I love vintage motels, especially when they’ve gotten a makeover and become something kitschy and awesome, just like The Local St Augustine. It’s pink, it’s fresh, and it’s fun. When staying at The Local St Augustine, guests can tour some of the world’s oldest structures, go surfing for a while, play some of the state’s greatest golf, and end the day with fresh seafood. The Local St. Augustine is a destination for people who loves to explore, offering special outings for everyone.
Another reason to visit The Local is that they are named top spot in USA Today’s rankings. When Adam and Leila Bedoian, a husband-and-wife duo, launched The Local – St. Augustine in 2021, they never imagined they would swiftly amass such a significant social media presence, attract viral viewers, and top the must-see lists for social influencers and tourists alike. And they succeeded in doing so, winning the Best Roadside Motel category in the 2022 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award event. Out of 10 hotels across the nation, from Arizona to Maine, The Local – St. Augustine claimed the top spot in USA Today’s rankings.
Have you stayed here yet? It’s pretty cool and in a great spot. If you have any questions about staying at the Local St Augustine, planning a vacation to our town or specifically our island, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help plan travels!
This post originally appeared on our sister site, St Augustine Explored. Be sure to get more in-depth info about our awesome home town!
Staying at The Local St Augustine
With contactless check-in and check-out, The Local – St. Augustine is thrilled to welcome you to their distinctive digital property. A trip to St. Augustine is more than a vacation; it transports you to another time and place thanks to its vintage beauty, delectable eating options, rich culture, and diverse nightlife. Visiting The Local can be an experience as though you were indeed a local in St. Augustine (or at least a North Florida native on a local road trip).
Founded in 2021 by Leila and Adam Bedoian, The Local gives you a genuine experience so you may live like a local while you’re here. Each room has been carefully designed to give you a clean, comfortable stay with a nostalgic nod to old Florida. You have complete control over your entire experience because of their digital platform. For suggestions on the top eateries, venues, and tourist attractions, be sure to check out their app.
What Are the Accommodation Options at The Local?
The Local – St. Augustine hotel is the ideal option whether you need a fantastic place to stay for just one night or your entire trip. With 20 rooms, they provide visitors a sense of home after a day of visiting the country’s oldest city. There are comfy beds, a refrigerator, a microwave, air conditioning, and cable TV in every room. Every room is smoke-free.
After a day of exploring your way, unwind by the pool to cool off. The rooms are furnished with facilities to make your stay pleasant and have a nostalgic, fresh, and clean vibe. As they are a distinctive digital property, you can get in touch with guest services using their app throughout your stay. Every one of their rooms is close to the tranquil, Instagram worthy pool area.
They have multiple rooms and amenities to choose from. Each guest room is always prepared, cleaned, and freshly stocked for you. I think the Local is great for either a fun family trip or a romantic St Augustine getaway.
Available Guest Rooms:
- Single Queen (Maximum of 2 persons)
- Single Full (Maximum of 2 persons)
- Single King (Maximum of 2 persons)
A nostalgic Florida vibe has been added to the standard rooms. This accommodation has a single queen-sized bed, making it ideal for a getaway with your significant other or best friend.
- Single Queen with Breakfast Nook (Maximum of 2 persons) — This unique room has a queen-sized bed and a table with two seats, making it ideal for a solitary trip or a romantic getaway with your special someone. The pool is only a few feet from this room.
- Wheelchair Accessible Single Queen (Maximum of 2 persons) — With a roll-in shower, shower chair, and grab bars by the toilet, the room is wheelchair accessible. Recent renovations gave the room a classic Florida feel. This accommodation has a single queen-sized bed, making it ideal for a getaway with your significant other or best friend.
- Double Full (Maximum of 4 persons) — This accommodation has two full beds, making it ideal for a solo trip when you just need more room, your partner who snores, or the entire group!
