If you need assistance, please call 352-613-6613

There's a Small Town in Florida You've Never Heard Of — and It Now Has an $800-million Resort

Monday, June 13, 2022   /   by Tasha Osbourne

There's a Small Town in Florida You've Never Heard Of — and It Now Has an $800-million Resort

Featured on Travel & Leisure

Outside of central Floridians, there are two groups of people who would have reason to know about the small town of Ocala, Florida: equestrian types and fans of the hardcore band A Day To Remember, whose hometown roots here spawned all sorts of angst-fueled anthems. But many more will now start hearing about Ocala, because The Equestrian Hotel has arrived to wake up what has long been considered sleepy horse country.

lobby.png

Prepare to be blown away by the 248-room, $800-million resort that quietly opened in summer 2021 as part of the 380-acre World Equestrian Center. In the neoclassical French architecture-inspired building, guests will find Hermès-reminiscent carpeting, more than 80 Schonbek Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and a front desk staff clad head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren. Regulars here include John Travolta, who has lived in Ocala for decades, and Olympians in town for equestrian events.

yellow pony.png


Aside from the visual "wow factor," there are seven restaurants (including a horse-shaped bar in the Yellow Pony Pub), a wine program curated by an in-house master sommelier, a spa, a pool, and high-end retail shops such as Lugano Diamonds. Kids will delight in the stay, too: the hotel is home to a fancy toy shop housing the original 15-foot-tall Toys"R"Us Geoffrey from Times Square and there's a six-foot-tall stuffed bear made of Coach leather in the lobby.

hotel.png
Guests don't have to know anything about horses to enjoy the pageantry of the weekly equestrian competitions, where up to 7,500 spectators gather in the on-property Grand Arena to watch the athletes (and their horses) display their prowess. Just make sure to gussy up for the occasion: rather than rodeo attire, the dress code here could rival the Kentucky Derby. 

The owners of the new hotel are betting on Ocala becoming a destination in its own right — in addition to the equestrian culture, there are some beautiful natural springs in the area. They've even announced plans to add a second hotel in 2024.

Stay Tuned.. Blog Credit goes to: https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/hotel-openings/equestrian-hotel-ocala-florida
Premier Sotheby's International Realty Serving Ocala/Marion County | The Villages
Tasha Osbourne Broker Associate
603 E Fort King St
Ocala, FL 34471
352-613-6613

Sotheby's International Realty ® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
mls logo© 2023 My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS, Inc.. All rights reserved. The data relating to real estate displayed on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Program of My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS, Inc. All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified. Listing information is provided for consumers' personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.11/30/2023 8:55 PM CST
This site powered by CINC: www.cincpro.com
<----added 9-1-2021--->