Spacious bed and breakfast is a short stroll from Mount Dora

The Victorian-style, three-story bed and breakfast on the edge of Lake Dora looks like something out of a fairy tale with its two acres of flora and fauna, sparkling pool and wraparound porch.

Owned the last three years by Marjorie Salyer and Randy Burgener, the Heron Cay Lakeview Bed & Breakfast of Mount Dora, Fla., is more than just pretty looks and it is winning rave reviews for its superb service. The bed and breakfast has been awarded AAA’s prestigious four-diamond honor in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Only 4 percent of the lodging establishments in the country achieve this rating, says Salyer.

Other than its warm hospitality and award-winning service, Heron Cay is well known by vacationers for its sheer size and closeness to the charming downtown district of Mount Dora. As the largest bed and breakfast in Lake County with more than 9,000 square feet, Heron Cay features seven guest rooms, six fireplaces, three staircases and one dining room large enough to serve one outstanding breakfast buffet.

Served 8 to 10 a.m. daily, the B & B’s morning buffet is a literal mountain of wholesome breakfast goodness with staples such as coffee and pastries, and a smorgasbord of gourmet items, such as omelets, fresh fruit platter and French toast.

“It’s a very big breakfast,” Salyer said. “People rave about our breakfast.”

Another aspect that sets Heron Cay apart from other bed and breakfasts is its facility. Not only is it one of the largest in Central Florida, but it was actually built to be a bed and breakfast. Erected in 1995, the bed and breakfast did not have to be remodeled to accommodate overnight stays as each guest room features a bathroom, television and fridge.

One of Heron Cay’s commonly talked about superlatives is its honeymoon suite. The suite, which is the biggest room in the bed and breakfast, also features one of the largest bathrooms. At more than 200 square foot, the bathroom includes a Jacuzzi and whirlpool bathtub and enough space to host a small gathering.

“I try to describe this to people as I can put a king sized bed in the master bathroom and it wouldn’t be crowded,” Salyer said.

Salyer and Burgener are well versed as innkeepers and decorators. The Heron Cay Lakeview Bed and Breakfast is adorned with an eclectic arrangement of antiques and conversation pieces with a hint of the tropics.

“I grew up in Palm Beach County and my family had apartment units so I was used to having frequent visitors,” Salyer said.

Burgener adds, “Originally we had friends that moved from Jupiter to Mount Dora. We would come visit Renniger’s back then and that’s how we accumulated our collectibles. We liked old antiques and things were getting too crowded in South Florida.”

Heron Cay quickly books for Mount Dora’s collection of festivals and caters to family reunions, group gatherings and small weddings. Only two blocks away from Mount Dora’s downtown district, Heron Cay guests can walk to Mount Dora’s downtown district within minutes.

“There is so much to do downtown,” Salyer said. “You can park your car and just leave it.”