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The best hotels in The Villages FL sit right on the community’s town squares: The Waterfront Inn on Lake Sumter Landing, The Brownwood Hotel & Spa at Brownwood Paddock Square, and the new Hotel Eastport on Central Lake. Two brand-name hotels are a short walk from Spanish Springs Town Square, and two Hilton brands are a few minutes’ drive away.
The Villages is a 55-plus community spread over about 57 square miles of Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. It says it is about 45 miles northwest of Orlando; by road, the hotels below are roughly 44 to 58 miles from downtown. Common reasons to stay are visiting family, a wedding or golf week, or a first look before buying.
Quick answer: To stay on a square, book The Waterfront Inn for the lakeside boardwalk at Lake Sumter Landing or The Brownwood Hotel & Spa for a full-service hotel with a spa. Hotel Eastport is the newest choice and the closest to Orlando. With a kitchen on your list, TownePlace Suites The Villages is a short walk from Spanish Springs and includes breakfast. If budget matters most, compare the Holiday Inn Express next door and the Hampton Inn.
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How we chose these hotels in The Villages FL
We kept hotels that:
- Are inside The Villages or a few minutes from a town square, measured by road (OSRM routing, no traffic) to Spanish Springs Town Square, Lake Sumter Landing Market Square or Brownwood Paddock Square.
- Publish their details on an official page: the hotel’s own website, The Villages’ website or the brand site (Marriott, Hilton, IHG). Some are archived copies, so we say “at last check” where it matters.
Every pick lists free parking (Hilton’s pages for the Hampton conflict; see its entry). We do not score hotels or quote Booking.com ratings. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Hotels in The Villages compared
| Hotel | Area | To nearest square | Breakfast | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Waterfront Inn | Lake Sumter Landing | On the square | Not listed; market on site | Dogs, cats, fee |
| The Brownwood Hotel & Spa | Brownwood | About 0.6 mile walk | Buffet restaurant | Dogs, cats, fee |
| Hotel Eastport | Eastport | In Eastport town center | Boardwalk Bar, from 6 a.m. | Dogs, cats, fee |
| TownePlace Suites The Villages | Spanish Springs | About 0.25 mile walk | Free | Yes, fee |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites The Villages | Spanish Springs | About 0.4 mile walk | Free hot buffet | Yes, fee |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Lady Lake/The Villages | Central Villages | About 3.5 miles by car | Free hot | Dogs, cats, fee |
| Home2 Suites by Hilton Wildwood The Villages | Wildwood | About 2 miles by car | Free hot | Yes, fee |
1. The Waterfront Inn
The Waterfront Inn is the hotel on Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, at 1105 Lakeshore Drive. The Villages describes the square as a fishing-village-themed town center on the banks of Lake Sumter. From the inn it is a two-minute walk to its shops, restaurants and free nightly live music.
The inn’s own website lists 116 rooms and suites, from standard King and Double Queen rooms to lakefront rooms (some with balconies) and a Lakefront Grand Suite. On site are a heated outdoor pool and hot tub (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.), a fitness center, a market and Calypso, a Caribbean-inspired restaurant. The Villages’ directory also lists Amelia’s at the inn; confirm it is open.
- Why stay: You get the classic Villages evening without a car: dinner on the boardwalk, music on the square and a walk back to your room.
- Getting there / to the parks: Spanish Springs is about 3.3 miles away (10 minutes) and Brownwood about 6.6 miles (15 minutes). Downtown Orlando is about 58 miles (around 1 hour 15 minutes), and Magic Kingdom’s parking plaza is about 67 miles (close to 1.5 hours).
- Good to know: Parking is free (no valet). The inn’s FAQ allows up to two dogs or cats of 55 pounds or less for a non-refundable $100 for up to 7 nights or $150 for up to 14 nights. The Booking.com listing shows check-in from 4 p.m., check-out by 11 a.m. and a minimum check-in age of 21; confirm these with the inn.
Best for: First-time visitors and couples who want to stay on a square and walk to dinner and the evening music.
2. The Brownwood Hotel & Spa
The Brownwood Hotel & Spa, at 3003 Brownwood Boulevard, is on the edge of Brownwood Paddock Square, the town center The Villages styles as an old Florida cow town. The 151-room hotel follows the theme with “Floridian cowboy” decor and its website calls it the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in The Villages, citing AAA’s 2020 list. The middle of the square is about 0.6 mile on foot.
Rooms come as King (up to two people), Double Queen (up to four), pool-view versions of both, and suites with a living area. Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar serves lunch and dinner, Chef’s Studio has a breakfast buffet, and The Lobby Bar serves cocktails in the evening.
