St Augustine, Florida is the home of Florida’s first luxury hotel. It is steeped with history, luxury, and art. The Ponce De Leon was a sprawling hotel that could accommodate up to 540 people in opulence. We wanted something more intimate.
The Collector Inn consists of 30 rooms spread across nine historic homes, some dating back almost 100 years before the Ponce. This quiet retreat has gardens and firepits on the edge of America’s oldest city. This is a place where lovers can escape, and for learners to explore. Review one of St Augustine’s most historic and unique properties.
Where is the Collector Inn located?
The Collector inn can be found at 149 Cordova St., St. Augustine FL. The website states that “The Collector is located on the edge St. Augustine’s Old Town within easy walking range of the city’s most celebrated attractions.” This was our experience, as we were easily able to get to all the romantic activities in St Augustine.
We parked our vehicle with the valet, and did not pick it back up until we left. The Collector Inn is so close to the city that it’s even on the trolley route. We really appreciated the Collector Inn’s location because it was so convenient to walk or bike around St Augustine. You’d prefer to walk the streets of St. Augustine than fight the traffic or find a parking space.
How do the rooms at The Collector Inn look like?
The rooms are what set the Collector Inn apart from other properties. In 2016, the property started its conversion from the Dow Museum of Historic Houses of St. Augustine into a hotel. The bathrooms and bedding have been updated to be modern, fresh and fantastic. Room sizes vary from a cozy room in a hotel to a 441 square foot suite. Book early to ensure you get the best choice.
They took special care to maintain the architectural features you would expect to see in an historic building. This included stained glass windows in selected rooms and hardwood floors. From the moment you step into the common areas to the last time you step onto your balcony or porch you will feel like you are a resident of this ancient city.
The Collector Inn’s Gardens (and Grounds).
The gardens surrounding the Collector Inn have a special significance in Florida’s history. In 1863, the first Emancipation Proclamation was read in Florida. This freed the slaves in Florida. Kenneth Worcester Dow created unique spaces using statues, architectural pieces, and doors he had collected during his European travels. Every corner has something new to discover.
Gardeners are fighting for the preservation of ancient oaks and magnolias that have been affected by recent restoration projects. It’s still better than the historic homes and landscaping being bulldozed to make way for a parking lot. That would have been what happened without heroic interventions. You’ll instead find a garden paradise in the middle of the city, with quiet nooks where you can enjoy a breakfast, a swim in the afternoon, or a cocktail in the evening.
The Collector Inn: A Brief History
The Collector Inn is made up of nine historic buildings that cover an entire city block. The oldest building, The Murat dates back to 1790. It was once home to Prince Achille Murat who was a relative of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ralph Waldo Emmerson, and Napoleon Bonaparte. The Well was built in 1915 as a garage and renovated in 1989 to become an event space.
Kenneth Worcester Dow, a wealthy heir and eclectic collector was also a hoarder. From the 1930s through the 1950s, he purchased the properties to use as his home and as a storage facility for all his treasures. Kenneth was a collector with a thirst for knowledge and exquisite taste. In 1989, Kenneth donated to the Museum of Arts and Sciences his entire collection, which included over 500 paintings and 250 pieces of furniture. He also gave over 1,000 decorative art items and over 1,000 drawings.
This donation included the Collector Inn. Kenneth Dow, a collector who was passionate about his hobby, made this donation. His preservation skills were not up to par. Buildings were in a state of extreme disrepair and demolition was being pushed. Kenneth’s historical documentation on each building saved them, paid for preservation and helped create the Collectors Inn.
This was the short version. The whole story is offered to guests free of charge three times a weekly as a guided two-hour tour.
What makes the Collector Inn special?
St Augustine, Florida is known for its romantic getaways as well as historical attractions and natural beauty. The Collectors Inn offers all of this in a comfortable and welcoming package.
The hotel offers everything you need for exploring St Augustine. This includes a water station and an Italian coffee maker in your room. They also offer one of the best breakfasts that we have had in a very long time. The hotel offers unexpected extras such as complimentary bike rentals and a front desk that is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The pool is only for adults, so there’s no need to worry about children under 16. All these reasons make us consider The Collectors Inn as one of the most beautiful Florida vacation properties.