Ponce De Leon Hotel

The employees treated me well, especially Meril, but the stay itself was a real disappointment. The location is good for walking downtown, and the hotel’s website clearly says there’s no parking, though the garage is down the road, which could be awkward if you don’t have a rolling suitcase. We booked a two-queen room expecting the historic hotel shown in the photos. The first room felt like a Motel 6: old, not properly cleaned, and a bit smelly. Fingerprints covered the mirrors in the room and elevator, and the bathroom looked like housekeeping had barely considered it. The soaps weren’t set out properly by the sink or shower. Meril said they couldn’t photograph every room and showed us two alternatives. One smelled horrid; the second, room 616, was better, with two beds, a decent bathroom, and a pretty view. After a night out, we had no hot water. I let it run for about five minutes before going downstairs, already frustrated. Eurk, whose name I may have spelled wrong, seemed to brush me off and make me feel like a nuisance for raising the issue at midnight. He tested the water in room 611 across the hall and said we could use that room’s bathroom until morning. I washed my face there and continued with the night. The next morning, I found two used washcloths and exfoliating gloves hanging over the shower curtain. I nearly burst into flames. I took a lukewarm shower in our room and had to put up with the situation for the rest of the stay. Another man, whose name I can’t remember, apologized sincerely and said the hotel’s water heater was too small. Whoever owns or runs the place needs to address that. The location is a strong point, but I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

Eddy at the front desk made me feel welcome right from arrival and went above and beyond to make everything go smoothly. The staff were attentive and accommodating throughout my stay. The Ponce De Leon Hotel in St. Pete has beautiful historic character, lovely views, and a warm atmosphere that made the visit feel special. I’d happily come back, and I recommend it to anyone who wants history, comfort, and great service in one place.

There’s plenty to like about the Ponce De Leon: it’s a cute boutique hotel, two short blocks from the water, with restaurants and bars all around. The staff were pleasant, the hotel was quiet inside, and both my room and the rest of the building were clean. The fridge was handy, and Roku on the TV was a nice surprise. The bed, bathroom, and fridge cover the basics, though the room itself isn’t anything exciting. Nightlife nearby can make the outside noise loud. A few small changes would help. The shower temperature was good, but the jets hurt when they hit sensitive spots, so I’d replace that showerhead. The mattress seemed much lower on one side, like previous guests had slept on the other side, and I had to pick where to sleep. All the pillows were very firm. I didn’t ask the front desk whether they had softer ones, so maybe that’s on me. The coffee was so weak that two cups came out light brown, and I left it undrunk. Better coffee or a better machine would help too.

Good location, metered parking nearby, and friendly staff. When I arrived, the front desk woman said the heat and hot water were having problems and kindly checked the rooms to make sure things were working. The building felt old and musty, and the hallways weren’t well kept. My room was a decent size, but the bed was the worst I’ve slept on. The couch looked like it had been there for 50 years, there was rust all over the bathroom faucet, and the AC was extremely noisy. The window shades didn’t cover the full ceiling-to-floor length, and the fridge was dirty, as if nobody had cleaned it before I arrived. I’m glad I only stayed one night and wouldn’t recommend it to friends or family.