drive Inn (www.beachdriveinn.com) can trade their bed and breakfast getaway be cast away on a “bed and boat” adventure. The SeaClusion is booked one party at a time for maximum privacy with minimal danger—the boat is permanently moored at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Guests won’t feel stranded with mainland amenities that include a full breakfast, bicycle rides, and wine and cheese receptions.
Long Walks on the Beach…Still Love Them
It’s simple, but true. Nothing beats taking your shoes off and walking barefoot in the sand with an ocean breeze blowing and a golden sun setting on the horizon.
Your long walk on the beach is a short walk from the oceanfront Elizabeth Pointe Lodge (www.elizabethpointelodge.com) on Amelia Island. The 1890’s “Nantucket Shingle-style” home is surrounded with porches and offers a honeymoon suite built in a lighthouse with a 180-degree view of the ocean. Couples can go sailing at sunset, ride horses on the beach, get a massage or shower each other with gifts of flowers, champagne and strawberries or dinners for two with one of the inn’s romantic packages.
The Key West Harbor Inn (www.keywestharborinn.com) was custom-made for romantic walks on the beach. In 1950, the three-story mansion was moved from its original location to face the harbor so its guests would have a better view of the sunset. Nearby beach activities include walks down Historic Key West Seaport’s boardwalk, snorkeling along the reef, dolphin watching, or just staying inside at the inn’s pool and Jacuzzi. The bed and breakfast is surrounded by a walled tropical garden for extra privacy.
No two couples are quite the same. Each bed and breakfast on our site is unique in its history, architectural style, and proximity to Florida’s attractions. Finding the right person was the hard part—a search on our website makes it easy to celebrate your life together.
Still undecided? Log onto www.iloveinns.com and browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns that specialize in other events and locations that may interest you. Many of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
About American Historic Inns and iLoveInns.com
American Historic Inns, Inc. (www.iloveinns.com), founded in 1981, is the leading publisher of bed & breakfast guidebooks, with more than 2.5 million bed & breakfast guidebooks sold, and runs iLoveInns.com, a top bed & breakfast and country inns directory.
Note: For photos or interviews, please contact Deborah Sakach at 949-497-2232.
