The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in St Augustine, Florida

This Hilton hotel, sitting between the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Bridge of Lions, comprises 19 colorful cottage-style buildings less than a mile (1.6km) from the Historic District. It has an outdoor pool, a 24-hour shop for grab-and-go snacks, and a fitness center, while many rooms have balconies overlooking the boats bobbing in the adjacent Matanzas Bay. Make a reservation at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, Aviles, for lobster mac and cheese, paella, and handcrafted cocktails.

You’ll never go hungry at this delightful, award-winning inn with 15 romantic rooms directly across the road from Matanzas Bay. The hotel’s breakfasts are the stuff of legend, with mouthwatering dishes such as french toast, banana pancakes, and blueberry waffles. There are also two complimentary daily happy hours where home-made sangria, beer, and wine are served with appetizers or home-baked desserts for real holiday indulgence – don’t miss the peanut butter pie.

Take the luxe factor up a level in St Augustine by staying steps from the sand, with downtown attractions just 10 minutes away. Between sightseeing, you’ll feel like you’ve fled to a tropical island at this Embassy Suites, with its poolside cabanas, water sports, and jacuzzi with sea views. The hotel also has a Starbucks for caffeinated pick-me-ups, the Rhum Bar for rum-based drinks, Harvest & Reel for all-day dining, and Castaway Cantina, a pool bar serving Latin-inspired tacos, tortas, and ensaladas (salads).

Location is king at this charming property on pedestrianized St George Street, in downtown St Augustine. All major tourist attractions are within walking distance, while the hotel’s sun-dappled courtyards overlook the Castillo de San Marcos and City Gate. Tuck into a complimentary continental breakfast, or enjoy a cup of in-room Starbucks coffee before heading out. Afterward, come back to the best wine-by-the-glass menu in North Florida at the on-site wine bar, Bin 39.

Choose the Anastasia suite if you’re looking for a little more luxury during your stay at this opulent St Augustine hotel in the heart of the Historic District. The spacious loft comes with a welcome bottle of champagne, a spiral staircase, and a view of the Lightner Museum’s courtyard. Elsewhere, the hotel is home to the glamorous Poseidon Spa, the Cobalt Lounge, which serves cocktails with live jazz, an on-site Starbucks, and an all-day tapas restaurant called Costa Brava. You can also enjoy exclusive access to the private Serenata Beach Club on Ponte Vedra Beach.

Stay steps from the beach at this peaceful resort. You can spread out in a one- or two-bedroom condo with a full kitchen and large living area yet still enjoy all the benefits of an upmarket resort. Amenities include three outdoor swimming pools (one heated), tennis courts, barbecue grills, a clubhouse, a fitness center, and two outdoor hot tubs to relax in as the sun goes down.

With its polished pine floors, 10ft (3m) ceilings, and wraparound porch, it’s no surprise this elegant Victorian home is a popular wedding venue. The stately guesthouse, sitting on a tree-lined street in the Historic District, has just eight rooms, complete with plush touches such as four-poster mahogany beds and deep-soaking jacuzzi tubs. To really spoil yourself, book the Floridian suite with its private entrance, wrought-iron king-size bed, private sundeck, and stained-glass window by local glass artist Karen Cockcroft.

If you prefer to stay somewhere a little more intimate, the idyllic 44 Spanish Street Inn prides itself on the personal touch. In this 1920 property, there are just eight immaculate guest rooms decorated with vintage armoires, large beds, and original hardwood floors, while some have jetted baths or in-room corner spa tubs for two. Breakfast is a particular treat, served in a separate cottage. You’ll also find candlelit porches and pretty courtyards.