HOME & DESIGN
LIVING HISTORY
19
“Immediately my grandfather said,
‘This would be a great small resort for our
employees.’ Our company was already
legendary for unusual employee benefits,”
Knight continued, “but a resort in Florida
where your employees and their friends
and families could vacation free was an
unusual benefit even for our company. It
was a brilliant idea and that’s how Bay
Tree has been used for 66 years.”
When the main structure burned down
in 1990, the Kiplingers did not hesitate
to rebuild a faithful replica. And still
today, each and every employee of their
company, from top executives down to
the cleaning crew, can reserve two weeks
a year at the private resort that was once
the exclusive hideaway of the rich and
famous only.
“There are young adults all over America
today,” Kiplinger adds, “who grew up
coming with their family to Bay Tree, who
wanted to have their wedding at Bay Tree.
We’ve had a number of weddings of employee
children who just love the place —
and we intend to keep Bay Tree Lodge as a
retreat for our employees for as long as we
remain in the publishing business.”
So may it ever be.
ROB DOWNEY
Kiplinger employees and their family and friends enjoy a two-week vacation in first-class accommodations every year.
ROB DOWNEY
The main structure, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1990, and additional buildings, like this annex
pictured above, can accommodate up to 35 guests.