Park Plaza Hotel, Winter Park

This place was a recommendation to us as a romantic getaway. I should have checked in to it more. Upon check-in, we had told the valet we wanted to just freshen up as we were headed back out for a dinner reservation in 30 minutes and asked how much notice we needed to give him. he says 5 min, but he will keep the car in front for us since we are leaving so soon and keep an eye on it in case the police want it moved. We get to our "suite" and there are no towels to be found. I call the front desk and am told they will be brought up immediately. 20 minutes later I went down the stairs and the valet and clerk were chatting and saw me and suddenly jumped and the valet said "oh, I need to get you towels, be right there." I told him I would go with him... he then gives me one towel and informs me that laundry has not been done and he would have to take towels from another room (we checked in at 4:30pm)... then 10 min later we could not find him so we could get our keys so we could leave to make our dinner date.. he was in the front shop talking with the girl behind the counter.... We had a balcony suite on the front of the hotel. We could literally hear the glasses clinking and silverware on plates at the restaurants outside and below our suite as well as people talking. It was as though the windows and doors were open... but they were not, it is just that you can hear people in the next room talking... paper thin walls!!!! The Amtrak runs right behind the hotel and runs all night... you can hear the wheels squeal on the tracks and the horn that seems to go on forever. I got very little sleep. Our 2nd morning there and our last, we were discussing whether or not to go out to breakfast or order the complimentary scones and coffee when suddenly there is a knock and the deadbolt opens as housekeeping begins to enter our room... they had been told we had checked out. When we end up checking out 1/2hr later and I tell the clerk, he asked us if we wanted it brought to our room... WHAT??? We are checking out now! Our suite didn't even have a table inside the suite (only the balcony which is shared with all the other guests... in the rain, not so fun) so that we would be able to order food and eat in our room... there are zero amenities.. nothing other than valet parking. I still can not figure out what we paid $220.night for. There are shops and places to eat right outside the door... but honestly, I feel cheated and ripped off and the only thing I got for it was "sorry you were disturbed". The room was clean and old and beautiful... classic.

Just got back from my second visit to Winter Park and the Park Plaza. It has the feel of a cozy bed and breakfast although the train goes by at the very least twice during the night which is not so cozy! Can't beat the location! Parked when we got there and didn't need the car again until we left. Great shops and restaurants, especially the one located inside the hotel! Delicious!!! The people were very nice! The bathroom was a bit small, but the room was a decent size. My only complaint was that I could hear the people in the next room as if they were in my room!!! Would stay again and probably will!

While this hotel was billed as charming - it was actually run down, dirty, drab, depressing and seemed like a fire hazard, with guests smoking on the narrow upstairs wrap around porch. No amenities - other than free parking. The location is amazing - and with no other choices in town, this hotel manages to get top dollar for a poor value.

We booked a block of rooms for guests to our son's wedding in Winter Park. While the noise from the train is a bit much, the atmosphere, location, service and everything else surely made up for it. We would definitely stay here again if the opportunity presents itself. Shopping for the girls is top notch. Really enjoyed the Park Avenue side balcony. Bob & Marilyn Ridgeland, Mississippi

We visit the Hotel this past month We love it. The rooms are beautiful,I feel like I was at home everybody was very nice. We did't need a car we walk to restaurants and shops everything is around the corner. We have a great continental breakfast in the front Balcony. We are making plans to come back again. GREAT HOTEL !!!!!!

I liked that it had the feel of a home. It's an older hotel, which makes it quaint, and it was very clean. I loved my balcony that over looks Park Avenue, which is a brick lined street. They have free valet parking service, which is nice. I love that I could walk to dinner to meet my friends the evening I stayed. Plus there are a lot of shops that you can walk to. I don't have trouble sleeping so street noise doesn't bother me and the people in the rooms next to me were quiet. I had a very pleasant experience. I didn't try the restaurant but I hear from my friends who live there that it's very good. I will try the restaurant the next time I stay.

This hotel was a pleasure to stay in. The service was excellent, the rates were good and the location is beautiful. It was far from the cookie cutter Mariott or Hampton Inn. We can't wait to go back!

The Park Plaza Hotel in downtown Winter Park is a quaint, luxury hotel. It truly earns its high ratings for service, location, cleanliness and value. The hotel is one of the "old grand dame" style properties, evocative of another era, lavish and well appointed. The rooms are on the small size, with a small, old-style bathroom. They do however, have beautiful balconies with comfortable furniture and plenty of plants. So much for the good news. The hotel is located right on the Southern Florida Freight railroad tracks! Remember the scene in "My Cousin Vinny"? (If you haven't seen the movie and are contemplating a stay at the Park Plaza, watch the movie before making your reservation!) The trains roll through every hour, blasting their very loud horns for several blocks before and after the hotel, as well as directly behind it. If that's not enough to wake you up, the entire building shakes like an earthquake! If you're looking for a lovely, quaint place to stay in Winter Park, the Park Plaza is for you. If you plan on getting some sleep however, look elsewhere! (One other thing: as is common in older hotels, the walls at the PP are paper-thin. The guests in the room next to mine must have been on their honeymoon, as they were, er, "very much in love"! I think even the train conductor blew his whistle for these folks.)

I loved the hotel and staff. Lovely old hotel. The location is perfect if you don't mind late night noise and the charm of the train whistle every hour. Wonderful shops and restaurants at your door.

The exterior is very cute and appealing as is the lobby. The room itself was tiny. The walls are paper thin so you hear everything in the room next to you. The hotel is also located next to the train tracks and quite a few freight trains go through at night which makes it very hard to sleep.