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The best hotels in St. Augustine come in two kinds. Some are in the historic district, where you can walk to the Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street and the Plaza de la Constitución. Others are on St. Augustine Beach or Vilano Beach, roughly 8 to 14 minutes from the old town by car. This guide compares nine of them, from the 1888 Casa Monica to oceanfront resorts built for families.
St. Augustine is about two hours northeast of Orlando by road, so it works best as an overnight trip. Most full-service hotels downtown charge $40 or more a day for valet, while a few boutique and beach hotels include parking.
Quick answer: For a historic landmark with a spa, book Casa Monica Resort & Spa. For Matanzas Bay views a few minutes’ walk from the Castillo, choose the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront. Couples who want breakfast included should look at Marker 8 Hotel & Marina or the adults-only Collector Inn & Gardens. On the beach, families do best at the Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach (free made-to-order breakfast) or the Guy Harvey Resort (free self-parking). For value, the Hampton Inn & Suites Vilano Beach includes a hot breakfast and charges less for parking.
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How we chose these St. Augustine hotels
We did not stay at these hotels, and we do not publish review scores, star ratings or fixed prices. We kept only hotels whose own websites, or archived copies of their brand pages, confirm the basics, and we judged them on:
- Location: an easy walk to the Castillo and St. George Street, or direct beach access. Distances come from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), rounded.
- Verified amenities: pools, breakfast and restaurants as each hotel lists them.
- Real costs: parking, resort or destination charges and pet fees, where published.
Every fee comes from the hotel’s own website or, for Hilton and Marriott, archived copies of their official pages (February to June 2026), marked “at last check.”
Best hotels in St. Augustine compared
| Hotel | Area | Parking* | Breakfast | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Monica Resort & Spa | Historic district | Valet $42 overnight + resort fee | Not included | History and spa |
| Hilton Historic Bayfront | Bayfront, near the Castillo | Valet $40 + destination charge | Not included | Bay views |
| Renaissance Historic Downtown | By the City Gates | Valet $40 | Not included | Walk everywhere |
| The Collector Inn | Historic district | Valet $25 + $25 amenity fee | Included | Adults 16+ |
| Marker 8 Hotel & Marina | East end of Bridge of Lions | Free, one car | Included | Couples, sunsets |
| DoubleTree Historic District | San Marco Avenue | Self $25 | Not included | Dogs, self-parking |
| Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach | St. Augustine Beach | Valet $42 + resort charge | Included | Families |
| Guy Harvey Resort | St. Augustine Beach | Free self-parking | Not included | Beach with a dog |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Vilano Beach | Vilano Beach | Self $16 | Included | Value |
*Daily rates from each hotel’s official page at our last check (April to October 2026). Fees change often, so confirm them before you book. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
1. Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
This towered 1888 landmark is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, with 137 rooms and suites. It sits at 95 Cordova Street, within walking distance of Flagler College, the Lightner Museum and St. George Street. By our route check, the Plaza de la Constitución is about a 3-minute walk and the Castillo about 13 minutes.
On site you will find the Poseidon Spa, a heated outdoor pool and hot tub on the second floor, the Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar, a Starbucks and the Grand Bohemian Art Gallery.
- Why stay: The most striking historic building you can sleep in, with a full spa and a restaurant on site.
- Getting there: Parking is valet only, and there is no airport shuttle. Marriott puts Jacksonville’s airport about 55 miles away.
- Good to know: At last check (Marriott page archived May 2026), valet was $42 overnight or $30 for daytime use. The hotel’s own website also mentions a daily resort fee (we found no amount published). Up to two pets of 40 lb or less are allowed for a $150 non-refundable fee, plus $50 for a second pet. You must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Couples and special-occasion trips that want history and a spa in one place.
2. Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront
This Hilton is a group of colorful cottage-style buildings inspired by Spanish Colonial architecture at 32 Avenida Menendez, between the Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions. Many rooms have balconies over Matanzas Bay, and the outdoor pool looks across the street to the water. By our route check, the Castillo is about a 6-minute walk and the Plaza about 4 minutes.
Dining is at Aviles Restaurant & Lounge, and there is a 24-hour snack shop and a fitness center.
- Why stay: The closest hotel in this guide to the Castillo, with bay views from many rooms.
- Getting there: There is no self-parking, only valet, and no airport shuttle.
