St. Augustine's Hidden Gem: Penny Farthing Inn's Unforgettable Charm

St. Augustine's Hidden Gem: Penny Farthing Inn's Unforgettable Charm
Penny Farthing Inn: St. Augustine's Charm – And Maybe a Few Quirks (But in a Good Way!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the Earl Grey, given the Penny Farthing's vibe) on St. Augustine's Penny Farthing Inn. This place… this place is a vibe. Forget sterile hotel chains; this is a charming, slightly eccentric, and wonderfully unforgettable stay, nestled right in the heart of America's oldest city. And trust me, I'm not just saying that because they offered me a free cookie (although, bless the cookie!).
Accessibility? Kinda Got It, Kinda Not (But They Try)
Let's be real, folks: accessibility is a mixed bag. The website mentions facilities for disabled guests, and I saw a few things that looked promising, like the elevator. However, I didn't get a full audit of the place, so I can’t say for sure if every room is fully wheelchair-accessible. Car park [free of charge] is a huge win, though. Check-in/out [contactless] is a plus, especially nowadays. They've made some decent moves in the right direction, but I recommend calling them directly and getting the specifics if accessibility is a critical factor.
Speaking of Parking…
Finding parking in St. Augustine can be a nightmare, especially on a busy weekend. The car park [on-site] is a lifesaver. And the fact that it's free of charge? Chef’s kiss. That alone is worth like, a thousand points in my book.
The Food & Drink Experience: A Feast for the Senses (and Sometimes the Soul)
Okay, let’s talk food. Food is important. Penny Farthing doesn't have a ton of on-site dining, but what they have is… nice. There's a bar and a coffee shop, which are perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a morning caffeine fix to fuel your day of historical exploration. They offer breakfast [buffet] – a classic. And you know what? The little touches matter. Like the bottle of water they leave in your room. Perfection.
They've also got a vegetarian restaurant, which, as a carnivore, I didn't personally try, but it's a huge plus for anyone with dietary restrictions. And the fact they have room service [24-hour]? Priceless. Especially after a long day of battling tourists and dodging horse-drawn carriages. (I'm looking at you, tourist!)
One afternoon, after exploring the Castillo de San Marcos (which, by the way, is incredible!), I stumbled back to the inn, utterly famished. I decided to order a late-afternoon snack using room service. Now, full disclosure: I'm not a huge fan of salads. But, they had a salad in restaurant, and it sounded fresh and simple. I opted for this, along with an iced tea. I'm not sure what kind of magic the chef worked, but it was delicious. The crisp veggies, the perfectly balanced dressing… it was a small act of culinary genius. It's those simple things that can make a stay truly memorable.
Cleanliness, Safety & The Covid-Era: They’re Trying (and That Counts!)
Look, we're all living in a weird new world, right? I'm just going to cut to the chase: Penny Farthing seems to get it. They advertised anti-viral cleaning products and daily disinfection in common areas. They have visible hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They had rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocol. They are really trying, and I, as a guest, appreciate that. It's not enough to simply say you're safe; you have to show it. And they do. They also have a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit, which is comforting.
Rambling About Relaxation (Because, You Know, It's Important)
Did I use the fitness center? Nope. Did I get a massage? Also no. Would I have loved to get a spa treatment? 100%! But it wasn't their main focus, so hey, c'est la vie. Don't expect a full-blown spa experience, but the fact they mention ways to relax tells me they get it!
In-Room Goodies: The Little Things That Matter
Okay, let's talk about the rooms. The Wi-Fi [free] is a lifesaver. I could stream my shows, catch up on work (ugh), and generally annoy my friends without breaking the bank. The coffee/tea maker? Essential. The bathrobes? A nice touch. The slippers? Pure. Bliss.
My room was a non-smoking one (thank heavens!), and I was happy with the air conditioning, which was essential in the Florida heat. I had a comfortable bed, decent linens, and a desk, which, again, was helpful for work. Though I will admit, I did spend a little too much time admiring the window that opens. You cannot underestimate the joy of fresh air!
The Quirks! The Quirks! (Oh, the Glorious Quirks!)
