Entire home

Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug

Photo gallery for Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug

Huge game room with pool table, 75” tv and enough room for everyone (1)
Front porch complete with six rockers (1)
Front entrance
Stairway splits the living and sitting rooms
Living room with sleeper sofa (1)

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 12371.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
St. Augustine, FL
  • St. George Street
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Flagler College
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

+5
3 Single Beds, 1 King Bed, 4 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

4 bathrooms, 5 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Bathroom 9

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area

About this property

Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug

Check out our reviews! This is a luxury rental and our number one priority is making sure every single guest is treated like royalty. Your host, Betsy, will go above and beyond to ensure each individual feels cared for throughout their stay. Whether it’s personalized welcome notes, prompt responses, a basket of treats, or a bottle of wine, Betsy has thought of everything to make each guest feel pampered.

4,000sf of luxury in the most prestigious neighborhood in historic downtown St Augustine. Gorgeous and newly updated circa 1880 historic home. This home is unique to downtown because it sleeps 12 comfortably, has a half-acre property and parking for up to 5 cars. This is a rare find for the area and makes it truly the perfect vacation spot. It is within walking distance to St. George Street and fantastic downtown restaurants and historic sites, while also located on a quiet residential street. We are just a short drive to the beach, right over the Bridge of Lions. This charming retreat is a one of a kind getaway for any family or group. We are a quick and beautiful walk to all of the historic sites, shops and restaurants.

This home is a rare find for this area. There is a tremendous amount of living space for fun, food, and relaxation. The expansive dining room comfortably seats 14 people and allows plenty of room for large gatherings. The massive game room has a pool table and 75" TV. There is a sitting room with four stuffed chairs and a separate living room with couch and loveseat. If that isn't enough, there is an enclosed back porch with wicker furniture set and a front porch complete with 6 rocking chairs to enjoy the view of horse and buggies clip-clopping along the front of this beautiful home.

The home comfortably sleeps 12 with room for 14 people when using a trundle and pull out couch. The master suite is on the first level with a king sized bed and it's own dedicated full bath with walk-in shower. Two of the upstairs large queen bedrooms are joined by a Jack and Jill full bathroom. The oversized upstairs bedroom at the front of the home has two queen sized beds and a private balcony. The "bunk room" provides a bunk bed with trundle and two large closets to sleep three extra quests. There is an additional full bath on the second floor that has just been completely updated.

The expansive yard has beautiful gardens, fire pit, Adirondack chairs, egg swing chairs and a traditional tree swing in the back yard to enjoy the gorgeous views. The home is situated between Maria Sanchez Lake and Matanzas River Bay, both offering incredible views. This home will be your new happy place!

You will have sole access to the entire house, property, and driveway, with the exception of the cottage and cottage patio which is located on the side of the property. Guests will be provided with a code for keyless entry a day before check-in.

Property manager

Mark & Betsy Hopwood
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

St. Augustine

Downtown Historic District, a neighbourhood in St. Augustine, is home to this holiday home. Shoppers can check out St. George Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Anastasia State Park and Vilano Beach. World Golf Village and Bayfront Carpet Golf are also worth visiting.
Map
St. Augustine, FL

What's nearby

  • St. George Street - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Lightner Museum - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine - 13 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Flagler College - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - 18 min walk - 1.6 km

Getting around

  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪St Augustine Fish Camp - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Dog Rose Brewing Company - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Tradewinds Tropical Lounge - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic 1880 Retreat in Heart of Old St Aug located?

Located in Downtown Historic District, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Matanzas River and St. George Street. Flagler College and Castillo de San Marcos National Monument are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 29 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 29 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 29 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

St. Augustine Trip

Absolutely gorgeous house- Perfect place for a larger group to stay. Plenty of space. House was lovely and clean. Betsy was an excellent communicator and easy to reach if needed. 10/10 recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family 70th Birthday Trip

The house worked great for our family birthday celebration! Great location, super walkable. The pool table got a lot of use as did the front porch for coffee and rocking. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Family Reunion

Overall Betsy's property exceeded expectations! It was decorated beautifully for the holidays and put everyone in a great mood. There was plenty of space for our group and both the pool table and the outdoor fire-pit were great gathering spots for teenagers and adults. The location was also perfect, within walking distance of historical downtown St Augustine, many wonderful restaurants and shopping. Thank you, Betsy, for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shannon V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Holiday Getaway!

This House and the Owner are AMAZING!! Highly recommend the location...just a few blocks from all the action but quiet at night! The house is BEAUTIFUL and meticulous! IT'S HUGE! Cannot say enough about how wonderful our stay was at this property!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

roger o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving stay

The location is perfect for a family retreat
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Wedding Party Accomodations

This was the perfect place to house members of our son’s wedding party and family from out of town. Our host has thought to provide anything you might possible need, decorated the house beautifully, and communicated instructions fabulously. I have never felt so welcome and cared for as we did in this rental property. Location is wonderful yet still located in a quiet area. You can’t go wrong when you book this amazing property!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danielle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Space

This home was just perfect for an extended girls weekend with a group of 10. The location was great and everything was walkable. We really appreciated Betsy’s special touches- wine, little baskets of things we may need- she thought of everything! We had the best time together and having a clean, spacious safe space made it even better.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

seth m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

wedding

Great house very clean and the hosts are fantastic to deal with. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hope

