Visitors love spending time walking and biking outdoors in the sunny, warm climate of the town. There are different streets festivals, arts festivals, and gatherings that take place in Lake Mary year-round, that attracts plenty of locals and visitors alike to the city streets. Nature lovers will especially be captivated by the zoo and botanical gardens, as well as the many water activities available in the area, including kayaking and paddleboarding.
For those looking for a small-town, sunny Central Florida getaway, beautiful nature, and a way to be close to downtown Orlando and Disney World without dealing with the tourist throngs those locations attract, Lake Mary is the place to visit.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Lake Mary, FL?
As in most of Central Florida, Lake Mary experiences hot, wet summers, and dry, warm winters, without a huge temperature variation in between the seasons. More tourists visit Lake Mary in the wintertime, as visitors from around the U.S. flock to the sunny town to escape cold winters elsewhere. This translates to somewhat higher hotel prices in the winter months, especially from November to March.
There are fewer tourists, and generally lower hotel prices in the summer, but also a fair amount of heat and humidity in the Lake Mary area. However, if the temperatures don't bother you, you want to save money on your stay, and you'd rather be surrounded by more locals than tourists, a summer visit (May to September) to Lake Mary may be the better fit for you.
The other option is going during one of the shoulder seasons, either from mid-March to mid-May, or mid-September to mid-November. In these time frames, temperatures will be below their summer highs, but tourism will still be relatively slow, so hotels will be more budget-friendly.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Lake Mary, FL:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in Lake Mary, FL. Analyze these line graphs to evaluate the cheapest dates to stay in Lake Mary for your upcoming travels.
What Are the Luxury Hotel Options in Lake Mary, FL?
4 Star Average Prices: $115.69
If you want to splurge a little on accommodations and enjoy a touch of luxury, check out the Westin Lake Mary Orlando North. This four-star hotel opened in 2009, and offers its guests incredible amenities both on the hotel grounds and within each upscale room. The Westin Lake Mary Orlando North offers guests an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Visitors will love their overnight stay, as the hotel's rooms offer free Wi-Fi, comfortable Heavenly Beds for guests to relax in, and bathroom amenities for self-care and pampering. If you want to head out of the hotel, you will find Colonial TownPark right across the street, a complex that features plenty of shops, dining options, and even a movie theater.
Another great luxury option is the Residence Inn Marriott - Lake Mary. This stunning all-suite hotel is in a great location, as it is also adjacent to Colonial TownPark. You can book a studio, one bedroom, or two bedroom suite, which feature separate areas for relaxing, working, and eating. Enjoy HBO, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette inside the room, while enjoying the use of the outdoor swimming pool and on-site fitness center on the hotel grounds. The Residence Inn Marriott - Lake Mary is perfect for guests looking for some relaxation, as it is in a quiet location, even though it's close to plenty of entertainment options including attractions like the Central Florida Zoo, which is just 4 miles away.
Where Can You Find Low Cost Hotel Options in Lake Mary, FL?
3 Star Average Prices: $108.35
There are plenty of budget-friendly hotel options in the Lake Mary area, including the comfortable, cozy, Extended Stay America - Lake Mary. This pet-friendly hotel is designed for travelers who are visiting for longer periods of time. For a very affordable price, visitors get access to an outdoor pool and tennis court, a complimentary breakfast, an on-site fitness center, and barbecue grills so you can do your own summer cookout. The rooms feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and a fully equipped kitchen so you can choose to make some meals at home, saving your money for entertainment experiences and local attractions.
Travelers who want a low-cost hotel that caters to shorter visits may want to check out the Budget Inn of Sanford. This lakefront hotel has a large outdoor swimming pool for its visitors. The rooms at Budget Inn of Sanford are clean, contemporary, and comfortable, offering free Wi-Fi and cable TV. Most visitors won't be spending that much time in their rooms, as there are plenty of dining and shopping options a few minutes away from the Budget Inn, as well as museums, stadiums, and the Monroe Harbor Marina. Guests who book a stay here while on a road trip will find free car and RV parking, as well as laundry facilities on-site. Located just under 3 miles from the Orlando Sanford International Airport and the Sanford Amtrak Station, the Budget Inn is also an easily accessible hotel for those coming in by air or train.
2 Star Average Prices: $82.99
What Lake Mary, FL, Hotels Offer the Best Discounts?
