The Best Cheap Hotels in St. Augustine, Florida

Floridas St. Augustine is worth a trip to see historic sites like Ponce de Leon Hall, built as a hotel in the late 1800s for oil magnate Henry Flagler
Florida's St. Augustine is worth a trip to see historic sites like Ponce de Leon Hall, built as a hotel in the late 1800s for oil magnate Henry Flagler | © Jon Bilous / Alamy Stock Photo
Siobhan Grogan

Forget the theme parks: Florida’s tourist trump card is St. Augustine. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, it is the oldest city in the US, and it still has bucketloads of historical charm, with narrow cobbled streets, excellent museums, horse-drawn carriages and hidden courtyards. Throw in some of the Sunshine State’s best restaurants, fantastic shopping at the St. Augustine Outlets and 42mi (68km) of gorgeous beaches, and you certainly won’t be bored. A visit to this historic city won’t cost the earth either if you stay at one of these handily located budget hotels, bookable on Culture Trip.

1. Best Western Plus St. Augustine I-95

Chain Hotel

Best Western Plus St. Augustine I-95
Courtesy of Best Western Plus St. Augustine I-95 / Expedia

It’s a cinch to sightsee from this property on the I-95, a handy stop on the way to Daytona Beach or Orlando. Local area tours provide a free shuttle from the hotel to the historic district, while other attractions, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not, St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, are all minutes away. When you’ve seen it all, head back to the hotel and relax in the hot tub and outdoor pool or get in some cardio at the fitness center.

2. Villa Victor, Ascend Hotel Collection

Hotel

Villa Victor, Ascend Hotel Collection
Courtesy of Villa Victor, Ascend Hotel Collection / Expedia

This centrally positioned hotel has boutique flair without the eye-watering bill – think a chic lobby and modern rooms, some with balconies and hot tubs. There’s an outdoor pool and a great on-site café and bar serving pressed-to-order juices, locally brewed beer and house-made sangria. The location is top-notch, too: it is a 5mi (8km) drive from the beach or just a three-minute walk to the Old City Gates, where you can explore the Colonial Quarter and the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse.

3. Southern Oaks Inn

Hotel

Southern Oaks Inn
Courtesy of Southern Oaks Inn / Expedia

You’ll be raring to go each day if you stay at the Southern Oaks Inn, 1.5mi (2.4km) from the city’s historic downtown. This pet-friendly hotel is renowned for its hearty country-style breakfast, which will set you up for a day of exploring, while maps, trolley schedules and brochures are all available from the hotel’s excellent concierge. If you’re exhausted afterwards, you can whip up snacks back in your room, as each one comes with a fridge and microwave.

5. Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott St. Augustine I-95

Chain Hotel

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott St. Augustine I-95
Courtesy of Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott St. Augustine I-95 / Expedia

Save money on a bed for the night and splurge on shopping at the St. Augustine Outlets instead. This hotel, near the historic district, is close to the Spanish fort Castillo de San Marcos and a three-minute drive to the outlets, so you can check in and head straight out for some retail therapy. A free hot breakfast buffet will get your day started right, and parking is complimentary to make it easy to load up all those shopping bags when it’s time to head home.

6. Rodeway Inn

Inn

Rodeway Inn St. Augustine
Courtesy of Rodeway Inn St. Augustine / Expedia

You’ll never go hungry at this budget hotel on Ponce De Leon Boulevard. Every room has its own fridge and microwave if you prefer to make your own snacks, while the lobby brews complimentary fresh coffee all day, and restaurants including Brisky’s Family Style BBQ are within walking distance. It’s a great spot for tourist attractions, too, and is close to the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, the Old Senator Tree and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

7. Hampton Inn St. Augustine Beach

Chain Hotel

Hampton Inn St. Augustine Beach
Courtesy of Hampton Inn St. Augustine Beach / Expedia

Want to roll out of bed and head straight for the beach? This low-cost hotel is just off the A1A right next to St. Augustine Beach, which can be reached via a private walkway from the property, so you can be on the sand in no time. There’s also free parking, an outdoor pool, fitness center and complimentary hot breakfast to set you up for a day of sunbathing.

8. Villa 1565

Hotel

Villa 1565
Courtesy of Villa 1565 / Expedia

It’s easy to imagine you’re in Europe at the elegant Villa 1565, set in a Spanish-inspired building next to a tranquil courtyard shaded by the Old Senator, a renowned 650-year-old oak tree. History buffs will love the property’s location, too, in the heart of the city’s historic district close to the Castillo de San Marcos and the Mission Nombre de Dios. The hotel’s very own oak tree is so famous that it’s even a stop on the sightseeing trolley tours, making it easy to hop on whenever suits you.

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