If you like horses, probably you’ve already heard of the World Equestrian Center. It’s the biggest equestrian heart on this hemisphere, spanning some 380 acres in Ocala, Florida, just a bit over an hour north of Orlando. The property has its personal fuel station, basic retailer, chapel, laundromat, outlets, and 23 arenas the place you’ll discover the whole lot from volleyball tournaments to automotive reveals to live shows. And horse reveals. Lots and plenty of horse reveals.
But whereas Ocala and Marion County are well-known because the Horse Capital of the World, the WEC isn’t only for equine fans. Thanks to The Equestrian Hotel, which opened in 2021, it’s a vacation spot for riders and their households in addition to on a regular basis people seeking to bask in its signature model of luxurious.
Curious? Check into The Equestrian to see what it’s all about. Here’s a sneak peek inside.
Luxury Flair and Effervescent Fun
World Equestrian Center Lobby at Night. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
When you enter the lodge’s luxurious foyer, you realize you’re in for a deal with. There’s an unmistakable sense of stylish: hovering ceiling, glittering chandeliers, the gleam of mahogany and porcelain. A grand piano performs softly within the nook whereas the scent of fresh-cut flowers wafts ever so delicately via the air.
One factor that may undoubtedly catch your eye, and definitely delight any children in your social gathering, is the art work lining the partitions. They’re dozens of portraits of canine. The well-bred pups add a refined appeal to the grand room. Indeed, it’s this juxtaposition — studied magnificence with a splash of caprice — that’s discovered all through the resort, making it not like anyplace else I’ve ever stayed.
Case in level, as I turned down the hallway, passing Lugano Diamonds, the place bespoke jewellery sparkled within the home windows, I got here to an outsized pink teddy bear sitting beneath a portray of an eagle sporting a swimsuit. This space of the lodge was designed particularly with kids in thoughts, however extra on this under.
Creature Comforts
World Equestrian Center VP Suite. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
The rooms present simply as a lot consideration to element, from the interlocking bridle sample within the hallway right down to the bit handles on the nightstands. The rest room, particularly, with its marble flooring, frameless bathe with two bathe heads, and luxurious cleaning soap and hair care merchandise from the on-site Calluna Spa. At the tip of a busy day, falling into the European linens on the plush mattress was bliss. And I might solely think about what the view from our room overlooking the 145,000-square-foot Grand Arena can be like with horses and riders leaping hurdles under.
There’s equestrian and animal artwork on the partitions within the rooms and all through the lodge. At the seating space simply off the elevator, for instance, there’s artwork that rotates out. When I received off on the second ground and seen the fashion of artwork was completely different than on our ground, I visited each subsequent ground to see it. It’s cool. And the health heart, which we used, was very nice.
Speaking of consolation, the spa, additionally on the second ground, is the proper place for pampering. They do all types of massages in addition to hair styling, skincare, manicures and pedicures with periods as transient as 50 minutes or so long as 5.5 hours in case you so select.
Dining on the World Equestrian Center
Emma’s Patisserie. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
There are eight eating places on the property with extra on the best way. The present lineup contains:
- Stirrups Restaurant, the fantastic eating choice on the bottom ground of the lodge
- Yellow Pony Pub & Garden, that includes a horseshoe-shaped bar the place beer, bourbons, whiskeys, and cocktails circulate freely and stay music performs on patio
- Emma’s Patisserie, each French and acquainted sweets (like doughnuts) plus breakfast sandwiches
- Horse to Water Pool & Bar, for poolside drinks and snacks like a virgin daiquiri and a tuna quinoa energy bowl
- Filo’s Mexican Cantina, serving Mexican favorites, together with breakfast, in an informal indoor and out of doors venue
- Viola & Dot’s Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria, by the slice or by the pie
- Ralph’s Burger & Sandwich Shop, the place you possibly can’t go mistaken with a burger, shake, and fries
- Miss Tilly’s Lollipops, for ice cream cones and home made fudge with old-timey candy store vibes
I attempted the primary three on this listing, starting with Stirrups — and what a starting it was! This Southern steakhouse focuses on prime steaks and chops in addition to contemporary Florida seafood, and the grasp sommelier will help you discover the proper pairing to your meal from 6,000 bottles of wine.
Stirrups Restaurant. Photo Credit: MAVEN Photo+Film
Dinner right here is an expertise, not not like the competitions within the Grand Arena, which the restaurant’s terrace overlooks. Like an occasion unfolding in acts, every course makes you excited for the subsequent. We started with an amuse bouche from the chef, a heat chew of freshly made agnolotti. Then biscuits and rolls got here with honey butter and blueberry jam. Bread is one in every of my love languages, and people rolls have been beautiful.
