The Best Hotels to Book Near Silver Springs State Park, Florida

When it comes to making you feel comfortable and cared for, the staff at the Equus Inn have the reins. Right in the lobby, they’ve got self-serve beer and wine machines where you can cool down after a long day of swimming in the springs. The beautifully decorated, equine-themed rooms – each with massive black and white murals dominating the walls – will inspire you to explore Florida’s horse country the way it was meant to be seen: in the saddle.

Where better to let every inner knot unwind than with yoga classes at the Hilton? This Ocala hotel has the amenities you’ve come to expect from the Hilton brand: a resort-style outdoor pool, an executive lounge and an on-site restaurant. With six acres of private land, you get an upgraded stay – right down to the farm-grown ingredients in the Market Kitchen & Bar. Just ask Buddy, the resident Clydesdale, for a tour and he’ll give you the lay of the land for a few oats.

Help yourself to a slice of the “good life” that everyone’s talking about: book a lakefront room facing Palmer Legends Championship Golf Course and prepare for a clubbing weekend – you’ll get a closer look at all 18 of the greens. Mingle with other visitors during cocktail hour or around the outdoor pool. Or else step out and make friends with the kind locals down at Market Square. It’s reminiscent of the quaint seaside towns in the Northeast – without the cold temperatures, that is.

This prestigious venue wows from the moment you step into the grand lobby – for starters, feast your eyes on the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. Check into a room overlooking the Grand Stadium and relax into your vacation. You probably won’t need to leave the complex with all that’s on offer: a day spa, full-service salon, outdoor pool, walking trails, art gallery, seven restaurants and 13,000sqft of shopping. If that’s not enough to keep you so busy, remember that world-class horse shows are taking place only a few feet away.

Squeeze the maximum of Florida sunshine into your schedule when you stay at Bella Oasis. Near the entrance of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Bella Oasis is a quiet, low-key place to spend time under the Florida sun. Whether that’s in the park, beside the pool or in front of the barbecue is up to you. Trees not providing enough shade? Come inside to the bar and grill for a cold pitcher of beer.

This is without a doubt the ultimate home base for exploring Florida’s outdoors. Grab a free plate of breakfast and spread your map out on the table, marking off Rainbow Springs, Ocala National Forest and the endless other protected areas within a few miles of the hotel. After a long day of hiking, swimming and paddling your way through the forests and rivers, a hot shower and premium linens will send you into a peaceful sleep before you know it.

You can snorkel at Juniper Springs, catch a theatrical performance in the Villages and attend an equestrian event at Grand Oaks – but you’ll probably spend most of your time enjoying the spoils of this charming B&B. Each room has a special feature, such as open-air decks, electric fireplaces and custom cultured marble whirlpool tubs. The solar-heated pool and free ice cream bars will keep you cool from sun up to sun down. If you do need to stretch your legs beyond the B&B’s three acres, Eatons Beach is around the corner.

No visit to Silver Springs State Park is complete without a visit to the Swamp. And this hotel – Aloft being the Marriott brand cool label – is only 2mi away from campus, immersing you in UF culture the minute you step beyond your suite. No need to mingle with the coeds if you’d rather relax in the hotel. You can debate NCAA rankings with other Gator fans at the W XYZ Bar or Re:mix lounge. You could also just let the tunes do the talking while listening to a band fill the lobby with G-ville’s local sound.