WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
At 15 years old, Cornelia Holbrook dreamed of opening her own inn. Born into a family of travelers, she spent years accompanying her parents on trips and becoming inspired by inns around the world. Sweetwater Branch Inn, the product of her aspirations, now celebrates its 30th year in business.
In those years, Holbrook’s vision guided the inn through the housing crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and Airbnb’s disruption of the hospitality industry. Her biggest inspiration is her mother, Giovanna Holbrook, who founded Holbrook Travel and was a pioneer of eco-tourism in destinations like the Galapagos Islands.
