Anyone been to Harder Hall in Sebring, FL lately?

[silentg]

Hi, I deposited a week in RCI and found a place at Harder Hall in Sebring, FL. The reviews on here and trip Adviser are old. Anyone stay here in the last 4 years? After Hurricane Irma?
I did not book this just looking right now.
Thanks for any info.
Silentg

 

[Jan M.]

About 3 years ago we stopped and looked around the resort when we were in that area. We liked what we saw and talked to several owners while we were there. They said they wouldn't recommend the studios but they said they stay for a month to six weeks so that is very different from staying for just a week. They resort is on our list of resorts we would like to stay at but we wouldn't want to stay there in the warmer months May-October. That far inland is much warmer and doesn't get the breezes the coastal areas get.

 

[iwanttoflyaway]

I might stretch that warmer period a little earlier - it's been in the 90s here in S. Florida this week, in mid March. We have the breeze, thank God, but it's still hot. Sebring would likely not be comfortable for spring break even on April, and there would be some 'oh, God, I'm melting' weeks in an average March.

I bet it's glorious in what passes for winter here, though.

 

[rapmarks]

What is there to do and see there?

 

[Jan M.]

What is there to do and see there?

Not much from what we saw. That area was part of my husband's territory and he didn't mention things we could do if we stayed there. I may take it off my list of resorts we would like to stay at because now that he is retired we are more interested in places that have things we might like to do than places to just chill and relax.

 

[silentg]

Golf

 

[Talent312]

Well, there is the Sebring Int'l Speedway.
The 12-Hours of Sebring is in March and the Sebring 500 is in July.
... non-NASCAR... https://www.sebringraceway.com/

 

[OutAndAbout]

Before going to Harder Hall Resort Club most reviews I read said people were going for relaxation (agree) and cheap good golf (not a golfer, but does seem inexpensive).

The first building of Harder Hall Resort Club was built in 1981 when Harder Hall Hotel was still open (The Blackmon Family is restoring the hotel, article here). At that time, the Resort guests had access to the hotel amenities. The second building was built in 1983. The original design was for five total buildings (70 total units). Each building has two stories. Each story has seven units, two studio (on the end), four 1br/1ba's (where living room can be closed off for a 2nd bedroom) and one 1br/2ba unit. Each room includes an outdoor screened-in patio. Harder Hall Hotel closed in 1986, Harder Hall Country Club closed in 2021. The resort is lakefront on Little Lake Jackson including having their own dock. The municipal golf course across from the Harder Hall Hotel is supposedly very good and inexpensive. Weeks are fixed, Saturday-Saturday. Buildings 3-5 were not built and some of the land was sold off.

Nice clean, well maintained and quiet/relaxing resort. The staff is great and seem to take a lot of pride in the resort. The kitchen and furnishing may be a bit vintage, but we did not find anything materially worn or broken (I have stayed in Disney timeshares with furnishings in much worse shape). My guess is that the occupants are not as rough on the units/furnishings as other kid focused timeshares/destinations are.

I am not aware of a resort with more included self-directed amenities (brochure here):
• Heated outdoor pool - the pool is huge - even for a 70 unit resort (resort is only 28 units, but original design was for 70 units). Depth between 3ft and 5.5 ft.
• Hot tub
• Pool amenities - bathrooms, drinking fountain, chairs, umbrellas, etc
• Gym
• BBQ Grills
• WiFi (a little slow at times, but worked fine for us)
• Clubhouse with indoor recreation room
• Gliders/Swings
• Lakefront dock
• Three single person kayaks
• Two aluminum rowboats
• One pedal boat
• Nine bicycles (bring your own lock)
• Fishing equipment (may bring your own live bait)
• Corn Hole
• Horseshoes
• Shuffleboard
• Ping Pong Table
• Pool Table
• Croquette
• Yard size connect four
• Weber gas grills
• Gliders/swings
• Picnic tables
• Young toddler playground
• Table Games & Puzzles
• Books/Library
• Towels exchanged/washed on Wednesday
• Laundry facility (no laundry in the units)

Most people we met were retired and came to relax and enjoy a peaceful stay by the lake and/or golfing in the area. We utilized a lot of the resort amenities with some other outdoors focused activities in the area (Speedway, Archbold Biological Station, Hiking/trails, Airboat (or here), Horseback riding - trail or proper riding lessons, etc).

 

[Kozman]

We stayed at Harder Hall last year. This resort is equivalent to Lehigh Resort Club without the activities. They were built by the same company way back when and rooms and layout are very similar. There was very little organized activities other than a bingo event once. While there we drove to Lake Placid nearby where we viewed the many murals painted on the buildings. There is also a good thrift store located on the main street. There is a very nice pool. If given the chance I'd recommend Lehigh Resort Club in Lehigh Acres.

 

[rapmarks]

We stayed at Harder Hall last year. This resort is equivalent to Lehigh Resort Club without the activities. They were built by the same company way back when and rooms and layout are very similar. There was very little organized activities other than a bingo event once. While there we drove to Lake Placid nearby where we viewed the many murals painted on the buildings. There is also a good thrift store located on the main street. There is a very nice pool. If given the chance I'd recommend Lehigh Resort Club in Lehigh Acres.

At least Lehigh is near things to do. I inagine people go to Harder hall to get away from cold weather.
if I go to a resort to relax, I prefer relaxing on a beach. Or I like to visit historical sites, nature sites, museums, something new.
we stayed six weeks at Lehigh to look for a home. We enjoyed the resort activities and sightseeing

 

[silentg]

Thanks for the suggestion about Lehigh Acres. We have been there a couple of times. Golf was good at the resort. Does Harder Hall have a golf course?

 

[Kozman]

Thanks for the suggestion about Lehigh Acres. We have been there a couple of times. Golf was good at the resort. Does Harder Hall have a golf course?

I seem to remember driving by one but cant be sure. The golf course at Lehigh is down until Nov. for renovation.