The college grounds in general and now operating as a residence/diniing hall for Flagler College - the completely restored "Ponce de Leon" resort hotel - is an amazing glimpse into the "birth of Florida as a tourist destination" through the vision of Henry Flagler - the college's namesake. The opulence of "The Ponce" is beyond description as are it's surrounding gardens etc - the students are so fortunate to be experiencing such a remarkable atmopsphere - and - they seem to truly value this - which is very refreshing. The tourguide was a student and admittedly LOVED living and eating in a faciltiy once the domaine of only the very wealthy. The "dining hall" is the original dining parlor complete with HUGE TIFFANY WINDOWS ON EVERY SIDE and the ceiling covered with murals by one of the country's most renowned artists of the day. Although the students refer to it as the "dining hall" - it bears no resemblance to any I've encountered on ANY college campus !
Unfortunatly the students are not allowed to take guests on the tour into the actual "dormatory rooms" they live in - which are the original restored rooms of the hotel but there is much of the building which is viewable. The "rotunda" alone is amazing.
When it is said that Flagler "spared no expense" in constructing what is considered the "first destination resort" in Florida [ in 1888] - you can believe it.
