A lot has changed in Winter Park, Fla., since 20th-century presidents Chester A. Arthur and Grover Cleveland visited (not together) and land went for roughly $2 an acre. In those days the Seminole Hotel, with its gaslights and steam heat, set a new standard for luxury. Today, the new Alfond Inn continues the city’s long tradition of distinguished lodging, but with a philanthropic twist: the hotel is owned by Rollins College, and net operating income from the property will support the Alfond Scholars program for the next 25 years or until the endowment principal reaches $50 million.
To celebrate the inn’s connection to the college and the arts, guests can book an Art in the Park package. The package includes two nights in a classic king room, admission to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, plus a guided tour of the Alfond Contemporary Art Collection. Guests also receive a $100 credit for Hamilton’s Kitchen, where Executive Chef Chris Windus presents a menu inspired by Florida’s local flavors and seasonal produce. The package price of $395, based on double occupancy, is available through the end of the year.
While Winter Park’s hospitality has evolved from the gaslit luxury of the Seminole to a modern boutique property with an educational mission, the city remains a destination for art lovers, food enthusiasts and visitors who appreciate thoughtful civic-minded design. The Alfond Inn’s combination of museum-quality art, on-site dining and direct support for student scholarships gives travelers a way to enjoy the city while contributing to a lasting educational legacy.
Visitors who come for the museums will find well-curated collections close at hand. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum offers rotating exhibitions and campus-based programming, while the Morse Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of American decorative arts. The guided tour of the Alfond Contemporary Art Collection provides context for the works displayed throughout the inn, helping guests connect with the pieces in their rooms and public spaces.
Beyond the art, Hamilton’s Kitchen anchors the inn’s culinary offering. Chef Chris Windus focuses on dishes that showcase Florida ingredients, marrying simple preparations with bold, contemporary flavors. The $100 dining credit included in the Art in the Park package encourages guests to sample signature plates and seasonal specials without having to leave the property.
For travelers seeking a short cultural getaway, the Art in the Park bundle provides an easy itinerary: explore two prominent museums, enjoy a curated art tour at the hotel, dine well and relax in comfortable accommodations. The Alfond Inn’s model—where hospitality revenue supports scholarship funding—also offers visitors the satisfaction of knowing their stay helps fund student opportunities at Rollins College.
Whether you’re visiting Winter Park for its galleries, its lakeside charm or its culinary scene, the Alfond Inn is a contemporary example of how a hotel can be both a refined guest experience and a force for community benefit.