The Kenilworth Lodge was built as part of George Sebring's vision to develop Sebring into a "delightful, wholesome community" for "contented and happy people seeking health, pleasure and happiness."
The lodge was meant to appeal to "well-to-do Northern travelers." The Mediterranean Revival-style architecture featured - for its time - some very modern touches, like pre-hung doors, electricity throughout the interior, an Otis elevator. All guest rooms had private baths, except for six pairs of rooms which shared a bath between them (for family groups).
The lodge featured a center section, a 4,000-square-foot lobby and a grand staircase. Two wings jutted out on each side. It opened in 1916 and by 1919 construction was under way to enlarge the two wings to include more guest rooms.
At one time, the Kenilworth Lodge complex consisted of 320 acres. As described by Stephen Olausen, in his book, Sebring - City on the Circle, visitors could play golf on an 18-hole championship course, stroll through the lodge's orange grove, relax on the sloping lawn that extended to the beach at Lake Jackson, go sail boating or fishing, or hunt in the untamed wilderness surrounding Sebring.
Today's guests will still find many historic touches at the lodge. There's a front veranda with wooden rocking chairs, a lobby furnished with pre-war Haywood-Wakefield rattan and rooms filled with White Oak Nouveau furniture.
More modern features include an 80-foot outdoors pool, phones with data ports and voice mail and individual air conditioning/heat in each room. Recreation (billiards, ping pong and shuffleboard) a ballroom and a conference room are on hand, with golf packages at area golf courses.
Accommodations include lodge rooms (king, twin or double), villas, efficiencies and one-bedroom apartments.
Mornings begin with a "quick-start" breakfast of cold or hot cereal, fresh fruit, bagels, English muffins, pastries, three kinds of juices, coffee and tea.
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