Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa has unveiled a $92 million transformation, marking a new era for the 480-acre destination known for golf, tennis, and sun-soaked leisure.
Spearheaded by EoA Group, the renovation touches nearly every aspect—from guestrooms and dining to meeting spaces and poolside amenities—of the iconic 1981 resort.
An elevated experience in Tampa
The experience begins upon arrival, where a revamped entry framed by lush landscaping leads to a lobby filled with natural light, modern furnishings, and curated artwork.
Across clusters throughout the grounds, Saddlebrook’s 451 redesigned guestrooms and suites reflect a clean, timeless Florida sensibility. Warm wood tones, soft neutrals, deep navy accents, and natural textures nod to the surrounding cypress landscape. Plus, each accommodation opens to a private patio or balcony overlooking the golf course, pool, or nature preserve.
Dining at Saddlebrook Resort
Dining has also been reimagined through four distinct venues. RARE 1981, at the heart of the property’s new dining scene, honors Saddlebrook’s founding year with Gulf Coast-inspired fare set against warm wood accents and intimate lighting. BREW, an all-day café and marketplace in the revamped lobby, serves as a casual home base.
Palmhaus, overlooking the 500,000-gallon Super Pool, captures a sun-drenched, laid-back atmosphere, complemented by a custom botanical mural by Miami-based illustrator Gabriela Benatar. Rounding out the lineup, a new sports tavern channels the resort’s athletic spirit through communal seating, energetic décor, and oversized screens.
A reimagined golf course by Rees Jones
Saddlebrook’s sporting legacy is further elevated with a golf course redesign by Rees Jones. Both the original Saddlebrook Resort Course and the Palmer Course have been reimagined as three interchangeable nine-hole layouts, paired with a state-of-the-art practice facility.
Beyond golf, the resort features 41 tennis courts across all four Grand Slam surfaces, eight pickleball courts, a fitness center, and a forthcoming multi-court padel complex. The property remains home to the Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Hopman Tennis Program, and Saddlebrook Prep, with the Professional Tennis Registry and Professional Pickleball Registry establishing global headquarters onsite in 2024.
Expansive meeting spaces
The property also boasts 200,000 square feet of refreshed indoor-outdoor meeting space.
Indoors, two signature ballrooms—Royal Palm and Pegasus—feature updated lighting, carpeting, and upgraded technology. Outdoors features 175,000 square feet of flexible venues, from the Sports Village to poolside terraces and a professional-spec sports field.
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