- Good to know: At last check (Hilton page archived June 2026), valet was $40 a day (garage clearance 6 feet 5 inches). A daily mandatory destination charge is added, with the amount shown when you book. Hilton says it covers premium Wi-Fi, a $10 daily food and drink credit, beach chairs and an umbrella, beach parking and a daily glass of champagne. Pets are not allowed, and breakfast costs extra.
Best for: First-time visitors who want to walk to everything and wake up to the bay.
Check your dates for Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront on Booking.com
3. Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel
The Renaissance is a Victorian-style building with long verandas at 6 West Castillo Drive, on the corner of San Marco Avenue, at the north edge of the old town. By our route check, the City Gates at the top of St. George Street are about a 3- to 4-minute walk, and the Castillo is about 8 minutes away.
Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen serves American food from breakfast to late night. There is also a Starbucks in the Castillo Cafe & Marketplace, a separate bar, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center.
- Why stay: It sits by the City Gates at the north end of St. George Street, with the Castillo a short walk away.
- Getting there: Parking is valet only, and there is no airport shuttle.
- Good to know: At last check (Marriott page archived February 2026), valet was $40 a day. Pets are not allowed, and you must be 21 to check in.
Best for: Couples and adult groups who want a modern hotel in the middle of the action.
See available rooms at the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel
4. The Collector Inn & Gardens
The Collector is made up of nine historic houses on one square block at 149 Cordova Street, about a 6-minute walk from the Plaza, linked by brick paths and gardens. The inn dates its oldest building, the Murat House, to 1790, and the others to between 1839 and about 1915. It is an adults-only retreat: every guest must be 16 or older, and the person checking in must be at least 25.
Rates include a continental breakfast of pastries, cheeses, fruit, juices, tea and coffee. There is a heated outdoor pool, courtyard fire pits, bicycles to borrow and a cocktail bar, The Well, in what was once the town’s first two-car garage.
- Why stay: The character of a historic home, with a pool and breakfast included.
- Getting there: Parking is valet only, with in-and-out privileges, and there is no airport shuttle.
- Good to know: At the time of writing, the inn’s FAQ listed a mandatory amenity fee of $25 a night plus valet at $25 per car, per night. Pets are not allowed (service animals are). Check-in is at 3 p.m.
Best for: Couples and adult friends traveling without young children.
5. Marker 8 Hotel & Marina
Marker 8 is a 26-room, two-story boutique hotel at 1 Dolphin Drive, at the island end of the Bridge of Lions, looking back at the bayfront skyline. By our route check, the Plaza is about an 11-minute walk across the bridge and the Castillo about 17 minutes.
Breakfast is served every morning, with a buffet plus a daily hot dish. Free hors d’oeuvres are set out from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Driftwood Lounge, next to a heated plunge pool overlooking the bay.
- Why stay: Waterfront views, with breakfast and parking included.
- Getting there: Parking is free for one car per room. Extra cars must park off-site, usually on the street.
- Good to know: You must be 21 to reserve and check in, and only service animals are allowed. Rates are for two people; each extra guest is $15 plus tax. The first night is charged 3 days before arrival, and you can cancel free until then.
Best for: Couples who want a quiet base with sunset views over the bay.
6. DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District
The DoubleTree is at 116 San Marco Avenue, north of the City Gates near the Mission Nombre de Dios, next door to the Limelight Theatre. Hilton lists St. George Street at 0.03 mile and the Castillo at 0.3 mile, but by our route check the City Gates, where St. George Street begins, are about 0.6 mile (12 minutes) on foot and the Castillo about 0.8 mile.
On site are an outdoor pool, a fitness center and the Oak Room Restaurant and Lounge. Hilton’s page says guests who buy two Limelight Theatre tickets get a third free.
- Why stay: You can park your own car and bring a dog, and still walk to the old town.
- Getting there: Self-parking is on site with in-and-out privileges. There is no valet.
- Good to know: At last check (Hilton page archived June 2026), self-parking was $25 a day. Pets up to 50 lb are accepted for a $75 non-refundable fee. The breakfast buffet costs extra.
Best for: Road-trippers with a dog, or anyone who wants to skip valet.
Check your dates for DoubleTree by Hilton St. Augustine Historic District
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
This oceanfront resort is at 300 A1A Beach Boulevard, next to the St. Johns County Ocean Pier and steps from the sand. The historic district is about 5 miles away, roughly 12 minutes by car without traffic.
