St. Augustine-JAX trip report
Oct 22nd, 2005, 02:10 PM
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St. Augustine-JAX trip report
I spent four nights at the Casa Monica in St.Augustine and one night at the Hyatt on the river in JAX.
Hotels:
The Casa Monica is a lovely facility with gorgeous public areas. The location is ideal for historical area sightseeing. My room was furnished attractively and was comfortably sized. It was not particularly large. I had a king four poster bed which was OK, but not wonderful. The linens were very ordinary, not fabulous as you might think given the room prices. There was a small balcony off of my room which was so filthy it was repulsive to look at. The room was kept relatively clean but there was not daily vacuuming done. The front desk appeared to be overwhelmed and understaffed on several occasions. The armoire was not as functional as a closet would have been. The Bose radio was a very nice touch. I had a problem with rusty dirty looking water in the bath which left a silt on the tub. The repair person left me a note that the water would clear if it was allowed to run for ten minutes before using the tub or shower. The staff was pleasant and friendly, but the service was very basic.
On the whole a beautiful hotel, but not a terrific value.
The Hyatt in JAX is a big convention hotel. My room faced the river and the view was splendid. Great to sit and watch the spectacular lightening storm over the bridges. The bed and linens were of very basic quality. The room was comfortably sized and reasonably well equipped. I do hate those little single serving paper cup coffee makers which they have. There was a large amount of debris in the hallway which remained throughout my stay.
Restaurants:
Cafe Alcazar for lunch in St. Augustine was excellent. A discreet guitarist playing in the quaintly set restaurant, the swimming pool area of the Lightener museum, makes for a lovely respite from touring. The food is varied and quite good. Service is well informed and quick.
Opus 39 offers a prixe fixe tasting menu restaurant ($55 per person without wine or cheese course). Servings are not huge so it isn't a gorging experience. They are well prepared and presented. This is an excellent restaurant which I hope to visit again. Delightful atmosphere, well informed servers and great food. Outstanding wine list.
La Parisienne is an old favorite. The food is delicious, the atmosphere quiet and pleasant, and the servers knowledgeable.
Harry's was very ordinary. The only reason we ate here one night was that we were so late returning from a harbor cruise it was our only choice. Food was basic and OK in a pinch.
The Columbia is a good spot when you are with a crowd who wants plenty of choice. It is generally good food, especially the salads and fish. Service was very slow on my most recent visit.
Cordova 95 had very good food and very slow service. It is a bit pricey for the quality.
Restaurant in JAX:
I had already had a fairly large lunch when I arrived in Jacksonville. I decided to go shopping and came across Matthew's Market which has only been open about three weeks. It was perfect for me. Very good food, well informed staff, clean as a whistle and comfortable. Highly recommended.
Hotels:
The Casa Monica is a lovely facility with gorgeous public areas. The location is ideal for historical area sightseeing. My room was furnished attractively and was comfortably sized. It was not particularly large. I had a king four poster bed which was OK, but not wonderful. The linens were very ordinary, not fabulous as you might think given the room prices. There was a small balcony off of my room which was so filthy it was repulsive to look at. The room was kept relatively clean but there was not daily vacuuming done. The front desk appeared to be overwhelmed and understaffed on several occasions. The armoire was not as functional as a closet would have been. The Bose radio was a very nice touch. I had a problem with rusty dirty looking water in the bath which left a silt on the tub. The repair person left me a note that the water would clear if it was allowed to run for ten minutes before using the tub or shower. The staff was pleasant and friendly, but the service was very basic.
On the whole a beautiful hotel, but not a terrific value.
The Hyatt in JAX is a big convention hotel. My room faced the river and the view was splendid. Great to sit and watch the spectacular lightening storm over the bridges. The bed and linens were of very basic quality. The room was comfortably sized and reasonably well equipped. I do hate those little single serving paper cup coffee makers which they have. There was a large amount of debris in the hallway which remained throughout my stay.
Restaurants:
Cafe Alcazar for lunch in St. Augustine was excellent. A discreet guitarist playing in the quaintly set restaurant, the swimming pool area of the Lightener museum, makes for a lovely respite from touring. The food is varied and quite good. Service is well informed and quick.
Opus 39 offers a prixe fixe tasting menu restaurant ($55 per person without wine or cheese course). Servings are not huge so it isn't a gorging experience. They are well prepared and presented. This is an excellent restaurant which I hope to visit again. Delightful atmosphere, well informed servers and great food. Outstanding wine list.
