Escape to St. Augustine's Vilano Beach: Your Holiday Inn Express Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of the Escape to St. Augustine's Vilano Beach: Your Holiday Inn Express Awaits! – a place that, let me tell you, promised sunshine, relaxation, and maybe just a little bit of sand between my toes. Spoiler alert: it delivered on some of those things.
First, I gotta say, the name is a whole vibe. "Escape to St. Augustine's Vilano Beach!" Sounds fancy, doesn't it? Like you're about to check into a swanky resort. The reality… well, let's just say the holiday inn express part kinda grounds you. But hey, expectations are a funny thing. Let's get into it, shall we?
Accessibility & Getting There (and Maybe a Little Bit of a Rant):
Okay, so the website claims accessibility. And technically, yes, there's an elevator. But I'm a bit of a klutz, and even I managed to navigate it with ease. So, good start for anyone with mobility issues. The entrance seemed pretty clear, no crazy steps to hurdle. Getting there? Oh, the joy of northeast Florida traffic. Seriously, plan ahead. Use GPS (it's a lifesaver, really). They do offer airport transfer, which is something to consider if you're flying in, but honestly, I had my own wheels. Valet parking wasn't an option, but free car park, so all good.
Cleanliness and Safety – Thank Goodness for Sanitizer!
This is HUGE, people. Especially in, you know, current times. They are SERIOUS about cleanliness. Seriously. I saw staff CONSTANTLY wiping down surfaces. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Triple check. Rooms sanitized between stays? I hope, 'cause I didn't see them actually do it. They offered a room sanitization opt-out, which I found kinda cute (like, "No, I like germs!"). Hand sanitizer everywhere. Excellent. They got a first aid kit, too. So, if you're like me and trip on air (thanks, gravity), you're covered.
Rooms & Amenities: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh":
My room? Pretty standard Holiday Inn Express stuff. Air conditioning blasting (thank the heavens!), blackout curtains (essential for sleeping in!), a desk (needed to catch up on emails… which, let's be honest, I didn't really do). Free Wi-Fi in all rooms – YES! And it actually worked, unlike some places where you're fighting for a signal. Internet access – wireless – also good. Coffee/tea maker – a must-have for this caffeine addict. Mini bar? No, but seriously, who needs a mini bar when you're surrounded by convenience stores? Bathroom was clean. Private bathroom. Basic toiletries. The bed was comfy, nothing fancy. They provide bathrobes – nice touch. Seating area was nice to relax (or dump my clothes). Additional toilet? No.
The Pool & Other "Relaxation" Options (Or Lack Of):
Okay, the swimming pool was…there. It was outdoor, which is a plus. There was also a pool with a view. I couldn’t see the ocean though. Not exactly the resort pool of Hollywood dreams. Forget the Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. No. Nada. Zilch. I guess the promise of a relaxing getaway was…tempered. The kids' facilities were also nowhere to be found.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Let's Talk Food!
Breakfast [buffet] was included. It's a Holiday Inn Express breakfast. You know the drill. Think: scrambled eggs that might be, might not be actual eggs, instant oatmeal, and pastries that have seen better days. But hey, it's free, and it's fuel. They also had a breakfast takeaway service – perfect for grabbing something quick on the go. There was a coffee shop (more instant coffee, sadly). The website says there is Happy hour, Poolside bar, Restaurants and Snack bar, but I never found them. This is the place where you're probably going to rely on the surrounding restaurants.
Services and Conveniences: The Boring But Necessary Stuff
Daily housekeeping – appreciated! Laundry service – a lifesaver for a messy traveler like me. Concierge? I didn't need them. Luggage storage – handy. Elevator – essential. They also had a convenience store which was convenient.
Security & "The Vibe" - Is It Safe?
Felt safe. Security [24-hour]. CCTV in common areas, Fire extinguisher, and Smoke alarms – all good signs. Non-smoking rooms. Soundproof rooms. Now, I can't vouch for the literal soundproofness, but it was quiet enough. Exterior corridor (a minor annoyance, but common for this type of hotel).
Quirks & Anecdotes (The Real Meat of the Review!):
Okay, so here's a funny story. I was trying to check out, but my bill had a weird charge on it. I spent a good twenty minutes battling the front desk – a nice young woman who looked utterly defeated by the system. We finally sorted it out, but the whole experience was… well, let's just say it added to the "charm."
