Peace & Plenty Inn Bed & Breakfast

The neighborhood is well located, and having parking on site was useful, but we left feeling we'd paid far too much for a below-average bed and breakfast. A basic hotel at less than half the price might have given us a better stay and better sleep. Our first impression started with the pre-arrival emails, which felt impersonal and focused on rules and consequences. They made us feel as if we were being set up to fail rather than welcomed as responsible adults. I replied with a question and never got an answer. At check-in, a woman was watching a show on her laptop. She was friendly, though it didn't make for a great welcome. She said to call or text if we needed anything, but we later realized there was no number in the room and she hadn't left one. The room itself was just okay. We slept poorly on hot polyester microfiber sheets, Charisma brand from Walmart. The a/c display made the room bright, and while the temperature was cool, it still felt very humid despite the unit. The rugs in the shared area also needed cleaning, with tassels that had once been white now dark and stained. In the bathroom, most of the hooks had broken off, and the towels and drape decor looked old and stained. Some of the holiday decorations were stained too. There was a gratuity box, but no one made the beds or tidied our room during the stay, so we didn't understand why tips were expected. We paid about $500 per night. Near the end of breakfast one morning, a staff member, possibly the owner, chatted with guests and casually used the f-word. We found that unprofessional and unwelcome. We had hoped for a relaxing weekend at a beautiful bed and breakfast, but the experience felt average. There were no fancy towel animals like the listing showed, and none of the little extras, such as cookies or drinks, that make a stay feel thoughtful. We've had friends and family put more effort into making us comfortable. We were in the room with a balcony/porch, and some throw blankets would have helped us sit outside on a cool evening. It may not be common in FL, but it was chilly during our visit, so we used our clothes to keep warm.

Breakfast was disappointing, with only a few fruits, cold scrambled eggs, and a premade pancake. There was no bread, butter, jam, or cheese. We tried it once and didn't go back. We also felt the place cost too much for the experience and wasn't good value. The host was kind and helpful, and the property looks charming from the outside. Its location and convenient parking are real pluses. Inside, though, our room felt dated, dim, and stuffy, and needed better upkeep. It was spacious, but the bed wasn't very comfortable, the shower pressure was low, the towels looked worn, and we had minor problems with the lights and ceiling fan. A complimentary bottle of water or a kettle or coffee machine would have been a welcome touch. At first we were assigned a very dark room with functional problems. Another room was available, but we were asked to pay extra to move. We agreed, though we would have appreciated the change being offered at no additional cost.

Margie was the heart of this place for us. When we arrived, she was pulling weeds, cleaning rooms, and then making breakfast for everyone, all with so much care and pride. She made us feel welcome, remembered small details, and brought a warm, comforting energy to the house. Dale and I kept saying she was its soul. The house itself was lovely, but Margie was the real highlight of our recent stay in St. Augustine. It's rare to meet someone so kind and dedicated. I hope the owner knows what a treasure she is. People like her are why guests return, and we'd come back just to see her again. Thank you, MARGIE, for making our stay so special.

We left after the first night instead of staying the two nights we had planned. The owner didn't charge us for night two, but never refunded what we paid for the night we spent on dirty sheets. I've stayed at plenty of bed and breakfasts, and this was easily the worst. If a frat house is what you're after, this would fit. In Serenity room #2, the bathtub had hair and black debris in it. The furniture looked like it had been picked up from the roadside, and when I got into bed at midnight, there was sand in it. My blanket had large stains and what looked like smashed bugs. The floors were filthy, with dust bunnies everywhere. The towels were old and stained, there were no nice toiletries or robes, and the closet didn't even have hangers.