Drive 45 minutes east of Orlando and you’ll find Mission Resort + Club just outside the town of Howey-in-the-Hills. The lush, 500-acre paradise sits in the heart of a former citrus empire in Lake County. A sprawling property, it is known for two award-winning golf courses, El Campeón and Las Colinas. Locals also know it for its sumptuous brunches and Prime Rib & Seafood Fest every Saturday night.
A member of the Historic Hotels of America since 2023, the property has 176 guest rooms and suites, a pool, spa, four restaurants, and 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
This is a far cry from Orlando’s theme park-oriented hotels.
Guest Room Options at Mission Resort + Club
The resort has numerous styles of accommodation. I stayed in a one-bedroom suite overlooking the tennis court. It had a King bed, screened-in deck, living room with wet bar and mini fridge, and a bathroom with double sinks and granite finishes. Wifi was free, a flat-screen TV hung in the bedroom, and there was a coffee maker.
There were two-bedroom suites with two King beds, jacuzzi tubs, and furnished patios. Plus, there was a three-bedroom Penthouse suite with three King beds.
Also available were Club Suites with one King or two Queen beds, a sitting area, and a workspace. Deluxe room had one King or two double beds and both configurations came with an option for a screened-in balcony.
If you needed space for more people and a longer term, you could book the Sonoma Villa with three bedrooms, a second floor, a living room, and a kitchen. Another option was the Santa Cruz villa with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room which could be booked nightly.
Choose from Indoor and Outdoor Restaurants
Hunger pangs got me to explore the restaurants. It was a beautiful night to sit outside so I chose La Margarita, overlooking the resort’s Plaza del Las Palmas. A casual menu featured pizza, steak, burgers, and seafood. I chose a kale salad topped with grilled Gulf shrimp that was light, and refreshing.
Other choices at the Mission Resort + Club included El Conquistador. A more formal, upscale restaurant, it featured heavier dishes such as cider-brined pork chops, braised short ribs, steaks, and seafood. Reservations are necessary and the dress code is either evening wear or business casual attire.
Hacienda is the place for breakfast. Catering to early risers, it opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 11 a.m. You can choose from a traditional breakfast buffet (included in many golf packages), or a continental buffet with fruit and pastries. It also has a la carte items. On Sundays, the Champagne Brunch is a big hit with bottomless glasses of champagne for $54.
Located in the clubhouse, Nickers is open for lunch 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays, and open to 8 p.m. on Fridays. The restaurant offers burgers, sandwiches, and salads. On Saturday nights locals flock to Nickers’ Prime Rib and Seafood Fest from 5 – 9 p.m. for $54.
Citrus Empire Legacy of Mission Resort + Club
The legacy of Mission Resort + Club goes back to around 1916 when William J. Howey acquired 60,000 acres in Central Florida. His goal was to sell land to investors, and then manage the properties by planting citrus groves and overseeing the harvest. Profits were distributed back to the investors. It went well for a time. Howey became mayor of the town named after him and oranges were the new money. What better time to build the Floridan Country Club and Golf Course?
Turns out the timing wasn’t so good. A hard freeze killed many of the orange trees, the stock market crashed and the Depression hit.
The property sat neglected until 1964 when Nick Beucher bought it. A cattle-by-products trader from Chicago, Beucher turned it into an inviting resort featuring Spanish Colonial architecture.
In 2023, it was bought by the Mississippi-based MMI Hospitality Group. The company plans to make quite a few changes. In the lobby, I noticed a placard describing the coming lighter, brighter changes to room décor. The pool area is also set to be updated to make it a little more family-friendly. And there may be some changes to the food and beverage offerings.
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Although I hadn’t picked up my clubs in a few years and did not play a round of golf, I enjoyed staying at this tranquil property. (I was there mid-week, but it can be busy on weekends, I was told.)
For non-golfers, there were lots of other activities available in the area. Known for its chain of fresh water lakes, the region has a string of charming towns including Clermont, Mount Dora, and Tavarse. I enjoyed boutique shopping, sampling local fare at independent restaurants, a seaplane ride, kayaking, hiking, and quaffing local brews at some inventive craft breweries.
Mission Resort + Club Room Rates
Rooms with one King or two Queen beds start at $154 per night. Fees increase on weekends and seasonally. One-bedroom suites start at around $440 per night. Two-bedroom suites start at $550 per night. And the Penthouse suite goes for around $1,150 per night. Packages with breakfast and greens fees are available at various rates throughout the year. Check rates on Expedia to see if you can score a deal.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Discover Lake County arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
