Is parking available at the property?

Yes, free self-parking is available on-site. However, parking is limited.

What type of breakfast is offered and what are the serving hours?

To-go breakfasts are available daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee of approximately USD 20.00 for adults and USD 15.00 for children.

Are pets allowed at the property?

Yes, pets are allowed with a fee of USD 100 per pet, per stay, with a maximum of two pets allowed. Service animals are exempt from fees.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is at 12:00 AM and check-out is at 12:00 PM. Early check-in and late check-out are available for a fee, subject to availability.

What accessibility features are available for guests with disabilities?

The property offers limited wheelchair accessibility, including step-free entrances and accessible facilities in public areas.

What is the location of the property in relation to key landmarks?

The Riding Academy Hotel is located just a 1-minute drive from the World Equestrian Center – Ocala and 6 minutes from Golden Ocala Golf Course. It is approximately 14 miles from Rainbow Springs State Park and 3.8 miles from Ocala National Golf Club.

Does the property have a swimming pool?

Yes, there is an outdoor pool available for guests, with access from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

What are the policies for guests staying with children?

Children are welcome at the property, and kids can stay for free up to a certain age, although specific age details are not provided.

The Riding Academy Hotel in Ocala

Average nightly price at The Riding Academy Hotel by month, last 12 months (USD)
Month	Average price
January	$224
February	$238
March	$266
April	$258
May	$219
June	$186
July	$171
August	$172
September	$175
October	$202
November	$226
December	$218

What guests think

The Riding Academy Hotel earns high praise for its beautiful, well-maintained grounds, spacious rooms, and friendly service, offering a polished, pet-friendly stay within the World Equestrian Center with decor and amenities that feel upscale yet comfortable.

Its location is extremely convenient for events at WEC, though it sits a drive from Ocala’s town amenities. Facilities draw compliments for the pool, outdoor spaces, and handy lobby market, but guests note ongoing construction, occasional elevator outages, and limited parking in some areas. Rooms are large and well appointed, yet some report thin walls, hallway noise, loud HVAC, very soft mattresses, and non-streaming TVs, plus no in-room microwaves. Overall, expect a refined base for WEC activities, but plan around limited on-site dining and occasional noise or maintenance hiccups.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests praise the attractive pool, outdoor areas, and convenient lobby market; some also appreciate the dog park and rental golf carts around the campus. Recurring drawbacks include no on-site restaurant or bar, nearby construction and parking constraints, and occasional elevator outages.

Related guest reviews

10

Jessica

Jun 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

It was great. The property was beautiful and we got to see the horses at the stables. only downside was the elevators weren’t working because the hotel had gotten struck by lightening the day prior to our arrival. Our rooms were on the 2nd floor so had to use the stairs. And there was construction going on right next store.

10

Joan

Nov 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff very friendly and professional. The hotel is decorated so nice for the Christmas holiday. Pet friendly hotel which had a nice dog park. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return in the future.

8

Maggie

Jul 11, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

The hotel is great in general but some improvements could be made. The mattresses are too soft. There should be recycling for plastic bottles in the room. And there is not enough parking on the back side of the building. Service and cleanliness are excellent! Too go bar in the lobby is a nice bonus feature.

10

Jennifer

May 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Wonderful property. Beautiful amenities. Loved the 2 queen suite w/balcony. The bathroom is huge!

10

Gregory

Dec 28, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Had alot of dust on headboard really thick too, but cleaned it easily...bathroom was the nicest ive experienced...shower is amazing..small but good gym..pool is heated to 78/80 and beautiful. Great little cafe with coffee n loads of beverages and snacks

10

Rudolfo

Jun 30, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Nice room. Fantastic pool. Convenient.

10

Karen

Apr 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a new hotel on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center. It has lovely equestrian style decor in the lobby and public areas, and the rooms are spacious and immaculate. No actual restaurant or bar, but there is a place called The Tack Room in the lobby where you can get wine, mixed drinks, and snacks...albeit a tad pricey. However, I understand there is a shuttle that can take you to any restaurant on the grounds...and there are plenty. I had invited some friends to meet me in the lobby and we sat in front of the fireplace on comfy leather sofas and chairs and chatted for a couple of hours, undisturbed. The hotel is in the process of building a parking garage and another building across the parking lot. If you are in any way associated with horses, the WEC is a must-see.

