By Donna Wright
A gem in St. Augustine!
I found a vacation place that combines sun, fun and history in St. Augustine (the east coast of Florida). And it’s perfect for couples, families and solo travelers.
St. Augustine is America’s oldest city and boasts many attractions, restaurants and shops among the most beautiful ocean and sugar white sand beaches.
The Fountain of Youth is located in St. Augustine. I Hope it Works For Me!
As a ten-year-old, I recall making the annual trek from New York down to Fort Lauderdale during Spring break from school. It was a very long drive on I-95 in an Oldsmobile with no air conditioning and we only made few stops along the way.
One year, my Uncle Vito and his family joined us, so we followed their car for 1,278 miles. However, this vacation, he insisted that we make a stop in St. Augustine, Florida. It was right off the highway exit and the charm and history immediately captured my young attention.
Standing out in my mind was our visit to the Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth. People were gathered around this fountain drinking the water and then jokingly pretending to cry like a baby. Not sure what was going on, I stepped back and decided not to drink the water and go back in time to being a baby.
Now, fast forward a few decades and drinking from the Fountain of Youth sounds like great timing and an ideal vacation.
Why Did I Select La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites?
Being a cruise enthusiast, spending time near the ocean is my go-to vacation experience. Well, I discovered a gem in St. Augustine, FL, an Inn that received great reviews and met my vacation budget.
La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites is family owned and operated by hospitality professionals. After reading many positive hotel reviews online, I was impressed how this resort is consistently a top-rated hotel. I thought it would be a great place for me to stay and enjoy all that St. Augustine has to offer.
A Two-Minute Walk to the Beach – YES please!
I think a two-minute walk to the beach is as exciting as sailing aboard a cruise ship on the ocean. There is something special about water to me, relaxing on the beach, hearing waves crashing, refreshing sea breezes, birdwatching, viewing surfers, and hearing the sounds of boats and sea planes whizzing by.
Here are some great benefits of staying at La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites:
>> Incredible oceanfront location – beach just steps away
>> 14+ miles of unspoiled beach
>> Private walkway leads you to the beach
>> Large 60-foot heated swimming pool
I admit it. I’m obsessed with sunrises and sunsets and the property at La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites made it so easy to get to the beach in minutes. The views of the ocean were as good as any views I’ve seen on cruise ships.
La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites Was a Nice Change From Cruising
Whenever I stay at a hotel, I do my best to not compare it to my many Caribbean cruises. Vacations on land provide the freedom to enjoy the amenities at the hotel with ample time to get to know the surrounding areas.
My stay at La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites was phenomenal! It was just the right amount of relaxation, sun, history and great food! It was actually a nice departure to not have to worry about rough seas or rushing back to a ship after a day of sightseeing. I got to plan out my days and nights exactly as I wanted and adjust my schedule if needed.
A Special Place With a Special Team
The staff not only greeted me with smiles and kind words upon check-in but also around the property throughout the weekend. My questions were answered immediately, and each team member offered awesome suggestions about what to do at the resort and around St. Augustine. I wish I remembered all their names to give them a shout out but duly note that everyone was so nice!
Everything, from the decorations in the room to the spectacular, award-winning grounds and gardens were quite impressive. I had the option of room types, I selected an ocean view room. I felt like a garden view or pool area room was too typical and the oceanside room, apartment suite and two-level ocean view townhouse suites were not cost justified for a solo traveler. However, if you’re visiting for a special occasion and you want to splurge, some rooms have balconies with ocean views, fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.
Great Amenities: FREE Breakfast Delivered to My Room!
It may be a small luxury, but I thought having a light-fare breakfast delivered right to my room was a really nice perk! I simply ordered the night before and told the exact time I wanted to receive my meal. The food was delicious!
More reasons to love this resort:
>> Award-winning service
>> Friendly, knowledgeable staff
>> Free Wi-fi throughout the property
>> Parking included
I can’t stress enough how nice it was to walk on the private pathway leading me right onto the white sandy beach with no traffic-filled streets to cross.
One note, if you’re driving to the La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites, pack your beach chairs, an umbrella and other beach accessories. Or, if you don’t mind paying a fee, Barney’s Beach Service can set up deluxe beach chairs and an umbrella for you each morning. I noticed that Barney’s also rented bicycles, boogie boards, paddle boards and surfboards. The WSMS Surf Shop across from the inn offers surfing lessons if you are feeling adventurous.
Location, Location, Location
I admit it. I have a short attention span. After two hours of sunbathing on the beach and enjoying the ocean waves, I was ready to explore St. Augustine.
The La Fiesta Ocean Inn is conveniently located six miles from Saint Augustine’s historic Old Town and the nearby trolley stop downtown makes it ideal to visit local shops, restaurants and other attractions. The Fiesta Falls, 18-hole miniature golf attraction, is right next to La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites.
Going sightseeing was a real treat for a history buff like me. The super-convenient beach-trolley bus picked up me and other inn guests, right out front of the property. I bought my trolley ticket at the inn’s front desk. For some excursions a bit further away from the resort, I chose to drive my own car.
Time Flies When You’re Having Fun
The weekend went so fast! My favorite excursions were visiting the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Black Raven Pirate Ship, Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the country. I already have plans to visit again and see the St. Augustine Amphitheater, Marineland, St. John’s County Fishing Pier and St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
You guessed it. I am planning to stay at La Fiesta Ocean Inn & Suites. The short stroll to the beach, beautiful grounds and gardens, heated pool, free breakfast delivered to my room, quiet surroundings and comfortable bed made for a unforgettable vacation.
And yes, I took a sip from Juan Ponce de Leon’s Spring of Eternal Hope. Stay tuned to find out if it worked for me and if I look any younger.