St Francis Inn Bed and Breakfast — Hotel in Saint Augustine

The Saint Francis Inn has so much potential to be a truly five-star stay — and it wouldn’t take much to get there.||We stayed in the Garden Hideaway, which was wonderfully quiet and private. The king-size bed and pillows were incredibly comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly. The room had some thoughtful extras: two TVs with Hulu Live, a radio with speakers, a fireplace, and a generous touch — complimentary cream sherry in the room. Though we didn’t use the Jacuzzi tub or the fireplace, we appreciated their presence. We also loved the addition of robes — a great detail for a cozy stay.||The bathroom, however, was one of the smallest I’ve seen — with zero space for toiletries. While the water pressure was excellent, the tile needs a deep clean. On the upside, they provided dark washcloths for makeup removal and extra cloths for spills, which was a thoughtful and practical touch.||The main house and grounds could use some refreshing. The interior feels tired, with worn carpet and furnishings that could benefit from an update. Outside, it’s clear that effort is made — table coverings on patio furniture each morning, for example — but some cushions were in need of a good cleaning, and walkways and stairs had not been swept in quite some time. These are easy, inexpensive fixes that would make a big difference.||The pool area is a nice amenity — especially for kids — and we appreciated that pool towels were available. Unfortunately, the pool wasn’t open until our last day, due to what appeared to be roof work nearby. It would have been helpful to have a heads-up about that during booking or check-in.||One of the daily highlights is a happy hour with complimentary local wine, beer, and soda — a very nice offering. That said, the cutoff time is strictly enforced, and we witnessed a newly arrived couple told they’d have to pay for a glass of wine because they missed the window by just a couple of minutes. A warmer welcome — perhaps offering first-time guests a complimentary drink regardless of the time — would go a long way.||The dessert offering is another thoughtful touch, but unfortunately the cake served during our stay was dry and maybe was stale. As for breakfast, the cold items were excellent (yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, a great tea selection with local honey and flavorings), but the hot breakfast was underwhelming. A refreshed, higher-quality hot menu would make a noticeable improvement — especially given that a recent stay at a Hampton Inn offered a better breakfast experience.||The bikes available for guest use were a great bonus, especially in such a bike-friendly town. Another small touch that adds charm and convenience.||The location is excellent if you like to walk — just a 10-minute stroll to the heart of the historic district, which made exploring the area especially enjoyable.||Finally, while check-in was efficient, the staff could have been a bit warmer and more welcoming. A little extra friendliness would go a long way in enhancing the overall experience.||All in all, the Saint Francis Inn has character, comfort, and thoughtful amenities, but it’s in need of some maintenance and polish. With a few basic upgrades and a little more attention to hospitality, it could easily be a five-star favorite in...

There are many BBs in Saint Augustine, and I have stayed at 8 of them, but no BB is better than St. Francis Inn. I used to live in Naples, FL for 12 years. I owned my own business. For me, that prohibited me from taking any extended vacations. Saint Augustine was a 6 hour drive, and not only being the oldest city in America, I believe it is the most beautiful cities in the country as well. For these reasons, my wife and I loved using our 3-4 day vacation opportunities to spend it in Saint Augustine. We would book our trips far in advance, because a lot of people who live within a 3-10 hour drive would do what we would do. That being taking their few days of vacation time to spend it in Saint Augustine since it being such a wonderful destination from the proximity to where you lived. After our many trips to Saint Augustine over the years, and staying at the many choices of BBs available, we found Saint Francis Inn, and never chose to try any other BB again. We ended up staying there 7 more times. The inn is beautiful, it allows you to imagine what life was like over 100 years ago staying at, and visualizing what it was like with houses built back in the 1850s or later. The rooms don't have any musky smells, like we experienced with other BBs. They have a gorgeous courtyard, with a beautiful small pond, with fish inside it, along with a running waterfall with just the right tranquil sound of running water. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. They have the best breakfast, with 3-4 different choices, along with oatmeal, cereals, and always fresh fruit. Plus they offer a time period when breakfast is served, as opposed to having to schedule a time to have breakfast, with a single choice, like other BBs had we stayed at. They offer a happy hour where you can mingle with other guests and get to find out where everyone is from. They end the evening with an excellent desert. You have access to free sodas all day. Another great amenity is they have their own parking lot. The parking lot is right across from the inn, unlike other BBs, where their parking lots were literally blocks away, from the inn where you stayed. If you found a good spot, and then moved your car, upon returning you might have to park even farther away. When you have to walk back and forth to your car 3-4 times/day, for the 3-4 days you were staying there, it got cumbersome very quickly. There are so many things to do in St. Augustine that you had to use your car for a lot of the things. Saint Augustine has the best small, quaint, and delicious restaurants, that it is hard to decide which ones to try. Lastly, for those people who like to sit by a pool, Saint Francis has its own private pool. As a matter of fact, I sold my business a few years ago, and moved to Saint Augustine from Naples, with St Francis Inn being one of the reasons...

St. Francis Inn deserves every bit of a 5-star review. This isn’t just a place to stay, it’s an experience that captures the very heart of the ancient city of St. Augustine.

From when we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome in a way that felt both genuine and attentive. Check-in was smooth and personal, and every interaction from that point forward carried the same warmth and professionalism. It’s clear that the team here takes great pride in what they do, and it shows in the smallest details.

The accommodations exceeded our expectations. We stayed in The Overlook, which was as charming as its name suggests. With a king bed, spacious seating, a relaxing Jacuzzi tub, and a lovely view of the park across the street, it offered both comfort and character. It struck that perfect balance of historic charm and modern convenience, making it easy to feel at home while still immersed in the inn’s centuries-old story.

And what a story it is! Built in 1791, St. Francis Inn is one of the oldest surviving structures in the city. You can feel the history in the walls, the woodwork, and the ambiance of every common area, yet nothing about the inn feels outdated. Instead, the past and present are woven together in a way that enhances the entire stay. If you value authenticity and want to experience St. Augustine in a way that a modern hotel simply can’t offer, this is the place.

Breakfast each morning was another highlight. Far from standard fare, the meals were hearty, flavorful, and made with care. In the evenings, the inn also provides social hour with complimentary beer, wine and snacks, followed by a nightly dessert—a thoughtful touch that makes you feel less like a guest and more like part of the family.

The location is more than ideal. Tucked into a quiet, historic street, the inn is within easy walking distance of everything: restaurants, bars, museums, and historic landmarks. Whether it was the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, or simply exploring the brick-paved streets, nothing ever felt out of reach. The inn also offers excellent discounts and even free admission to some of the city’s attractions, including the lighthouse, the Oldest House, and the Lincolnville Museum, which only adds to its value.

Simply put, if you’re looking for a place that combines history, comfort, and true hospitality, you won’t do better than St. Francis Inn. It’s a step back in time without sacrificing modern comfort, and it’s run by people who clearly care about making your stay memorable.

Staying here felt like experiencing St. Augustine the way it was meant to be experienced, and I know it will...