OCEAN SANDS BEACH BOUTIQUE INN - 1 ACRE PRIVATE BEACH — Hotel in Saint Augustine

I’m writing this so others can be aware of the business practices we experienced with the Ocean Sands Beach Boutique Inn, 3465 Coastal Hwy, St Augustine FL 32084. Our experiences began in October 2024, when my family and I had booked a reservation for the holiday weekend 11-14 October 2024. On 9 October 2024, prior to our stay, Hurricane Milton came ashore near Siesta Key, FL. Much of the Central Florida area had mandatory evacuation orders. With the uncertainty of the weather conditions due to the hurricane potentially tracking toward Orlando, we decided to cancel our reservations. On the morning of 9 October 2024, I called “DJ” to inform him of the change. According to the invoice I had received for our stay, if you cancel after 1800 local time two days prior to arrival we would be charged one night’s stay as a cancellation fee. I figured, given the hurricane, this wouldn’t be an issue. I was wrong. DJ informed me that the hotel does not reimburse pre-paid rooms and only offered credit for a future stay, if it occurred within a year of the cancellation date. I should have gone with my gut that something didn’t seem right given the circumstances but was too busy with hurricane preparations to argue the point. Of note, I didn’t find out until much later that the City of St Augustine was under a mandatory evacuation beginning on 9 October 2024 which lasted until the afternoon of 10 October 2024. This was never mentioned by DJ or the Ocean Sands hotel personnel during the multiple conversations we had with all on 9 October 2024 prior to our cancellation. Also of note, the original reservation was advertised as a discount if reserved via the internet and paid in full. The total I paid was $930.99, which included room rates ($252.41 for 11 October 2024, $266.85 for 12 October 2024, and $165.74 for 13 October 2024), a service and parking fee of $167.22, and both state and local taxes. |Fast forward to 20 July 2025. I called DJ to rebook our last summer weekend and use the hotel credit. He told me that since it was Labor Day holiday weekend our rooms would cost more than the credit I had. It was during this conversation that I was informed our credit was not for the full $930.99 because I was charged a cancellation fee, despite the fact that I had to cancel due to a natural disaster. During the conversation, DJ told me I would be charged an additional fee for the increase in room rates for the three nights. I agreed to pay, with the understanding that hotels often change their room rates depending on the days of the week or even holidays. My credit card was charged $537.99. On 20 July 2025, DJ sent me an invoice for the increase which showed the rate increase per day ($89.00 for 29 August 2025, $73.49 for 30 August 2025, and $50.07 for 31 August 2025). The invoice said the rates excluded taxes and also did not include an additional service fee of $69.99 per night. |On 29 August 2025, we checked into the hotel without issue. The gentleman at the front desk was accommodating and check-in went smoothly. On 30 August 2025, my family and I went sightseeing in St. Augustine. Typically, on the first day of any stay we leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. For us, there is no need for the room to be serviced after only one day. Hindsight being what it is, we already paid for this service so we should have let them. That afternoon, when we returned to our room, we noticed a large wall painting had fallen. It landed on the air conditioning unit. We attempted to rehang it on the wall, but the screws were too shallow and were afraid it may cause damage to the painting should it fall again. My husband went to the front desk to inform them of the situation and spoke with a separate gentleman there. He assured my husband that he would make a note to provide to the day team and they would fix the issue. He asked if we had room to store the painting on the floor of the room, which we did. The gentleman said the hotel was having work done and that the vibrations likely knocked down the painting. That night I placed the large painting in front of our sliding glass door. The next morning, we removed the “Do not disturb” sign. During breakfast, my husband informed a lady at the front desk of what had happened the night prior, and that the gentleman advised he would make a note for the day team. The front desk lady said she would ensure the information was provided to the housekeeping crew. We departed the hotel for additional sight seeing around St. Augustine and returned later that night. When we came back, the painting was still on the floor in the room. Our room had been partially serviced because our beds were made, trash cans emptied, and we had a few extra towels. We were almost out of toilet paper and not given a new roll. Plus, we were not given a bathmat and had to use one of our fresh towels for a bathmat.|On 1 September 2024, the weather was stormy, so we decided to leave that morning. My husband rehung the painting on the screws that were in the wall so it would not be damaged as we repacked our suitcases. At checkout, we spoke with Ms. Beverly and advised her of the situation. She was cordial and claimed she had been off the week prior and this was her first day back. She said the issues, while small, should not have happened. She printed our hotel receipt and asked if we would mind leaving a review.|When we returned home, I couldn’t help but think something was off with the whole experience. I reviewed all the documents I had, from the original receipt, to the text DJ sent with the increased room rates, and the receipt provided on checkout. |For those keeping a tally, I was charged $1,468.98 (including taxes and multiple service fees) for a three night stay. I called DJ on Monday to tell him that we were charged twice for parking and service fees. He said we weren’t, and that when I spoke with him last October, he sent me a statement via “text or email” explaining how those fees were deducted from my credit. He also told me he charged us a cancellation fee which lowered our previously paid credit. After reviewing call logs, and the hotel policy on the initial invoice, I should have never been charged a fee as the cancellation occurred before 48 hours of our check-in date and time. |I also searched through the texts and emails I received from DJ and Ocean Sands Inn. I couldn’t find any statements explaining our hotel credit or the deductions. I reviewed the receipt provided on checkout and noticed the service fee was indeed $69.99 per day, but I was also charged $19.99 per day to park two vehicles. We only traveled with one. I messaged DJ asking for a copy of the statement he claimed to have sent via text or email, twice, but have yet to receive a reply.|I have to say I am not impressed with the quality of service provided by this hotel, what appears to be multiple hidden fees, and the unwillingness of the management to work with customers. This hotel has received many positive reviews, but most of the negative reviews echo a similar experience to what we had. Parking fees are waived if you give the hotel a positive online review. |We will not be staying at this hotel again and I will not recommend it to anyone. Looking back at the entire experience, beginning last October, I feel like we were scammed and not treated well. I have never heard of a hotel not providing a refund for a cancellation, only offering in-house credit, and charging a cancellation fee during a natural disaster. Paying a service and parking fee for nights we did not stay seems unreasonable. For the nights we stayed, a service fee of $69.99 per night should have at least covered housekeeping rehanging or removing the large painting that was sitting in our room and restocking our toiletries. I understand hotels can change room rates as they see fit, within reason. Even with access to the ocean, it cost us approximately $489.66 per night to stay here. A quick internet search for surrounding hotels yielded nightly room rates of around $100-$200, with similar accommodation. The breakfasts were average at best. I watched a guest who had rented an umbrella bring it back from the beach because it was broken. He said to us, “If you get an umbrella make sure you don’t get a broken one.” Then, I watched him dig through the multiple umbrellas leaning against the side of the hotel trying to search for a working one. Two positives: 1. Beverly was very nice at checkout. Thank you for letting us depart on a somewhat happy note. 2. Hotel does provide beach access as advertised, after crossing the street. We were warned by the front desk gentlemen on the first night to watch for cars and to not get hit...

