Ocean Breeze Inn

The location is appealing, across from the beach and close to downtown St. Augustine, and this was our second stay at the boutique hotel. But the housekeeping experience really spoiled it. At 11 a.m., staff repeatedly banged on our door despite the do not disturb sign, five times before the 11:30 checkout we’d confirmed with the front desk, and were very rude to my husband. We were thinking about adding a night, but the manager’s discounted offer cost more than our original booking. Check-in had also been frustrating: the machine was used, presumably because we arrived late, and we had to replace our keys several times because they didn’t work.

The shower was great, but the pool was freezing. I expected a budget motel, though I hadn’t realized how run-down it would be. The beds were uncomfortable, the bedding needed replacing, and the pilled pillowcases were gross. Even the towels felt like loofahs.

Avoid this place if you have allergies or a sensitive nose, the lobby smells like rotten food. If you book a room, the manager gives you something cheaper. And when we had a service dog, they sent us to the corner and wouldn’t reimburse us for the room we’d actually paid for. It felt like an utter scam, like those gift card callers.

The room was immaculate, and the beach was right across the street. There were lots of restaurants nearby, plus a Circle k within walking distance. I was welcomed at the front desk by a smiling, friendly woman, which made for a really pleasant stay. Highly recommend!