Escape to Paradise: voco St. Augustine, Florida

This post is sponsored by IHG Hotels and Resorts but all views expressed are my own.

Quality time is one of my top love languages and getting the opportunity to surprise my husband with a romantic getaway for his birthday was the icing on the cake for me! We visited the beautiful city of St. Augustine, Florida, located just 4.5 hours out of Columbia, South Carolina. St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in the United States with a rich history and offers many opportunities for exploring.  

We opted to lodge at the voco located in the Historic District just a few miles after crossing the beautiful drawbridge. The hotel is even better in person with a unique design - from the outside, it looks like a private cruise ship with a rooftop area for you to catch city views. You can expect a quiet stay with only two floors and less than 200 rooms! The name voco, which means ‘to invite’ and ‘call together,’ originates from Latin, representing the brand’s thoughtful and playful nature and ability to offer meaningful connection.  in the Historic District just a few miles after crossing the beautiful drawbridge. The hotel is even better in person with a unique design - from the outside, it looks like a private cruise ship with a rooftop area for you to catch city views. You can expect a quiet stay with only two floors and less than 200 rooms! The name voco, which means ‘to invite’ and ‘call together,’ originates from Latin, representing the brand’s thoughtful and playful nature and ability to offer meaningful connection.  

Amenities

Like most IHG Hotels and Resorts, voco has a business center. There is also a gym, rooftop pool, and bar on-site! The hotel design is very modern and luxurious - I love how the rich navy blue and gold pair together in their branding!  

We spent a few hours hanging out on the rooftop, enjoying the views and relaxing in the pool - this space is truly top-notch! 

Rooms 

I love a good room! On most vacations, I spend time outside the hotel, so it doesn’t matter about the room. My main focus is that it is comfortable and in a good location for my desired attractions. This time, I got both; a great place and an even better room! The layout was very open and clean, with a comfortable bed and walk-in shower! I enjoyed the personal touches of having water readily available for free! 

On Saturday morning, we woke up to live music from neighboring restaurants - it was a treat!  

Attractions 

There is so much to do in St. Augustine, and the hotel is centrally located so that you can do it all! Spend a day at the beach (Vilano Beach or St. Augustine Beach) as we did, take a trip to the Alligator Farm, or even hit Anastasia State Park to see all the exciting wildlife. There are trolley rides and guided tours in the area for all the history buffs.  

Dining 

Foodies rejoice! You will not be disappointed by the options of food in the area. There are several restaurants within walking distance that you can enjoy or simply take a short drive over the bridge for more options, but there is something for everyone and every occasion.  

Overall, we had a fantastic time, and I can’t wait to return! It’s a great escape that’s not too far of a drive from our local area! On our next visit, I plan to stay an extra day to enjoy more tourist attractions.