Axel's take on Anastasia Island: #3 of 6 in St. Augustine, 5.9/10
Stay near the bridge for island character without losing downtown. Strong sightseeing access and island character earn third place, while limited hotel choice, weaker value and scattered attractions hold it back.
Davis Shores, just over the Bridge of Lions, gives northern Anastasia Island a useful mix of residential streets, casual restaurants and music venues along Anastasia Boulevard. You can walk back into the old town from the bridge end, then return to a neighborhood that feels less like an attraction. The lighthouse and Alligator Farm are farther along the island, with the Amphitheatre beyond.
Do not book here assuming the Atlantic is outside your door: Davis Shores is not beachfront. The new STAR route makes town-and-beach outings easier, but your exact street still matters. Choose this for a mixed itinerary and informal evenings; skip it for a sand-first holiday.
- Best for: nightlife, travelers on a budget
- Skip it if: Beachfront access is the priority; You expect every island attraction to be walkable
- Getting around: Walk Davis Shores and cross the Bridge of Lions for downtown; STAR stops on Anastasia Boulevard and continues to the beach; JAX/DAB require road transfers.
- After dark: Live music and bars make Anastasia Boulevard sociable, without the whole residential neighborhood becoming an entertainment district.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $277 a night · usually 19% under the public rate
Where to stay in St. Augustine: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Anastasia Island
- Anastasia Boulevard near Bridge of Lions. Stay toward the bridge for the easiest connection to downtown, with casual restaurants along the boulevard. Hotels here: voco St. Augustine Historic Area by IHG.
- Anastasia Boulevard near Lighthouse Park. Choose farther along the boulevard for island outings and residential surroundings, rather than the shortest walk into old town. Hotels here: Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine near Dtwn - Historic by IHG.
How to choose
- Choose voco St. Augustine Historic Area by IHG if you want good-sized modern rooms and are happy walking across the bridge to downtown.
- Choose Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine near Dtwn - Historic by IHG if you plan island outings by car and want breakfast included.
What paying more buys
Holiday Inn Express costs more here than voco, chiefly buying an included breakfast for a practical driving stay. Both have pools and recurring sound-insulation complaints. The extra is hard to justify if breakfast matters little and you prefer voco’s walk across the bridge. Typical rates with Axel here run from $240 a night at voco St. Augustine Historic Area by IHG to $313 at Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine near Dtwn - Historic by IHG (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Anastasia Island, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- voco St. Augustine Historic Area by IHG 8.2/10, modern, boutique-style 3-star across the bridge from historic downtown. Comfortable rooms and welcoming staff make this a strong base, with some noise caveats. Why it's here: good-sized modern rooms, welcoming staff and a walk across the bridge to downtown. Accept: weak sound insulation, paid parking and uncertain dinner service.
- Holiday Inn Express St. Augustine near Dtwn - Historic by IHG 7.8/10, simple 2-star chain hotel on Anastasia Island, outside the historic district. A practical sightseeing base with clean rooms, but noise and parking charges temper the appeal. Why it's here: included breakfast and consistently clean rooms for island outings by car. Accept: road noise, thin walls and tight paid parking.
