Central Florida has a long history of being overlooked by travelers bound for the Gulf Coast to the west, the Panhandle, and the state’s Atlantic-facing beaches . But intrepid travelers looking to divert from the state’s storied coasts know that to see some of Florida’s most gorgeous, rolling landscapes and ethereally beautiful freshwater springs , detouring inland in the Sunshine State is where it’s at.
That’s where The Riding Academy Hotel, sister property to The Equestrian Hotel, enters the picture as an idyllic destination for a different Sunshine State vacation.
Situated in the heart of the state’s horse country in Ocala (about 90 miles northwest of Orlando), the property had its soft opening in mid-March of 2024 and officially opened April 1, just in time for the World Equestrian Center — the largest equestrian complex in the U.S., sprawling across 400 acres, and the hotels’ home — to host the U.S. qualifier for the Longines League of Nations, a major equestrian showjumping event.
With 390 rooms compared to The Equestrian Hotel’s 248 rooms, The Riding Academy is larger than its sibling and caters squarely to the dog-friendly and family-friendly crowd. (It’s also just a 10-minute stroll away through the pedestrian-friendly grounds.)
All rooms are pet-friendly, and 250 are outfitted with two queen beds and a sofa, making it all the easier to welcome families beyond two or three people.
Also, a perk for the canine-loving equestrian set: Unlike its older sibling, all rooms at the Riding Academy Hotel are dog-friendly for a one-time fee of $100 per dog up to 75 pounds.
While The Equestrian Hotel nods to formal, European-inspired flair, The Riding Academy, which has a slightly lower price point, was designed to feel more casual, says Rick Owens, the senior designer at Roberts Design Group, which is behind the hotel’s very becoming looks.
During an antiquing trip to a furniture market in High Point, North Carolina, Owens said his team saw an antique carved wooden horse sign in the back of a shop with “Riding Academy” on it.
Guests can rent golf carts during their stay, perfect for zipping around with the kids and dogs.
The huge pool has a zero-entry area on the far end for families to play like on a beach, and there’s a dedicated kids’ water play area nearby.
The majority of the rooms are one-bedroom suites with two queen beds and an additional sofa sleeper in a separate living space, great for privacy.
The onsite marketplace off the lobby sells Starbucks coffee, gourmet salads, craft beers, and seltzers, available by the can to enjoy poolside or in your room.
The big outdoor fireplace on the sundeck patio is a beautiful place to gather come evening.
