World Equestrian Center – Ocala Earns Recognitions in 2026 Travel and Meetings Awards

Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and Northstar Stella Awards recognize the destination for luxury hospitality, food and beverage and meetings facilities.

Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) has earned four honors across two leading travel and meetings industry awards programs. The Equestrian Hotel was recognized in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and the Northstar 2026 Stella Awards, while The Equestrian Manor also earned recognition in the Stella Awards. 

“To be recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and the Stella Awards is an incredible honor and a reflection of the experience our team works to create for every guest,” said Jeremy Gow, Senior Director of Hospitality Operations. “These recognitions speak to our distinctive approach to luxury hospitality, bringing together exceptional accommodations, dining, thoughtfully designed event spaces and world-class equestrian sport in one destination. We’re grateful to the readers, planners and industry experts who recognized these experiences and to our entire team for making these honors possible.”

The Equestrian Hotel Named #8 Hotel in Florida

Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, naming The Equestrian Hotel the #8 Hotel in Florida.

Condé Nast Traveler received nearly 800,000 survey responses from readers across the United States rating their travel experiences across the globe to offer a comprehensive look at the places they eagerly anticipate revisiting. The Readers’ Choice Awards, with its unparalleled legacy as the travel industry’s longest-running and most prestigious accolades from readers, remains the ultimate symbol and acknowledgment of excellence within the travel sector.

Located within World Equestrian Center – Ocala in the heart of Florida’s horse country, The Equestrian Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel offering 248 rooms and suites overlooking the property’s Grand Arena. The European-inspired hotel places guests at the center of the resort destination, with access to signature dining, Calluna Spa, luxury retail, year-round equestrian competition and the broader experiences found throughout World Equestrian Center – Ocala.

The 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler’s website at cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue. 

The Equestrian Hotel and The Equestrian Manor Earn 2026 Stella Awards

Northstar Meetings Group announced the recipients of the 10th Annual 2026 Stella Awards, recognizing World Equestrian Center – Ocala across three honors among leading hospitality and meetings properties.

The Equestrian Hotel received Gold for Best Hotel/Resort – Southeast and Silver for Best Food & Beverage – Southeast, while The Equestrian Manor earned Silver for Best Conference Center – Global, Standalone Facility.

Recognizing 243 organizations globally, the Stella Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in quality, service and innovation for meeting and event professionals. This year’s winners were selected from nearly 8,000 votes and a record-breaking 1,167 nominations, reflecting superior performance in overall excellence, food and beverage offerings, staff professionalism, sustainability initiatives and other vital elements of the meetings and events experience.

The Equestrian Manor at World Equestrian Center – Ocala debuted in early 2026 as a four-story hospitality and event venue with over 300,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space for meetings, conferences, weddings and social gatherings. The venue features a 10,500-square-foot Grand Ballroom, private meeting suites, covered balconies, an outdoor pavilion and four signature restaurants, including rooftop dining.

To learn more about the winners of the 2026 Stella Awards, visit northstarmeetingsgroup.com/stellas. To plan your next meeting or book a stay at World Equestrian Center, visit wec.net.

About World Equestrian Center  

Named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places, World Equestrian Center features two premier equestrian and multidisciplinary venues in Ocala, Florida, and Wilmington, Ohio. World Equestrian Center – Ocala is the largest equestrian complex in the United States and among the largest in the world.   

These exclusive facilities comprise state-of-the-art arenas, expansive stadiums, versatile outdoor space, sporting fields and well-appointed exposition centers. An abundance of lodging options and luxury accommodations are conveniently located on-site, along with shopping and dining throughout each property.    

Dedicated to offering great sport and good fun in a family-friendly environment, World Equestrian Center promises an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers built on three core values: Quality. Class. Distinction. Learn more at wec.net. 

Press Officer: 
Zac Courtney  
[email protected]