10

Tiffany

Jul 6, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Beautiful property. I would recommend renting a golf cart. Lots of restaurants and stores but they all close pretty early (around 7pm I think)

10

Joseph

Aug 2, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful hotel inside and out. Every area within was immaculate. Room and beds were comfortable and the pool was clean and the water warm. Excellent and accommodating staff throughout . Tack Room was very convenient and the food was good. My family gives this hotel an A+.

10

Kathleen

May 6, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Such an amazing place to stay for adults and adults with children! Clean, cozy nooks everywhere, 2 gyms, fantastic pool! A+

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Cleanliness

Overall cleanliness is rated highly across rooms and public areas. A few reviews reported issues such as ants, leftover debris, and occasional lapses in housekeeping or maintenance.

Related guest reviews

10

Lincoln

Mar 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The place was very nice and clean

6

Brandi

Feb 23, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The overall appearance is great. The shortcomings are apparent the longer the stay is. Beds are poorly made, cleaning is 1/2 done or not at all, coffee/cups/towels are not replaced daily, and the heating/ac unit is excessively noisy. The staff is generally pleasant. For the price cleaning days should not be skipped though.

10

David

Nov 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean

10

Veronique

Oct 6, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely sparkling new property located at the new World Equestrian Center in Ocala. Lots of building going on next door, but no work being done during our stay. This property is large and well appointed in equestrian style. The room was large and comfortable and clean as was the bath room. There were many sitting areas throughout and a nice cafe with a good variety of food and beverage options including delicious looking fresh baked croissants as big as two fists! The exterior was pristine and boasted a gated children’s pool play area next to the large pool.

4

Ronna

Jan 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is beautiful however my room had ants in the bathroom and shower area. I immediately contacted the front desk upon check in and they said they would send some one right away to take care of it. I was gone all afternoon and evening at my granddaughters volleyball tournament. When I arrived back in the late evening the bathroom was still covered in ants. Maintenance showed up in the morning to finally take care of the issue. This caused me to vacate my room prior to my check out time. I spoke with the front desk and they offered no apology. It was obvious customer service was not a priority.

10

Rebecca

Jul 4, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Beautiful property. Amanda checked us in and offered 2 beautiful room options with views of the pool. She was so sweet and accommodating. We were there for a riding competition and the tack shop/ bar in the lobby served delicious meals all throughout the day. Starbucks coffee as well. It gets busy some mornings but that’s understandable. The staff was always nice. Room was spotless. Very comfortable beds and the pull out sofa wasn’t bad either. I would dim the refrigerator light if I could but a minor issue as I like my room dark for bedtime. We had a balcony that was a welcomed respite in the evenings after a long day on the beautiful grounds. But it can get hot out there in the summer. The surrounding property offers everything your heart could desire. There’s even and veterinary clinic, general store with a little of everything you might need to stock up with, multiple restaurants (loved the Mexican spot) and ice cream parlour and patisserie. We got around by golf cart and everyone was so courteous and kind. I’ll definitely stay here again and again. We had an amazing time. Thank you so much for making it so memorable.

10

Catherine

Dec 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel is absolutely beautiful! Staff is friendly and welcoming. Room was spotless. Bed and pillows were perfect. We were going to events at WEC and location could not have been more convenient. Can't wait to go back!

8

Heather

Nov 2, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

There was a used ear plug on the floor at the end of our bed… with a toddler that is frequently on the floor it was off putting.

10

Barbara

Jun 9, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Riding Academy always feels so fresh and so beautifully maintained. The lobby furnishing are so beautiful and the staff are professional and always friendly and accommodating. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the showers are just wonderful. The pool is large and has lots of seating options, restrooms and vending as well as walk up ordering from the hotel market. I have stayed many times and will stay many more times to come!