- Double Full with Breakfast Nook (Maximum of 4 persons) — This accommodation has two full beds and a table with two seats, making it ideal for a solitary traveler who just wants extra space, a partner who snores, or the entire group! However, you might only need to cuddle up a little.
- Double Queen with Breakfast Nook (Maximum of 4 persons) — Two queen beds and an additional dining nook are featured in this room. Ideal for the entire crew!
In addition to having a unique style, each room has a TV, dedicated Wi-Fi, soft towels, a full-length mirror, clothes hangers, a hair dryer, shampoo, and conditioner (cuz those are standards).
Room amenities include:
- Microwave
- Mini-Fridge
- High-Speed WiFi
- Hair Dryer
- Safes
- They offer complimentary parking for one car per room. No parking pass is needed.
The customer has to be at least 21 years old to check-in, their app will ask to scan your ID to verify. It’s a pretty cool technological update.
Top Pick: Double Queen with Breakfast Nook
The best preference, especially for families, is the double queen with breakfast nook. In this room, the ambiance is a nostalgic Florida vibe. Two queen beds and an additional dining nook are featured in this room. Ideal for the entire family. In addition to having a unique style, each room has a TV, dedicated Wi-Fi, soft towels, a full-length mirror, clothes hangers, a hair dryer, shampoo, and conditioner. Here, you can begin your day with a leisurely swim in the pool, then spend some time on the beautiful beach or at one of St. Augustine’s well-known attractions before finishing it off with a delectable dinner in the city.
Check in / Check Out at the Local St Augustine:
It’s a pretty seamless digital experience at The Local – St. Augustine. You can do everything with your phone by pressing a button, from making a reservation to opening your door. This means that you shouldn’t expect to find large phones or alarm clocks in the rooms like you would at a conventional hotel because all you need is your own cell phone.
When you arrive, you don’t need to check in at a front desk; you can go straight to your room. You can also check out the attractions and activities in the area using their app.
The Local is a fully digital property having their digital check-in & check-out with a digital key. It really is cool, but you do need to be just a smidgen tech savvy for it. Check-in begins at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Their contactless system is quick and simple:
- Visit their website to book
- Obtain a confirmation email with a download link for the app. (Virdee)
- Install the app
- Complete the ID verification and check into your hotel on the day of arrival.
- Use the app to get your digital key
- On the app, you can explore nearby attractions and events of your preference
- Guest support and special requests are available through the app
The Local Amenities
The Local is a boutique hotel that provides a distinctive experience that you won’t find among the usual corporate chains, thanks to its amenities and digital process. Your trip experience will be one of the most memorable of your life if you stay like a local!
If you have a pet, one dog up to 25 pounds is permitted. A $300 fee will be applied to any extra pets or large canines that weigh more than this allowance. Learn more about their pet policy.
Pool at The Local
There is an amazing pool at The Local St Augustine, so on its own that’s a reason to stay here. Not that we like to tell people to do things because they’re Instagramable, but the courtyard pool here is one of the most Instagramable places in St Augustine. With pink stripe walls, the hotel as a backdrop and even pool props, it’s perfect!
Staying Active at The Local
To give you quick access to their on-site presence, they have collaborated with Drifters Beach & Bike Rentals. You may quickly rent a bike from them and set out on an adventure. You’ll need the Movatic app to check out a bike.
For a fitness center, The Local has teamed up with Anastasia Fitness to offer you free access to their gym, which includes:
- Cardio & Weight Rooms
- Group Classes
- Yoga Classes
- Steam Rooms
- Lap Pool
- Basketball Courts & MORE
Since The Local is still relatively new and growing, there are plans in the works to add both a Garden Lounge Area and a Hospitality Suite with coffee and music. Can’t wait!
Top Dining Picks near The Local St Augustine
Here are some walking-distance restaurants near The Local that we love:
- Conch House for delicious seafood and really cool waterfront palapa dining
- Llama Restaurant for Peruvian fare (top restaurant pick for the whole city!)
