Where to Stay in St. Augustine – A Guide to the Oldest City in the United States
Saint Augustine is a city located in northeast Florida. It was founded by Spaniards in 1565, which makes it the oldest city in the United States. It is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and its beaches such as St. Augustine Beach and Crescent Beach. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Saint Augustine’s main Spanish heritage attractions include the Castillo de San Marcos, the Ponce de León Fountain of Youth, the Old Jailhouse, and the colonial-era and colonial-inspired houses around the Old Town.
Other important tourist sights in town include the Lightner Museum, the old Lighthouse, and the St. Augustine Alligator Park.
The Northeast Florida Regional Airport, located 4 miles from town is Saint Augustine’s official airport. However, there are barely any scheduled flight services operating in and out of it, The good news is that Saint Augustine is one hour short away from Jacksonville and less than two hours from Orlando, which means that if you’re arriving in the city by plane, you can use either of those, far busier, airports.
Once in the city, the best way to move around is by car. You can rent a cheap car in St. Augustine here.
The best area to stay in St. Augustine is the Central Historic District. This lively area is home to colonial architecture, tourist attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and some of the best hotels in town. See accommodation in Saint Agustine’s Historic District.
Another great area to keep in mind when choosing the best location in St. Augustine is Vilano Beach.
Here’s a guide with the best areas to stay in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Best Location in Saint Augustine, Florida: A Quick Guide
Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Saint Augustine depending on your travel style. Keep reading this post to find all the information you need about each particular neighborhood.
- Best location in Saint Augustine for sightseeing: Historic District & Colonial Quarter
- Best location in Saint Augustine for first-time visitors: Historic District & Colonial Quarter
- Best location in Saint Augustine for nightlife: Historic District & Colonial Quarter
- Best location in Saint Augustine for nature lovers: Vilano Beach
- Best location in Saint Augustine for business travelers: Downtown Saint Augustine
- Best location in Saint Augustine for families: Historic District & Colonial Quarter
- Best location in Saint Augustine to go to the beach: Vilano Beach
Best Hotels in Saint Augustine, FL by Theme
Something specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the top hotels in Saint Augustine. No matter your reason for visiting the city, we got you covered!
- Most unique hotel: The Collector Inn (Adults Only) – Saint Augustine
- Best mid-priced hotel: La Quinta by Wyndham St Augustine Historic District
- Best budget hotel: Days Inn by Wyndham St Augustine/Historic Downtown
- Best luxury hotel: Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
- Best boutique hotel: Kenwood Inn
- Best hotel with a pool: World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort
- Best Inn / B&B: St George Inn – Saint Augustine
- Best resort: The Conch House Marina Resort
The Best Areas to Stay in St. Augustine, Florida
1. Recommended area: Historic District & Colonial Quarter
The Historic District is the heart of St. Augustine, with most restaurants, hotels, and shops in the city.
This area has a colonial atmosphere, thanks to its historic and neocolonial buildings dating back to the eighteenth century.
In addition to shopping, gastronomy, culture, and entertainment, this neighborhood has some of the best views of the bay.
The area is full of attractions that showcase the history of the city, such as the Lightner Museum and the historic Castillo de San Marcos.
This charming area is best explored on foot. However, if you don’t have a car and need to get to other areas in town, the Historic District has taxi stands and a few bus routes.
The Historic District is recommended as the best area to stay in Saint Augustine, especially because of its streets, carriages, forts and comfortable hotels that follow the theme of the area.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Saint Augustine:
- Best area for sightseeing
- Wide variety of hotels
- Best area to stay without a car
- Charming streets
Accommodation in this area
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Top Choice
Best Western Bayfront
The Best Western Bayfront Inn overlooks Matanzas Bay and is located in the historic city of Saint Agustine. The Best Western Bayfront also offers free WiFi throughout the property. The Museum of the Spanish Colonial Quarter is a 4-minute drive away.
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Budget
The Marion Motor Lodge – St. Augustine offers panoramic views of the Mantanzas River. The historic center of St. Augustine is a 3-minute walk away. The property serves free morning coffee and has an outdoor pool. Free WiFi is available.
2. Vilano Beach
Vilano Beach is located north of the Historic District and is one of the best areas to stay in Saint Augustine.
Its residential atmosphere and long stretches of beach offer tranquility and relaxation throughout the entire year.
This beach area has great waves and is a meeting point for surfers and lovers of water sports during the summer. Similarly, you can also go fishing in some of its areas.
Those staying at Vilano Beach hotels will enjoy affordable costs and impressive sunrise and sunset views.
The Vilano Beach pier is also ideal for romantic walks or to visit the souvenir shops.
Vilano Beach is one of the best areas to stay in St. Augustine because it allows you to take a break from the everyday life of big cities and its hotels are affordable.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in Saint Augustine:
- Beach access
- Peaceful area
- Outdoor activities
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