Travel Florida $800 Million Resort Opens in Florida's Little-Known Horse Country Gallop, don’t canter, to the new Equestrian Hotel in Ocala. By Meghan Overdeep Meghan Overdeep Meghan Overdeep has more than a decade of writing and editing experience for top publications. Her expertise extends from weddings and animals to every pop culture moment in between. She has been scouring the Internet for the buzziest Southern news since joining the team in 2017. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on April 20, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email You don't have to ride a horse to experience the romance and style of the equestrian world at the new Equestrian Hotel in Ocala, Florida. Nor do you need to be familiar with Ocala, the sleepy central Florida town known as "Horse Capital of the World," to appreciate its legacy for producing some of the finest champions in equestrianism. Courtesy of World Equestrian Center The 248-room, $800-million hotel opened in summer 2021 as part of the 380-acre World Equestrian Center. It boasts seven restaurants, an in-house master sommelier, a spa, and regulars like John Travolta, not to mention weekly equestrian competitions. Courtesy of World Equestrian Center The Equestrian Hotel is also home to a fancy toy shop housing the original 15-foot-tall Toys"R"Us Geoffrey from Times Square as well as a six-foot-tall stuffed bear made of Coach leather in the lobby. While the kids are entertained by the daily selection of cereal-covered donuts, parents can marvel at the lobby's more than 80 Schonbek Swarovski crystal chandeliers. Best of all, you don't have to know anything about horses to enjoy the tradition and pageantry of the Saturday Night competitions where as many as 7,500 spectators gather at the Grand Arena to watch Olympic champion equestrians compete for the grand prize. For booking information visit equestrianhotel.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit