Villa 1565 - Saint Augustine

The location is great if you don't mind a short walk. During the week the price is low, but for a weekend stay, I'd go elsewhere. I don't plan to come back. The king bed was comfortable, though the pillows were very flat. The pool was clean but short on towels. Rooms seemed quiet, unless you were at the end near Fountain of Youth Park, where the peacocks screech 24/7. The front desk staff seemed unfriendly, like they hated their jobs, and staff on site weren't helpful either. The towels in the room were badly stained. The free breakfast had powdered eggs and food kept warm on burners; alternatives included toast, bagels, cereal, packaged doughnuts, and yogurt. If you're particular about cleanliness, this may not be the place. I saw how dirty it was behind and below the headboard, and the furniture was very old.

The location is fantastic, right in the heart of old St. Augustine, with easy parking and very nice staff. It's across the street from Maci's, which has the best soft serve ever. The hotel looks charming from outside, though our large, mostly unfurnished "suite" could use an upgrade. There was a musty smell in the room, and one of the wall AC units sounded like it belonged at the Daytona 500. Since the hotel is near Fountain of Youth, the Old Trolley stops there; the bell and the driver's narration could get annoying.

The place was spotless, and I slept really well in the comfy bed with those great pillows. I’d been a bit concerned after reading several reviews repeating the same complaints, but the woman at reception and her young helper were both incredibly friendly when we arrived. The room was fine, and the location was great. I’d recommend it.

Mickey made arranging our room block much easier than I expected. We had rooms for our families and friends during our wedding weekend in April, and it was lovely having everyone nearby. We spent time together in the courtyard and kept bumping into each other as we headed out. The setting, price, and location made the stay well worth it.