Jacksonville, FL hotel question
 

I will be in St. Augustine for several days in October. However my hotel did not have availability for my last night so I have decided to stay in Jacksonville one night. I would like to avoid having to rent a car so I am looking for a hotel near shopping and restaurants with a shuttle to the airport. Any suggestions?
I would also welcome suggestions for shopping and restaurants.

If you are planning to take a taxi from Jacksonville airport to St. Augustine, be prepared to take out a small loan. It is about a 45 minute drive. Florida is a very car-oriented state. There is no such thing as mass-transit except for a short light-rail line in Miami.

The good news is car rental is cheap in Florida. I don't have any suggestions for hotels in Jax.

A friend is willing to pick me up at the JAX airport and drive me to St.Augustine since we are both attending the same conference and he is driving from Brunswick. He will be driving back a day earlier than my flight so I am getting him to drop me in JAX.
Thanks for taking the time to respond, Tandoori Girl.

TTT

If you want to stay within shopping and dining, at least stay on the Riverfront in Jax. Did you try the Adam's Mark?

Jacksonville is a beautiful town.

Adams Mark is no longer GoT. It became a Hyatt sometime the beginning of the year.

Thanks, GoTravel and OO. I will check out the Hyatt.

cmcfong...I hasten to add, I know NOTHING about it, good, bad or indifferent, only that it became a Hyatt this spring, and as with most takeovers, there will be a major renovation.

I've stayed there a few times for business, before the conversion, and it's just fine. Better location for walking than the Hilton across the bridge.

Brian and OO, thanks for the information. I have booked it. Just for one night and the rate was great, so I am set.

I think you'll be happy. The waterfront view is gorgeous!

I had to do a scavenger hunt there a couple of years ago when it was still the Adam's Mark and it seemed fine.

We had a wonderful dinner outside on one of the terraces overlooking the river.

Sounds great. As always, I appreciate your suggestions.
By the way, on a totally unrelated point (I suppose it is OK to highjack my own thread), the aquarium agreed to host a private party for the gathering in Charleston next summer. I thought that sounded pretty cool. Still working out details.

What a fantastic place to hold a luncheon!

Not only will your guests get spectacular views of Charleston Harbor but they will also learn a bit about South Carolina.

Let me know if you need any other suggestions and so glad I could help!

I will definitely contact you if I have more questions. You have proved to be a very reliable resource and I appreciate it greatly.