Iconic, historic Casa Monica Resort & Spa sits in the heart of America’s first city
Architecturally stunning Casa Monica Resort & Spa is the historic, iconic choice for luxury accommodations from which to explore America’s first city, St. Augustine, FL. Upon check-in, we were promised this Kessler Collection property is at the city’s epicenter and very walkable to key sites.
A few days later, with miles of wandering in a fascinating city behind us, we had to agree. The Kessler name made Casa Monica an easy choice for us as we’ve previously adored our stays at sister properties The Grand Bohemian, Asheville, NC; both the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront and Mansion on Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA; and The Bohemian Hotel Celebration, near Orlando, FL. (We’re excited that the company has new properties coming to Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC, and is adding another in Savannah).
A property tour of the romantically elegant property with Spanish flare took us inside all the common areas including the popular outdoor pool with cabanas plus allowed us a peek inside the three-story, two-bedroom Flagler suite with amazing rooftop views out its original stained glass windows of colored panes checker boarded alongside clear ones.
It’s fitting that such a historic city is home to such a historic property, lovingly saved and restored. St. Augustine’s claim to fame of course is as America’s “first city” – dating to 1565 – the oldest in North America to be settled permanently by Europeans and continuously operating.
Casa Monica opened New Year’s Day 1888 with impeccable Moorish Revival and Spanish Baroque Revival architecture. Our first view of today’s restored version is mouth dropping....
