Author: 
St. Augustine is a scenic historic city that lies on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, some 40 miles south of Jacksonville. It is considered the oldest city in the US, having been continuously occupied since 1565 when Spanish colonists founded the settlement. There’s a huge variety of fascinating historic sites and attractions to explore in St. Augustine, as well as charming heritage architecture and beautiful sandy beaches.
If you’re planning to visit St. Augustine for the first time, you might wonder which part of the city to stay in.
There are several neighborhoods suitable for tourists, so let’s take a look at the best places to stay in St. Augustine and highlight some popular hotels and inns to help you plan your trip.
The Historic District for First-Time Visits
Highlights: Historic architecture, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Lightner Museum, Potter’s Wax Museum, St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
St. Augustine Historic District is the oldest part of the city’s Downtown area and where you’ll find many of its most popular historic sights. St. George Street is considered the very heart of the city and it’s lined with tourist attractions, art galleries, boutique stores, souvenir shops, and bakeries set in some of America’s oldest buildings.
Many narrow cobbled streets extend off from St. George Street and you can easily spend hours wandering around. Popular attractions like the Lightner Museum and the Castillo de San Marcos all lie within walking distance, and there are plenty of very good restaurants, cafes, and bars to keep you fueled. You can also expect to get gorgeous views of both Matanzas River and San Sebastian River which frame Historic Downtown St. Augustine.
If you’ll be visiting St. Augustine for the first time and want to be at the heart of this city surrounded by gorgeous Spanish Colonial, Victorian, and Moorish Revival architecture, the Historic District is the best place to stay. There’s a huge range of hotels to choose from and it’s very easy to explore on foot.
Here are some of the best St. Augustine hotels in the Historic District:
- Casa Monica Resort & Spa is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture dating back to 1888. It has an outdoor pool and a restaurant and is considered a leading St. Augustine resort.
- Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront is a luxurious hotel with an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Guests can enjoy free WiFi and a concierge service.
- The Bayfront Inn offers charming country-style rooms and suites and Spanish-style architecture. All rooms have private porches with waterfront views and they include free parking, breakfast, WiFi, and outdoor pool use.
- The Agustin Inn has 18 uniquely decorated guest rooms, some of which have jacuzzis. It’s a quirky bed and breakfast that’s ideal for couples looking for a romantic break in a historic inn.
- St. George Inn is a boutique hotel at the heart of the Downtown historic area. Rooms offer semi-private balconies and there’s a wine bar on-site with a charming courtyard.
- Best Western Bayfront is a 1950s historic hotel conversion in the Spanish Quarter. Its cozy rooms are ideal for families or couples, and the hotel’s friendly staff provides exceptional service.
- Edgewater Inn lies right on the waterfront of Matanzas River at the foot of the Bridge of Lions. It offers gorgeous river views and chic contemporary rooms, and it’s just a one-minute walk away from Old Town.
- Bayfront Marin House is an elegant waterfront property renowned for its romantic atmosphere. Choose to stay in the main house hotel, or book one of their charming cottage vacation rentals for more privacy.
St. Augustine Beach for Relaxing Beach Breaks
Highlights: Ocean Hammock Park, St. Johns County Pier, Splash Park, seafood restaurants, beach bars
St. Augustine Beach lies five miles south of Historic Downtown on Anastasia Island. Visitors looking for a relaxing beach holiday flock to St. Augustine Beach which has a laid-back atmosphere and is packed with excellent restaurants and bars.
The beach itself is wide, open, and comprised of fine-grained sand that is perfect for lounging under the sun or taking barefoot strolls along the shore. Swimming, kiteboarding, and surfing are all popular activities here and there are great amenities available including a Splash Park for kids, volleyball courts, and public toilets. Head to St. Johns County Pier where farmers markets, craft fairs, and live music events regularly take place.
If you want a beach break that also offers easy access to the history and culture of the Historic District, St. Augustine Beach is a great neighborhood to stay in. There are several hotels and resorts to choose from and you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options.
Here’s where to stay in St. Augustine Beach:
- Castillo Real Resort Hotel offers elegant guest rooms with ocean views. Its amenities include a restaurant, a snack shop, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a sauna, and a business center.
Anastasia Island for Family Vacations
Highlights: Anastasia State Park, Alligator Farm Zoological Park, Lighthouse Park, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Anastasia Miniature Golf
Anastasia Island is a barrier island that lies just off the coast of St. Augustine, and it’s home to several different neighborhoods including St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, and Crescent Beach. The northernmost part of the island, where the Bridge of Lions connects Anastasia with Downtown St. Augustine, is home to Anastasia State Park where beaches, wetlands, and dunes await for nature lovers to explore.
There are great opportunities for walking and biking in Anastasia, and you can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the waterways here. There are lots of opportunities to spot native wildlife, but for a real thrill head to Alligator Farm Zoological Park to see alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials. You’ll also find some historic attractions on Anastasia Island, such as the St. Augustine Lighthouse which dates back to 1874.
Anastasia Island is a fantastic area for active families to stay in because it offers easy access to nature and fun outdoor activities. There are some good hotels to choose from or you could consider camping in Anastasia State Park.
