Mission Resort and Club

Surrounded by gently rolling citrus‐grove hills and the broad blue waters of Central Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes, Mission Resort and Club evokes the romance of a Spanish colonial village. White-stucco walls, red-tile roofs, and palm-lined courtyards create a timeless backdrop that feels a world away from Orlando’s theme-park bustle—yet the drive from Orlando International Airport is under an hour, and guests traveling from Tampa can arrive in about 90 minutes. The 1,100-acre estate has hosted weddings for more than four decades, earning a reputation for seamless coordination, abundant venue choices, and culinary flair that highlights Florida’s fresh produce and Gulf-coast seafood.

Guest Rooms & Common Spaces

The resort’s 176 accommodations range from cozy deluxe rooms to multi-bedroom villas, all refreshed with warm wood furnishings, hand-painted Spanish tiles, and views of gardens, fairways, or sunset-washed lakes. Pillow-top beds, mini-fridges, and streaming-ready HDTVs keep wedding parties comfortable during multi-day celebrations, while spacious marble vanities help hair and make-up teams work their magic. Throughout the property, courtyards dotted with bubbling fountains invite impromptu photo sessions; La Hacienda Plaza, in particular, glows at golden hour and often becomes the staging ground for first looks and bridal portraits.

Venues for Every Vision

Couples can choose from more than 30,000 square feet of indoor space and a half-dozen outdoor sites, allowing a single location to host the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch:

• Plaza de la Fontana – A flagstone courtyard anchored by an ornate tiered fountain and framed by archways wrapped in bougainvillea. Evening ceremonies here draw a hush when the fountain lights up and the sky shifts to coral and lavender hues.
• Grand Ballroom – A neutral-toned 6,000-square-foot room with 18-foot ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers, and space for up to 400 dinner guests. Portable wall panels let planners scale the footprint for smaller events without losing intimacy.
• El Conquistador Dining Room & Terrace – Ideal for cocktail hours or a plated rehearsal dinner overlooking El Campeón golf course’s signature island green.
• Marina del Rey Pavilion – A breezy, partially covered pavilion set directly on Lake Harris. Sunset over the water provides a naturally dramatic backdrop, and boat arrivals or sparkler-lit departures can be arranged from the adjacent docks.
• La Capri Ballroom – Popular for cultural weddings and multi-event weekends thanks to its column-free floor plan and easy access to a VIP hospitality suite for wardrobe changes.

Each venue is overseen by a dedicated resort wedding consultant, an in-house décor team, and experienced audiovisual technicians who can supply everything from pin-spot lighting for centerpieces to multiple camera angles for live-streamed ceremonies.

Catering & Reception Enhancements

Executive Chef Billy Stine and his brigade customize menus that balance upscale presentation with crowd-pleasing flavor. Past packages have featured Gulf shrimp ceviche shooters, slow-braised short rib over mushroom risotto, and late-night churro stations paired with horchata milkshakes. Kosher, halal, vegan, and gluten-free meals are prepared in separate areas of the kitchen on request. Couples often add Spanish guitarists for courtyard ceremonies, mojito welcome carts on the terrace, or farewell brunch omelet stations overlooking the driving range.

Amenities That Elevate a Wedding Weekend

• Golf & Recreation – Two championship courses anchor the resort: El Campeón (opened in 1917 and ranked among Florida’s top layouts) challenges scratch players with elevated greens and dramatic elevation changes, while Las Colinas offers forgiving fairways for mixed-skill outings. A private tournament can double as a groomsmen outing on Friday morning.
• Tennis, Pickleball & Trap-Skeet Range – Eight Har-Tru tennis courts, five pickleball courts, and a 14-station clay shooting course provide group-activity options beyond the fairways.
• Spa Marbella – Eight treatment rooms, garden whirlpools, and relaxation lounges handle everything from bridesmaid mani-pedis to post-party deep-tissue massages.
• Lake-front Adventures – At the on-site Marina del Rey, guests can schedule pontoon cruises, bass-fishing charters, paddleboard rentals, or sunset cocktail cruises—a memorable alternative to the typical rehearsal-dinner format.
• Dining & Nightlife – Four restaurants and two lounges keep schedules flexible. Couples often host a welcome fiesta at La Hacienda’s alfresco courtyard, then let pockets of friends drift to the lively La Margarita Lounge for craft margaritas and live music.

Guest Feedback

Reviews frequently praise the attentive, family-like staff culture; many concierges and banquet captains have been with Mission Resort for more than 15 years and greet returning families by name. Couples highlight the ease of bundling ceremony, reception, and lodging—guests can park once and walk to every event, eliminating shuttle headaches. Common kudos include “immaculate landscaping,” “chef’s willingness to create a Cuban-inspired menu for our families,” and “golf-cart escorts that whisked us away for lake-side sunset portraits.” A handful of reviews note that some original guest-room baths show their age; the resort continues a rolling renovation program, so requesting updated rooms for VIP guests is recommended.

Nearby Points of Interest

While the resort offers enough activities to fill a multi-day itinerary, the surrounding Lake County region adds local color:

• Lakeridge Winery (15 minutes) – Florida’s largest premium winery offers tastings and weekend jazz festivals—popular for pre-wedding family outings.
• Historic Mount Dora (20 minutes) – A lakeside arts village where antique shops, mural-lined alleys, and the Modernism Museum make for relaxed day trips.
• Wekiwa Springs State Park (35 minutes) – Crystal-clear springs ideal for kayaking or a sunrise engagement photo session.
• Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando (45-60 minutes) – Easy to add a theme-park day before or after the wedding festivities.

Why Mission Resort and Club Shines for Weddings

With its all-in-one setting, versatile venues, seasoned planners, and warm Mediterranean aesthetic, Mission Resort and Club removes the logistical stress that often shadows destination weddings. Guests can tee off on storied fairways, sip sangria in flower-framed courtyards, and toast newlyweds as the sun dips into Lake Harris—all without leaving the property. For couples seeking a singular location that wraps Old-World charm, modern amenities, and genuine hospitality into a weekend their guests will recall for years, Mission Resort and Club proves a compelling choice.