Flager College St. Augustine

THE COLLECTOR INN & GARDENS: AN ADULTS ONLY HISTORIC OASIS IN THE HEART OF ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA

Located in the heart of St. Augustine’s historic district, the Collector Inn & Gardens is an adults-only property for 16 years old and up. The property spans an entire city block in the historic downtown area.

Flager College St. Augustine

 

Ornate tower and details of Ponce de Leon hotel now Flagler college built Henry Flagler in St Augustine Florida (photo credit: depositphotos.com/steveheap)

 

From the moment you arrive onsite at the valet parking stand you will be treated like a VIP. That is one of the outstanding features of a stay at the Collector luxury inn.

About the Collector Inn & Gardens

The site of the Collector Inn has been a cornerstone in the history of St. Augustine. It served as a hospital, cemetary, Spanish defense line, and the location for the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slave population of Florida in 1863.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Guest rooms are located in the nine historic houses on the property. The oldest building is the Prince Murat House, which dates back to 1790. This home is one of St. Augutine’s oldest surviving Colonial homes. Other homes on the property include the Canova House, the Dow House, Howells House, Rose House, Spear House, and Worcester House. In addition, the Star Building, a former general store, is the inn’s lobby. The Well, built around 1915, served as the garage for the Howells House, and is now the onsite craft cocktail bar.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

In the 1930’s Kenneth Worcester purchased the Prince Murat House, and by the 1950s he had acquired all nine historic homes that make up the Collector Inn & Gardens. Dow was an ardent collector of art, furniture, and antiques, and in 1989 he donated his entire collection to the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach.

Accomodations

The Collector luxury inn offers spacious and roomy guest rooms, suites, two-bedroom suites, and accessible rooms with high ceilings. The rooms each have unique historic elements. Some accommodations have fireplaces, and refurbished hardwood flooring. Select suites have separate living rooms and share verandas. The suites have a sitting room and a small dining table.

The living room of one of the king bed suites at the Collector Inn, St. Augustine
Nothing is better than the bed and lines at the Collector Inn.

Features and In-Room Amenities

The Collector Luxury Inn features modern amenities. Each room has a kitchenette with granite countertops, a microwave and mini fridge, a flat-screen LCD HDTV, a minibar with complimentary drinks and snacks, an electronic safe, nightly turndown service, and Nespresso coffee makers.

Parking is at a premium in the historic downtown district, and you don’t have to pay for parking at the Collector! The valet parking is onsite, adjacent to the lobby.

The standout amenities that elevate the Collector Inn are the comfy beds topped with luxury linens that are cool to the touch, down pillows, rainwater showerheads, and nice fluffy bathrobes.

The property amenities include The Well, the onsite bar featuring hand crafted cocktails, is located in the former garage of the Worcester House. Here you’ll find the cocktail classic you know and love, however, the bartender is well versed in creating unique to you craft cocktails based on your preferred cocktail flavor profile using locally sourced herbs.

The Well is ideal for late afternoon pre-dinner cocktails accompanied by light bites. Open until 11pm most evenings, it is an ideal stop for a late-night sip. You might want to take your cocktail outside and sit around one of the two the fire pits on the property.

A free continental breakfast is served daily in the lobby of The Collector Luxury Inn and Gardens. The breakfast is a European-style continental breakfast

Historical tours of the Collector Luxury Inn are offered three times a week. The tours pull back the curtains of the history of the Collector Inn, and the part(s) its homes and property played in St. Augustine.

There are massive, ancient magnolias and oaks in the lush gardens on the property of the Collector Inn. Due to recent renovation projects, the gardeners are diligently working to retain these age-old trees.

The heated outdoor pool, which is, located near the Freedom Bell is a lovely touch, and one of my favorite places to unwind after a full day of exploring St. Augustine.

The luxury inn also offers complimentary bike rentals, which is a fun way to explore the ancient city.

Depending on the time of year you plan to visit historic St. Augustine, the average nightly price at the Collector will vary in price, but can range from $230 to $600+ a night depending on your lodging choice, and a stay includes the free breakfast.

The Collector Inn and Gardens’ attention to even the smallest details elevates their property to luxury status and is ideal for those looking for a weekend getaway, a romantic interlude, or just an opportunity to explore America’s Ancient City.

Best Time to Visit St. Augustine and Stay at the Collector Luxury Inne

St. Augustine is a beautiful city with something to offer visitors all year round. If you are looking for a warm=weather getaway, the spring or fall seasons are ideal. If you are looking for a more affordable and less crowded experience, the winter season is a good option. And if you are looking to experience the city’s unique festivals, any time of the year is a good time to visit. There is no bad time to visit St. Augustine and plan a stay at the Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens!

Warm Weather Getaways, March to May and September to November: The weather is warm and sunny, and there is less humidity than when you plan a visit during the summer. There are also fewer visitors during the Spring and Fall seasons.

Winter Getaways, late November through January is a spectacular time to visit St. Augustine. The historic district is all dressed in millions of lights, and the streets are teeming with visitors. This is our preferred time to visit and get into the holiday mood. And when planning a holiday getaway, be sure to add a holiday tour or two with The Tasting Tours – it’s a great way to explore the Ancient City, and be entertained!

If you are a festival lover, then by all means plan a visit during one of the many festivals held in St. Augustine! Some of the more popular festivals include the St. Augustine Food + Wine Festival, the Pirate Festival and the Jazz Festival. For a listing of St. Augustine festivals, click here.

No matter when you decide to visit St. Augustine, you are sure to have a great time

What to do When Visiting St. Augustine

The Collector Inn’s location is walkable to many of St. Augustine’s historic sites, including the Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, Flagler College, and the waterfront. It’s also perfectly located for a nightly stroll to all of the culinary delights you’ll find in St. Augustine’s historic downtown.

St. Augustine’s Historic Downtown District

St. Augustine is filled with history around every twist and turn of its brick-lined streets. A few of the must-see sights when you plan a stay in St. Augustine include the Castillo de San Marcos, The Colonial Quarter, St. Augustine Pirate Museum, the St. Augustine Distillery, City Gate Distillery, San Sebastian Winery, Flagler College, the Lightner Museum, and Ximenez Fatio House. All of these are within easy walking distance of the Collector Inn boutique hotel.

Since you are in the midst of the historic district of St. Augustine, take some time to wander the streets and gaze at the Colonial and Spanish-style architecture, including the stunning twin gates crafted from coquina that mark the ancient entrance to the historic downtown area. 

Two gates are the entrance to Old St. Augustine

This is a haven for foodies, so you never what you’ll find! We adore dining in the beautiful historic setting of downtown where many of the restaurants and bars are located in historic buildings.

Getting to St. Augustine

Getting to St. Augustine is now easier than ever! There are multiple flight options through Jacksonville’s International Airport with nine carriers. Jacksonville is approximately an hour North of St. Augustine.With so much to explore and do, St. Augustine makes a great getaway, and for an adults only weekend in St. Augustine, The Collector Inn & Gardens is a fabulous choice for unwinding and exploring all that St. Augustine has to offer visitors.