The Verdict & My Honest Take:
Look, Escape to St. Augustine's Vilano Beach: Your Holiday Inn Express Awaits! is exactly what you'd expect. It's clean, convenient, and does the job. It's not a luxury spa experience, and don't go expecting that. It could be a comfy spot to rest between beach trips.
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My Offer (Because I Know You're Curious):
Craving a Relaxing Escape to St. Augustine? Book your stay at Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine - Vilano Beach today! Enjoy clean, comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, a convenient breakfast, and easy access to the beautiful Vilano Beach. Plus, with our commitment to enhanced safety protocols, you can relax knowing your well-being is our top priority. For a limited time, get 15% off your stay! Don't wait – book now and start planning your St. Augustine adventure! This isn't a luxury resort, but it's a solid basecamp for all that St. Augustine has to offer. Come for the history, stay for the beach, and leave with a few good stories.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… well, my attempt at a St. Augustine adventure, fueled by questionable impulse buys and the faint hope of a decent breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express Vilano Beach. Let's see how spectacularly I can screw this up, shall we?
Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine Vilano Beach Chaos-O-Rama: My Attempted Getaway
Day 1: Arrival & Vilano Beach Vibes (or the Crabby Patty of Vacays)
1:00 PM: Arrival & Check-In – (Or, The Quest for Parking) Okay, first impressions: the hotel… it's there. Right. And the parking situation? Let's just say I nearly lost a bumper circling the lot three times while muttering about “peak season” and “tourist traps.” Finally snagged a spot, practically hugging the SUV next to me. Success! Now, to the front desk. Hoping for a room with a view. Please, please, please!
- Anecdote: The check-in lady, bless her heart, had a name tag that read "Brenda." Brenda was… efficient. Not unfriendly, just… Brenda. She handed me the key, and I swore I heard her sigh. "Room 212. Enjoy your stay." Yeah, Brenda, I’m sure I will. Time to find this room.
2:00 PM: Room Reconnaissance & Beach Panic (Or, the Subtle Art of Pretending to Be Organized) Okay, 212. Here we go. The room… it's… well, it's a room. Clean, I guess? The view… sigh… Well, it's a view of the parking lot, specifically the rusty old boat trailer that's been there since the dawn of time. At least the AC works. Thank God. I am going to have a long day ahead of me as a beach person.
- Quirky Observation: The little packets of Starbucks instant coffee in the room? Seriously? Who still willingly drinks that stuff? Okay, don’t judge. I'm probably gonna need it later.
2:30 PM: Beach Time (And Existential Angst) Alright, beach it is. Finally! Got my beach bag loaded with snacks (Goldfish crackers, obviously), sunscreen (hopefully I won't look like a lobster tomorrow), and a novel I'll probably read two pages of before falling asleep. Vilano Beach, here I come!
- Emotion: Stepping onto the sand… Ahhhhhh. The salty air, the sound of the waves… instant zen. Except then I remembered I left my sunglasses in the room. Face palm. I'm going back.
3:00 PM: Beach Attempt #2 (With Sunglasses… and a Slight Panic Attack) Okay, back to the beach. Sunglasses acquired. Found a spot. Applied sunscreen (this time, I swear!). Stood there, staring out to sea, and BAM… existential dread. What am I doing with my life? Is this towel placement optimal? Did I remember to unplug the coffee pot? I am clearly not a beach person.
4:00 PM: The Quest For Food Strolling down towards the beach road and looking for something. No, this is not the spot for me. Yes, it's probably a tourist trap. No. I want somewhere good. I am hungry. I am going to find something good.
7:00 PM: Dinner Disaster (Or, When a Seafood Meal Turns into a Regret Sandwich) Against my better judgment and general aversion to crowds, I ventured into a seafood restaurant. The place screamed tourist trap, but the smell of the fried fish was intoxicating. Ordered the grilled grouper. It arrived… pale, dry, and with a side of what appeared to be pre-made coleslaw. My tastebuds wept. And the price? Gah!
- Emotional Reaction: I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted the waiter's manager and tell them about the horrible service I had. I did no of those things. I ate my terrible fish and vowed revenge on the culinary gods.
9:00 PM: Night Cap & Hotel Shenanigans Back at the hotel. Staring at the parking lot view. Maybe Brenda was right. I'm not sure what I was expecting for Day 1 - and I have a long, long, long way to go.
