The Riding Academy Hotel — Hotel in Ocala

The Riding Academy is a brand-new hotel on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala.||||It's so new that there is a literal wet paint, new carpet and residue construction dust smell in corridors and spaces.||||While the main hotel is positioned as a 5-star hotel, The Riding Academy is more equivalent to a Holiday Inn Express but with a much better decor and higher quality furnishings. The decor and furnishings are at the quality of a luxury hotel. That side, the overall service and standard is equivalent to the limited-service hotel; again, think a Holiday Inn Express, Element or Fairfield Inn.||||Some of the service-related issues I experienced:||||1) No pre-arrival email or welcome letter at check-in||||2) Parking is self-parking||||3) No bellman or doorman to assist with luggage nor any offer of assistance from the front desk||||4) I wasn't addressed by name at check-in or thanked for staying||||Additionally:||||1) There's no restaurant or bar. There's a small market with pre-made sandwiches, salads, etc. Plus coffee. But no restaurant. And no bar. I don't understand why they don't at least have a bar. You shouldn't have to walk or take a golf car to the main hotel, which is maybe a half-mile away, to have a glass of wine or a cocktail.||||2) The side doors to the parking lots are supposedly key-activated but they were unlocked and open throughout my stay.||||3) Pool is restricted through gates, which is probably a requirement of security and insurance. But the gates are difficult to open as you need to hold a room key in front of a reader for 5 seconds and wait for the green light. That's overly complicated. I imagine it will be an issue with families and kids since not everyone is going to have their own key. There has to be a better method.||||Rooms have major design flaws. ||||1) There are no dedicated accessible electrical or USB outlets by the nightstand in the bedroom. You expect outlets from a brand-new hotel in 2024. The only USB outlet is hidden on the side of the combination phone-clock-radio. ||||2) No desk. Instead there's a small dining table with two chairs. No electrical or USB outlets by the table. ||||3) No wine glasses. No corkscrew. ||||4) No stocked mini-bar. ||||5) Supposedly, laundry and dry cleaning services are offered but there was no form or laundry bag in the closet.||||6) No bathrobe and slippers. ||||7) No newspapers.||||8) One bar of soap and one small bottle of lotion at the bathroom sink in a room for two people. No dental kit, no mouthwash, etc. The shampoo, conditioner and body wash were dispensers in the shower.||||9) No hook in the bathroom to hang anything. Again, big design flaw.||||On the whole, this is a nice hotel with immense potential. For $150-$250, it's a very good value. The pool is like a resort pool. It's more affordable than the five-star hotel also on the complex. But at the same time it has an upscale feel to it. ||||Most of these issues can easily be fixed. Adding a bar or a proper restaurant is obviously more difficult. Without having a bar or restaurant it kind of feels like the...

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I recently had the pleasure of staying at the World Equestrian Hotel and The Riding Academy in Ocala, Florida, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. I brought my Doberman along for the weekend, and from the moment we walked in, we were greeted with exceptional service. This hotel truly understands how to pamper both their human and furry guests. They offer amazing 5-star amenities for pets, including complimentary dog beds, water and food bowls, treats, and more. My dog felt just as pampered as I did!

The World Equestrian Hotel itself is a marvel. The luxurious ambiance is matched by the high-quality service provided by every staff member. The on-site restaurants serve delectable dishes that cater to a variety of tastes, and the spa is a haven of relaxation, offering an array of treatments that left me feeling rejuvenated.

One of the highlights of my stay was the exceptional service provided by Hailey at the toy store. She truly made the trip memorable. Not only is she one of the most amazing staff members, but she also provided an excellent history of the property, explained all the features in great detail, and even went over the yearly schedule of events. Hailey is an MVP, embodying what it means to go above and beyond for guests. Her knowledge and enthusiasm added an extra layer of enjoyment to our visit.

The property itself is stunning, with beautifully maintained grounds and a plethora of activities and events to keep guests entertained. Whether you’re watching a horse show from the comfort of your room or exploring the various amenities, there’s always something to do.

I absolutely love this hotel and property, and I can’t wait to return with my wife and kids. I can’t let them miss out on this gem, and neither should you! If you’re looking for a luxurious, pet-friendly getaway with top-notch service and endless activities, the World Equestrian Hotel and The Riding Academy is the...

My stay at The Riding Academy Hotel this weekend was absolutely wonderful. The World Equestrian Center in Ocala overall is unbelievably nice, and The Riding Academy Hotel couldn't have been a more perfect place to stay with my 5-month old puppy. From check-in to check-out, the entire staff (I mean everyone from desk clerks to cleaning staff to the guys maintaining the pool area to the ladies behind the counter in the Tack Room) were so super friendly, helpful, professional, and had a lot of love to give the puppy. :-) The rooms are gorgeous w/marble bathrooms, super comfy beds, and - surprise - a really nice, medium-sized sub-zero fridge. I had a double-queen suite and it was large enough in the main living area to accommodate 4 adults and a teenager sharing a meal on two evenings after the Citrus County Dog Show. Bathrooms have a rain shower head (high - maybe 7 ft?) as well as a hand-held European style shower wand. Super classy. At check-in, Amanda asked if I would like a dog bed and some bowls - the puppy and his sister absolutely LOVED the bed. So nice of them to provide that! Most of the flooring was either a beautiful wood (-like?) tile, or marble tile in the bathroom, and a nice, durable puppy-proof rug in the living area. The room had a comfortable patio (higher floors w/a balcony) that was surprisingly large - 2 people fit VERY comfortably. The artwork exudes a great sense of humor, just for fun. If you're there on a Saturday, definitely check out the action in the main horse jumping arena in front of the other awesome hotel on the property. Several great restaurants right on the property as well. Butter croissants in the Tack Room mornings were FABULOUS! Now I'm looking for an excuse to return, it was...