Now, here's the thing. The Penny Farthing Inn isn't a perfect hotel. It's not a slick, soulless chain. It has character. It’s… real. The walls, the decorations… The whole place just feels slightly… lived in. There might be a slight creak in the hallway or a slightly wonky door. It’s got a warm, lived-in feel that makes you feel more like you're staying in a friend's cozy home than a standardized hotel. That's not a bad thing; that's the charm.
The Unforgettable Offer: Escape to St. Augustine's Enchantment, with a Dash of Penny Farthing Magic!
Ready to Trade Ordinary for Extraordinary?
Tired of the same old boring hotel stays? Yearning for a getaway that's steeped in history, overflowing with charm, and bursting with character? Then look no further than the Penny Farthing Inn in St. Augustine!
Here's What Awaits You:
- Prime Location: Steps from the historic streets, the Castillo de San Marcos, and all the magic St. Augustine has to offer.
- Cozy Retreats: Comfortable rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee makers, and those little extras that make a difference.
- Convenient Amenities: Free parking, on-site bar and coffee shop, and 24-hour room service.
- Peace of Mind: Clean, safe, and committed to your well-being.
- Unforgettable Atmosphere: A unique, slightly quirky, and utterly charming vibe that you won't find anywhere else.
Book Your St. Augustine Adventure Today!
For a limited time, we're offering a special discount to all guests who book directly! Enjoy:
- 15% off your room rate
- Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
Don't miss out on this chance to experience the Penny Farthing Inn. Availability is limited, so book now and prepare to be enchanted by St. Augustine!
(Click Here to Book Now!)
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Penny Farthing Inn: My St. Augustine Mishap & Masterpiece (Probably)
Okay, so, St. Augustine. America's oldest city. Sounds promising, right? Especially when you've booked a few nights at the Penny Farthing Inn, which, bless their hearts, promises "Victorian charm." Spoiler alert: it delivered… mostly.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Bedpost Debacle
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Jacksonville Airport. Holy moly, the humidity hits you like a wet blanket the second you step outside. Immediately regret wearing that "cute" linen dress. Grab a rental, sweating buckets already.
- 3:00 PM: Arrive at the Penny Farthing Inn. Okay, charm. It's definitely there. Think lace curtains, dimly lit hallways, and the faint aroma of… old books? (I’m a sucker for old books). Check-in is smooth, though the innkeeper, bless her, seems perpetually a little flustered.
- 3:30 PM: Get to my room, which I was told to be "cozy." Cozy is a euphemism. Think… a dollhouse, if your dolls had Victorian sensibilities and a taste for the macabre. The bed, though, the BED! It's a four-poster with a massive headboard. And – oh dear God – decorative bedposts.
- 3:45 PM: Unpack. Almost immediately knock myself out on a low-hanging bedpost. OW. Right in the temple. Consider cancelling the trip and finding a nice, sterile Motel 6. But then I see a tiny, antique desk in the corner and the pain fades. I am a sucker for tiny antique desks.
- 4:00 PM: Decide to forge ahead and explore. Take a quick walk through the inn’s beautiful garden. The roses are glorious, but I’m still pretty sore from the bedpost.
- 5:00 PM: Wander the historic streets. So. Many. Tourists. Okay, the cobblestones are charming (when you’re not tripping on them like I apparently am). And the architecture! So much history oozing from every brick. The feeling of the place is undeniable, even if the crowds make me want to scream into a void.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at The Ice Plant. Recommended by the innkeeper (bless her again). She said, "Modern food, old-school ambience." She’s right. Cocktails are phenomenal. The food… well, let's just say my expectations were probably too high after the bedpost incident. The seared scallops were good, though (they had to be after that head injury).
- 8:00 PM: Back to the dollhouse room. Try to read. Fail. Bedpost-induced headache has kicked in. Curse the Victorians and their penchant for pointless ornamentation.
- 9:00 PM: Early night. Dream of… you guessed it… bedposts.