- Why stay: The most complete hotel in the area: a full-service spa and salon, a pool with cabanas (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.), a 24-hour fitness center and a 24-hour market.
- Getting there / to the parks: Lake Sumter Landing is about 7 miles (16 minutes) and Spanish Springs about 10 miles (23 minutes). Downtown Orlando and Universal’s garages are about 51 miles (roughly an hour), and Magic Kingdom is about 61 miles (around 1 hour 15 minutes). The Groome airport shuttle stops at the hotel.
- Good to know: The hotel’s FAQ says parking is free and there is no resort fee. Dogs and cats up to 55 pounds are allowed, two per room, for a non-refundable $75 for up to 7 nights or $150 for up to 29 days. Pets cannot be left alone in the room. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m.
Best for: Couples, wedding guests and anyone who wants a spa, a proper restaurant and a pool in one place.
Check your dates for The Brownwood Hotel & Spa on Booking.com
3. Hotel Eastport
Hotel Eastport is the newest hotel in The Villages, which announced its opening on December 18, 2025. The mid-century modern hotel stands on Central Lake at 7065 Beebe Court, in the new Eastport town center of shops, restaurants and a boardwalk. It is the southernmost pick, about 44 miles (just under an hour) from downtown Orlando.
Its 120 rooms range from a 300-square-foot King Balcony room with water views and a Two Queen room for four, to a King Terrace Suite and a 1,200-square-foot Two Bedroom Suite that sleeps six. Yamas serves Eastern Mediterranean lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, Sundaze sells ice cream, and the Boardwalk Bar serves breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m.
- Why stay: Everything is new: a lakeside pool by the boardwalk, a 24-hour fitness center, a market and free parking. The two-bedroom suite suits a family of six.
- Getting there / to the parks: Brownwood is about 9.5 miles (21 minutes) and Lake Sumter Landing about 13 miles (30 minutes). Universal’s garages are about 44 miles (around 56 minutes) and Magic Kingdom about 54 miles (70 minutes). Groome’s airport shuttle stops here by reservation.
- Good to know: The hotel’s FAQ lists check-in at 4 p.m., check-out at 11 a.m., a minimum check-in age of 21 and no resort fee. Up to two dogs or cats of 55 pounds or less are allowed for a non-refundable $100 for up to 7 nights or $150 for up to 14 nights.
Best for: Families who want a new hotel with a bigger suite, and visitors who will also drive to Orlando.
4. TownePlace Suites The Villages
TownePlace Suites, at 1141 Alonzo Avenue, is Marriott’s extended-stay hotel at Spanish Springs Town Square, which The Villages styles as a Spanish town. Our walking route to the square is under a quarter of a mile (about five minutes), and Marriott calls the hotel golf cart accessible.
Studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites all have a fully equipped kitchen. At last check (Marriott page, April 2026), free breakfast ran from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends. Marriott also lists a heated outdoor pool, a whirlpool, a fitness center and on-site laundry.
- Why stay: A kitchen, a separate bedroom and free breakfast, close to Spanish Springs.
- Getting there / to the parks: Lake Sumter Landing is about 3.4 miles (10 minutes). Downtown Orlando is about 55 miles (around 1 hour 20 minutes). There is no hotel shuttle; Marriott suggests Groome Transportation for the airport.
- Good to know: Parking is free. The pet fee is $100 per stay (non-refundable cleaning fee), for up to two pets under 50 pounds. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. The hotel is in Lady Lake (Lake County), where room tax is higher (see below).
Best for: Long visits with family, snowbird scouting trips and anyone who wants to cook.
5. Holiday Inn Express & Suites The Villages
The Holiday Inn Express sits on US 27/441 at 1205 Avenida Central North, next to Spanish Springs, and IHG says you can walk to shopping, dining and the square. Our walking route is about 0.4 mile.
IHG lists a free hot breakfast buffet, served from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 7 to 10 a.m. on weekends. There is a heated outdoor pool (7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) and a fitness center.
- Why stay: Free breakfast and parking, and you can walk to the evening music at Spanish Springs.
- Getting there / to the parks: Lake Sumter Landing is about 4.6 miles (11 minutes) and Brownwood about 10.8 miles (24 minutes). IHG says there is no airport shuttle.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, pets were $50 per stay plus a $50 damage deposit, with up to two pets of 50 pounds or less, and extra fees for stays of 7 nights or more. Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m., and the minimum check-in age is 18. Like TownePlace, it is in Lady Lake (Lake County).
Best for: Short visits on a budget, close to Spanish Springs.
