There are plenty of moderate and inexpensive motels and hotels in St. Augustine. Most convenient to the historic district is the 40-room Best Western Spanish Quarter Inn, 6 Castillo Dr. (tel. 800/528-1234 or 904/824-4457; www.staugustinebestwestern.com), directly across from the visitor center. It's completely surrounded by an asphalt parking lot, but it does have a pool and hot tub.
If you're coming on a weekend, expect the higher end of the listed rates -- almost all accommodations increase their prices on weekends, when the town is most crowded with visitors. St. Johns County charges a 9% tax on hotel bills.
A Swashbuckling Hostel
International travelers on the cheap congregate at the Pirate Haus Inn & Hostel, 32 Treasury St., at Charlotte Street (tel. 904/808-1999; www.piratehaus.com), smack in the middle of the historic district. Done up in a pirate theme, this Spanish-style building has a communal kitchen, living room, and rooftop terrace. Affiliated with both Hostelling International and American Youth Hostels, the inn has five private rooms (three with their own bathrooms), each equipped with either a queen-size or double bed plus one or two bunk beds. Two other rooms have dormitory-style bunks. Rooms cost $47 to $56 a night (higher on some weekends), while dorm beds go for $17. MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Reservations are advised, especially on weekends. Rates include the hostel's famous all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.
Bed & Breakfasts
St. Augustine has more than two dozen bed-and-breakfasts in restored historic homes. They all provide free parking, breakfast, 24-hour refreshments, and plenty of atmosphere, but most accept neither young children nor smokers (check before booking). Those listed are in the historic district. For more choices, contact St. Augustine Historic Inns, P.O. Box 5268, St. Augustine, FL 33085-5268 (no phone; www.staugustineinns.com), for descriptions of its member properties.
For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed accommodations, visit our online hotels index.
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