By Doug Filaroski
Unwind with a drive to Florida’s hill country. Originally built in 1917, Mission Resort & Club, about thirty-five miles northwest of Orlando, sits amid these rarely seen, rolling green high points.
The historic resort’s lush, five hundred plus acres feature the legendary, century-old El Campeon golf course, memorable fine dining, a high-end personal spa, tennis and pickleball, nature walks, history and more.
Located in a town called Howey-in-the-Hills, this area of Lake County sits at the state’s geographic center, situated between pockets of wooded conservations land and the Harris Chain of Lakes – far from the hustle-and-bustle of coastal resorts.
Guests relax, get a massage, swim in the pool after lounging in a cabana, take a walk along nature trails and breathe the fresh air while gazing upon wildlife and water.
Mission Resort is also a fabulous place to host weddings. There are four, all-inclusive, camera-ready venue options to choose from.
Same Classic Resort, Far More Sparkle
Then, at night, enjoy a cocktail, or mocktail, before a scrumptious dinner at the recently renovated Conquistador Bar & Restaurant. In 2022, Mission Resort went under the ownership of MMI Hospitality Group, which has managed to retain the charm of a Spanish-style resort while updating features, polishing its look, and adding a bit of refinement.
On-site food options abound, ranging from short ribs, pork chops, salmon and shrimp, French onion soup and decadent desserts served at Conquistador; to bountiful breakfasts and the truly-worth-the-trip Sunday brunch at La Hacienda; to lunch salads and sandwiches and an English tea, at Grove House overlooking the golf courses.
Yes, its golf “courses.” Florida golfers with not much out-of-state experience definitely enjoy El Campeon’s uniquely-for-Florida hilly terrain, featuring elevated tee boxes. They also like the water challenges on the flatter and more traditional El Campeon course. Both are championship courses that host many tournaments.
Come for Golf. Stay for the Experience.
Visitors easily spend a fun, delicious and stress-relieving week at the resort, which also has bikes for rent, rec rooms, basketball courts, a one-mile hiking trail, a fitness room, and many other exercise options. Know you’re in a quaint town near other small communities, such as Mount Dora that are worth a look-see.
In fact, please don’t go home without stopping at Yalaha Bakery, even if it’s on your way out of town. Its glass cases are stuffed with a couple dozen choices of over-sized, eye-popping pastries to take home or enjoy on site with a coffee or tea. The German bakery’s selection of fresh-baked breads is reason alone to venture a few miles down County Road 48.
While you’re there, you should also visit Howey Mansion, the home in the 1920s of citrus magnate and developer William John Howey responsible for establishing this idyllic area.
The bad news is the millionaire failed to get the state capital moved to Howey-in-the-Hills, which was named after him. The good news is the area remains largely untouched by Florida’s craziness, allowing Mission Resort + Club to remain a little secret!
