Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan And Shanda Brabbs.
Hi Morgan and Shanda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We came to Park Place through owning and operating single-family rentals, which gave us a strong appreciation for caring for homes and tenants. Hospitality itself, however, was new to us. The moment we saw Park Place Inn & Cottages, we fell in love. The charm of the property and the eclectic character of each unit immediately stood out, along with the brick roads lined with mature oak trees and the sense of community we felt from the small business owners throughout Sanford.
We purchased Park Place in 2022 and, almost overnight, found ourselves in the hospitality world. What surprised us most was how much we loved it. We enjoy meeting guests passing through for the airport or the Auto Train, welcoming those eager to explore Sanford, and hearing the stories that bring people through our doors. Being even a small part of someone’s journey has been incredibly meaningful.
Since then, we’ve poured a great deal of love, time, and care into the property to ensure each stay feels smooth, thoughtful, and genuinely welcoming. We’re especially proud of how deeply rooted Park Place is in the local community. From our on-site chef, Juvon, to our Crystal Clean housekeeping team and our trusted local maintenance partners, staying at Park Place directly supports small businesses and people who care deeply about this place. That sense of connection to the property, the town, and the people, is at the heart of everything we do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, it hasn’t been entirely smooth. We purchased the property just about a month before Hurricane Ian hit the Orlando area and caused historic flooding in Sanford. It was an unexpected setback right at the beginning. However, once we worked through that, the road has been steadier than we ever could have imagined. Aside from the natural learning curve and ongoing maintenance that comes with caring for century-old buildings.
We’ve been incredibly fortunate when it comes to our guests. People are consistently pleasant and kind, arriving ready to slow down or explore all that Sanford has to offer. Another early challenge was learning the hospitality landscape itself, particularly navigating online travel agencies and ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience across every booking channel.
All that said, we truly haven’t faced many major obstacles (knock on wood). The local business community has been nothing short of wonderful. Sanford is home to a strong community of entrepreneurs who care deeply about the town and everyone who visits, and that sense of shared pride and support has made a meaningful difference for us.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Park Place Inn & Cottages is a small, owner-operated boutique hotel property rooted in history, character, and thoughtful curation. We specialize in creating stays that feel interesting, eclectic, and comfortable; more like being welcomed into an intentionally curated home than checking into a traditional hotel. Each unit has its own personality, layered with vintage details, texture, and warmth, while still offering the conveniences guests expect for an easy, enjoyable stay.
What sets Park Place apart is the balance between preservation and experience. We’re deeply intentional about maintaining the character of the property while improving how it functions day-to-day, so guests can focus on enjoying their time rather than navigating logistics. Our focus isn’t on chasing volume or trendy amenities at the expense of the guest-experience, but on creating an environment that feels personal, well cared for, and thoughtfully considered. We see our role as hosts as much as innkeepers, helping guests connect with Sanford and discover the character of the town beyond their stay.
We’re also incredibly proud of how local Park Place is. From our on-site chef to our housekeeping and maintenance partners, the experience is shaped by people who live and work in Sanford and care deeply about the community. One space that especially reflects this sense of history is the Rose Tea Room Suite. We designed it as an homage to the previous owner, whose family had ties to the property dating back to her childhood. We regularly hear stories from guests who stayed here decades ago or remember visiting for the tea parties she hosted. That continuity and the way the past and present naturally overlap here is something we’re incredibly proud to carry forward.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Morgan and I approach risk a little differently, but in a way that ultimately complements each other. We balance excitement and caution, which has helped us make decisions together over time. That shared approach has shaped how we think about both business and life.
Purchasing a boutique hotel made up of century-old buildings, without a background in hospitality, was certainly a risk by most definitions. Beyond learning an entirely new industry, we became immediately responsible for ensuring that our guests’ stays, whether vacations, wedding weekends, or business trips, ran smoothly and met expectations. Taking on that level of responsibility required trust in ourselves, a willingness to learn quickly, and a deep commitment to the experience we were offering.
Although we approach risk differently, we also share a love for experiences that feel meaningful. We recently got married in Guatemala and hiked Volcán Fuego the day after. Many of our friends and family viewed that as risky, but we both found it exciting and fulfilling. It truly was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Overall, we don’t see risk as something to avoid or pursue blindly. We think about it as something to understand and calculate carefully. We set clear goals and make sure the risks we take align with our long-term vision and values. When risk supports that north star, it becomes less about uncertainty and more about intentional growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parkplacesanford.com
