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Avis OLD CITY HOUSE Saint Augustine
Avis des membres sur OLD CITY HOUSE
4.3/5
24 avis
Rapport Qualité/Prix
Localisation
Propreté
Cadre /ambiance
Service
Les notes et les avis ci-dessous reflètent les opinions subjectives des membres et non l'avis du Petit Futé.
, it was a lovely night.
Celebrating our 30th anniversary.
Breakfast started at 9:00 am, which felt a little late for us, but we took the extra time beforehand to walk around St. Augustine and enjoy the sights. We also loved seeing the exterior of the Inn and the patio in the early morning light—it was so beautiful and so quaint!
The complimentary breakfast of Belgian waffles, mixed fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes was phenomenal—we kept talking about it even after our trip was over! We were the first guests to eat that morning, so the dining room was quiet and peaceful and our server was warm, friendly, and efficient. That level of hospitality is rare in dining out now, so we truly appreciated it!
The only cons we found related to the room were the thinness of the walls (we heard conversations in other rooms and in the restaurant fairly clearly when we were trying to sleep) and some questionable bathroom features (the counter was too narrow for many toiletries, the fan rattled, and the septic system kept flushing randomly by itself, both during the night and the next morning—a ghost, perhaps? just kidding! :). But for a one-night stay and for the overall value of the bed & breakfast experience, these weren’t dealbreakers for us. Thanks, Old City House, for being a highlight of our road trip!
Initially, the impression upon entering the restaurant was promising—a beautiful setting that hinted at a memorable evening. However, what followed was a series of events unlike any I've encountered before in a dining establishment.
Upon our arrival for an 8:30 pm reservation, we were surprised to find no hostess present. After locating a server to inform them of our reservation, we were instructed to wait without being offered a drink menu or any form of hospitality, despite our arrival half an hour early with hopes of enjoying a pre-dinner drink.
Subsequently, we settled onto some comfortable couches, but the atmosphere felt lacking, with no music playing and an overall negative vibe. Sensing the need for a change, I suggested to my wife that we relocate to the bar area for a drink.
At the bar, we found another couple dining, but unfortunately, there was no bartender in sight. Despite our attempts to inquire, we were met with uncertainty from the other patrons, further exacerbating the situation. After waiting for approximately 10 minutes without any service, we found ourselves growing increasingly frustrated.
As more guests arrived for their reservations, it became apparent that the disorganization extended beyond our experience. Upon informing another server of our reservation for outdoor seating—a key factor in our choice of restaurant—we were met with resistance, citing the outdoor conditions. Despite our persistence, we were directed outside without any guidance, leaving my wife waiting at the bar for her drink.
Upon reaching the outdoor area, we discovered a picturesque setting, albeit marred by remnants of the previous diners' plates, which I took the initiative to clear before my wife joined me. However, our efforts to enjoy our meal were further hampered when we were directed away from our chosen table due to an undisclosed reservation, highlighting the lack of communication among the staff.
Despite these challenges, the culinary offerings were exceptional, and the outdoor ambiance coupled with pleasant music offered a glimpse of the restaurant's potential. However, the overall experience was marred by subpar service, which unfortunately overshadowed the positives.
In conclusion, while the Old City House possesses the potential for a stellar dining experience, it falls short due to critical lapses in customer service. Until significant improvements are made in this regard, I cannot in good conscience recommend this establishment to fellow diners seeking a seamless culinary experience during their visit to St. Augustine.
However, the bed was super uncomfortable. Very firm and springy. It feels pretty dated and like things could use some maintenance. Additionally, there was no wifi. This place felt overpriced in its current state.
The place was not well insulated for sound. The walls were thin and you could hear whenever someone came up the steps.
This place did not feel pet friendly to us. We travel regularly with our dog and she’s used to being in new places. We’ve never had an issue with her barking in hotel rooms, but we did notice when we came back from dinner that she barked when she heard us coming up the steps, but she was not barking before that. We also noticed another dog did the same on the day we were leaving, where they barked when we were going down the stairs. Because of the layout of the place and thin walls, it feels like most dogs would not do well in this situation at least in the rooms close to the stairs. The owner told us that we had to stay with the dog in the hotel or take her with us for the whole vacation. Fortunately, the city is very dog friendly so we were able to scramble and find new plans.
A good rule of thumb might be: if your dog would bark at the mail man dropping something off, you’ll likely have a problem here with a pet.
We’ve stayed at 3 hotels after this that are pet friendly on our road trip and never hear our dog barking when we approach the room and even started testing stomping around after pretending to leave to make sure it’s not something new going on.
Overall, we felt the room was overpriced, uncomfortable, and in need of maintenance. Even without our dog we would not stay again and rather walk a bit further from a different place.
By far, this inn offers the best dinner in town. The food is exceptional and the entire staff makes you feel like family. Special thanks to Mac and Esteban for the incredible service and conversation.
We tried the Ossobuco and rack of lamb along with crab bisque soup and the cream of broccoli prepared by Juan who is a master chef.
Can't say enough great things about our stay and the awesome hospitality. Highly recommend a visit.