- Honest assessment: I am already starting to wonder if I should just go home.
Day 2: Historic Hysteria & Sweet Treats (Maybe I Won't Be So Miserable?!)
7:00 AM: Breakfast Blunders Free continental breakfast! This is what dreams are made of! (at least, the commercials said so). I managed to grab a waffle and some suspicious looking scrambled eggs, and a coffee.
- Rambling: I will never understand how hotels can make such terrible scrambled eggs. It's eggs! How do you mess them up? It's a talent, I swear.
8:00 AM: St. Augustine Exploration (History! Maybe?) Venturing into the historic district. The cobblestone streets… the old buildings… the hordes of people… Wow, this is overwhelming! Okay, breathe. First stop, the Castillo de San Marcos.
- Anecdote: I got lost almost immediately. Seriously, how can you get lost in a city built in a grid? My internal GPS is clearly broken. I made a wrong turn and saw a sign - "The Fountain of Youth Archeological Park". I decided to check that out.
9:00 AM: Fountain of Youth (Or, Did I Actually Get Younger?) Okay, the Fountain of Youth was… well, it was an experience. It felt a bit like going to a pirate themed version of Magic Kingdom. I did the water thing, and… I don't feel younger. I just feel wet. But, hey, the peacocks were pretty!
- Quirky Observation: The guy in the gift shop tried to sell me a tiny bottle of fountain water for $5. I almost bought it. I have issues.
12:00 PM: Lunch (The Redemption Arc?) Looked up some recommendations. I've read a bunch of blogs and I've decided that I'm not eating at tourist traps anymore. I was determined to find something good in this town. I found this place in the south of the historic district, it was small, and good!
1:00 PM: The Trolley Tour (Or, A Marathon of Sitting) I went on a trolley tour to see the sights. The tour guide had dad jokes, the line was too long, but I was actually feeling happy for the first time today. And I did not drink the fountain water.
3:00 PM: Dessert Delights (Or, Sugar Rush of Happiness) I went and got some ice cream, a chocolate covered pretzel, and a cookie. I deserve this! I deserve a good day.
5:00 PM: Shopping Spree & Souvenir Regret I decided to start hitting some of the shops. The ones that looked interesting, not the kitsch ones.
8:00 PM: Dinner Round 2 (Trying to Break the Curse) I decided to eat at a well-rated restaurant in the historic district. I am getting the best meal. It was great. It had atmosphere.
Day 3: Departure & Final Thoughts (Or, Did I Actually Enjoy This?)
8:00 AM: The Last Breakfast (Please, God, Be Edible) Back at the hotel for another free continental breakfast. Holding my breath. I opted for a waffle this time. Not bad! Progress!
9:00 AM: Packing & Departure (Trying to Escape with Dignity) Packing up. Checking out. Brenda wasn't there this time. Good! I just have a long drive home.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: I just sat there, looking at the packing up process. The whole trip seemed like one big chaotic adventure, but also, somehow, it was pretty ok.
10:00 AM: Final Reflections (The Verdict) So, St. Augustine. Did I love it? That's a complex question. There were moments of pure frustration, moments of existential angst, and moments of genuine joy. But that's life, right? Maybe this wasn't the perfect vacation, but it was a vacation, and I survived. And hey, I got a pretty good waffle.
- Absolutely Human: I am going to come back here. I know I will. Because this place is… flawed, messy, occasionally annoying, but ultimately, it has its own crazy, beautiful charm. St. Augustine, you weird, historical, tourist-trap-filled gem, I’ll be back. Just maybe with a better plan next time. And a GPS that
So, Vilano Beach? Is it… beach-y enough? Because some "beaches" are just glorified gravel pits.
Okay, first things first. Vilano Beach? YES. It’s beach-y enough. Like, the kind of beach where you can actually spread out, build epic sandcastles (I failed miserably last time, for the record. My castle looked like a melted ice cream cone), and not be elbow-to-elbow with a thousand other tourists. The sand? Fine. The water? Atlantic. The waves? Sometimes gentle, sometimes trying to swallow you whole. Consider yourself warned. I saw a kid get absolutely *owned* by a wave. Best part of the whole trip, I tell ya.
The Holiday Inn Express. Clean? Modern? Please tell me it doesn't have that weird lingering smell of chlorine and regret.