10

Reynaldo

Nov 10, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Clean rooms

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Rooms

Rooms are spacious, well appointed, and comfortable, with pleasant bathrooms and some balconies. Common complaints include thin walls, hallway noise, loud AC, very soft or uneven mattresses, non-streaming TVs, and the lack of in-room microwaves or drawers.

Related guest reviews

10

Angela

Oct 9, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Only needed to stay over 1 night, and everything was gorgeous, luxurious. Great front desk staff. Only drawback was the bathroom ceiling fan whistled and whined all night. Would’ve asked for another room but too tired from a long day of flying/driving.

8

Therese

Jun 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great property wonderful people overall an excellent experience. The one thing that was a real damper was that the TVs are not Wi-Fi capable

10

Michelle

Aug 1, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The Riding Academy is such a great hotel! They have a nice little convenience cafe on the first floor. There are several dining options around the rest of the property. The hotel is kept very clean. The beds are so comfortable!

4

Maayan

Dec 31, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Check in was delayed by an hour (not their fault system problems but they didn’t do anything to make the wait any more pleasant). Asked for a quiet room was put in front of the parking lot with a connecting door heard our neighbors in the other room was woken up by the construction the hotel was doing before 6:30 am on vacation! AC in room was so loud it was like a drill going on we had to close it so we could try and get some sleep. This was definitely one of our worst vacations ever. They could have mentioned that there is construction going on and offer a similar room or an option to upgrade our stay we would have paid more to get our basic need of sleep (which is literally the only real expectation you have from a hotel). Very disappointing. I will say the positive things are beds are comfortable and the size of the room is very nice.

10

Yaniris

Sep 3, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a new hotel. The grounds are absolutely beautiful. The room and bathroom are very spacious. Loved it so much I extended my stay.

10

Tracy

Mar 16, 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

What a great property especially if your in town for any of the horse shows in Ocala. The rooms are spacious. They offered an upgrade for $40 a day. We had a view of the pool. Not worth the up grade expense. Your not in your room enough. No microwaves in the rooms. Took our food to the front desk and they heated it up for us. More inconvenient than anything, but thankful for the option.

8

Stewart

Dec 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

New hotel beautifully appointed. We found it odd that there were no dressers or drawers in the room to keep our clothing in. Other than that, it was very nice.

6

sandra

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room 4442 was too noisy. I turned off the air conditioning to find out why it was so noisy. It felt like I fell asleep in a factory. I couldn't sleep all night. The hallway was noisy. I didn't have a good experience, we didn't rest or sleep.

10

Amy

Jun 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel is great! Deor was beautiful, rooms spacious and most importantly, all the staff was phenomenal on customer service! The pool is a bit smaller than expected. Only con is that you hear guests next door, in the hallway, getting ice. Perhaps they can sound proof yhe rooms better? Definitely will stay here again and do highly recommend!

10

Therese

Jun 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Can’t stream on TVs. Otherwise, great day.

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Service

Staff are frequently described as friendly, professional, and accommodating, with some upgrades or quick fixes provided. Reported issues include delayed or confusing check-in/checkout, billing errors, unmet requests (e.g., rollaway/cot), and inconsistent front desk attitudes.

Related guest reviews

10

Craig

Nov 19, 2025

·

Stayed 14 nights

Beautiful room and amenities and the staff were so courteous and accommodating!

4

Rene

Jan 27, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I called the hotel prior to our visit to request a cot and they said they’d have a cot available, when I arrived at the property I requested a cot again and they said they’d have it in the room when we got back from my daughters volleyball game. When we got back there was no cot and they informed us they were sold out. The only option they had were extra blankets and pillows so we had to make a makeshift bed for my teenage daughter on the floor. The next day they moved our room but that was also a hassle to have to move everything again for one night. Plus the gentleman who helped us was not friendly or accommodating. He just pretty much told us tough crap.

10

Janis

Aug 31, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Stay here every time in the area. Always a pleasure, clean and good service.

