Old-Florida Resort Overlooking Lake Jackson

Self-made millionaire George Sebring sought to create a utopian community soaked in sunshine and full of well-heeled, happy citizens when he founded the town of Sebring, Florida, in the early 1900s. To help complete the vision, Sebring built the Kenilworth Lodge, an opulent Mediterranean Revival–style hotel. The lodge immediately became popular with wealthy travelers arriving on the new railway line to winter in Florida.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kenilworth retains its old-fashioned vibe and emphasizes simple pleasures such as kicking back on one of the veranda’s rocking chairs and taking in the view of Lake Jackson. Numerous spots for recreation dot the property: you can play shuffleboard, unwind in a newly resurfaced, 80-foot outdoor heated pool, or learn how use pool cues as chopsticks in the classic billiards room. The onsite Cusworth Arms Pub & Wine Bar pours cold drafts of beer and hosts regular wine-tasting events.

Plush bedding and gilt frames can be found in each lodge room, located in the Kenilworth's main building. Each morning, vacationers can head downstairs to take in the continental breakfast, which features coffee, waffles, donuts, and juice.

Sebring, Florida: Championship Golf Courses and National Parks

The town of Sebring is located in central Florida, along the shores of Lake Jackson and about 10 miles from Lake Placid. The area is a popular destination for golfers thanks to its year-round sunny weather and championship courses. Guests of the Kenilworth Lodge can book rounds through the hotel at a discount.

True to city planner George Sebring's vision, the town is a warm, inviting place, where families still gather on Lake Jackson to fish and go boating. There's an old-fashioned feel to many of the town’s attractions. At a nearby high-yield mining flume, adults and kids sift through buckets of silt for rubies and amethyst, and a nostalgic diner serves chocolate malts.

Two miles from the lodge lies one of the oldest parks in Florida—the Highlands Hammock State Park. Here, visitors walk along an elevated boardwalk through an old-growth cypress swamp, catching a glimpse of the undeveloped scenery that prevailed in the days before Florida was conquered by Mickey Mouse.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.