St. Augustine’s Best Hotels & Areas (A Local’s Guide for First-Timers)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in St. Augustine

St. Augustine has a few distinct areas. 

The Historic District is walkable and contains most of the best attractions, including the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Medieval Torture Museum. Most of the best restaurants and bars are in this area.

Lincolnville is in St. Augustine’s southwest peninsula and spans fifty blocks. Lincolnville was founded by freed slaves and offers multiple opportunities to learn about the rich history of the area.

Anastasia Island includes five beaches: St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, Matanzas Beach, and the beach at Anastasia State Park. 

Vilano Beach is to the north, with nearby Ponte Vedra and Ponte Vedra Beach a roughly forty-five-minute drive north. St. Augustine shares Florida’s Historic Coast with Ponte Vedra.

Historic District

👉 Best Area For First Timers | ✨ Best Historic District Hotels: Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel • Hilton Saint Augustine Historic Bayfront • Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection

The Historic District is the perfect place for first-time visitors. It’s the oldest part of the city, with some streets dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Old Spanish architecture is all around and it has tons of shops and restaurants.

The majority of attractions can be found here, with Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and the Lightner Museum all within walking distance.

I recommend the Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection because of its high rating, location, amenities, and history. Another great choice is the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel. Staying in the Historic District makes it easier to avoid the surrounding traffic (although the traffic in St. Augustine is, in many ways, somewhat unavoidable!) and allows you to enjoy the sights and attractions at your own pace.

Pros of Staying in the Historic District:

• The heart of St. Augustine, with many things to do
• Several popular eateries
• Walkable

Cons of Staying in the Historic District:

• It can get incredibly crowded during tourist-heavy times of the year
• Hotels can get expensive

Anastasia Island

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best Anastasia Island Hotels: Courtyard by Marriott St. Augustine Beach • Castillo Real Resort Hotel • Best Western Seaside Inn

Anastasia Island is a fourteen-mile-long island connected to St. Augustine’s Historic District through the Bridge of Lions. It has a number of historic attractions and some of the best beaches in the area.

Though you’re separated from the more walkable Historic District, Anastasia Island is perfect for beach lovers and golf enthusiasts. Butler Beach, Matanzas Beach, Crescent Beach, and St. Augustine Beach are all beautiful, and the Anastasia State Park is a fantastic way to spend the day outside.

Multiple beaches on Anastasia Island are driveable (with the exception of the beach in Anastasia State Park) in designated areas, and have RV and camping areas nearby. St. Augustine Beach has a fishing pier, beachfront park, beachside pavilion, splash park, and volleyball court.

Anastasia Island is also home to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, along with the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. You can also take a ferry to the Fort Matanzas National Monument, a watchtower that has stood there since 1742.

Most of the hotels will be found near St. Augustine Beach. I recommend the Courtyard by Marriott St. Augustine Beach. It’s rated well and is only a 3-minute walk to St. Augustine Beach. St. Augustine Beach’s white powder sand, 24-hour access, and family-friendly environment make it one of the highest-rated beaches in the state.

Pros of Staying in Anastasia Island:

• Lots of outdoor activities
• Beautiful beaches
• Not far from the Historic District
• Plenty of food options

Cons of Staying in Anastasia Island:

• You’ll need a car if you’re staying on Anastasia Island
• Less walkable in general
• Less 4 and 5-star hotel options
• Hotel options are less diverse and more clustered in terms of area

Vilano Beach

👉 Best Area For a Quiet Beach Vacation | ✨ Best Vilano Beach Hotels: The Saint Augustine Beach House • Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine – Vilano Beach • Ocean Sands Beach Boutique Inn

Vilano Beach is a gorgeous and quiet coastal community. North of the St. Augustine Historic District, Vilano Beach is further removed from some of the attractions and points of interest in St. Augustine, but it has its own host of things to do and local restaurants, and is still a short drive from the other areas in town.

Vilano Beach has a strong current and is perfect for surfing. Fishing options allow you to fish from the pier, surf fish, or take your boat from the Vilano Boat Ramp. The Bait Shop at the Vilano Boat Ramp sells bait and tackle options.

There are multiple boat tours in Vilano Beach. I recommend checking out local events before you visit to see if anything catches your eye. Vilano Beach is on the north side of the Matanzas Inlet and is known as a great spot to watch the sun set over St. Augustine’s downtown area.

The Saint Augustine Beach House is my top hotel choice. It’s on the beach, is highly-rated, and offers great amenities. It’s a short drive to St. Augustine’s Historic District, Lincolnville, and multiple iconic attractions.