Overall- So very glad I booked this stay! It was an absolute gem with an easily accessible great quiet beach, good quality breakfast, comfortable beds, lots of little touches and friendly service. Travelled with 2 adults, a teen, and a kid. I would recommend this hotel in the highest terms for families. If you’re on the fence, go for it!!! Lots of options for early and late checkout.

Booking: I was hesitant when it first came up because the listed price was so low- assumed something was wrong and I have no interest in staying somewhere unsafe with my kids at any price. The price after fees is actually in line with chain hotels in this class. I think they should list the inclusive price, but I’m no expert in hotel advertising and they do need some way to get people to see them in a chain-dominated environment long enough to see the reviews and realize it’s a good place. Its price is very affordable for what you get. Calling is much simpler than booking on their website and definitely book directly, not through a third party app.

Service: not sure if it is family owned and operated but the service seemed as if it were. That personal, friendly touch where no one seemed as if they’re reluctantly here for a paycheck and as if they are all invested in us having a nice stay.

Beach: Quiet beach because there’s no public parking. You don’t have to endure boisterous crowds, and there are so many whole shells. Doesn’t get deep too fast. Saw dolphins right from shore. Beach is across a road. The reviews talking about a busy road must be from very small towns, because this wasn’t bad at all to cross even with kids at any time of day. They have a shower in the side of the hotel to get the sand off you when you get back before coming inside.

Pool: small outdoor pool but never crowded and more than big enough for the size hotel. Seemed to be heated and saltwater though I didn’t ask specifically. Very generous hours of operation. Quiet.