I attempted the soup of the day, a corn bisque that was simply probably the most surprisingly memorable dish I had the entire weekend, vivid and summery with layers of taste I couldn’t establish however didn’t have to as I savored my bowl. The scallops I ordered have been pleasantly massive and completely scrumptious as was my husband’s burger. The dessert, really helpful by our server, was a masterful mix of taste and artistry: a mousse injected with gelée and dipped in white chocolate, styled to appear to be a complete lemon.
The Yellow Pony, the subsequent evening, was way more informal. This is a spot for convivial dialog and drinks late into the evening (they’re open until not less than midnight each day). I can think about jockeys swapping ideas or John Travolta, who’s been recognized to cease in, grabbing a saddle seat at a excessive prime.
Yellow Pony Pub & Garden. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
They say their starters are shareable, and that’s no exaggeration. The comfortable pretzel appetizer was the dimensions of my head, and the edges are beneficiant too — my lobster mac and cheese was creamy and decadent, and I used to be glad to separate it. The menu stars burgers, but it surely’s rounded out with world fare like fish and chips, flatbread, a bao bun, poke and extra. I wanted one thing veggie-centric after my indulgence the earlier evening, so the Cobb salad with avocado, peas and corn was excellent. Be certain to ask what their pie of the week is. Or you possibly can’t go mistaken with the citrus and berry crumble.
And then there’s Emma’s Patisserie. If you don’t go to Stirrups and order the epic Florida Citrus talked about above, attempt one of many fruit mousse confections at this counter-service store. Like each different dessert on the lodge, every merchandise was conceived by their on-site French pastry chef. They use one of the best components, like butter imported from France, to create a glistening pastry case to rival the wares at Lugano Diamonds throughout the hallway (properly, relying in your proclivities — it did for me).
Raspberry Tart. Photo Credit: Cheryl Rodewig
During breakfast, they’ve sandwiches on biscuits, bagels, or croissants. Go for the croissants and assume you’ll need not less than a pair pastries, possibly an entremet or macaron. Order a couple of to your social gathering and encourage sharing. It’s greatest with a latte. Grab-and-go choices like salads and sandwiches spherical out the menu.
Especially for Families
Toy Shop. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
This all would possibly sound very fancy, and it’s. But the resort’s creators have been considering of their grandchildren all through its inception, and that shines via in particular touches of playfulness all ages will take pleasure in.
Here are a couple of we cherished:
- Mr. Pickles & Sailor Bear Toy Shoppe, the emporium of your childhood goals with an particularly huge number of collectable Breyer Horses
- The 15-foot Geoffrey the Giraffe from the FAO Schwarz flagship retailer in NYC, situated contained in the toy store
- A big singing bear and roaring lion, additionally within the store (Yes, they’re on the market.)
- Rainbow candies and colourful murals at Miss Tilly’s Lollipops
- An animal-themed splash pad subsequent to the zero-entry pool
- Topiaries formed like a dragon, bear, elephants, and extra
- Kids’ actions at particular occasions, just like the inflatables and yard video games on the WEC Spring Festival the weekend we visited
World Equestrian Center Splash Pad. Photo Credit: Ethan Tweedie
There are additionally extra lodging choices on the property, together with an RV park and totally furnished Home Away From Home leases excellent for giant households. Next 12 months, a brand new lodge is opening on the WEC that may supply much more rooms for households at completely different worth factors, broadening your choices.
Events and Activities
Oktoberfest. Photo Credit: MAVEN photograph+movie
Before you go, test the calendar to see what’s on. It is perhaps Arabian horses one weekend and ladies in extravagant hats one other for Derby Day. There’s a number of canine reveals in addition to horse reveals — equestrian occasions are probably the most frequent in season throughout summer time, fall, and winter. Many of the occasions are free to attend, though if you’d like one of the best seat in the home for the Grand Arena, reserve a desk on the terrace at Stirrups. This can also be the go-to spot for the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day brunch.
If it’s St. Patrick’s Day or some other vacation, you possibly can virtually assure they’ll have one thing occurring. There are artwork reveals, spa reveals, bull driving, highschool marching band performances, and extra, relying on the day. During Christmas, they placed on a gala Winter Wonderland.
If you are feeling like procuring, you possibly can browse greater than 25 boutiques on the WEC. There’s additionally a golf course subsequent door at Golden Ocala. Or you would possibly cease by the statue of Sgt. Reckless to study in regards to the Marine Corps mare’s army service.
Even in case you simply tour the grounds and gardens, maybe selecting up a rainbow lollipop the dimensions of your head at Miss Tilly’s, it’s a pleasing option to spend the day.
About the Author
Cheryl Rodewig is storyteller, marketer, and award-winning characteristic author specializing in journey. Her Venn diagram contains minimalism, waterfalls, French, and the em sprint. Find her at cherylrodewig.com or on Twitter at @cherylrodewig.
Feature Photo Credit: MAVEN Photo+Film
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