The Vibe
Less than two hours from Orlando, The Equestrian Hotel sits like a French chateau on the sprawling World Equestrian Center campus. Named one of TIME Magazine’s “Top Places” in 2024, the largest equestrian complex in the United States draws sportsmen and luxury travelers from around the world.
The hotel's lobby sports stunning Swarovski crystal chandeliers, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, Italian porcelain floors and leather and mahogany furniture, setting a tone of luxury throughout.
How I Felt
Fancy. Every detail of the hotel, from plush carpeting to flower displays, exudes understated elegance. When I stepped off the elevator, an art-filled lounge with leather sofas and gold-accented chairs welcomed me. Even the hallways are elevated, with equine-inspired carpeting and captivating horse photos on the walls.
The Digs
The Equestrian Hotel is the crown jewel of the World Equestrian Center’s accommodations, with 248 stylish, spacious rooms. Equine-inspired design touches like bit-handled nightstands and herringbone weave carpets give a sense of place to the well-lit, elegant rooms.
Double closets, wide doorways, an easy chair and a workspace made me want to unpack and stay awhile. There's also a single-serve coffee maker and mini fridge, along with robes and slippers. A second elevator near my room was a convenient feature in the lengthy corridor, allowing me to bypass the lobby and descend directly to the on-site bakery for breakfast.
My room looked out over the Grand Outdoor Arena, so I could watch the dressage competition from my room. The subtle sounds of music drifted upward, alerting me that the horse and rider were getting ready to dance.
The Agenda
My weekend stay was filled with morning walks, restful afternoons by the pool and shopping at the onsite boutiques. I indulged in an aromatherapy massage at the full-service onsite Calluna Spa and unwound with a complimentary yoga class.
The highlight of my stay was watching world-class equestrians compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle, the highest level of dressage, where horse and rider move together like ballet. Dining al fresco at the edge of the arena made it even more memorable.
No visit to Florida's horse country would be complete without a horseback riding trip. There aren't any riding opportunities on the property for hotel guests, but the Canyons Adventure Park is a short 10-minute Uber ride away. My chocolate brown quarter horse took me on a beginner-friendly trail ride through the 100-acre wooded property, descending into the canyon through fern valleys and past sparkling aquamarine ponds. It was a great way to finish my stay and experience the natural beauty of the Ocala/Marion County countryside.
The Eats
The food and beverage options are where this property really shines. Stirrups, the hotel's fine dining restaurant, serves Southern-inspired steak and seafood with a view of the Grand Outdoor Arena. Yellow Pony Pub & Garden is a more casual, playful spot for lunch and dinner. You can even slip into a saddle and feast on a Cowboy burger or enjoy cocktails on the patio. I started each day with coffee from Emma’s Patisserie, the hotel’s French bakery with Instagram-worthy decadent creations.
In total, there are more than a dozen food and beverage outlets across the campus, from a whimsical sweets shop to an elegant Italian restaurant. The property’s recently opened Equestrian Manor conference and event space has four new dining venues: two rooftop dining experiences, an expanded patisserie and a sophisticated American tavern.
Why I Would Go Back
I became fascinated by the horses on the property and the opportunity to watch these equine athletes in action. I loved watching the competitions and seeing these elegant animals stroll across the property with their owners. The sprawling, self-contained campus with oak-lined streets and green spaces offers a peaceful retreat.
The award-winning restaurants are a reason to return, as are upcoming events like the Ocala Food & Wine Festival in early November and the festive Winter Wonderland in December with over a million twinkling lights illuminating the property.
Kirsten Harrington
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