If you have access to either AAA, AARP, or government and military discounts and are visiting Lake Mary, you may want to check out the Comfort Inn & Suites Sanford. This mid-range hotel offers comfortable, roomy accommodations with great discounts for senior citizens, AAA members, and military. Just 1.5-miles from the Central Florida Zoo and four miles from the Monroe Harbor Marina, visitors at Comfort Inn & Suites will find themselves near most of the things to do and see in Lake Mary. Guests get perks within the hotel as well, including a free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor swimming pool, and laundry and ironing facilities for those planning longer stays.
The La Quinta Inn & Suites Lake Mary by Wyndham also offers plenty of discounts to seniors, government workers, members of the military, and AAA members. The spacious, airy, comfortable rooms offer free high-speed internet, flat-screen TVs with cable, and a soft pillowtop mattress for the best rest you can get. Guests also get to use the hotel's outdoor pool, concierge service, Jacuzzi, as well as the health and fitness center. Start your day with the hotel's complimentary hot breakfast, or get up early to spend the day at Disney World, downtown Orlando, or Daytona Beach, all within easy driving distance from the La Quinta Inn & Suites Lake Mary by Wyndham.
What Are the Best Value Options in Lake Mary, FL?
If you're on a budget but still want to enjoy some upscale perks and amenities, Lake Mary has plenty of hotel options that offer a great value for your money. One of the best is Candlewood Suites, less than 3 miles away from the Lake Mary Events Center. For an affordable price you get a suite with a full kitchen, a work station, a living room with a recliner, and a wonderfully comfortable bed. Since the hotel has a food store on-site, preparing your own meals in the suite's kitchen is relatively easy. In addition, the hotel offers free high-speed internet, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and gas grills. Though Candlewood Suites offers a quiet, relaxing location away from the hubbub of downtown Orlando, guests are only a few minutes away from shopping and dining options in the nearby town center.
Homewood Suites Lake Mary is another great value all-suite hotel option for visitors to the central Florida town. The pet-friendly hotel offers guests a free shuttle service within a 5-mile radius so you can get around Lake Mary with ease. You will also enjoy a free breakfast, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and laundry facilities. Within the room itself, guests get access to premium channels like HBO and Showtime, free Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette to cook and prepare their own meals if they want. Those traveling in groups also have access to discounted group rates to get an even better value for their money at Homewood Suites Lake Mary.
What Are the Top Things to Do in Lake Mary, FL?
Whether you love nature, outdoor activities, shopping, or amusement parks, Lake Mary has something for almost everyone. Visitors to Lake Mary, Florida, usually make it a point to visit the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens. In addition to species native to Florida, you will get to tour a snake house, see exotic animals like rhinos and giraffes, and even get a close up view of a bear. For a glimpse of Florida nature in the wild, take a Blue Heron river tour, which will show you the plant and bird life of central Florida while making your way down this serene waterway.
Active visitors will want to rent a kayak or paddleboard and make their way around scenic Wekiva Island on one of the many sunny Florida days. Bring a picnic with you to enjoy on the island, or make your way to the local bar. If you're in the mood for a more relaxing day, rent one of the available cabanas and spend a day lounging with friends in the sun.
Other local options include spending time by the local marina, or taking a river cruise to see beautiful views while enjoying delicious meals on a small cruise ship.
For visitors who are in the mood for a longer day trip, make your way to the world-famous Disney World Amusement Park, or check out Daytona Beach and the Daytona Speedway, where the notorious Daytona 500 is held every year. Both these incredible destinations are a 30- to 45-minute drive away from Lake Mary.
FAQs about hotels in Lake Mary
How much does a cheap hotel in Lake Mary cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Lake Mary can be as cheap as $82.99 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Lake Mary cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Lake Mary has been $108.35 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a higher-end hotel in Lake Mary cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Lake Mary has been $115.69 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Recent traveler guest reviews of Lake Mary, FL
Below are reviews of the city of Lake Mary, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Area!"
Score
5.0 / 5
This whole area of Central Florida is great!
Dave H., from 17-Dec-2023
"Okay Restaurant!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Restaurant was okay!
Mark C., from 05-Sep-2023
"Clean Hotel"
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean hotel and polite staff.
Sherry H., from 24-Jul-2023
"Beautiful Small Town"
Score
5.0 / 5
It's a small and beautiful town and was clean.
