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Magnolia Plantation
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  • Inn Details

    Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast Inn is an 1885 French Second Empire Victorian home in Gainesville, Florida. Joe and Cindy Montalto purchased the 5400 square foot home in 1990 and began the restoration process. The house had its original floor plan when Joe and Cindy purchased it and they decided that it was very important to retain the integrity of the house as much as possible. All the woodwork inside the home is original. If you enjoy seeing the way people would have used their home in the 1800's you will enjoy visiting the Magnolia Plantation. It truly is a family affair. Joe's father, a Landscape Architect, designed the gardens, pond and waterfalls. Cindy's mother lives in the carriage house and helps Cindy with the Inn. Joe and Cindy also live on the third floor of the house so someone will always be around to see to your needs. You should find yourself feeling very much at home shortly after your arrival because of the attention to detail. There is a stocked refrigerator with complimentary beverages and baskets of fruit and snacks. There is even a "boo boo sick" drawer filled with the items you may find you have left at home or may need to go to the drug store for. "Sleeping in" or waking up "at the crack of dawn" work equally as well at the Inn. Breakfast is as casual as a cup of coffee (ready before 6 AM, its on a timer) or by showing your smiling face to Cindy you can enjoy a full breakfast in 15 minutes. Gainesville is less than half-hour drive to many antique shops, clear water springs, museums, bike trails and of course is the home of the University of Florida and the 1996 National Champion Florida Gators.

    Innkeeper Information

    Innkeepers Description:

    Cindy and Joe restored the 1885 French Second Empire Victorian Mansion to Magnolia Plantation and open to a full house on May 3, 1991. Since then the inn has received many honors including being selected as the best bed and breakfast inn in 1996 and 1997 in the State of Florida by the Florida Living Magazine Readers Survey.

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English


    Number of Cats: 2

    Features

    Type:

    • Bed and Breakfast

    • Guest Cottage

    • Historic Inn

    Property Noted For:

    • Pets allowed

    • small weddings

    • Antiques/decor

    • Business travel

    • Family Travel

    • Honeymoons

    • Peaceful getaway

    • Romantic escape

    • Weddings

    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Alarm clock

    • Amenities Basket

    • Bath robes

    • Board games

    • CD player

    • Ceiling fans

    • Coffee/Tea facilities

    • Computer

    • In-room internet

    • Desk

    • Fireplace

    • Fridge

    • Hairdryer

    • Hot tub/whirlpool tub

    • Internet Service

    • Ironing Board

    • Library

    • Microwave

    • Radio

    • Satellite/Cable TV

    • TV

    • Telephone

    • Turndown Service

    • VCR

    • Videos

    • Wi-Fi

    On Site:

    • Air conditioning

    • BBQ grill

    • Copier

    • DVD Player

    • Fax Machine

    • Piano

    • Private entrance

    • Washer/dryer

    • Wedding Facilities

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    Nightly Rate

    $135 - $335

    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: Between 2-6p.m.    Check out: 11:00 a.m.

    • Cancellations: 7 days prior to date of arrival or you have the option to rebook your reservation for another date.

    • Open all year round: Y

    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: No

    • Guest pets allowed: Yes

    • Drinking allowed: Yes

    • Drinking description: Guests may also bring their own alcoholic beverages.

    • Drinks available: Y

    • Children allowed: children are welcome in some of the cottages

    • Suitable for children: Yes

    • Childcare provided: No

    Discount type

    • Length of Stay

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: 8:30a.m. - 10:0. a.m.

    • Serving location: You may also have breakfast brought to your room., Breakfast/dining area, Dining Room, Guest room

    Complimentary Perks

    • Afternoon Tea

    • Fruit

    • Non-alcoholic Beverages

    • Wine/Cheese Plate

    Signature Dish

    Pina Colada Muffins
    These amazing muffins are moist and taste just like a Pina Colada frozen drink (without the alcohol)! You won't be able to eat just one!

    Special meal options

    • Vegetarian

    Recipes

    Bread

    Pina Coloda Muffins
    Serves: 24
    Prep time: 20 minutes

    Breakfast-Brunch

    Decadent Bread
    Serves: 12
    Prep time: 20 minutes

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  • Location Type

    • Airport

    • City

    • Downtown

    City

    • Gainesville

    • Distance to city: 3 miles

    • Directions to property:
      See our web site for detailed instructions to the Inn.

    Airport

    • Gainesville, FL (GNV-J R Alison Municipal) 3 miles

    Area Attractions

    • Antique Shopping

    • Art Galleries

    • Gourmet/Fine Dining

    • Historical interests

    • Lake

    • Live Music

    • Movie Theater

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Butterfly Rain Forest

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Religious Services

    • River

    • Bicycles

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

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    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    Write a review

    Great retreat for a work trip

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • Almost never stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on business

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    I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I stayed in Beth's Courtyard, and it was a lovely oasis with a very comfortable bed. It was a nice change from most work trips.

    Always stay at the Magnolia Plantation when in Gainesville

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs twice a year

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling on business

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    Joe and Cindy are awesome hosts. I love the sense of coziness and privacy that come from staying in the various cottages.

    Another great stay - love this B&B

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

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    We stayed at the Magnolia Plantation B&B as a convenient base for some great bike riding in the Gainesville/Ocala countryside. The Gardenia room is a very romantic room with a seating alcove and working fireplace. The staff is very attentive and even remembered us from a prior stay a few years ago! Wow - they really make you feel welcome and like one of the family. We are looking forward to our next stay at this great B&B.

    Magnolia Plantation- my favorite B&B

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs once a year

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

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    Enchanted, serene, blissful. I have stayed at Magnolia Plantation several times over the years and am always sad to leave. Joe and Cindy welcome you in like family. The rooms and cottages are peaceful, tasteful and cozy. The gardens need to be experienced to understand how truly ethereal and delightful this place is- old southern, Victorian charm. I had the pleasure of sharing breakfast with Joe and Cindy's parents on my last, recent trip and immediately fell in love with the Montalto family. They are warm, lovely, genuine people (great story tellers too- they will have you in stitches). Very special folk. I can't say enough about this place. It is a treasure.

    Awesome place to be!

    About the reviewer

    • Between 26-35 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs once a year

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

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    This inn was fantastic! The owners were so great and the room beautiful. Everything was amazing!

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Award Winner: 2005 - 2006