The History of Windemere Inn

April 28, 2010 78/66 degrees moon - full

History

In 1994 Tom and Vivien Hay pursued their dream to own a Bed and Breakfast. After examining many operating inns, each with a unique ambiance and personality, they noted aspects that they admired and realized that they wanted to own a romantic Antebellum or Victorian inn. This was likely to be located in the Carolinas or Virginia. During a wintertime break from their search, and revived by walks in the sand and sunshine, Tom and Vivien began to consider Florida as a location providing the property was ocean front.

In the spring of 1995 the Hayes purchased this property. It consisted of half an acre with private beach access, a private deck, a beach house (now the Cottage) built in 1959 and a garage (now the Carriage House Suite) built in 1983, and an empty lot on A1A upon which the Main House was constructed in 1996.

There were no Bed and Breakfasts in Brevard County at the time, so Tom and Vivien had many challenges opening the Windemere Inn By The Sea.

With the Hays living in an apartment next door, the Inn opened in 1995 with only three rooms in the Windward Cottage (now called Cottage) and the newly rebuilt deck, now a pergola with a Chippendale design railing. Construction of the Main Inn (Main House) was completed in October of 1996 and Tom and Vivien moved their residence to the second floor. The East Wind Carriage House (now Carriage House Suite) was completed next, and used as the private residence of Vivien's father for the next several years.

The decorating was extensive with antiques, elaborate draperies and wall papers and faux finishes resulting in the Country English Victorian Ambiance which Tom and Vivien had worked toward.

Windemere Inn By The Sea opened in full with all guest rooms booked on Christmas Day of 1996. Numerous family groups and individual guests booked. Business travelers and guests on romantic get aways booked. Tom became a Notary Public and performed many weddings on the Beach side Pergola.

Eventually the Hays planned to retire and listed the Inn for sale. In May of 2004, Beth Fisher purchased Windemere and the Hays retired to the Carolinas.

Eleven weeks after purchasing the Inn, Beth faced the first of five major hurricanes to hit Florida in fourteen months time. The Cottage was virtually destroyed and the Main House sustained considerable damage. Though the structures were quickly repaired, much of the original Victorian contents were lost.

Windemere was rebuilt as a luxury ocean front Bed and Breakfast with an eclectic mix of antiques, contemporary pieces and grass rugs, fine linens, attentive and personal service, and food that fits the definition of gourmet.

Our history may not be long, but it is filled with goals and dreams, heartache and rebirth. It has been very exciting!

Thank you for choosing Windemere, and being a part of our history.

Summary: Founding Owners 1995-2004; Tom & Vivien Hay

Current owner since 2004, Beth Fisher

Cottage; built in 1959

Carriage House Suite; built in 1984

Main House; built in 1995

Extensive rebuilding of all buildings after the hurricanes of 2004

Windemere Inn By the Sea opened in 1995 with three guest rooms in the Cottage. The Inn, in total, opened on Christmas Day of 1996.