La Parisienne is an old favorite. The food is delicious, the atmosphere quiet and pleasant, and the servers knowledgeable.
Harry's was very ordinary. The only reason we ate here one night was that we were so late returning from a harbor cruise it was our only choice. Food was basic and OK in a pinch.
The Columbia is a good spot when you are with a crowd who wants plenty of choice. It is generally good food, especially the salads and fish. Service was very slow on my most recent visit.
Cordova 95 had very good food and very slow service. It is a bit pricey for the quality.
Restaurant in JAX:
I had already had a fairly large lunch when I arrived in Jacksonville. I decided to go shopping and came across Matthew's Market which has only been open about three weeks. It was perfect for me. Very good food, well informed staff, clean as a whistle and comfortable. Highly recommended.
Oct 22nd, 2005, 04:57 PM
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HI
Too bad about the hotel being not so clean and on top of things!
I love the Alcazar for lunch, and the music. We were there when it was guitar too..he was really good!
Did you find some nice shops?
That view from the Hyatt is nice isn't it?
I guess they have a way to go until they get their act together..I hate it when hotels leave room service trays etc out in the halls all day or overnight..
So it was a good trip?
Too bad about the hotel being not so clean and on top of things!
I love the Alcazar for lunch, and the music. We were there when it was guitar too..he was really good!
Did you find some nice shops?
That view from the Hyatt is nice isn't it?
I guess they have a way to go until they get their act together..I hate it when hotels leave room service trays etc out in the halls all day or overnight..
So it was a good trip?
Oct 23rd, 2005, 09:47 AM
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Hi Scarlett,
Yes, it was a lovely trip. The weather was incredible. Clear, perfect days and comfortable nights. Not at all hot or humid. The last night in JAX I was treated to the fabulous lightening display....ringside seat in my hotel room.
I was in St. Augustine during the full moon which was nothing short of spectacular. One night we took a harbor cruise and watching the sun set and the moon rise was just too perfect. A porpoise escorted us out of the harbor!
I did miss seeing a good looking chocolate standard poodle on my walks. I know he would have added to the experience.
The shopping in St. Augustine is as we remembered, pretty much tee shirts and fridge magnets. In Jacksonville, I did enjoy shopping in the San Marco historic district. The Jacksonville Landing was pretty bad. A Hooters and two or three other restaurants, very few open shops and a lot of construction. The crowd there was mainly teenaged boys and girls.
I do love St.Augustine and look forward to my next visit there.
Enjoy a beautiful Portland Sunday and give a hug to said poodle for me, please.
Love the Alcazar. The guitarist is so good and discreet. I had a hibiscus with lunch which may have added to my overall happy feelings about the place!
Yes, it was a lovely trip. The weather was incredible. Clear, perfect days and comfortable nights. Not at all hot or humid. The last night in JAX I was treated to the fabulous lightening display....ringside seat in my hotel room.
I was in St. Augustine during the full moon which was nothing short of spectacular. One night we took a harbor cruise and watching the sun set and the moon rise was just too perfect. A porpoise escorted us out of the harbor!
I did miss seeing a good looking chocolate standard poodle on my walks. I know he would have added to the experience.
The shopping in St. Augustine is as we remembered, pretty much tee shirts and fridge magnets. In Jacksonville, I did enjoy shopping in the San Marco historic district. The Jacksonville Landing was pretty bad. A Hooters and two or three other restaurants, very few open shops and a lot of construction. The crowd there was mainly teenaged boys and girls.
I do love St.Augustine and look forward to my next visit there.
Enjoy a beautiful Portland Sunday and give a hug to said poodle for me, please.
Love the Alcazar. The guitarist is so good and discreet. I had a hibiscus with lunch which may have added to my overall happy feelings about the place!
Oct 27th, 2005, 06:26 AM
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cmcfong, I'm a bit surprised that there was no mention of the Raintree when you were describing some pretty nice restaurants. I'm headed for St Augustine soon and was looking forward to the Raintree's usual spectacular food and service. Could it have declined in the past year?
Opus 39 is a place I think I'll visit while there. Your description makes it sound like a great food experience. Thanks for the report.
Opus 39 is a place I think I'll visit while there. Your description makes it sound like a great food experience. Thanks for the report.