8

Molly

May 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Front desk checkout was confusing. Some how got charged for wrong room then made to feel at fault. Won’t get refund for 7 days. Also charged day of checkin and then charged again at checkout. Kind of strange

10

Joan

Nov 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff very friendly and professional. The hotel is decorated so nice for the Christmas holiday. Pet friendly hotel which had a nice dog park. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return in the future.

4

Ronna

Jan 19, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel is beautiful however my room had ants in the bathroom and shower area. I immediately contacted the front desk upon check in and they said they would send some one right away to take care of it. I was gone all afternoon and evening at my granddaughters volleyball tournament. When I arrived back in the late evening the bathroom was still covered in ants. Maintenance showed up in the morning to finally take care of the issue. This caused me to vacate my room prior to my check out time. I spoke with the front desk and they offered no apology. It was obvious customer service was not a priority.

10

Rebecca

Jul 4, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Beautiful property. Amanda checked us in and offered 2 beautiful room options with views of the pool. She was so sweet and accommodating. We were there for a riding competition and the tack shop/ bar in the lobby served delicious meals all throughout the day. Starbucks coffee as well. It gets busy some mornings but that’s understandable. The staff was always nice. Room was spotless. Very comfortable beds and the pull out sofa wasn’t bad either. I would dim the refrigerator light if I could but a minor issue as I like my room dark for bedtime. We had a balcony that was a welcomed respite in the evenings after a long day on the beautiful grounds. But it can get hot out there in the summer. The surrounding property offers everything your heart could desire. There’s even and veterinary clinic, general store with a little of everything you might need to stock up with, multiple restaurants (loved the Mexican spot) and ice cream parlour and patisserie. We got around by golf cart and everyone was so courteous and kind. I’ll definitely stay here again and again. We had an amazing time. Thank you so much for making it so memorable.

8

Armando

Oct 10, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I was downgraded from a suite that was prepaid without being explained or given an option.

10

Jason

Dec 15, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Our family enjoys WEC and the riding academy is an amazing addition. It’s clean and the staff are great.

10

Gilfredo

Jun 2, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

They gave us the wrong room but staff quickly made it right .

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Location

Excellent location within the World Equestrian Center, ideal for attending shows and events. Less convenient for non-WEC activities due to distance from town and the need to drive or use golf carts around the large campus.

Related guest reviews

10

David

Mar 11, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Awesome stay. The hotel was beautiful. The rooms were large & clean. The hotel grounds themselves and the available amenities were fantastic. Would absolutely stay again. The ONLY draw back is you are about 20 minutes from anything - restaurants, grocery stores, even fast food.

10

Anuj

Jul 4, 2024

·

Stayed 4 nights

Great property! Close to everything at WEC

10

Mathews

Jun 27, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Wonderful hotel staff, well appointed, clean rooms, extremely convinient to all WEC locations.

10

steve

Jul 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lovely place, Great Service , Super clean. Close to everything at Equestrian park

10

chris

Jun 8, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

The absolute best Hotel I have ever been too . Just beautiful!!! The one thing they need is better signage around the whole property

10

Kim

Feb 17, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Perfect location for venue events we were attending

8

STEVEN

Oct 16, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Stayed here after a Univ of Florida night game - drive was about 45 minutes - arrived at midnight so check in was easy - beautiful brand new hotel - in middle of nowhere - further from I-75 than expected - room was awesome - clean and well furnished - two complaints though (1) we had two queen beds and both my wife and I felt like they slopped to center night table (2) Food options are terrible - I went to get breakfast at 6:30am and 4 people behind counter point me to shelf with a premade sausage biscuit - nothing substantial - and there is nothing nearby - I guess if you go for horses and want to drive to the 1 or 2 small restaurants it is a beautfiul place but we wont be going back since not horse people and not much else to do there.

10

Leslie

Sep 12, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a beautiful 5-star hotel. The equine theme is carried everywhere. It is on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala and very convenient to the various arenas/stadium/shops.

