Hotels in Lakeland, FL

Just east of Tampa is the culturally rich city of Lakeland, Florida. Full of exciting attractions, historic landmarks, a buzzing downtown district, and a wealth of fine dining, you’ll have plenty to do and see while exploring this city from top Lakeland hotels. Downtown, you’ll find the riveting Munn Park Historic District, where you could spend all afternoon wandering past awesome antique shops and early-1900s architecture. This city is full of green spaces, so head to Lake Mirror to enjoy a quaint promenade and neoclassical Hollis Garden for a nice nature reprieve from the crowds. Get your art fix with a trip to the Polk Museum of Art, where you’ll be able to observe incredible works all afternoon with the museum’s extensive collections, including pre-Columbian artifacts and contemporary paintings. Lakeland is also home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world at Florida Southern College, which you can see for yourself by touring the town!

One space you can’t skip while staying at hotels in Lakeland is Hollis Garden. This stunning public botanical garden is divided into 16 themed sections with a curated selection of rotating plantings throughout the year. Spend a few fun hours strolling the grounds and check out the many themed gardens, like the Gazebo and Trellis area, which displays Tuscan style and neoclassical architectural design elements. Or, for water-inspired gardens, make your way to the areas that showcase water features, including the Grotto, a shady section that houses tropical ferns and orchids, or the Rosette Plaza and Fountain that boasts a grand, central, open-spaced display. Don’t miss the beautiful Bowls and Runnels, a long gravity-fed fountain that guides water from the Rosette Fountain all the way down to Lake Mirror. Also worth seeing is the serene Lily Pond, a secluded koi pond encapsulated by bamboo, or tour the indoor areas like the Vegetable Room, Tropical Room, Herb Rooms, and Patterned Flowerbeds.

Any art aficionados visiting Lakeland hotels can’t miss the opportunity to explore the incredible Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College. A Smithsonian Affiliate, this private, nationally accredited art museum offers free admission to the general public and is ranked among the top art museums in the state of Florida. While here, you’ll get the chance to observe everything from famous works and cultural exhibits to wonderful displays of student art from the college. Plus, check out the ongoing Material World: A Global Family Portrait exhibit for a fascinating contrast to the contemporary art displayed downstairs. With a friendly on-site staff, a nice gift shop, and lots to see, you’ll have a great time touring here all afternoon.

Have a blast during your stay in sunny Florida, and don’t forget to check out our other hotels nearby in Daytona Beach, Pensacola, and Tallahassee.