The Cabin on the Lake is located in Lake Helen, Florida, across the street from Lake Helen, as the name suggests. There are a total of three rooms available for reservation, all of which have their own unique name and theme. Guests are free to roam the two acres on which the building is situated. The inn also owns a portion of the shore of the lake that guests can access anytime. The inn provides canoes and bikes for an additional fee that can be ridden around the property or to the lake. The owners “want people to feel like they are home,” and are happy to assist those who require it. They also can provide recommendations for things to do in nearby cities. Many guests typically visit the property in the spring because of events that take place in the surrounding area.
On the shores of Lake Helen near Deland, Florida, is the Cabin on the Lake. The inn is situated on two acres of land, with a large grassy lawn outside the two-story, "log cabin style" building. Guests are free to walk around the yard and inspect the gardens, small statues, and fountain next to the inn or hold gatherings either in the inn’s yard or on the deck connected to the property across the street on Lake Helen. Trees surround the property and offer shade for visitors during warmer and sunnier months. A large hedge provides some privacy for the inn from the main road next to it. An additional exterior feature of the inn is a screened porch with picnic tables and a barbeque which is available for guests to use during their stay.
There are a total of three rooms that are open for guests to reserve, each with a distinct name and theme. Some of the paintings in the rooms and throughout the house are original works created by local artists for the theme of the room they are in. According to Olga, one of the owners, the Captain’s Room, which is themed around sailing on the ocean, is typically the most popular among guests. She believes this is because of the private porch and entrance, as well as the Jacuzzi tub—all of which are exclusive to the room. Regarding the other two rooms, the Island Room is themed around a tropical island and is decorated with palm trees and bamboo on the walls to convey that kind of feeling. The Antiques Room is centered around objects with notable history and contains a variety of collectibles around the room. Despite these differences in theme, every room provides patrons with wireless internet access, a TV, a mini-fridge, and toiletries in each of the suites’ bathrooms.
For those who wish to gather in groups or socialize with other guests staying at the inn, the house has a main dining area on the first floor where they can do so. This dining area is also where breakfast is held each morning. The breakfast itself is continental, meaning that patrons can choose from various foods, including pancakes, fruit salad, cereal, and waffles, to name a few. Accommodations can be made for those who have dietary restrictions by notifying the owners prior to their stay. Coffee and tea are also provided in the dining area for visitors to the inn throughout the day.
One of the things that Cabin on the Lake is most known for is its close proximity to Lake Helen. Guests are free to utilize the inn’s deck on the shore at their leisure or play on the beach. The property provides canoes for those who desire to use them on the lake. Additionally, bikes are available to rent as a means of transportation around the lake during their stay. There is also a barbeque that is free for visitors to grill food on in the evenings. A short distance from the inn, a tennis court is open for patrons at the inn to use. Tennis racquets and balls are available at the cabin to use on the court.
A large variety of events can be hosted at the Cabin on the Lake, including baby showers, family reunions, craft weekends, and weddings. Hugo and Olga, the owners, have had experience with planning weddings and are happy to offer their assistance to guests who wish to plan a marriage at the property. All three rooms can be rented by the same group so that the property can be used as a family reunion or other special event destination.
The owners want those who stay with them to “feel like they are home.” She and her husband Hugo are happy to help patrons with needs they may have during their stay, including providing recommendations of places to visit or services they may require. The inn is located near many attractions that are popular among guests to the cabin. Hugo and Olga can offer suggestions of local attractions and small towns nearby as well as things to do in larger cities in the vicinity. Deland’s historical downtown area contains a number of antique shops and dining options as well as tours of the city showcasing murals that have been painted throughout it. Another significant attraction for some guests is the Daytona International Speedway, where a number of car races and shows are held every year in March. Daytona also offers a bike week in March for those interested in bicycles and ocean beach access for people desiring to experience the Atlantic Ocean. Typically March, April, and May are the busiest months for the inn because of these events, however, the property does operate year-round.
There are a number of policies that Olga and Hugo ask that guests follow while staying at the inn to help create the "homey" atmosphere they seek to create. The most important of those policies is that smoking is prohibited inside the house or on the porch due to the wood with which the house was made. Another notable policy is that pets are allowed on the premises; however, they must be under 30 pounds. There is no enforced quiet time for the inn, and guests are free to come and go as they please, but patrons are still asked to be respectful of other visitors later in the evening.
Many guests who have stayed at the cabin have given positive reviews of their experiences. The reviews highlight different aspects of their stays, mainly focusing on the hospitality of Olga and Hugo and the proximity to the lake. One guest commented that the cabin was in a “very laid back and relaxing location,” going on to say that they had “plenty of activities to do” in the area. Another former patron expressed that “the owners were accommodating even when arriving late.”
The Cabin on the Lake was established in 2008 and was owned and operated by its original owner until early in 2022 when it was purchased by Olga and Hugo, the current owners of the inn. Olga and Hugo moved to the Lake Helen area from another part of Florida. They were living in a larger city and wanted to find a quiet place where they could settle down. After searching, they saw the Cabin on the Lake and, according to Olga, "fell in love with the area," as well as the inn itself.
Since taking over the property, some changes have been made to the guest experience. Hugo reworked much of the wood throughout the house, and many areas were repainted. All of the TVs in the guest rooms were changed and updated, and new mattresses have been added to two of the three rooms, with plans to change out the remaining bed in the near future. Olga says that they have many plans to further renovate the property, including adding fire pits and an outdoor bar in the backyard, building a large koi pond, and adding two additional rooms that guests can rent.
222 Tangerine Avenue
Lake Helen, Florida 32744
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Olga and Hugo Hernandez