Vilano Beach for Tranquil Getaways
Highlights: Pristine beaches, beachside restaurants, Vilano Beach Nature Boardwalk, North Beach Park
Vilano Beach lies on a barrier island four miles north of St. Augustine Historic District. It offers a quiet, peaceful respite from the busy city thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and long stretches of pristine beaches. Original Art Deco buildings line the streets here, and there are lots of charming Art Deco decorative elements such as a tiled waterfall at the entrance to town and a fishing pier adorned with a dolphin archway.
Although there are fewer attractions in Vilano Beach than in St. Augustine Historic District, there are plenty of laid-back activities to enjoy. Head to Vilano Beach Nature Boardwalk to spot local wildlife, or take a boat tour for the chance to see dolphins. Visit North Beach Park to watch the sunset, or simply sunbathe on the beach and take a dip in the ocean.
If you want a tranquil holiday where you’ll spend most of your time at the beach, Vilano Beach is a great base. There are several friendly hotels and a good range of beach house rentals available.
This is where to stay in Vilano Beach:
- Saint Augustine Beach House is a beachfront hotel that offers unobstructed ocean views, bright and spacious rooms with private balconies, and complimentary use of beach towels and chairs.
- OceanView Lodge is a comfortable oceanfront hotel. All of its rooms offer Atlantic views from their private balconies.
Uptown for Great Food & Nightlife
Highlights: Old Jail Museum, Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Mission Nombre de Dios
Uptown St. Augustine lies north of the historic district and it blends historic architecture with modern amenities. There’s a great range of hotels, restaurants, and stores here so you can expect to enjoy excellent food, fun nightlife, and easy access to the city’s main sights in Downtown.
There are a couple of popular attractions in Uptown itself. Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park shares insights into the original Spanish settlement that was established here in the 1600s. The Old Jail Museum, built in 1890, offers fascinating educational tours of its old cells.
Uptown is a convenient place to stay for easy access to Downtown, Anastasia Island, and Vilano Beach, and it offers great food and nightlife. There are some good hotel options, many of which are more contemporary than those in Downtown.
Here are some of the best hotels in Uptown:
- Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine is a relaxed hotel with informal rooms and suites, some of which have balconies. Free breakfast and wifi are available, and there are indoor and outdoor pools to enjoy.
- Southern Oaks Inn offers contemporary, pet-friendly accommodations. Guests have access to a fenced dog run, an outdoor pool, and a shuttle service to Vilano Beach and Downtown St. Augustine.
State Road 16 off I-95 for Short Trips
Highlights: St. Augustine Premium Outlets, World Golf Village, St. Augustine Aquarium
The area surrounding State Road 16 off I-95 is a hub for shopping and dining. The biggest attraction here is an outlet mall with a huge range of renowned brand names including Nike, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger. There are several chain restaurants in this area and a few popular attractions such as St. Augustine Aquarium and World Golf Village.
You’ll find a couple of affordable inns around State Road 16, but keep in mind that it takes around 15 minutes to reach Historic Downtown from here by car. If you’re planning to visit St. Augustine for a night or two as part of a longer road trip, this could be a convenient area to stay in, but for longer stays you might feel cut off from the city.
Butler Beach & Crescent Beach for Breaks in Nature
Highlights: Intracoastal Waterway, Matanzas State Forest, Fort Matanzas National Monument
Butler Beach and Crescent Beach lie south of St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island. They’re predominantly residential neighborhoods which makes them fairly peaceful and undeveloped. They’re great destinations for visitors looking for a peaceful break away from the crowds surrounded by scenic coastline.
Butler Beach was named after Frank B. Butler, an entrepreneur who founded an African American beach resort during the era of segregation. It is now a popular area for kayaking and fishing along the Matanzas River and the Intracoastal Waterway. Crescent Beach’s southern end is close to the lush greenery of Matanzas State Forest where there are extensive hiking and biking trails to explore. It’s also where you can take a ferry to the 18th-century Spanish Fort Matanzas National Monument.
There are not as many hotels in the Butler Beach and Crescent Beach neighborhoods of Anastasia Island as there are in St. Augustine Beach. Since the areas are primarily residential this is a good place to look for an entire beach house or condo to rent.
Lincolnville for Art and History
Highlights: ACCORD Freedom Trail, Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, art galleries
Lincolnville is an eclectic, artistic neighborhood that was originally founded by freed slaves following the Civil War. There’s much to learn about America’s post-Civil War history here. Plus, there’s a thriving art scene with a diverse array of galleries to explore which showcase both local and national artworks.
The ACCORD Freedom Trail is a self-guided tour of 31 historic sites related to the Civil Rights Movement, and it’s an excellent starting point for learning about Lincolnville’s history and African American roots. Visit the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center to discover how the African American community has contributed to St. Augustine’s history.
Accommodations in the Lincolnville neighborhood are fairly scant, but there are plenty of hotels in the surrounding area within walking distance of Lincolnville’s attractions. This part of town is undoubtedly worth a visit to learn about America’s Civil Rights history.
Book Your St. Augustine Vacation
St. Augustine has plenty of fantastic neighborhoods and hotels to choose from. Which area will you choose to stay in when you visit this charming historic city?
