Places To Visit: Casa Monica Hotel & Kid-Friendly St. Augustine

If there is one place to consider completely kid-friendly in my mind, I’d have to say St. Augustine is it. The Casa Monica Hotel brings me back to my childhood staying at a little historic hotel in Eureka, California across from a park where you can watch young punk-rockers jamming out and horse carriages walking on by.

As a historic landmark centered in the nation’s oldest city, Casa Monica Hotel is St. Augustine’s only AAA Four-Diamond accommodation and is a constant favorite among locals, visitors and celebrities. Fully restored in 1999, the rich history of the iconic landmark shines through with impressive fortress-like architecture as it majestically overlooks the downtown district and Matanzas Bay.

Voted as a “Top 20 Hotels in Florida” by Cond Nast Traveler, the Casa Monica Hotel was built in 1888 and restored in 1999, this majestic hotel is a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America.

Their lush Spanish-influenced guest rooms and suites are fit for a king. No really, the King and Queen of Spain enjoyed their stay at this hotel and we’re sure you will too.

Because each of their 138 stylish and well-appointed rooms and suites is one of a kind, you can count on a new and unique experience with every stay. No matter what room you stay in, you will be surrounded by custom designed interiors, including classical furnishings with gold accents and plush red velvet tufted headboards. It’s hard not to feel like royalty.

With awards such as Conde Nast Traveler – Readers’ Choice, The Knot – Best of Weddings, Fodor’s Travel – Best Destination Weddings Hotel, No. 1 Hotel in Jacksonville & Florida Trend – Golden Spoon Award, “95 Cordova Chophouse”, it’s hard not to be amazed by the Casa Monica Hotel. I have already decided that this hotel and St. Augustine is probably one of my favorite places to visit and I will be returning with my family often.

The hotel was very kid-friendly. My daughter loved walking the halls and looking at all the artwork. Taking the elevator to the 2nd floor was a highlight where she got to see the pool and sit in one of the cabanas before dipping her toes in the water. The pool was heated but it was late so we decided to order room service. This hotel really made the trip memorable for us and we will be suggesting it to many of you who ask us for Florida travel recommendations.

No theme parks, many mom/pop shops & restaurants and just an entire feeling of being back in time. People are friendly, everything is close by or within walking distance, endless amounts of enjoyable activities. Bonus points if your kids are into ghost hunting or likes spooky activities. I have completely and utterly fallen in love with this town and I can’t wait to share more. But first, off to do a little more shopping. Did I mention the endless amounts of little shops that don’t even sell their items online? Score!

Stop in to the Mojo Old City BBQ and try their banana pudding! You won’t regret it. On St. George St, you can get cookies N cream & banana pudding popcorn from Kernel Poppers. Try the tacos from A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop and take the Ghost Train Adventure from Ripley’s. This town is full of old charm.

Visit www.kesslercollection.com or www.casamonica.com or call 904.827.1888 toll-free: 888.213.8903. Travelers and media may respectively follow Casa Monica at Facebook.com/CasaMonicaHotel

While in St. Augustine, visit the following:
Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure (safe for kids ages 4+)
St. George Street for Shopping
The Lighthouse
Pepper Palace
The Casa Monica Hotel
A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop
Tillie’s Bath Cottage
Earthbound Trading Company
Ripley’s Saint Augustine Museum
MOJO Old City BBQ
Crucial Coffee Cafe

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