The Equestrian Hotel

I got to visit two of the shops, John Craig Clothier and a small place selling sunglasses, knives, and fun socks. That was a nice extra on top of an already great stay. The hotel is beautifully decorated, with wonderful artwork on the walls, and the customer experience feels well run and focused on guests. The valets, restaurant, and guest services were all great. I'm no expert, but the woman I spoke with at their bar is a well-known artist. Has anyone heard of R. Paquet? She said she loved the art and thought it was tastefully presented. Thank you all!

After visiting my mom in Clearwater, we headed here for the second part of our Florida vacation. The family place with a waterpark was fine, but it wasn't really up to our standards, so I was ready for something nicer at WEC. It delivered. The hotel is a whole experience, from the beautiful lobby and little details throughout to the place smelling so good that I bought a few home diffusers from one of the main-floor stores. The staff made a great first impression too. The doors opened as soon as they saw us coming, the bell hop was kind and knew his stuff, and the woman checking us in was helpful and kind. We spent two days here, but I could have used another. There are lots of amenities and shops, plus plenty of food choices, from casual sit-down places to fine dining and carryout. Rent a golf cart and explore the property. I can't wait to come back.

I love watching the Grand Prix arena from our room, all comfy in our pajamas with room service. The views are amazing, the beds are so comfortable, and they have bath tubs! I can't stay in a hotel without a bath. The food and service are phenomenal, and the room service is really good. The staff are so kind that sometimes they recognize my family. I come here for a ton of horse shows, and this is easily my favorite hotel. It's within walking distance of the barns, rings, shops, and other property. The rooms are luxurious, and the staff and facilities are amazing. I can't get enough of this place and can't wait for my next visit!

The main drawback is the cost. Pretty much everything is expensive, though I know there are pricier places elsewhere. Still, for Ocala I don't think anything else matches The Equestrian Hotel experience. We live close by, so we haven't actually stayed overnight, although I've offered to do that for the experience. We do visit and enjoy the World Equestrian Center, and the hotel gives us somewhere to have a cocktail, diner, or go shopping. There's a pretty unique toy store along with the other shops, and next door there are more stores, places to eat, and treats like ice cream. The grounds are lovely and the hotel is beautiful, well above average in my opinion. What I'd call class might be considered a five-star hotel. It's a wonderful place to visit, and a nice treat. I figure we'll eventually spend a night and get the full experience. Highly recommend.