Finding Tropical Lodging in Orlando for a Jimmy Buffett Concert

Well, we boaters do like tropical lodging and Jimmy Buffett, and a chance to see him nearby, enjoy a weekend getaway, and have some new experiences led me to book a weekend at Casa Paraiso, or, The Paradise House Airbnb on Rock Lake in Orlando. I actually was reluctant to write about this urban oasis; I wanted to keep it a secret for myself, but, I decided to share it!

 

We arrived at The Paradise House at 3:00 p.m. check in. Zulay gave us a tour of the property. A native Venezuelan, she is petite, cheerful, and enthusiastic. We’d seen the photos on the Airbnb site, and hoped the place was a beautiful as the photos. It was even more of a tropical urban oasis than we had predicted.

We put our bags in the room, admired the decor, and then headed out to canoe the lake.

They say canoeing is just like bicycling… I believe it’s the possibility of being tumped over into the water that makes you remember so quickly exactly how it’s done! We didn’t want to make a mistake and land in that spring-fed chilly water.

We wobbled a bit, then got underway. About six ducks watched us, and two, who we nicknamed “You” and “Tube” due to their chatter – “youtube youtube youtube,” made a beeline for the canoe. They obviously were excited to greet and tail us. We found that Rock Lake is the perfect size to conquer in a good hour’s paddle. Some of the banks are undeveloped, with cattails and herons.

After our paddle, we relaxed and napped. Despite being in the middle of Orlando; it was peaceful and quiet.

For dinner, we decided we didn’t want to even leave the beautiful gardens and relaxing location, so we experimented. Zulay suggested UberEats and gave us a discount code. We’d never used that service before! It’s like the Uber ride service (coupon below), except, instead of delivering people where they want to go – they bring you food!

Always ready for an “Off the Chain” food experience, we picked the first thing that came up that we didn’t recognize. Bao! The King Bao website says Bao is not a taco or a wrap, but soft, airy steamed buns filled with delectable proteins, sweets, and toppings. We ordered a mixture of shrimp, fish, pork, and veggies.

We ordered dinner from King Bao in the Milk District, and set the delivery time for later when friends were coming to see the Airbnb due to our excited text reviews. Since they live locally; they like to have some lodging options for visiting guests.

When they arrived, we toured the property again and discovered even more tropical plants and admired the city skyline views from the lake side all over again.

We enjoyed dinner and wine outdoors in a seating area by a fountain. We also could hear the fountain by the pool; an excellent way to mute city traffic noises; we could barely hear any! After another tour to the lakeside to admire the nighttime view, our guests departed.

Early risers, it already was past our bedtime, so we turned in, read a bit, and slept well.

The next morning, we headed to experience breakfast at Dixie Belle’s Cafe. Sweet potato biscuits, cheese grits, veggie omelets, bottomless coffee. We figured anywhere that advertised trucking companies on their table would have great food, and they sure did.

Back at Paradise House, I decided to teach myself how to paddle board. I launched, balanced, and went on a short shakedown paddle, then returned for my cell phone so I could head back around the lake and take some pictures and video.

“You” and “Tube” the ducks showed up, clambered right up on the board! Rafael came down and took some video and photos and we had a good laugh. He said he’d never seen them do that before, and he was surprised when I said I’d never paddleboarded before. All that small boat sailing must be giving me good balance!

After the paddle, I got ready for a pre-concert massage. I had booked a noon massage with the lovely Sylvia, recommended by Rafael, and while chameleons watched and birds chirped; the light breezes kept us cool in the hammock room.

Relaxed from my exercise and massage, I spent awhile in the hot tub, listening to the breeze and admiring Zulay’s colorful plantings. Then I rinsed in the outdoor shower – very fun – and indulged in another nap; the second this year!

We headed two blocks away for takeout sub sandwiches and salad, and ate them by the pool. The Paradise House property was just so lovely, pretty, calm and relaxing; it was a mini vacation in itself. We didn’t want to leave!

When it was time to head to the concert, we found the walk to Camping World Stadium took all of ten minutes. Two doors down, the neighbors were accepting event parking guests, which is how Rafael originally saw the property three years ago. He already ran two successful Airbnb properties, and wanted to add to his properties in addition to establish a home for himself. Two years ago, when he started looking for a home, The Paradise House has been on the market only six months, and he bought it. When we visited, Rafael and Zulay were freshly-returned from their honeymoon in Thailand. They were married on the property, in the garden overlooking the lake. Yes, it’s THAT pretty.

While there are four rooms plus their home on the property, we really didn’t see anyone for long. We saw Zulay engrossed in some planting and weeding, Rafael performing some outdoor maintenance, and a few of the other guests only in passing. The property is large enough that we rarely saw anyone else.

Overall, The Paradise House is a getaway in and of itself; a destination in its own right. Once we got there, we were figuring out how to not leave! For events at Camping World Stadium, it’s the perfect solution, and adds a mini-break to extend the enjoyment of an event.

Now I am much more likely to look for future concerts since there’s a great place to stay, and close to the stadium!

Rafael and Zulay have posted a lovely video on YouTube that shows the beauty of the property: Casa Paraiso.

Watch for my “Airbnb booking tips” article coming soon. I’m going to give you all my tips for booking a place that meets and exceeds your expectations! Yes, there is a method to always finding the absolutely perfect destination lodging!

What to read next: Review of The Paradise House

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