Founded by the Spaniards in 1565, St Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the United States. The community has a rich history steeped in stories of explorers, pirates, and business tycoons. There is no shortage of attractions and things to do, from the Old Jail, famous streets, and the stunning beaches to world-class shopping and fine hotels.
Don’t leave your pet behind on your visit to St Augustine. The city offers so many pet-friendly things to do, including sightseeing around town, strolling on the beach, or visiting one of the many dog parks. There’s also a wide selection of pet-friendly hotels available—we’ve listed five fantastic options below (in no particular order).
1. Beacher’s Lodge Oceanfront Suites
Beacher’s Lodge is an all-suite condo-hotel on Crescent Beach. It’s only about 10 miles from the historic areas of St. Augustine. The hotel opened in 1986 and features one-bedroom oceanfront suites, each with stunning private balconies that offer amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Besides a separate bedroom, the suites also feature a living room furnished with a sleeper sofa. The setup makes the suites ideal for a small family, where the couple can enjoy their privacy when the children are peacefully asleep in the living area.
Each suite has a kitchenette, making self-catering a viable option. Beacher’s Lodge also has studio suites, ideal for guests who are looking for a comfortable but more affordable accommodation. The hotel boasts an oceanfront heated pool, which provides a stunning view of the ocean and easy access to the beach.
Beacher’s Lodge Oceanfront Suites allow pets up to 35 pounds for an extra fee of $50 per pet per stay. All suites are pet-friendly, and both cats and dogs are welcome. The hotel has a small designated pet walk area, and guests can also bring their pets along to the beach as long as they are kept on a leash.
2. Southern Oaks Inn
Southern Oaks Inn is strategically located for easy access to major highways and the most popular attractions in the area. The historic St. Augustine city center and the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum are both 2.5 miles from the hotel. The hotel’s convenient location also places you within ten minutes’ drive of Vilano Beach.
There’s also a variety of shopping and restaurants, as well as a trolley center nearby. Southern Oaks Inn has spacious rooms, featuring microwaves, small refrigerators, and coffee makers. Each unit also has a flat-screen TV and a work desk.
The traditional inn also boasts a newly designed lobby area, a business center, a spacious breakfast room, and a welcome area. There is an outdoor pool and an expansive yard, so guests can enjoy the fresh air while relaxing under the shade of one of the enormous southern oak trees in the yard.
Other amenities you can expect at Southern Oaks Inn include complimentary Wi-Fi access, complimentary off-street parking, and a complimentary hot breakfast every morning. The concierge service can assist hotel guests in scheduling reservations and offer recommendations for the best attractions in the area.
Southern Oaks Inn allows two dogs of any size for an extra charge of $20 per night. Not all rooms are pet-friendly, though. Guests traveling with dogs should call the hotel to confirm the availability of pet-friendly accommodation before making reservations.
Well-behaved, crated dogs may be left in the rooms alone for short periods. The hotel also provides complimentary pet treats and a designated off-leash area can be found on the hotel property.
Cats are not welcome.
3. Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort
Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort is a five-story property located in the historic district of St. Augustine. The three-star hotel opened in 1971 and was remodeled in 2009 to offer 151 guest rooms. It gives easy access to some of the city’s popular attractions, such as Anastacia State Park, which is a ten-minute drive away.
The white-sand beach is also nearby, and St. Augustine airport is about 25 minutes’ drive from the hotel.
Guests of Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort enjoy amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. All 151 rooms come with a sitting area, free Wi-Fi access, multi-channel television, a microwave oven, a fridge, and coffee and tea-making equipment.
Other amenities available at the hotel include a swimming pool, an elevator, a sundeck, a shared lounge, and barbeque grills. It also boasts a gym and fitness center to help guests stay in shape.
There’s a swimming pool and free self-parking. When it comes to dining, guests have plenty of options, and the hotel provides a delightful breakfast every morning. For American cuisine enthusiasts, the on-site Santiago’s Florida and Craft Bar Restaurant are also excellent alternatives.
Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s café bar and enjoy the refreshing drinks on offer. Another excellent dining option is the Playa Chac and Beachcomber Restaurant, which is a ten-minute walk away and serves a wide variety of dishes.
Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort is also pet-friendly. It allows two pets up to 50 pounds for an extra fee of $20 per pet per night. Both cats and dogs are allowed.
Note: Guests with pets are assigned rooms on the south and north sides of the first floor.
4. Best Western Bayfront Inn
The Best Western Bayfront Inn is centrally located in the historic district on the stunning Matanzas Bay. Established in 1950, the hotel is conveniently located within strolling distance of the district’s major attractions. For example, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the old fortress, is virtually next door.
Flagler College is about ten minutes from Best Western Bayfront, and the Jacksonville International Airport, which is the nearest field, is about 47 miles away. Tennis courts, coffee shops, restaurants, and an ice cream parlor are also within walking distance from the hotel. Best Western Bayfront Inn also offers an on-site Old Trolley Tour pickup and tickets for a sightseeing trip.
The hotel has 59 petite, cozy rooms designed to meet the expectations of every guest, each with air-conditioning and a flat-screen TV with cable programming. There’s a small refrigerator, a microwave oven, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi access, an outdoor swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a spa.
Parking is also available at a fee.
Best Western Bayfront Inn allows two pets up to 50 pounds for an extra fee of $30 per pet per night. A $75 fee per stay is also levied on guests with pets. Both cats and dogs are allowed.
Pets should not be left in the rooms unattended. While the hotel doesn’t provide a designated pet relief area, there is a park across the street. Guests are advised to bring their own waste bags.
It’s worth noting that Balcony and Bayfront View rooms are not pet-friendly. It is advisable to call the hotel first to confirm the availability of pet-friendly accommodation before making reservations.
5. Red Roof Inn St. Augustine
If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel to stay with your pet in St. Augustine, then Red Roof Inn is an excellent option. Located right off FL-16, Red Roof Inn is one of the most affordable pet-friendly hotels in the city. The hotel provides easy access to Anastasia State Park, Adventure Landing, the Florida Heritage Museum, and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum.
Other nearby places of interest include:
- St. Augustine Outlets,
- St. Augustine Premium Outlets,
- Flagler College,
- the Bridge of Lions,
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, and
- Florida Regional Airport (UST).
Red Roof Inn has comfortable rooms featuring flat-screen TVs with cable channels, small refrigerators, microwaves, in-room coffee, and work desks. They also have private bathrooms with hairdryers and free toiletries. Other amenities at the hotel include free Wi-Fi access, a seasonal pool, an on-site business center, and a guest coin laundry facility.
Guests also enjoy a free continental breakfast every morning.
Red Roof Inn allows one pet up to 70 pounds for no additional fee. Both cats and dogs are allowed. There is a designated pet relief area within the hotel compound, but guests may not leave their pet unattended in the room.
Final Thoughts
St. Augustine, the Ancient City, is popular for its centuries-old architecture, iconic cultural sites, and unspoiled beaches. Tourists and pet lovers can visit the city and easily find a hotel that welcomes them both. If you have no idea where to start looking for proper pet-friendly accommodation, you can check out the five options listed above and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
If you haven’t done so yet, you might want to register your pet as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). An Emotional Support Animal is a companion that provides emotional and psychological support to people struggling with various mental and emotional conditions.
The presence of an ESA helps these people handle issues that might otherwise have compromised their quality of life. These issues may include depression, anxiety, certain phobias, and bipolar disorder. You can register your pet as ESA with US Service Animals (USSA) today.