Guests get a free made-to-order breakfast and a complimentary evening reception. There is an outdoor pool with cabanas and a pool bar, plus Harvest & Reel (farm-to-table dishes and seafood), the poolside Castaway Cantina, the Rhum Bar and a Starbucks in the lobby.
- Why stay: Breakfast included, the beach on your doorstep and activities for kids.
- Getting there: Parking is valet only, and the old town is a short drive away.
- Good to know: At last check (Hilton page archived May 2026), valet was $42 a day, and a daily resort charge applies (the amount is shown when you book). Hilton says it covers Wi-Fi, beach chairs and towels, short bike and surf board rentals, a daily yoga class and refillable water bottles. Up to two dogs or cats (75 lb max) cost $75 for 1 to 4 nights or $125 for longer stays.
Best for: Families who want breakfast and the beach without daily logistics.
See available rooms at Embassy Suites St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
8. Guy Harvey Resort on St. Augustine Beach
The Guy Harvey Resort sits right on St. Augustine Beach at 860 A1A Beach Boulevard. Walk through the pool deck and the dune gazebo, and you are on the sand. Rooms have a mini-fridge, microwave and Keurig coffee maker, most have balconies, and Kid Suites add two bunk beds next to a queen bed.
Santiago’s Florida Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the poolside Surf Shack Tiki Bar’s hours vary with the season and weather. The resort says the Old Town Trolley picks guests up at the hotel from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. if you buy a trolley ticket. The historic district is about 6 miles away, around 14 minutes by car.
- Why stay: Beachfront, dog-friendly and free to park.
- Getting there: The resort’s website says self-parking is complimentary, in front of and beside the hotel. There is no valet.
- Good to know: Resort pages list the pet fee (two pets max) as either $100 per stay or $50 a night capped at $100, so confirm it. Check-in is at 4 p.m., and a 2 p.m. late check-out costs $50. We did not find a resort fee on its website, so check the total at booking.
Best for: Families and dog owners who want the beach with simple costs.
9. Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine-Vilano Beach
This Hampton is at 95 Vilano Road, on Vilano Beach north of downtown and steps from beach access. The historic district is about 3 miles away, roughly 8 minutes by car by our route check. Hilton lists the city center at 2 miles, which is closer to a straight-line figure.
It keeps costs simple, with a free hot breakfast, free bike rentals and an outdoor pool.
- Why stay: Lower add-on costs than downtown, with breakfast included and the beach nearby.
- Getting there: Hilton lists Orlando International Airport at 70 miles, but by road it is about 119 miles, roughly 2.5 hours without traffic.
- Good to know: At last check (Hilton page archived June 2026), self-parking was $16 a day. Up to two dogs or cats cost $75 for 1 to 4 nights or $125 for longer stays. Check-in is at 3 p.m.
Best for: Budget-minded families who want to split time between the beach and the old town.
See prices and availability at Hampton Inn & Suites St. Augustine-Vilano Beach
Driving from Orlando to St. Augustine
Most of the drive is on I-4 east and I-95 north. We measured each route to the city’s downtown parking garage with OSRM; times assume no traffic.
| From | Road distance | Time without traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Orlando | About 104 miles | About 2 hours |
| Universal Orlando | About 113 miles | About 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Orlando International Airport | About 117 miles | About 2.5 hours |
| Magic Kingdom area | About 125 miles | About 2 hours 35 minutes |
| Jacksonville International Airport | About 51 miles | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
The fastest route from Orlando’s airport uses the SR 408 toll road, so read our guide to Orlando toll roads and rental car toll passes before you pick up a car. If you are flying in just for St. Augustine, Jacksonville’s airport is much closer.
What you can walk to from the historic district
The old town is compact: from the downtown hotels above, the main sights are roughly 3 to 20 minutes on foot.
- Castillo de San Marcos: Entry is $15 per adult (16 and older), valid for 7 days, and children 15 and under enter free with an adult; see the FAQ for hours.
- St. George Street: The official visitors bureau describes it as a pedestrian-only street of historic buildings, shops, galleries and restaurants.
- Parking if your hotel does not include it: The city’s Historic Downtown Parking Facility at 1 Cordova Street, next to the Visitor Information Center, has 1,200 spaces and is open 24 hours. At the time of writing, it charged $20 per entry from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $5 from 5 to 9 p.m. City lots and on-street pay stations charge $2.50 an hour, with a 4-hour limit.
