#14, Spanish Street Inn, My Cozy Home in St Augustine

 February 20 - 24, 2024

Running through the heart of the historical district, St George street is where it's all happening.  Closed to vehicle traffic, its cobbled streets are lined with restaurants and shops of all types.  Just one street over is Spanish Street, a narrow street of one way traffic, a few shops and residences.  

Constructed in 1920, 44 Spanish Street Inn is quite small, with only 8 guestrooms.  My room, "The Jasmine", is one of the six found up a long flight of stairs.  It has it's own full bath and a small table where I can eat if I bring back food. 

The views out my windows are interesting.  Very close is this old abandoned house.  I haven't figured out the history, but property prices must be astronomical here so there must be some reason it's not in use.  In the lower edge of the picture, those leaves aren't on the ground, but on a porch roof.  There's a veritable garden growing there.  And on the upper roof there's not only grass growing, but what looks like a wisteria vine.  Fat squirrels scamper up and down the tree, and those huge tropical plants have stems that are attached firmly to the tree trunk.  

At the right window there's some kind of palm pushing against the glass.  It scrapes and chatters as the wind blows it.

Out behind the inn there's a detached breakfast cottage.  They've served a nice little breakfast each day.  Since I booked my room through a travel app, I didn't receive some of the information that the other guests did.  Thus I didn't know when or where to find breakfast.  When I finally arrived, the room was full except a little table in the corner.  One woman said good morning, and then told me that they'd saved me that spot.  Perhaps it will seem unreasonable, but I felt so left out.  Inns are usually "community dining" like on the train.  As they chatted away amongst themselves, I had to choke down tears of loneliness.  

The next day I got there early, and while I still sat in the corner, I introduced myself to the woman who greeted me the day before.  We've chatted across tables each days since. 

This isn't a review, but if it was, the only things I'd say would be an improvement would be the presence of an owner or manager.  Also, there is no gathering room where one might sit and read or chat with others, beyond the one hour for breakfast.  I simply have a code to let myself in the door that goes straight up the stairs.  I think in warmer weather the back courtyard could be a pleasant place to sit. 

The only other downside, and not at all their fault, is that parking is quite a ways down the street.  It wouldn't even be an issue except that the street is all torn up and blocked off.  The construction changes daily, so each time I need to go to my car I have to figure out how to get through.  All in all though, this has been a lovely place to call home.  When I've been out and about in the evening, it's so nice to come home to.