Casa Monica Hotel

My wife and I went on our first vacation without kids. Wanted a nice place and found it. I only have two issues with the hotel 1. the pool is smal and was bathwater warm, I was not suprised given the age of the hotel and this did not bother me much since the beach was so close anyway. 2. the elevator was like an oven, this did bother me coming in from the heat and then standing in a hot box. The rest of the hotel was perfect. We were well cared for and arrived several hours before check in and there was no issue, they took us directly to our room and the staff at the front desk gave excelent recomendations on eating options since we had come directly from the airport and not had lunch yet. The staff was always helpfull even before we arrived I called the hotel and to ask about any recomendations for ground transport from JAX and they recomended a car service that was outstanding with a prenegotiated price for staying at the Casa Monica. The room is what I had expected and everything worked correctly. The breakfast at the 95 Cordova was the best I have had in a long time. In short when we return we will stay here.

Unique Quality: Location this hotel is in the perfect location. You can walk to everything it is suprising how walkable this town is but the hotel is perfecly located.

Built in 1888 and restored in 1999 this hotel is a luxurious venue, hosting many weddings, conventions, etc. The whole historical ares is within walking distance. It is on the list of Historical Hoels of America.

Directions: Southern edge of the historical area, next to the Lightner Museum.

We used the special Florida resident rate and stayed here one night at a discount price. The room was nice -- large shower but no tub. The lobby downstairs is a bit small, but the coffee shop (w/Starbucks drinks) was handy. Room and lobby had free wi-fi; it worked well. Only disappointment was the rooftop pool area had a cold hot tub, and when we returned to our room two hours before checkout time, the key no longer worked. The desk clerk said they sometimes change close to check-out. He gave us new key cards; luckily we were not dripping wet. Not a great feature for a pricey hotel. I later mailed the general manager a comment letter about the cold hot tub and the key thing -- but got no response. Another drawback is the only parking is valet -- at $20/night. The location is great; you are in the heart of St. Augustine and can walk to everything. Not sure if I'd stay here again since nearby chain hotels are probably OK and half the price.

Unique Quality: They include complimentary access to an upscale beachside resort but it's about 5 miles away, north of Vilano Beach. The sand was a bit rough and rocky with shells, but the pool areas looked very nice. Midweek, it was pretty slow....

The rooftop pool at the hotel does have some shaded areas and also cushy cabanas.

Directions: Downtown on the square

the casa monica hotel was built in 1888 in the style of a moorish castle. the rooms and public areas have a spanish decor. the casa monica offers a pool and spa and all of the amenities of a first class hotel. they also have a private beach club on st. augustine beach. i would highly recommend this luxurious and centrally located property.

Directions: historic district

This is the crema de la crema of luxury in St. Augustine. This hotel is relatively new and all the shops that are on the street beside it as well are new...It opened its doors as a remodeled hotel in December 1999.

When I lived here it used to be the town courthouse.

Unique Quality: King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain stayed here in April 2001.

CASA MONICA HOTEL
Built in 1888 by the founder of the YMCA, Franklin Smith.
We did not stay here but wandered through the lobby areas to get out of the unseasonably cold Florida weather, low 40's!

Unique Quality: Looks like a Medieval European castle and has 5 towers. Moorish-Revival style architecture.

Directions: Located across the street from the Lightner Museum & Flagler College.