10

Richard

Feb 24, 2025

·

Stayed 11 nights

I liked that the property was new and I look forward to the following years to see all the new surroundings

10

Jesse

Sep 1, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

If you don’t mind the drive, this property is a hidden gem. Large property in planned equestrian development. Interested concept, but it works for someone not necessarily interested in horses. Brand new hotel with great amenities: Starbucks. Grab and go. Onsite restaurants. Would definitely consider if I return to the area.

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Dining

On-site options at this hotel are limited to a lobby cafe/Tack Room with snacks and drinks; quality is generally fine but selection can run out at busy times. Many guests wished for a sit-down restaurant, room service, or more vegetarian choices.

Related guest reviews

8

KIMBERLY

Apr 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful property on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center. Beds were a bit too hard and finding vegetarian/vegan food was a challenge. The pool is nice and relaxing, staff very helpful and friendly.

8

Katrina

Jan 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This hotel is lovely inside with spacious rooms, a beautiful courtyard, and a quiet location next to The World Equestrian Center. It is a bit far from town but close to the WEC if you are part of the horse community. The downside is there are no dining options in the Hotel -- it's a bit misleading because the hotel boasts multiple dining options and a spa; however, those amenities are actually at the neighboring Equestrian Hotel. The eateries are quite far unless you rent a golf cart or drive to the Equestrian Center -- and the restaurants are difficult to find as this is such a massive facility.

10

William

Jun 5, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Beautiful rooms and property. Loved the pool/splash pad for the kids. Tack room had good food and drinks. Staff was very amazing. Beds were not that comfortable…..they were way too soft for my liking and water pressure in shower not that great. Excellent value

8

McKeisha Shantelle

Jun 22, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

The property was good, clean, new. Decor fit the riding experience. The staff super friendly as you walk around the complex. Great coffee shop and breakfast but no restaurant to dine in. Also elevator was out for 3 days with no explanation.

10

Susan

Jul 31, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Enjoyed our weekend away, wish there were a few more dining options.

10

Julie

Nov 24, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Loved the equestrian motif. Would be great if you had a sit down place to eat on site.

10

Karen

Apr 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a new hotel on the grounds of the World Equestrian Center. It has lovely equestrian style decor in the lobby and public areas, and the rooms are spacious and immaculate. No actual restaurant or bar, but there is a place called The Tack Room in the lobby where you can get wine, mixed drinks, and snacks...albeit a tad pricey. However, I understand there is a shuttle that can take you to any restaurant on the grounds...and there are plenty. I had invited some friends to meet me in the lobby and we sat in front of the fireplace on comfy leather sofas and chairs and chatted for a couple of hours, undisturbed. The hotel is in the process of building a parking garage and another building across the parking lot. If you are in any way associated with horses, the WEC is a must-see.

10

Patricia

Jul 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We LOVE WEC and its hotels and restaurants. They are so special. I only deducted one star from amenities bc the Tack Room (the one food option at Riding Academy) needs to maintain more inventory of their fresh baked offerings. If you sleep in, you miss all the bakery items. Otherwise we love everything about the Riding Academy hotel.

10

James

Jun 10, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property was very nice but only had a small coffee shop not really a breakfast lunch or dinner spot

10

Kim

Feb 11, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

My only complaint was that there were no sit down restaurants in the hotel

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19 $232	20 $230	21 $230	22 $269	23 $299	24 $299
25 $228	26 $226	27 $272	28 $274	29 $308	30 $299	31 $298

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
1 $227	2 $227	3 $224	4 $226	5 $259	6 $473	7 $539
8 $225	9 $224	10 $226	11 $234	12 $261	13 $295	14 $307
15 $226	16 $226	17 $286	18 $321	19 $258	20 $291	21 $271
22 $210	23 $215	24 $223	25 $208	26 $297	27 $316	28 $294
29 $225	30 $221

The Riding Academy Hotel

Prices for The Riding Academy Hotel

Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

Room options

Accessible Double Queen Suite with Balcony

Accessible King Studio

King Studio

Double Queen Suite with Balcony

Guest reviews of The Riding Academy Hotel

What guests think

Property Policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about The Riding Academy Hotel

Prices for upcoming dates