- Mellow Mushroom for pizzas, burgers, and wings (a chain, but really good)
- Odd Birds Lounge for their really unique cocktails
- GAS Full Service for interesting burger and THE BEST collard greens
Stores Near The Local
Aqua East is the one-stop shop for all things beach-bum-certified if you’re looking for surf shops in St. Augustine, Florida. Visitors are welcome to browse their selection of surfboards, swimsuits for men, women, and kids, wetsuits, surf accessories, skate accessories, and other items. Stop by at the shop and stock up on everything you want and need for your upcoming beach trip on Anastasia Island. Alvin’s Island is another beach shop to consider if you’re heading towards Butler and Crescent Beaches.
If you need a grocery store, both Publix and Winn Dixie are located to the south off A1A, so you don’t even have to leave the island!
Where is The Local St Augustine?
The Local is situated next to the Bridge of Lions for quick access to the charming downtown St. Augustine, as well as the Salt Run across the street, the St. Augustine Amphitheater a mile away (a 20-minute walk), and St. Augustine Beach only a 5-minute drive away.
Explore the sites of history and listen to concerts close to your hotel room at The Local – St. Augustine, which is a short drive or walk from numerous intriguing things to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
When staying at the Local, the best experiences of your life are just minutes away, including trekking through nature paths, paddling on the coast, and listening to live music.
Transportation To The Local from the airport
The Local is about 7.5 miles from the Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST) which is approximately an 18-minute drive depending on traffic conditions. You can fly into St Augustine from either Portland, Maine (PWM) or Newark, New Jersey (EWR) on Elite Airways. Hopefully we’ll see more commercial flights into St Augustine soon!
Where Can I Walk to from the Local?
Downtown is roughly 1.1 miles from The Local. It is about a 20-minute walk to the main performing venue, The St Augustine Amphitheater, which is 1.4 miles from The Local. For the most part, walking distance attractions are downtown and the St Augustine Lighthouse, but there are TONS of great restaurants within minutes’ walk.
Parking Details at The Local
Parking is free for guests at The Local, but just one vehicle per reservation. There is street parking available too, but you need to be mindful of both restriction signs and painted curbs. Check out this parking guide if you are driving. Alternatively, you can board one of the hotel’s available bicycles for rent through Drifters if you’re visiting without a car.
Why Visit St Augustine?
St Augustine is one of the most unique cities in Florida and that’s why we live here. Because it’s a historic city with a modern twist, it’s a tourist favorite. Spanish explorers first explored this region in 1565, marking the foundation of a fabled city, named for the Feast of St Augustine when they arrived. It’s the oldest city in America. By planning a visit, you can tour our beautiful beaches, taste modern and super-Florida cuisine, explore cobblestone walkways, and appreciate beautiful architecture downtown.
It’s a location where historical relics and contemporary conveniences coexist. Henry Flagler, an American industrialist, left his stamp on the city by erecting the City Hall complex, the Lightner Museum, and what is now Flagler College, among other great hotels and structures.
There is always something awesome to explore in St. Augustine, Florida, whether you are there for a day or a month. There are several things to do in St. Augustine to spend your days, from discovering their history and culinary scene to seeing attractions and taking in the natural beauty of parks and beaches.
St. Augustine is one of the most distinctive and stunning cities in the entire world. It’s a tourist’s paradise because it’s a historic city with a contemporary touch. It’s a location where historical relics and contemporary conveniences coexist.
Ten Fun Things to do at/near The Local
Do you need help with planning a fun itinerary for your stay at The Local St Augustine? Besides the beach, here are some great picks to choose from depending on your interest:
- St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
- Old Town Trolley Tours St. Augustine
- San Sebastian Winery
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park
- St. Augustine Distillery
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- The Fountain of Youth in Florida
- The Lightner Museum
Come and visit The Local today and experience the award-winning digital property as well as the history and rich culture St. Augustine can offer. You’ll have a great time here on the Island!
