Holiday Inn Express St Augustine Vilano Beach in St Augustine, FL

This was our 2nd time here-again for 2 nights. We stayed 22 months ago in September 2023, and as of this writing, my review is the "Hotel's Favorite" on TripAdvisor. Please see that extensive review for more details. We were welcomed and given an early check-in (about 1 p.m.). They did give me both welcome points and a drink/snack choice. The 2 room suite where we stayed on our prior visit was booked so we were given on of their best King rooms. We were in #325 on the east end of the hotel with balcony and great views of the Atlantic Ocean (and the Publix shopping center)! Also, the condos south of the hotel are still in the planning stage!! Everything was top notch again except the housekeeping. (Note: Upon arrival on both visits, the rooms were spotless with everything stocked). I don't remember why we didn't have housekeeping on our previous stay, but this time, when we were leaving for lunch around 11 a.m. on our in-between day, I asked these 2 guys whom I had seen earlier in the elevator after breakfast. I requested that our room be cleaned so we could take our naps upon return? They turned out to be maintenance guys/handymen who promised everything and delivered very little. I told them we would be gone at least an hour (we ended up driving up to Ponte Vedra and were gone 2 1/2 hours). Upon return, we found an untouched room. The housekeeper was 2 doors away and said she had to clean the check-outs before the other rooms. I explained that as an IHG Diamond, my requests for room cleaning while I was to be out was a standard practice at most, if not all, IHG brands. I don't blame her because she was just following orders. When I went to the front desk to complain, Michael, the general manager, heard me and came out of his office. He went above and beyond and came back to my room and brought clean towels, coffee station supplies, and emptied the garbage cans. Nap time was more important to us older people that a thorough room cleaning. He said many IHG members were to check-in around 2 p.m. I made my statement and think they need some grey area in their policy. This was the only inconvenience during our stay. The breakfast was still above and beyond for an HIE. They comped my parking as they did in 2023. It was a great getaway, and I earned double elite nights during the mid June-end of July IHG promotion on up to 5 paid nights. I have to reach 40 elite nights to maintain my Club Lounge access, which I use as often as possible at IHG brands that have such. Thanks again to all and please rethink your housekeeping policy. (Note: I didn't see any housekeeping carts on our floor before 10:30 a.m. so maybe start cleaning the check-out rooms earlier!)

In Mid-June (15-19), we had 4 rooms while holding a mini family gathering. Though we are states away from Florida, we decided that St. Augustine would be a great location. As for lodging, we focused on the Holiday Inn Express Vilano Beach based on the great reviews we saw, the location, and the overall value. The GM, Michael, and his team were great! They were able to assign our rooms close to each other. The rooms were clean and well organized. The hotel was located next to a Publix and a large range of restaurants all within walking distance. It was also very near the beach and provided beach equipment for the guests to use. The one thing that stood out for us was the free breakfast included in the room rate. Yes, the food was good, but the remarkable experience was with the staff members that were there each morning. Usually there were always a few that replenished the food but also to take your dirty dishes away while you stayed and talked, interacted with the guest in a joyful manner, including some light entertainment with the children. They would also walk around offering some fresh fruit and watermelon as an after-breakfast treat! It was like you were invited to have breakfast with a family. I have stayed at a few HIEX hotels and never experienced breakfast like this. The other staff members at the front desk and/or in the hallways seemed happy to see you. The Front Desk provided great suggestions and help with the shuttle into the historic area of St. Augustine. We all highly recommend this hotel when visiting St. Augustine! If we have a return trip, this is the hotel we will stay at.

Very clean, great location and breakfast included. Can walk to shopping, eateries, pier and beach. Laid back area ditch no hustle and bustle going on. Just relax and enjoy. Plenty of towels in room and nice shower. Rooms have balconies and parking is free. Mattress was very comfortable.

I absolutely love this hotel, and have booked it for another 5 day stay in July, but it is not a no smoking property as the sign says. Be prepared to be bombarded by smoke almost everytime you enter or exit the lobby doors. That's because the smoking area is under the drive up area and the smoke just lingers there. Otherwise the staff, breakfast and rooms are excellent.

We’ve never stayed at such an amazing hotel! They’ve thought of everything! It’s new, it’s clean, the people are wonderfully welcoming and helpful,; the breakfast is fantastic with 2 kinds of scrambled eggs- one plain and one with spinach!, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls and incredible muffins, and more! Honestly, the price was so very worth it; we’ve stayed at other hotel chains on this trip and never had as much; the toilet paper was the nicest of our entire8 state trip!. Stay here!!!