Guides · Clermont, Florida
Best Places to Stay in Clermont, FL: Resorts & Rentals
Clermont’s hills are the steepest in peninsular Florida. The groves that once paid for them are gone. What’s left is a lodging scene split between managed resort escapes and gated vacation rentals, each with its own angle on the terrain.
The Lay of the Land: Hills, Groves, and Where You’ll Sleep
Clermont was established in 1884, incorporated as a town on 9 June 1891, and reincorporated as a city on 28 December 1916. The citrus groves that dominated the county’s economy into the mid-twentieth century dwindled fast under repeated freezes. The 1956 Florida Citrus Tower outlived the industry it was built to celebrate. Today it stands over rolling slopes and subdivisions. That geography splits lodging into two camps: resort preview centers with managed amenities, and vacation rental communities carved into the old grove land. Your choice is less about price and more about how you want to meet the hills.
Resort-Style Stays: Preview Centers and Mansion Rentals
Want someone else handling logistics? The resort-style options deliver. Exploria Resorts Preview Center (rated 4.2 from 1241 reviews) at 127 Town Center Blvd operates as a preview center—a place to sample the resort product before you commit. It’s the biggest operation on this list by review count, which means volume and consistency. For a higher ceiling, Sweet Escape Mansion near Orlando (rated 4.8 from 306 reviews) at 11207 Guilford Rd offers a more singular stay: a mansion setup that suits groups wanting space and a managed experience without the rental-community feel. Both are for travelers who prefer a front desk over a lockbox.
Vacation Rentals with Lake Views and Hillside Settings
The terrain pays off most in the rental communities. The Great Escape Lakeside (rated 4.8 from 297 reviews) at 8256 Wild Flower Ave and Vista at Lost Lake (rated 4.1 from 535 reviews) at 2550 Citrus Tower Blvd both put water within reach—Lake Minneola and the surrounding chain are a short walk or drive. Outdoor Resorts At Orlando (rated 4.5 from 282 reviews) at 9000 US-192 leans toward a resort-park model with more outdoor focus. For families, the lake access is the draw; for cyclists, the hills are the punishment. Choose based on whether you want to wake up to water or to climb.
Gated Communities and Extended Stays in Clermont
The bulk of Clermont’s rentals sit in gated communities managed by firms that standardize the experience. Advenir at Castle Hill (rated 4.4 from 376 reviews) at 13600 Hartle Groves Pl and The Carrington at Four Corners (rated 4.3 from 425 reviews) at 16803 Sarahs Pl offer predictable layouts and amenities like pools and fitness rooms. Ashton Chase (rated 4.1 from 282 reviews) at 16400 Nelson Park Dr and The Oaks at Southlake Commons (rated 4.2 from 208 reviews) at 130 Town Center Blvd fill out the middle tier. Sentry Management, Inc. (rated 4.0 from 247 reviews) at 17011 FL-50 and Orlando Vacation Rentals by Vacasa (rated 4.2 from 229 reviews) at 9230 US-192 are the management arms—you’ll likely book through them. These are consistent. They won’t surprise you. For extended stays, Advenir at Clermont Apartments (rated 4.0 from 213 reviews) at 600 River Birch Ct and The Vineyards at Hammock Ridge Apartments (rated 4.1 from 186 reviews) at 1480 Hammock Ridge Rd blur the line between rental and residence.
The Great Escape Parkside vs. Lakeside: Which to Choose
Two properties share a name and a street, but not a setting. The Great Escape Parkside (rated 4.9 from 218 reviews) at 8357 Wild Flower Ave is the higher-rated of the two and sits adjacent to green space—better for families who want quick access to playgrounds and open fields. The Great Escape Lakeside (rated 4.8 from 297 reviews) at 8256 Wild Flower Ave trades a few rating points for water access. The choice is simple: lake views and swimming, or park adjacency and slightly better reviews. Both are strong. Neither is a compromise.
| Property | Type & Rating | What Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Escape Parkside | Vacation rental, 4.9 | Top rating on the list, park-adjacent |
| The Great Escape Lakeside | Vacation rental, 4.8 | Lakefront access, family layouts |
| Sweet Escape Mansion near Orlando | Resort, 4.8 | Mansion-scale, group-focused |
| Outdoor Resorts At Orlando | Resort, 4.5 | Outdoor-oriented resort park |
| Advenir at Castle Hill | Vacation rental, 4.4 | Consistent amenities, gated |
| The Carrington at Four Corners | Vacation rental, 4.3 | Predictable managed experience |
| Exploria Resorts Preview Center | Resort, 4.2 | High review volume, preview model |
| Vista at Lost Lake | Vacation rental, 4.1 | Lake views, hillside setting |
| Ashton Chase | Vacation rental, 4.1 | Standard gated community |
How to Book Smart: Reviews, Pricing, and Seasonal Tips
The market here is shaped by seasonality. Of Clermont’s 18,718 housing units, only 558 are held for seasonal or recreational use—but 1,800 sit vacant. That gap means supply is thin during peak times. Median gross rent runs $1,774 with a median home value of $368,600. The unemployment rate sits at 5.9 percent. The median age is 42.4 years. For a family rental, The Great Escape Parkside offers the best value on paper: a 4.9 rating, park access, and a location that avoids the premium of lakefront. Want water? The Great Escape Lakeside or Vista at Lost Lake are your picks. Book early for Pig on the Pond, the three-day event at Waterfront Park that draws more than 20,000 people each year.
Common questions
- What's the best place to stay in Clermont for a big group?
- Sweet Escape Mansion near Orlando is your best bet, rated 4.8 from 306 reviews. It's a resort-style property built for large gatherings. The Great Escape Lakeside and Parkside, both rated 4.8 and 4.9, are strong vacation rental alternatives if you want more space.
- Are there vacation rentals near the Citrus Tower?
- Yes, the Citrus Tower vacation rental at 1290 N Ridge Blvd is right there, rated 4.4. Vista at Lost Lake on Citrus Tower Blvd is also close, rated 4.1. Both put you near the 1956 landmark, though the groves it once overlooked are mostly gone.
- Which Clermont rentals have the highest ratings?
- The Great Escape Parkside leads with a 4.9 rating from 218 reviews. Sweet Escape Mansion and The Great Escape Lakeside both sit at 4.8. For a resort, Outdoor Resorts At Orlando scores 4.5. These are your top picks based on guest feedback.
- Is Clermont a good base for visiting Orlando attractions?
- Yes, Clermont sits west of Orlando, with easy access via US-192 and FL-50. Rentals like The Carrington at Four Corners and Orlando Vacation Rentals by Vacasa are positioned for that. Expect a 25-40 minute drive to most theme parks, depending on traffic.
- What's the deal with the hills in Clermont?
- Clermont has the steepest ground in peninsular Florida, a remnant of the old citrus belt. The hills are why the town got its 'Choice of Champions' slogan in 2014, tied to the National Training Center. You'll climb more here than anywhere else in the region.
- Are there any annual events in Clermont I should plan around?
- Pig on the Pond is the big one—three days at Waterfront Park, drawing over 20,000 people. It's run by Project Scholars, and the 2026 edition was the 27th. If you're visiting then, book lodging early since it's the largest event in south Lake County.
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