The Villages was founded in the 1960s when a Michigan businessman Harold Schwartz started selling tracts of land by mail. Although he was forced to cease the mail-order aspect of his business in 1968, Schwartz and his business partner turned the considerable portions of land that didn't sell into a mobile home park. In 1983, he brought his son, H. Gary Morse, on board.
With Morse's fresh insight, Schwartz's team started working on a plan for a successful retirement community with well-maintained amenities. The development wasn't officially dubbed The Villages until 1992, but by then, the community already had more than 8,000 residents, a supermarket, multiple restaurants, and three golf courses.
The Villages has continued to expand over the years, with the age-restricted community spanning portions of Lake and Marion counties. Today, The Villages is a premier active adult community with social clubs, recreational activities, entertainment venues, three town squares, shopping and dining destinations, and activities for residents' children and grandchildren.
No matter your reason for visiting The Villages, it's important to find the right accommodations that will allow you to fully immerse yourself in this unforgettable retirement experience.
When Is the Best Time to Visit The Villages, FL?
There's no wrong time to visit The Villages. Hotel rates tend to be lowest outside of the winter months when most Northern snowbirds flock to Florida to escape inclement weather. Summers are hot with average highs in the low 90s from June through August, but that just gives you an excuse to go swimming in The Villages' beautiful pool.
To enjoy the right balance of pleasant weather and decent hotel rates, plan your trip during the spring or fall. High temperatures average around 77 degrees in March and November, with temperatures hitting the low-to-mid 80s in April, May, September, and October. Since The Villages provides a variety of indoor and outdoor recreation year-round, you can take full advantage of the community's amenities without paying a premium for accommodations.
Winters in The Villages are quite pleasant with average highs ranging from 69 to 77 degrees. Evenings can feel chilly, especially when temperatures dip below 50 degrees, so be sure to pack a few clothing layers to be on the safe side. If you do visit during the winter months, you'll have access to some of the area's most notable holiday events, including The Villages Tree Lighting Festival, Winterfest, and the Lake Sumter Art and Craft Festival.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in The Villages, FL:
The Villages by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean price patterns by star rating class in The Villages, FL. You can use these line graphs to evaluate the best months to book in The Villages for your upcoming travels.
What About Luxury Hotels in The Villages, FL?
4 Star Average Prices: $104.51
Those who prefer a more upscale experience are in luck, as the area offers several options. The Waterfront Inn is a highly rated hotel within walking distance of The Villages Market Square. Featured amenities include an outdoor pool, a spa tub, a 24-hour fitness center, concierge services, an area shuttle, an on-site restaurant, room service, and a breakfast buffet (for an additional fee).
Business travelers will appreciate The Waterfront Inn's 24-hour business center, free newspapers, laundry and dry-cleaning services, and conference space. Standard guest room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, pillowtop beds, Egyptian sheets, mini fridges, hair dryers, and complimentary toiletries.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott at the Villages is a centrally located option close to Spanish Springs Town Square and the Orange Blossom Hills Golf & Country Club. This hotel features an outdoor pool, a spa tub, a fitness center, a lobby fireplace, barbecue grills, a complimentary continental breakfast, and a range of business-related amenities. The spacious guest suites feature kitchens with full-sized appliances, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, work areas, safes, sofa beds, and pillowtop mattresses, ensuring you feel at home for the duration of your stay.
Hampton Inn & Suites Lady Lake/The Villages is a popular suburban accommodation within a 10-minute drive of Glenview Champions Country Club. The property offers a coffee shop, a complimentary breakfast buffet, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, a television in the common area, a 24-hour business center, and event facilities. Inside your guest room, you'll find a comfortable bed with premium bedding, a sofa bed, a mini fridge, a microwave, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a shower/tub combination, a hair dryer, and complimentary toiletries.
Are There Any Budget Hotels in The Villages, FL?
3 Star Average Prices: $104.28
Finding affordable accommodations in The Villages can be tricky, but expanding your search to nearby areas will maximize your chances of getting the best deal. For example, the Rodeway Inn Leesburg is located about 8 miles south of The Villages close to Venetian Gardens. This no-frills property features a 24-hour front desk, multilingual staff, guest laundry facilities, nearby water skiing, and designated smoking areas. The guest rooms feature mini fridges, microwaves, free Wi-Fi, cable programming, and work areas. Rollaway beds are available upon request.
Motel 6 Wildwood FL is a similar option close to The Villages. Stay here, and you'll enjoy an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, a business center, laundry facilities, ample parking, and a 24-hour front desk. The motel is also connected to an IHOP. Guest rooms at Motel 6 Wildwood FL include private balconies, cable TV, and hair dryers.
If you don't mind staying a little farther away from The Villages, consider booking your stay at the Inn on the Green in the Tavares historic district. This hotel accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, coffee in the lobby, an outdoor pool, a picnic area, and barbecue grills. A complimentary continental breakfast is also served daily. The individually decorated guest rooms include TVs with cable programming, mini fridges, microwaves, coffee maker, ironing facilities, shower/tub combinations, and hair dryers.