Breakfast: Continental buffet style with a large range of options. Free. Generous 5-10 am hours. Waffles with a large variety of topping options, sausage and gravy, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, muffins, bagels, variety of breads and sweet rolls, cereals, boiled eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, variety of juices, coffee

Room: comfortable beds and couch. Places to sit right outside the room. Have nice toiletries but the shampoo/conditioner are small. I’m sure they would have given more but I brought my own and didn’t ask. Foot moisturizer is nice luxurious touch. TV is large but no way to log in to your streaming service. Internet is not great- would suggest an upgrade option for faster internet/streaming options if they’re looking for ways to improve. Lots of games given by the hotel if you’re looking for offline family fun.

The negatives of the stay: these are really minor compared to the positives and the price point. 1. The showers temperature control knob was broken off. The temperature it was set off was a very good temperature that no member of the family complained about, but if you wanted a cold or scalding hot shower, you could not choose that. 2. The door has to be pulled VERY hard to close fully and lock. Not a big deal once we realized, but before we did, we had an unlocked door without realizing it. 3. not the fault of the hotel the guest before us, but when I walked in to our room there was a faint smell of cigarette smoke. I am very sensitive to odors (cancer) and could still tolerate it so it had clearly been cleaned, but it was definitely there. 4. not hotel’s fault pretty sure our neighboring room was abusing their kids. The hotel at least made sure we didn’t hear anything again when told. The soundproofing is good so they must have just...

The staff where all very very sweet nice everyone in the building was great, good breakfast but something went array w someone and it wasn't me!!!! stinks I really liked this place but the way or how this happened to us is beyond me just floored never have I sort of thing. Note we are all fine feeling good not sick nothing and trying to in have a nice two day stay that broke me but the fees and the fees and the fees will kill u. Note a daily park and or clean fee is $119 or something a day plus 39$ park maybe idk a lot of fees. So I'm not rich splurging on a beach summer break thing. Not much but all I can barely do. Granted I'm right on money as is okay this is why I am so angry about this. The beach is beautiful but across from very busy a1a! Very dangerous. Now all I can think about is how degrading and humiliated we where when we got home about three hours later. I'm pissed folks yes. 😢 My son is 6 yrs old he dropped his strawberry shortcake by the bed, he picked it up and cleaned it he said but hes 6yr there was pieces of strawberry and spots of whipped cream on the floor, he didn't do a great job.... We checked out at the front desk, all was well......Soooo when I got home there was an additional $279.75 charged to my acct after already spending over $500+ for two nights!!!! Now this shot me off like a rocket! I spoke to DJ who didn't seem to care and the fee was a vomit/urination fee!!!!!! So I hear now the bed was wet, it may have been the shower towel but my 6yr old does not pee the bed and if he did this place is goin to charge .e $300 for it. How dare u and shame on u all. This is wrong absolutely rediculous and wrong it not true and they are stealing my money now as if the almost $600 wasn't enough u have to put us in a tough spot by draining every penny I have for thi nobody else I'll do anything or talk to me!! Unbelievable so it was the cake but if my son was sick you would charge me $287 for that???? What???!! Not very kid friendly if say but how the......... Huh that's $300 dollars..... ahhahhhhhhh omg like my acct drained over what...? Vomit? Urine? Joking right... But it's not any such thing and they are now robbing me I feel. Smh. Not that it matters much but I paid $119 a day to get my room cleaned. It wasn't my son's fault he keeps saying it's his fault. So aggravated and we should not be getting railroaded or put thru this at all. One mistake can really make ur business look very ugly. Be careful what u assume and don't work in housekeeping if you don't want to clean a strawberry pieces or three.....I did have a nice stay but I can't forgive n forget this one!!! Shame on u. Smh update now there where fish scales when I didn't even catch any fish but all in all kid friendly and fishing but not at this hotel. Still no answer from management no call no response from desk hangs up saying have to talk to DJ which is the most unprofessional manager I have ever met. All of this again is bogus and blaming a child and charging me almost $300 is just insane. It out us in a bind to day the least goin into a holiday weekend with no money is just heart wrenching to me let alone how my son is goin to feel. Out of this world mind-blowing. I have traveled a lot stayed in many places never ever heard or been thru such a mess...