6. Hampton Inn & Suites Lady Lake/The Villages
Despite “Lady Lake” in its name, the Hampton Inn is at 11727 NE 63rd Drive in Sumter County, between Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs: about 3.5 and 4.3 miles by road (7 and 10 minutes).
Hilton lists a free hot breakfast, Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, meeting rooms, EV charging, connecting rooms and cribs.
- Why stay: A brand hotel with breakfast included and an easy drive to two squares, handy if your family lives in the middle of the community.
- Getting there / to the parks: Brownwood is about 8 miles (17 minutes). Downtown Orlando is roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter by car, using Florida’s Turnpike.
- Good to know: Hilton’s pages conflict on self-parking (free in January 2026, $3.94 a day in a June 2026 capture), so confirm when you book. There is no valet. At last check (Hilton page, January 2026), the pet fee was $75 for one to four nights or $125 for five nights or more, for up to two dogs or cats. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. Hilton Honors perks apply only when you book directly with Hilton.
Best for: Families visiting relatives in the central Villages who want breakfast and a pool.
Check availability at Hampton Inn & Suites Lady Lake/The Villages
7. Home2 Suites by Hilton Wildwood The Villages
Home2 Suites is an all-suite Hilton at 7555 Penrose Place in Wildwood, about 2 miles (five minutes) from Brownwood Paddock Square. Hilton says it is 15 minutes from The Villages Polo Club, with Florida’s Turnpike close by.
Every suite has an in-room kitchen. Hilton lists a free hot breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor pool, a business center, EV charging and connecting rooms.
- Why stay: A suite with a kitchen and free breakfast, close to Brownwood.
- Getting there / to the parks: Lake Sumter Landing is about 5 miles (12 minutes) and Spanish Springs about 8 miles (19 minutes). Hilton says Orlando is about an hour away.
- Good to know: Self-parking is free. The non-refundable pet fee was $75 for one to four nights or $125 for five nights or more at last check (Hilton page, August 2025). Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m.
Best for: Longer family visits on the south side of The Villages, especially with a pet.
See prices and availability at Home2 Suites by Hilton Wildwood The Villages
If you are driving down I-75, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wildwood – The Villages on State Road 44 is another option. IHG says it was built in 2020 and lists a heated pool and hot tub, free breakfast and free parking; it is about 5 miles from Brownwood.
Golf carts, guest IDs and other rules for visitors
The Villages is built around golf carts, which it calls golf cars. Here is what visitors need to know.
- Renting a golf cart: The Villages Golf Cars rents carts from showrooms at Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood and Eastport. At the time of writing, gas two-seaters were $45 a day or $225 a week, plus tax. Reservations need a three-day minimum (shorter rentals are walk-in only), drivers must be 25 or older with a driver’s license and staying in The Villages, carts cannot leave the community, and there is no delivery. If you are at the Hampton or Home2, ask whether your hotel qualifies.
- Where carts can go: The District says its multi-modal paths are open to walkers, cyclists and golf carts, but not to cars or motorcycles. On public roads, Florida law (s. 316.212) allows golf carts only on roads a local government has designated, and only in daylight unless night use is authorized. Drivers under 18 need a learner’s or driver’s license, and drivers 18 and over need a government-issued photo ID.
- Pools and recreation centers: These are for residents. A Villager can request a Guest ID card for visitors who live outside Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. It lasts up to 30 days, online requests take about three days, and guests must carry the original card (plus photo ID from age 19). Guests under 19 must be with a resident or a card-holding guest 19 or older. Without a resident sponsor there is no Guest ID, so pick a hotel with its own pool.
- Free entertainment: The Villages says its three town squares host free live music every night of the year, and anyone can go.
Hotel taxes in The Villages: Sumter vs Lake County
The Villages crosses county lines, and the tax on your room depends on which county the hotel is in. Sumter County repealed its tourist development tax in 2020, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.
| County | Hotels on this list | Tax on room |
|---|---|---|
| Sumter | Waterfront Inn, Brownwood, Hotel Eastport, Hampton Inn, Home2 Suites | 7% (6% state + 1% surtax) |
| Lake | TownePlace Suites, Holiday Inn Express | 11% (6% + 1% + 4% tourist tax) |
Sources: Florida Department of Revenue rate tables and the Lake County Tax Collector. Check the tax in your booking total before you pay.
Getting to The Villages from Orlando airport
Orlando International (MCO) is the main airport, about 54 to 68 miles by road depending on the hotel. Groome Transportation runs a scheduled shuttle between MCO and depots at Brownwood Hotel & Spa, Lake Sumter Landing and Hotel Eastport (by reservation only). Spanish Springs passengers connect at Lake Sumter Landing. At the time of writing, depot fares were $45 booked online or $50 by phone, $35 for children 12 and under and $19 for pets, plus a temporary $2 fuel surcharge per passenger. Fares can vary by date, overnight parking is not allowed at the depots, and Groome’s Tampa airport service ends November 1, 2026. Our Orlando airport guide explains the MCO terminals and rental car options.