Day 2: Ghosts, Gumbo, and the Quest for the Holy Doughnut
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the inn. It's included! Think basic, but charmingly so. Fresh fruit, toast, (very strong) coffee, and a chat with the resident cat, who seems to know all the secrets of the place. He probably does.
- 10:00 AM: The Ghost Tour. Okay, I’m a skeptic, but I’m also a sucker for spooky stories, especially when told in the dark. Our guide was great, dramatic, and knew this city inside and out. The stories are, of course, well-rehearsed, but the atmosphere of the old, creaky buildings is fantastic. I’m a little jumpy, especially after the story about the little boy who haunts the Tolomato Cemetery.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at Columbia Restaurant. It's old. It's famous. It's… a bit much. The wait is long. The service is slow. The food is… fine. The Cuban sandwich? Acceptable. The atmosphere? Overwhelming. I'm surrounded by loud conversations, the clatter of silverware, and a general sense of organized chaos. I felt overwhelmed.
- 2:00 PM: Explore Castillo de San Marcos. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. The enormity of it, the history, the views from the walls. Even the tourists don’t bother me here. I can almost feel the history. I might even be a tiny bit emotional staring at the vastness of the place. This place is a masterpiece.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Doughnut Quest. I saw online that there was a legendary doughnut shop in the area. We set off on a quest. A long, frustrating, sweaty quest.
- 4:30 PM: Walk in the wrong direction, because I forgot to get the right direction.
- 5:00 PM: Find the shop! It's closed! It's CLOSED! My heart shatters a little. (Seriously though, why are all the best places closed on Tuesdays?)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at The Tasting Room. Redemption! This place is fantastic. Small plates, innovative flavors, a great wine list. My faith in St. Augustine’s culinary scene is restored. The pork belly? To die for.
- 8:00 PM: Stroll along the waterfront. Watching the sunset. The air has finally cooled down. All the earlier chaos that I felt seemed washed away and I feel at peace. I may even have forgiven the bedpost. (Maybe).
Day 3: The Lightner Museum & Departure
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the inn (again). The cat looks at me knowingly. I think he knows I have fallen in love with St. Augustine and I'm conflicted about leaving.
- 10:00 AM: The Lightner Museum. Ah, the joy! Housed in the old Alcazar Hotel, It feels like stepping into a time capsule. The collection is eclectic. From vintage furniture to bizarre mechanical contraptions, to antique music boxes. The architecture of the building itself is incredible.
- 12:00 PM: Final stroll through the streets. One last look at the architecture, the quirky shops, the (still numerous) tourists. Buy a postcard, because apparently that’s what you do.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a little café with a tiny shop. Sandwich. Coffee. One last look at the sun hitting the old, Spanish buildings.
- 2:00 PM: Head back to the Penny Farthing. Say goodbye to the innkeeper and the cat. (The cat barely acknowledges me, the jerk.)
- 2:30 PM: Pack. Check-out. One last glimpse of the infamous bedpost. Shake my head, smile (mostly).
- 3:00 PM: Drive to the airport. Goodbye St. Augustine. You were… a lot. But you were also beautiful, and fascinating, and yes, even charming. I'll be back. Next time, though, I'm bringing a helmet and a better map.

Okay, spill, what *IS* the Penny Farthing Inn? Sounds...British?
Alright, alright, settle down! Yeah, the Penny Farthing Inn? Imagine a tiny, crooked-timbered slice of England, somehow *plonked* smack-dab in the historical heart of St. Augustine. Think less "stately mansion" and more "hugely charming, slightly worn, and perfectly imperfect." It's not brand new, you can tell, and that's a *good* thing. It's got character. Think: cozy fireplaces, mismatched furniture that somehow *works*, and more flowered wallpaper than you thought humanly possible. The whole place just *oozes* history and... well, let's just say 'eccentric hospitality'. You know, like, the good kind.
Is it actually *good*? Or just...charming-but-crumbling-and-overpriced?