Pros of Staying in Vilano Beach:

• Beautiful beach
• Perfect for activities like boating or fishing
• Proximity to Downtown St. Augustine
• A quiet and friendly coastal town
• Lots to do outdoors
• Fewer crowds

Cons of Staying in Vilano Beach:

• Further removed from local restaurants, bars, and attractions
• Fewer hotel options
• Limited bar choices
• A drive to most attractions

Lincolnville

👉 Best Area For History Lovers | ✨ Best Lincolnville Hotels: The Collector – Luxury Inn & Gardens • Cedar House Inn • St. Francis Inn – Saint Augustine

Lincolnville is a diverse, historically rich neighborhood spanning fifty blocks, south of the Historic District. Along with being extremely close in proximity to the other iconic historical areas of St. Augustine, Lincolnville has the distinction of an extensive African American history.

Lincolnville has several high-rated hotels and restaurants and is conveniently close to options in both the Historic District and Anastasia Island across the Bridge of Lions. The Collector – Luxury Inn & Gardens is a highly-rated, adults-only hotel between Lincolnville and the Historic District. 

Historical tours are provided throughout the week, and guests can use the property’s bicycles to explore the local area. The Well is an on-site bar that offers access to the courtyard.

Those interested in history can visit the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the history and contributions of African Americans in St. Augustine. Similarly, you can also explore the Accord Civil Rights Museum and Freedom Trail, a non-profit, grassroots organization.

Pros of Staying in Lincolnville:

• Rich history
• High-rated hotels
• Easy to walk, bike, or take a short drive to several other areas in St. Augustine
• Great dining options

Cons of Staying in Lincolnville:

• Hotels can be expensive
• Rentals are more within the heart of Lincolnville as opposed to hotels

Tips for Staying in St. Augustine

Have an Itinerary

Having an itinerary will help you narrow down the best activities and things to do in this historic, exciting city.

Plan the Time of Year That Is Best for You

The time of year you visit is just as important as what you do while you’re there. Along with the weather and crowds, St. Augustine regularly has events. Whether you’re trying to indulge in the summer heat or enjoy the yearly, Christmas-themed Night of Lights, the time of year is an important part of planning your trip.

Pack Comfortable Shoes

Exploring St. Augustine’s tourist-friendly locations can easily be done on foot. Still, while there’s plenty to do around every corner, walking along some of the oldest streets in the nation is best done with a comfortable pair of shoes.

Make Sure You Have a Vehicle

While much of the city is explorable on foot, reaching all of the different areas of the city requires a vehicle. If you want the full experience, it’s best to bring or rent a car. Discover Cars is a search engine that will help you find the best rentals. 

Consider a Rental

There are tons of hotels in St. Augustine, but there are also plenty of great rentals on VRBO. Depending on where you want to stay, a rental may make for a more comfortable stay.

Expect Heavy Crowds

St. Augustine is almost always busy, but the summer and winter months are incredibly crowded due to events and the general tourism-friendly atmosphere.

Pack Sunscreen

The heat in St. Augustine during the summer can creep into the 90°F+ region, and the humidity can make it feel even hotter. Pack plenty of sunscreen, especially if you’re outside exploring the Historic District or walking any of the beaches.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay for first-timers?

The best area to stay in St. Augustine for first-timers is The Historic District. It offers proximity to most points of interest and the hotels allow for an easily walkable experience through the city.

What are safe areas to stay in St. Augustine?

St. Augustine is generally safe, but Vilano Beach is the quietest, most friendly area with the least amount of crowds. Keep your belongings close to you when walking through crowded areas like the Historic District, and practice the same safety measures you would at home.

What are the best parts of St. Augustine to stay with kids?

Anastasia Island is a great choice for families. There are several beaches and things to do for kids, and it’s a short drive to other parts of St. Augustine.

What are the best parts of St. Augustine to stay on a budget?

Vilano Beach has affordable options while still being a beautiful place to stay.

What are the best parts of St. Augustine to stay for a weekend?

Lincolnville and the Historic District are perfect options for adults visiting for the weekend. You are unlikely to see all St. Augustine has to offer in one weekend, but those locations allow you to be in the heart of the city and its walkable areas.

What are the best parts of St. Augustine for a long stay?

Vilano Beach and Anastasia Island are separated from the bustling crowds and tourist-heavy portions of St. Augustine. For a long stay, not being in the crowded heart of things makes these ideal locations.

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Thank you for reading! I hope this guide helped you figure out where to stay in St. Augustine. Up next, check out this list of the best things to do in Florida.

– Lea Rose Allbaugh contributed to this article.