Courtyard at Lake Lucerne Inn

The inn is a cluster of four different historical buildings varying from classic southern charm to contemporary art deco. It's tucked away in original downtown Orlando which made it a bit difficult to find, but pay attention to the road signs and they will lead you directly to the inn. Parking is limited when the property is full.

This was a laid back, relaxing alternative to the modern hotels and motels typically associated with Orlando and International Drive; well worth the extra drive.

My room was in the art deco building and can be described at Buddhist-kitsch. A human-sized, wooden Buddha was sitting in the living room and Asian art accented the spacious living room (larger than my apartment) and bedroom. The bed was a bit worn and the bathroom was small but it was nice to have a decent-sized kitchen with refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot.

Continental breakfast is served in the living room of one the houses and can be described as bountiful. A real treat is to take breakfast outside and sit in one of the many nooks to enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Courtyard by Marriott was good for the money, except the beds could always be a bit nicer.