Okay, confession time: I was *skeptical*. Real skeptical. I'd seen the pictures – you know, the perfectly curated Instagram shots of breakfast in a sunny courtyard. But look, I'm *not* a 'perfect picture' kind of person. And I was *wrong*. It's absolutely genuinely good. The prices are... well, they're St. Augustine prices, which means you're paying for the location and the vibe. But you get what you pay for. The breakfasts are LEGIT. Think fluffy omelets, homemade scones with clotted cream (yes, really!), and enough coffee to jumpstart a small country. Okay, the sheets are a little... well-loved. And the air conditioning? Let's just say it needed some encouragement on a particularly humid Florida afternoon. But honestly? Those tiny imperfections? They add to the charm. Because, let's be honest, who wants *perfect*? Perfect is boring!
Tell me about the staff. Are they stuffy Brits or... friendly locals?
Okay, here's the *real* secret sauce: the staff. They are *fantastic*. Not a single stuffy Brit in sight, thank goodness. Think warm, welcoming, and genuinely interested in making your stay perfect. The innkeepers are like eccentric aunt and uncle types. I felt like I was visiting family. The breakfast lady? A legend! She remembered my bizarre coffee order after the first day. And she knew all the best ghost stories, which, you know, *in St. Augustine* is a *huge* plus. I had a minor plumbing issue (totally my fault, I think I used too much soap), and they fixed it within like, 5 seconds. Seriously. They have a charm, and the way you can get a smile just sitting in the front porch is something else.
Is it *really* haunted? Because, you know, St. Augustine...
Okay, this is where things get *interesting*. St. Augustine is practically built on ghosts, right? And the Penny Farthing? Let's just say it's got a vibe. I'm a skeptic. I *really* am. But... I swear my door SLAMMED shut one night. With no wind. And no explanation. The breakfast lady just winked and said, "Oh, that's just Reginald. He's friendly. Mostly." So...make of that what you will. I may or may not have slept with the lights on after that. Whatever. It adds to the fun, don't you think? It will feel strange to begin with.
What's breakfast *really* like? I'm a foodie, and I'm brutally honest...
Alright, foodie! Breakfast at the Penny Farthing? Okay, so this is where it *really* shines. Forget your sad continental breakfast buffet. These are proper, home-cooked meals! I'm talking fluffy omelets stuffed with all sorts of deliciousness, fresh fruit, and pastries that practically melt in your mouth. They're not playing around. I was there for three days, and each morning was like a culinary adventure. One day, I had the BEST Eggs Benedict I've ever eaten – perfectly poached eggs, tangy hollandaise, the whole shebang. The next? Scones with clotted cream and jam. It felt like a dream. And the coffee? Strong. Delicious. Bottomless. It's worth going JUST for the breakfast, no kidding.
Location, location, location! Is it actually *central*?
Oh, absolutely. You're right in the thick of it. Literally steps from the historic district, the Castillo de San Marcos, and all the shops and restaurants you could possibly want. You can wander around, get lost, and find yourself in amazing little alleyways you never knew existed. It truly makes a big difference. You can walk everywhere! I barely used my car, which, in a town like St. Augustine, is a *huge* win. It's convenient. I was a lazy tourist, so it was a *dream*
So, any *cons*? Anything I need to know before I book?
Okay, let's be honest: there are a *few* tiny things. As I said, it's not a luxury hotel! Number one? The rooms are small. Cozy. Intimate. Whatever you want to call it. If you’re used to sprawling suites, this might be a bit of a shock. Pack light! The air conditioning is effective, eventually. But don't show up expecting a chilly arctic blast right away. The parking is *a little* tight. But hey, you're in a historic city. What do you expect? And finally, if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. The historic district *is* alive! You'll hear the horse-drawn carriages and the occasional late-night revelers. It's part of the charm, I guess. But earplugs are your friend.
Would you *go back*? Seriously?
Without a shadow of a doubt. In a heartbeat. I'm already planning my return trip. It’s not perfect, but it's perfect *for me*. It's got soul. It's memorable. It’s that kind of place that you can't help but recommend to everyone you know. It's an experience, not just a place to sleep. I'm a Penny Farthing Inn convert. Consider yourself warned. And if Reginald decides to slam a door for you? Tell him I say hello.
Anything *weird* happen? Like, *really* weird?


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