Best Places to Stay in St Augustine at Christmas Time
The holiday season in St. Augustine, Florida, is nothing short of magical. To me, it’s the best time to visit!
St Augustine is America’s Oldest City, so it has a lot to offer but the holiday season is extra special. St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is an event visited by tens of thousands of people.
Nights of Lights consists of transforming the entire city of Saint Augustine into a winter wonderland. Except with milder temperatures and no snow! You’ll find millions (yes, literally millions) of tiny white lights and holiday decorations all over the city.
The Nights of Lights season typically starts right around Thanksgiving weekend and lasts through the last weekend of January. This year, it is November 23, 2024 – January 26, 2025. The holiday season can be busy, so I love that Nights of Lights season extends past the “normal” holiday season.
If you’re planning to experience St. Augustine during Christmas, you’ll want to find accommodations that put you right in the middle of the holiday spirit. Here’s a guide to the best places to stay in St. Augustine for a memorable Christmas getaway.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this accommodations guide are affiliate links (including links to Amazon) providing us with a small commission if you make a qualifying purchase – at no extra cost to you. We greatly appreciate your support! As always, we share our honest opinion and everything is written by us.
Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront
Perfect for: Travelers looking for reliable comfort with a well-known brand and an unbeatable location with waterfront views.
This is first on the list because I think that it offers one of the most convenient locations while being a good fit for nearly anyone. It’s not overly fancy but it has everything you need.
The Hilton is right along the Matanzas River, close to the Bridge of Lions, and has scenic water views. And, as mentioned above, a great location. It’s walking distance to the heart of the historic district and some of the best viewpoints for Nights of Lights.
Photo: Hotels.com | The Hilton is my personal location of choice, located amongst the historic buildings of downtown St Augustine
Highlights:
- Bayfront views and holiday lights along the water
- A very short walk from the heart of Nights of Lights
- Spacious guest rooms
Casa Monica Resort and Spa, Autograph Collection
Perfect for: Those seeking a luxury experience with a historic flair
If you’re looking for luxury, you might not be satisfied with the Hilton. That’s fine because the Casa Monica Resort & Spa is one of the most iconic hotels in Saint Augustine perfect for a luxurious experience.
The hotel was built in 1888 and is all decked out for the holidays with decor and festive lights.
The Casa Monica is close to the Lightner Museum and Flagler College, which is also steeped in luxurious history. I highly recommend visiting Flagler College on your trip to St. Augustine. They have historical tours, but just taking in the architecture walking through the campus is amazing.
Photo: Hotels.com | The best place to enjoy luxury accommodations in St Augustine
Highlights:
- Walking distance to top holiday attractions
- Spa and dining options
- Historic hotel with amazing architecture and modern luxury
St. George Inn
Perfect for: Families or couples wanting more space to spread out with easy access to the historic downtown area.
The St. George Inn is a boutique hotel. It is located in a great location for exploring historic St. Augustine. You can literally walk out your door and immediately start taking in all of the holiday festivities.
Each room is different. Depending on your room, you may have balconies, a terrace, and/or a stunning view of the Castillo de San Marcos (a must-do on your trip to St. Augustine!)
Photo: Hotels.com | A convenient location with some of the rooms offering the best views of the city
Highlights:
- Amazing location for Historic District attractions and restaurants
- Spacious rooms with balconies
The Collector Luxury Inn and Gardens
Perfect for: A romantic Christmas getaway
The Collector Inn is a restored property from the 18th Century. It blends history and luxury in such a beautiful way. The Inn is on an acre of landscaped gardens, making it a perfect place to relax.
The Inn consists of 9 historic houses. They have been updated to have modern amenities while still preserving their history. It’s a great spot to stay if you really want to soak in St. Augustine history.
The Inn offers a complimentary breakfast. Also note that the Collector Inn is adults only.
Photo: Hotels.com | An adults-only option close to the historic district of St. Augustine
Highlights:
- History meets luxury for a beautiful experience
- Adults-only
- Complimentary breakfast
- Walking distance to Nights of Lights and other attractions
The Cedar House Inn
Perfect for: A cozy, bed-and-breakfast experience
For a charming B&B experience, Cedar House Inn is a great choice.
This Cedar House Inn has elegant accommodations, holiday-themed decor, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for the season. The Inn is known for its gourmet breakfasts.
Like many of the other accommodations, the Cedar House Inn also provides easy access to holiday events in downtown St. Augustine. This is a wonderful spot if you’re looking for something intimate and authentically “St. Augustine.”
Photo: Hotels.com | Staying somewhere that’s all decked out for the holidays is a perfect way of getting into the holiday spirit!
Highlights:
- Gourmet breakfast and afternoon refreshments
- Historic decor with a cozy holiday vibe
- Ideal spot if you want to be walking distance to historic St Augustine
The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel
Perfect for: Budget-conscious travelers who still want a festive experience
The Ponce St. Augustine Hotel is a great option for travelers looking to enjoy the holiday magic on a budget.
Located close to the historic district, the hotel has comfortable rooms and budget-friendly rates. It is not as luxurious as some of the other options, but overall a good value.
Photo: Hotels.com | The best way to visit St Augustine on a budget while still being close to the attractions
Highlights:
- Affordable rooms with basic amenities
- Close to the main attractions of the Historic District and holiday festivities
World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort
Perfect for: Golf enthusiasts and families who enjoy resort amenities
The World Golf Village Renaissance Resort is a great option if you’re looking for more space and activities and don’t mind being a bit farther from the Historic District.
This is a resort, so there are tons of amenities including nice rooms, a golf course, a heated pool, gym, and spa. There is also a restaurant on site.
This is a little under a half an hour from the Historic District of St. Augustine but the resort offers free transportation there and back.
Photo: Booking.com | The best choice for amenities if you don’t mind being farther away from downtown St. Augustine
Highlights:
- Ideal for golf lovers
- The Best option if you love resort-type amenities
- Spacious rooms great for families
- Away from the downtown bustle but close enough to enjoy holiday events
Final Tips for Booking Your Accommodations in St Augustine for the Holidays:
- Book early: Hotels fill up quickly around the holiday season, so make your reservations well in advance.
- Be mindful of cost: Because this is a popular time of year to visit, accommodations might be more expensive than usual.
- Choose walkability: If you want to experience Nights of Lights without dealing with traffic, stay in the historic district or nearby.
- Plan your parking: If you’re staying outside the historic district, you’ll want to get to get there early. There is a large parking garage located at 1 Cordova Street. However, it can fill up quickly during special events such as Nights of Lights, especially on weekends.
- Book a Nights of Lights tour: You can definitely experience the magic of Nights of Lights on foot, but it’s so fun to get another perspective. Book a Nights of Lights boat cruise for a different perspective of the lights from the water. Or consider booking an old town trolley tour. Both are loved by locals and visitors alike!
St. Augustine at Christmas is unforgettable. No matter where you choose to stay, you’ll be surrounded by historic charm that make St. Augustine such a unique holiday destination. With so many places to choose from, you’ll have some good options for your next visit (and the one after that!)