If you are driving, the quickest route from Orlando is Florida’s Turnpike, a toll road. Read our Orlando toll roads guide before you collect a rental car.
How to choose a hotel in The Villages
- Want to walk to a square? The Waterfront Inn (Lake Sumter Landing), TownePlace Suites and the Holiday Inn Express (Spanish Springs) and Hotel Eastport (Eastport) are all within walking distance. Brownwood is a slightly longer walk.
- Visiting family? Ask which square is closest to their home. Spanish Springs to Brownwood is about 10 miles, and Eastport is farther south.
- Staying a week or more? Choose a kitchen: TownePlace Suites or Home2 Suites, both with free breakfast.
- Bringing a dog? All seven picks publish pet fees; stated weight limits are 50 to 55 pounds.
- Adding Orlando’s parks? Hotel Eastport and Brownwood are the shortest drives. For the park part of your trip, our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando compares Disney, Universal and International Drive bases.
- Making it a road trip? Historic Mount Dora is about 25 to 30 miles from our picks (see our hotels in Mount Dora). World Equestrian Center in Ocala is about 32 to 45 miles away depending on the hotel (see our hotels near World Equestrian Center). Clermont is 24 to 38 miles south (see hotels in Clermont), and our hotels near Wekiwa Springs guide covers a springs day.
Thinking of moving here? The Villages’ Lifestyle Preview Plan rents a 2-bedroom, 2-bath home for 4 to 7 days with a golf car included, from $129 to $199 a day for two guests (booked directly with The Villages).
Frequently asked questions
What hotels are inside The Villages, Florida?
Three hotels sit in the town centers: The Waterfront Inn at Lake Sumter Landing, The Brownwood Hotel & Spa at Brownwood Paddock Square and Hotel Eastport, opened in December 2025, in Eastport. TownePlace Suites and a Holiday Inn Express are a short walk from Spanish Springs Town Square, and Hampton Inn and Home2 Suites are a short drive away.
Can visitors rent a golf cart in The Villages?
Yes. The Villages Golf Cars rents carts at Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood and Eastport, from $45 a day for a gas two-seater at the time of writing. Drivers must be 25 or older with a license and staying in The Villages, carts cannot leave the community, and reservations need a three-day minimum.
Can hotel guests use The Villages pools and recreation centers?
Not on their own. District pools and recreation centers are for residents and their registered guests. A resident can request a Guest ID card, valid up to 30 days, for visitors who live outside Lake, Marion and Sumter counties. Guests carry the original card, plus a photo ID from age 19.
How far is The Villages from Orlando and the theme parks?
The Villages says it is about 45 miles northwest of Orlando. By road, our picks are roughly 44 to 58 miles from downtown Orlando, about an hour to an hour and a quarter without traffic. Magic Kingdom’s parking plaza is about 54 to 67 miles away, roughly 70 to 90 minutes. Hotel Eastport and Brownwood are the closest.
How do you get from Orlando airport to The Villages?
Drive via Florida’s Turnpike (tolls apply) or take Groome Transportation’s scheduled shuttle from MCO to its depots at Brownwood Hotel & Spa, Lake Sumter Landing and Hotel Eastport, with connections to Spanish Springs. At the time of writing, depot fares started at $45 booked online, and overnight parking at the depots is not allowed.
How much is hotel tax in The Villages?
It depends on the county. Sumter County has no tourist development tax, so the Waterfront Inn, Brownwood, Hotel Eastport, Hampton Inn and Home2 add 7%. TownePlace and the Holiday Inn Express are in Lady Lake, Lake County, where the total is 11%. Check the total before you pay.
Bottom line
For the classic Villages stay, book The Waterfront Inn on Lake Sumter Landing. Choose The Brownwood Hotel & Spa for a spa and a full-service restaurant, or the new Hotel Eastport for lake-view rooms and the shortest drive to Orlando. Long-stay families do best at TownePlace Suites or Home2 Suites, with kitchens and free breakfast. The Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn are simple, well-located choices with free breakfast. Whichever you pick, spend an evening at the free music on a square.
Check your dates at The Waterfront Inn
Sources checked in October 2026: The Villages FAQ, The Brownwood Hotel & Spa FAQ, Hotel Eastport accommodations, The Villages Golf Cars rentals, Groome Transportation: The Villages