Dianna B.
Yelp
My love surprised me with a mid-week get away to the St. Francis Inn during Covid. When he showed me the place on line, I was excited. He let me choose the room (The Overlook) and then made the reservations.
When we got to the actual location, I was so excited. I've been on just about every walking tour of St. Augustine, Haunted or not and they ALWAYS stop at this location, and here I was getting to stay! Color me very VERY happy. The staff was very pleasant, warm and friendly. Everyone wore a mask our entire stay. If you didn't have one, there were ones at the desk for your use (In baggies, single use, of course)
Our room was on the third floor, it over looks both St. George St and the St. Francis Park so it can be a busy corner, but it wasn't terrible. At night we could hear a train in the distance and to us, that was quite quaint. The Overlook Room is large and spacious, with a kingsize bed, a large seating area, a wardrobe with robes, microwave and fridge, as well as a Jacuzzi tub and shower. It's a very well appointed room and the bed is VERY comfortable, though the pillows were a bit lumpy (I'm picky, which is why I bring my own).
Every morning we were there, there was a delicious breakfast complete with espresso if you wanted it, the hot portion served to you while you helped yourself to the cold, fresh fruit and delicious baked goods. I can tell you that I did not go hungry. Every evening was a social hour, but in the time of covid, it was more a pick up your boxed desserts, which were amazing each night, along with some wine or soda, and either crudites or a small meat and cheese plate. Again, you didn't go hungry at night.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the place was that they offered bikes to ride, which saved the wear and tear on my feet. We rode our bikes into the Ancient city, locked them, did our exploration and then rode home, it was such a better use of our time! The pool looked delightful, but we didn't use it on this stay.
So, the Inn is rumored to be haunted, did we experience anything? Yes, we did. We heard what sounded like footsteps across the window wall that over looked the park and we experienced what felt like a cat jumping on the bed each night. Supernatural? I don't know, but those were our experiences.
Would we come back? YES! This place is welcoming and warm, they're doing everything right during Covid, and they're just warm people.