My 2022 Stay at The Local – St. Augustine Review
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My sister and I recently took a weekend trip to St. Augustine and found the most perfect place to stay! The Local – St. Augustine is a new boutique motel right in the center of all the must-see sights. We stayed at this adorable, art-deco spot for two nights and even got to bring Kiwi!
My number one tip for St. Augustine is to book a hotel close to the historic downtown and this spot is perfect for that. Staying here made it so easy to get around and experience all the fun things to do in St. Augustine. Not to mention, The Local – St. Augustine is a bright and cheery place to stay! In this review, I will share all the reasons we loved staying here and how to plan your own St. Augustine trip!
Full Disclosure: This trip was sponsored by Florida’s Historic Coast in exchange for promotion. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.
Perfect Location and Tropical Atmosphere
When it comes to location, The Local – St Augustine is in the ideal spot. You will find it just across the Bridge of Lions near the bay. This makes it super easy to walk or drive to the town center near St. George Street and Flagler College. The hotel even has free bikes you can rent to traverse around town!
It also is a quick walk or drive to some of my favorite attractions like the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Anastasia State Park. This makes it so easy to spend some time at the beach and then head into town after. Best of all, it is on the same street as some of the best St. Augustine restaurants like Osprey Tacos, The Llama, and Juicy St. Augustine.
As for the atmosphere, you couldn’t ask for a cuter look! The Local – St. Augustine has been entirely redesigned to resemble an art-deco boutique you would find on the Miami strip. Though it is still motel style with outdoor hallways, the rooms inside have a tropical look with retro wallpaper and are very spacious.
Spacious Guest Rooms at The Local – St. Augustine
Nancy and I stayed in a two-queen room for the duration of our stay and it was everything we needed and more. I was surprised by how big it was. Not only were there two beds, but also a table and chairs and lots of storage. Kiwi was happy because there was lots of room to play fetch!
The beds were very comfy with cool linens and fluffy pillows. My biggest pet peeve of hotels is the rooms not getting cold enough at night, but The Local had an A/C system that cranked all the cold air I could want. I had no issues sleeping, but keep in mind, that you can sometimes hear noise from the road. Pack some earplugs if you are a light sleeper!
I did find the bathroom to be a bit small. It has a shower stall, a toilet, and small sink vanity. It was fine for two people, but if four stayed in this room, it would be a challenge to get ready in the morning. There is a hairdryer, but no ironing board, so bring a steamer if you like your clothes pressed as our mom does!
The Pool and Amenities
It wouldn’t be a Florida vacation without a pool and The Local – St. Augustine has a wonderful one to relax in. We spend the afternoon lounging by it under the huge umbrellas. I also loved the complimentary flamingo pool floats. Though the pool is on the small side, this hotel only has 20 rooms so it never gets crowded!
Another perk of staying at The Local – St. Augustine is that you can use a nearby gym. Instead of having a basic room with weights and treadmills, the hotel has partnered with Anastasia Fitness where you can go for free. In addition to cardio and weight rooms, they also have a lap pool, steam rooms, and fitness classes! This way you can get your workout in while on vacation. Of course, there are the free bikes I mentioned earlier too if you prefer a leisurely ride around town.
A big highlight of staying here is that everything is completely digital. There is no front desk to check in at and instead, everything is done through your phone. You use an app as a room key! If you have any issues, you can text management and they always respond in minutes. I had an issue with the wifi and they helped me login in no time.
Attractions and Restaurants Near The Local – St. Augustine
Not only is this room a deal with a nightly cost of less than $150, but you will also save money and time staying here. The fact that it is within walking distance to town, makes it so much easier than dealing with the local parking spots. Finding parking can be such a hassle during Nights of Lights, and because of this, The Local – St. Augustine is an excellent hotel option.
In addition to downtown, there are a bunch of attractions on this side of the bridge you are close to as well. My favorite is the Alligator Farm and Zoological Park where you can see so many different types of gators, crocodiles, and birds. Other highlights include the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, and Anastasia Mini Golf. Best of all, you are only 2 miles from one of the most beautiful beaches in the state – Anastasia State Park!
There is no shortage of restaurants around here either. For breakfast, you are close by to healthy picks like Creative Juices and Juicy. Then for lunch, there are all the taco options you could imagine, including Osprey tacos, Mojo Tacos and Nalu’s Tropical take Out. I would be remiss if I did not recommend a nice dinner at the Llama or Blackfly, followed by a drink at Odd Birds or Old Coast Ales. All these are within half a mile, so you can experience St. Augustine to the fullest during your stay.
Know Before You Go: The Local – St. Augustine
If you are looking for a play to stay in St. Augustine, The Local is the best bet! This boutique motel is by far the best option if you want an affordable and cute place to stay in a convenient part of town. It is also a great choice for those bringing their pet as we did! If you are looking to plan a trip, here are some things to keep in mind for your stay at The Local – St. Augustine.
- The Local – St. Augustine costs on average $120 per night.
- Parking is free and there is no resort fee.
- Amenities include a pool, use of a nearby gym, free bike rentals, and digital check-in.
- Rooms sleep a maximum of four guests with two queen beds or 2 guests with one king or queen bed.
- One dog of thirty pounds or less is allowed with payment of a $75 pet fee.
- The Local – St. Augustine is within walking distance of Downtown St. Augustine and many restaurants.
Have you been to St. Augustine before? This is one of the best vacation destinations in Florida! For more ideas for things to do in the state, check out my Florida Bucket List.