Nights of Lights 2026–27
The city’s Nights of Lights display, about 3 million white lights across downtown, runs from November 21, 2026, through January 18, 2027. In the 2025–26 season, the downtown garage charged $40 per entry while the free Park & Ride shuttles were running, and 2026–27 parking details had not been posted at the time of writing. A hotel within walking distance avoids that hassle. For holiday events back in Orlando, see our guide to Christmas in Orlando.
How to choose a hotel in St. Augustine
- To walk everywhere: The Hilton Historic Bayfront, Renaissance and Casa Monica put you closest to the Castillo and St. George Street.
- With kids: The Collector does not take guests under 16. Embassy Suites and Guy Harvey, with its bunk-bed Kid Suites, suit families best.
- To keep costs down: Add parking and daily charges to the rate. Marker 8 and Guy Harvey include parking, and the Hampton charges $16. Valet at the full-service hotels runs $40 to $42, and Casa Monica, the Hilton Bayfront, Embassy Suites and The Collector add a daily resort, destination or amenity fee.
- With a pet: DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Guy Harvey, Hampton and Casa Monica accept pets, each with its own fee and limits. The Hilton Bayfront, Renaissance, The Collector and Marker 8 do not.
- Pairing it with Orlando: Our Orlando itinerary shows where a two-night side trip fits, and our guide to where to stay in Orlando covers the theme park half. On the way back, add a beach stop with our picks for hotels in Daytona Beach or hotels in New Smyrna Beach, or plan another day out with our Kennedy Space Center tips.
- From August to October: Storms can disrupt coastal trips. Read our hurricane season guide and book a flexible rate.
Frequently asked questions
How far is St. Augustine from Orlando?
By road, historic downtown St. Augustine is about 104 miles from downtown Orlando, roughly 2 hours without traffic. From Orlando International Airport it is about 117 miles (about 2.5 hours), and from the Magic Kingdom area about 125 miles (about 2 hours 35 minutes). Most routes use I-4 and I-95, and traffic on I-4 can add a lot of time.
Is it better to stay in downtown St. Augustine or on the beach?
Stay downtown if your trip is about history, restaurants and Nights of Lights, because you can walk to everything and leave the car parked. Stay on St. Augustine Beach or Vilano Beach if you want sand and pools, often with lower parking costs. The beach hotels here are about 3 to 6 miles from the old town, roughly 8 to 14 minutes by car without traffic.
Which St. Augustine hotels have free parking?
Of the hotels in this guide, the Guy Harvey Resort offers complimentary self-parking, and Marker 8 Hotel & Marina includes parking for one car per room. The Hampton Inn & Suites Vilano Beach charged $16 a day at last check. Downtown, the DoubleTree charged $25 for self-parking, and valet at the full-service hotels ran $40 to $42 a day.
When is Nights of Lights in St. Augustine in 2026?
The City of St. Augustine says Nights of Lights runs from Saturday, November 21, 2026, through Sunday, January 18, 2027. Last season the city ran a free Park & Ride shuttle on peak dates, and it suggests visiting Monday through Thursday to avoid the biggest crowds. If you want a hotel within walking distance of the lights, book early for December weekends.
How much does it cost to visit Castillo de San Marcos?
The National Park Service charges $15 per adult aged 16 and older, and the pass is valid for 7 consecutive days. Children 15 and under get in free with an adult. Only credit and debit cards are accepted. First admission is at 9 a.m. and last admission at 5 p.m., and the fort closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Can you visit St. Augustine as a day trip from Orlando?
You can, but the round trip from the theme park areas takes roughly 4.5 to 5 hours in the car before traffic. That leaves little time for the Castillo, St. George Street and dinner. It works better as a one- or two-night stay, especially during Nights of Lights, when the main draw comes after dark.
Bottom line
For most first-time visitors, a hotel in the historic district is the right choice: Casa Monica for history and a spa, the Hilton Historic Bayfront for bay views by the Castillo, or the Renaissance by the City Gates at the top of St. George Street. Choose Marker 8 or The Collector for breakfast and a smaller inn, and the beach hotels if you have kids or want simpler parking.
Check current rates at Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Sources checked in October 2026: Castillo de San Marcos fees (NPS), Nights of Lights and Light-Up! Night (City of St. Augustine), Historic Downtown Parking Facility (City of St. Augustine), Casa Monica Resort & Spa (Marriott), Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront (Hilton)