Janice W., from 29-May-2023
"Nice area!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice area!
Wayne G., from 28-May-2023
"Convenient Location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Everything is close by hotel.
Nathan W., from 16-Apr-2023
"Convenient Location"
Score
5.0 / 5
Everything is close by hotel.
Nathan W., from 15-Apr-2023
"Staff Friendly, room clean, room comfortable."
Score
4.0 / 5
Staff Friendly, room clean, room comfortable. Good wedding venue
Sally S., from 12-Mar-2023
"Beautiful Hotel"
Score
5.0 / 5
Hotel is quiet and beautiful!
Atiera J., from 30-Jan-2023
"Nice Area Not Far From Theme Parks"
Score
5.0 / 5
I lived in the area for 43 years, I know the area well. Lots of great restaurants and shopping, not a real long drive to the theme parks. It's overall a low crime, high income area directly around the hotel.
Eugene A., from 29-Jan-2023
"Good"
Score
4.0 / 5
Good
Joseph R., from 17-Dec-2022
"The number of restaurants near by was nice."
Score
4.0 / 5
The number of restaurants near by was nice.
Barbara C., from 01-Nov-2022
"Quaint Area"
Score
5.0 / 5
A lot of places to go and see especially on the boulevard. Still quaint in the back neighborhoods . Lots of shortcuts to get around. Close to the highway I-4.
Brian H., from 04-Oct-2022
"City was nice and welcoming."
Score
5.0 / 5
City was nice and welcoming.
Remy D., from 28-Sep-2022
"Convenient location, safe area."
Score
5.0 / 5
Different stores and places to eat. Safe area.
Bethany L., from 27-Sep-2022
"Nice & Quaint"
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice and quaint.
Connie B., from 24-Sep-2022
"Great Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
Lake Mary is wonderful! We had many delicious restaurants right near the hotel that we took advantage of. There was also a Publix and CVS right near us that we visited.
Prevost B., from 29-May-2022
"Love It"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love it. It was close to everywhere we need to get to.
Kenneth H., from 04-Apr-2022
"Lovely Hotel"
Score
4.0 / 5
Lovely hotel.
Arnold S., from 18-Mar-2022
"Well kept and clean."
Score
4.0 / 5
Well kept and clean. Grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, fast food and events are all close.
Sharon W., from 16-Mar-2022
"Picturesque!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Picturesque!
Michelle B., from 01-Mar-2022
"Nice restaurants and shops!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Nice restaurants and shops.
Sheila T., from 21-Feb-2022
"Very Attractive Area"
Score
4.0 / 5
The whole area was very attractive and easy to get around and very good restaurants.
Norm W., from 12-Feb-2022
"Lake Mary is beautiful! "
Score
5.0 / 5
Lake Mary is beautiful! It is close to Deltona, Oviedo, Orlando, has many shopping malls available and architecture is amazing.
Barbara C., from 02-Feb-2022
"Very nice area."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very nice area.
Maria L., from 09-Jan-2022
"Hotel's location is good."
Score
5.0 / 5
Good location with restaurants and mall close. Right off of 1-4 with easy access.
Terry S., from 26-Dec-2021
"Good Location Off I-4"
Score
4.0 / 5
Good location with restaurants and mall close. Right off of 1-4 with easy access.
Terry S., from 26-Dec-2021
"Clean & Quiet!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Clean and quiet!
Jane S., from 22-Nov-2021
"Nice"
Score
4.0 / 5
The city of Lake Mary seems to be a high end people, I like the way everyone represents themselves by fashion themselves with attractive clothing.
Jose E., from 09-Jan-2020
"Love the Lake"
Score
4.0 / 5
I love everything about lake mary
Rebecca C., from 15-Dec-2019
"Beautiful city"
Score
4.0 / 5
Beautiful city
Jalisa P., from 28-Oct-2019
"Family Friendly Location"
Score
4.0 / 5
A lot of places to shop and eat. It was a nice family atmosphere.
Holly D., from 24-Jul-2019
"Great Stay!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Nice area. Clean and well laid out. Lots of places to eat.
Steve S., from 23-Mar-2018
"Vibrant and Lovely"
Score
4.0 / 5
A clean city and easy to travel around.
Tina V., from 11-Oct-2015
The average traveler rating of the city of Lake Mary, FL shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 34 reviews