Alright, the Holiday Inn Express. Honestly? It’s… standard. It’s not the Four Seasons, folks. Let's be real. The rooms *were* clean, which is a huge win in my book. I'm a germaphobe, basically. No chlorine/regret smell that I noticed, which, again, HUGE WIN. The decor is, shall we say, utilitarian. Think "beige" and "functional." But hey, you're not there to stare at the wallpaper, are you? You're there to stare at the friggin' *ocean*!
Breakfast. My Achilles’ heel. Is the breakfast buffet at the HIE worth waking up for? Or is it the usual sad, pre-packaged affair? Because, let’s be honest, a stale muffin can *ruin* a vacation.
Ugh, breakfast. The daily test of my motivation. The Holiday Inn Express breakfast… well, it’s not Michelin-star worthy. But the saving grace is the waffle maker! You. Make. Your. Own. Waffle. And they actually give you *syrup*. Not the light corn syrup type, I mean the real stuff. I had two waffles the first morning and regretted *nothing* the rest of the day. They also had the usual stuff: scrambled eggs (questionable sometimes), sausage (okay, but dry), cereal, fruit (hit or miss freshness). But the waffle maker? That's the hero of this story. The *true* hero.
What’s the deal with the location? Walking distance to anything cool? I don't *want* to drive everywhere. Seriously.
Okay, Vilano Beach itself is pretty chill. Not the crazy hustle-bustle of downtown St. Augustine. The Holiday Inn Express is right on the beach, which is *fantastic*. Literally, you can stroll out of the lobby and be on the sand in like, two minutes. There are a few restaurants within a short walk – a pizza place that was decent, and a pub that I think I saw serve a decent burger. If you want *serious* shopping and historical sites, you're going to need to drive. But the drive to downtown St. Augustine isn't bad, maybe 10-15 minutes. Totally doable. Just prepare for the parking situation – it’s a jungle out there.
Pool or no pool? Because sometimes, you just need to lounge with a cocktail.
Yes! They have a pool. I’m a pool person. Not *always* a cocktail person, but after the beach, or before heading to dinner/drinks, a dip in the pool? Total vacation mood. It wasn't massive, but big enough to do a few laps, or just float and pretend you’re not thinking about work. They had some lounge chairs, too. Overall, the pool area was clean and well-maintained. I saw a couple of kids having a *blast* in it, so that's always a good sign.
Okay, I’m thinking of booking. Anything I *need* to know, before I click that button? Any secret tips, or hidden downsides? Hit me with the unvarnished truth!
Alright, here's the unvarnished truth. First, the Wi-Fi. It wasn't the greatest. I was trying to work *a little*, and it made my blood boil sometimes. Consider yourself warned, especially if you *need* to be connected for your job. Second, the noise. Like, a tiny bit. If a loud group is on your floor, you might hear some noise. But, honestly, I'm a light sleeper and it didn’t bother me *too* much. Third, the elevator. There's only one, and it's a little slow. I ended up taking the stairs a lot. The views? Oh! If you get an oceanfront room (DEFINITELY request one!), the views are *amazing*. Totally worth it. That's the clincher, that view. I mean, the sunrise from my balcony? Worth every single minor inconvenience. I’d go back just for those sunrises. And those waffles. Seriously, those waffles…
Parking? Because parking can be a holiday horror show.
Parking was included! And, surprisingly, not a total nightmare. They have a decent-sized lot. I went in the off-season (highly recommended!), and there were always spots available. Even during the more crowded times, I never circled for more than a minute or two. In downtown St. Augustine? That's a whole other story. Good luck with that. But at the HIE? Easy peasy. Praise be.
Any recommendations for things to do *besides* just sitting on the beach, because as awesome as that sounds, I do have to *do* things.
Okay, besides the beach, which, let's be honest, is the main event? Definitely visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. Creepy, cool, and the views from the top are *incredible*. Book a ghost tour! I'm not usually into that kinda stuff, but it was actually pretty spooky and fun. Explore the old town, wander around the shops. And, seriously, eat some seafood. All the seafood. I had the best shrimp scampi *ever*. And don't forget to take a boat tour. Seeing the city from the water is completely different. And even if you're like me, and end up with terrible seasickness... at least you got a cute photo.
Would you recommend the Holiday Inn Express in Vilano Beach? The *honest* version.
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