Voted Best Retirement Community in Orlando Magazine: Why Readers Chose The Mayflower
When Central Florida readers were asked to name their favorites, The Mayflower at Winter Park earned first place in Orlando Magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL for Community, Home and Shopping in the Assisted Living/Retirement Community category. Being named the best retirement community is especially meaningful because the recognition came directly from readers who know the area and the choices available to older adults. The community-driven achievement stems from an open ballot, with an audit conducted by DataJoe Research.
This prestigious award reflects qualities our residents experience every day, from resort-style independent living and meaningful programs to an established Life Plan Community approach. For more than 37 years, we’ve focused on giving residents the freedom to enjoy life on their own terms while knowing additional support is available for future needs. Here’s a closer look at what helped The Mayflower earn readers’ votes.
Powered by Reader Votes: How the Orlando Magazine Recognition Works
Orlando Magazine’s Best of ORL recognition begins with an open reader poll that allows Central Florida residents to nominate and vote for the businesses and providers they know and trust through personal experience and local reputation. For the 2026 awards, readers could vote once per day and had to vote in at least six categories for their ballot to count. The magazine determined the top three winners in more than 118 categories by the total number of valid entries.
The voting process also included third-party auditing by DataJoe Research to support the integrity of the results. This independent research company works with publishers on voting, data collection, and verification. All the measures Orlando Magazine takes help ensure that recognition reflects actual reader participation, not editorial selection.
For prospective residents and families comparing senior living choices, The Mayflower’s first-place finish in the Assisted Living/Retirement Community category offers useful insight by demonstrating the trust we’ve built across the Greater Orlando area. This kind of confidence from local Orlando Magazine readers says a lot about our reputation in the community and the satisfaction of those who know The Mayflower.
A Maintenance-Free Lifestyle That Put Mayflower at the Top
An active, maintenance-free lifestyle is one of the qualities local voters loved about The Mayflower. For many residents, real freedom comes from having fewer household responsibilities. Independent living at The Mayflower removes time-consuming chores, such as landscaping, routine maintenance, and home repairs, so you can decide how you’d rather spend your day and live more fully.
You might start the morning with a walk along our paved trails, meet friends for a fitness class, spend an afternoon exploring Winter Park, or relax at home without a list of repairs or household chores waiting for you. Our spacious apartments give you plenty of room to relax, entertain, and make your home your own, while our maintenance services make everyday life easier.
Maintenance-free living can also make travel easier. If you’re ready for a getaway, you can leave household upkeep behind and focus on the trip ahead. When friends or family visit, our guest suites make it easy to stay close and enjoy Winter Park together.
A Thriving Atmosphere Built Around Community and Connection
A full calendar is only meaningful when the choices match residents’ interests. Our vibrant social calendar helps show what sets The Mayflower apart. In addition to supporting social connections, our programs promote physical well-being, creativity, and intellectual engagement. Residents can explore fitness classes, cultural events, travel opportunities, and lifelong learning opportunities, including programs connected with Rollins College.
You can also enjoy time together with other residents throughout our campus. The heated swimming pool, two fitness centers, butterfly garden, theater, waterside deck, and fireside seating create plenty of natural gathering places. These resort-style amenities support the lifestyle, but it’s the people and shared experiences that give them meaning.
Dining at The Mayflower brings residents together, too. The Winslow offers an elevated dining experience, while Cru Quarters combines elegant bistro-style dining with a wine bar, billiards, sports on the big screen, and outdoor seating. The Grille provides another relaxed option in a small but lively space, with various dishes paired with craft cocktails. Our distinct dining choices are one part of our hospitality-focused culture that makes the campus feel like a welcoming, close-knit family.
Peace of Mind Through a 5-Star Continuum of Care
One reason families choose The Mayflower is the opportunity to plan ahead while enjoying an active, independent lifestyle today. As a Life Plan Community, The Mayflower offers independent living with access to assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, home health, and on-site physician care all on one campus. This continuum of care lets you enjoy an active lifestyle today with the reassurance that additional support is available if your needs change.
Our skilled nursing and rehabilitation services stand out in particular. The Mayflower’s skilled nursing center has a 5-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We’ve also received the Governor’s Gold Seal in skilled nursing again, continuing a history of recognition for long-term care quality.
Having multiple levels of support in one familiar setting can make long-range decisions feel more manageable. The balance between independence today and preparation for tomorrow is central to our Life Plan Community model. For residents and families, knowing you can receive additional support without giving up the community, relationships, and routines you’ve come to value can provide tremendous peace of mind.
Discover for Yourself Why Readers Voted The Mayflower First
More than 37 years of service have shaped The Mayflower’s reputation as a top retirement community in Winter Park, but recognition is never only about longevity. It grows from the daily experience of residents, families, team members, and neighbors who know our community.
Being named the best retirement community in Orlando Magazine is an honor we’re proud to share. It reflects a lifestyle built around choice, connection, lifelong learning, a sought-after Winter Park location, and the peace of mind that comes with a trusted continuum of care.
The best way to understand what sets The Mayflower apart is to experience it for yourself. Schedule a personal tour and see how our welcoming Life Plan Community can give you more freedom to shape each day around what matters most to you.