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful historic home. Betsy has everything you need there! We loved playing pool and visiting with our friends in one of several cozy sitting areas. I am wanting to lease it again for a family vacation with my grandkids.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding weekend in historic St. Augustine

This property had everything you could ever need and more for a getaway with friends and family. The house was immaculate and the rooms were even more spacious and homey than the pictures show. The location was within easy walking distance of everything in historic St. Augustine. We would highly recommend this home to anyone wanting to visit this beautiful town and would definitely book here again. LOVED It!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dylan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

10/10

Fantastic place to stay. Perfectly clean. Great location. We had 9 adults and it was not cramped at all. Betsy is a terrific host. Would recommend this stay to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday Girl’s Trip

If you were looking for a place to stay in Saint Augustine with no further. This home is well appointed, large enough to fit your whole family or friend group and close to all the important spots downtown. We enjoyed the multiple gathering spots, playing pool, and sitting around the fire pit outside. Betsy promptly answered my multiple queries and was a pleasure to work with. Five star all the way!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay... AGAIN!

Our family gathered for a second time at this amazing property to celebrate an 85th birthday. The house was absolutely immaculate, spacious, convenient to restaurants and attractions and served our family perfectly. There is ample parking and a great big yard the kids (and adults) greatly enjoyed. The front and back porch were ideal for those who wanted to relax in the beautiful weather. HIGHLY recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Louis M., Merritt Island, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Home

We had 9 people total. House was very clean and spacious. Our host was in contact with us several times before we arrived. They provided lots of reccomendations. Can’t wait to visit again and stay at this beautiful home.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justin T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and Comfortable!

What an amazing stay our family (2 adults and 2 small children) had at this beautiful home in St Augustine! The house is very cool, spacious, and well appointed. Check in was a breeze and everything you could need was there. Proximity to attractions was a huge plus! Will return!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dave M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Birthday/Reunion

Awesome home, we had 14for my birthday 10 adults and 4 children 2-7 years of age. The home was perfect, plenty to do inside (pool table) and lots of games. Very close to downtown, easy walk. The owners thought of everything, Very comfortable...
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barbara V., Winter Springs, Fl

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect in every way!

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible house with us! It is absolutely perfect and met our needs in every way. The location is ideal. The kitchen is totally equipped with everything you could need. The beds are so comfortable! The layout of the house, the beautiful decorating, and all the love that went into furnishing this home makes it a five-star vacation rental!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

DeLynn Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect in every way!

This home is amazing. So comfortable for our family to all be together for my niece's wedding nearby. No detail is missed. The decor is beautiful and welcoming. The hosts were amazing from start to finish. You will not be disappointed! Parking for multiple vehicles available which is a premium in the part of town!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherrie H., Orlando

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Family Home

This property is authentic and amazing. We all had to walk around several times when we arrived to take in its beauty. It is immaculately kept, filled with every amenity a guest could need or want. There is plenty of space every for our 11 person adult family! We have stayed at many luxury VRBO properties, this one moved to the top of the list. You will never regret staying at this home.PS if you are a history fanatic(I am) this is an authentic historic home upgraded to fit a modern lifestyle.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kim E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home in great location

Our group of 10 enjoyed our stay in this lovely 5 bedroom home in the heart of historic St. Augustine. It looked exactly as pictured. Betsy, our host, was always very prompt in answering any questions. She provided us a long list of local attractions and restaurants that was very helpful. Betsy allowed us to check in several hours early which we greatly appreciated. The only negative was that we were only able to use the back door, the front door did not work. I highly recommend this home. Perfect for larger groups.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kera H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great space and location

Fantastic spacious house for 12 adults for a girls weekend! House is a direct 15-20 minute walk to old town and the sights in the area. Trolly stop about 6 minute walk up the street. House had everything you need with a unique layout of a historic home. 1 bedroom downstairs, 4 upstairs. 2 living rooms, huge dining room, great game room with plenty of space to hang out. Owners were very nice and provided useful information and updates. Everyone loved the place and complimented everything about it. Beautiful property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terri D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect St. Augustine House

We had a girls week with ladies from ages 40-91. This is an amazing house! It was spotless and clean upon our arrival. There was a delicious welcome basket of snacks and a wonderful bottle of wine waiting for us! Each bedroom had a basket of toiletries and some other odds and ends that were such a thoughtful gesture! Betsy is a fantastic host and made sure everything was perfect for our stay! The house is situated on a lovely, quiet street and we were able to walk everywhere we needed. Highly suggest this house for all ages! The games and pool table were such a great!! Thank you for a wonderful stay!!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

60th Birthday Trip to St Augustine

We stayed at this house for a Girl’s 60th Birthday Trip. The house is absolutely beautiful and Betsy did not miss a detail. There was a welcome basket with snacks and a bottle of wine in the kitchen along with a Happy 60th birthday sign (perfect start to our trip). The house is very spacious; we were 10 girls and never once felt like we were in each other’s way. Every room is appointed perfectly. The bedrooms had toiletries and quality pillows and sheets. There are so many sitting rooms as well as a back porch that you didn’t know which to choose. We had a lot of fun and laughs playing pool. A huge thank you for the Happy 60th Birthday balloons in the pool table room. The house is in a residential area and a short walk to the heart of the historic district. We didn’t move our cars until the day we left. I highly recommend staying here and look forward to our next stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay

There just isn’t enough stars to give this gorgeous house or our experience with the hosts! Our family gathered excited to experience this city and this historic home together, having been assisted by the host (Betsy) with tips of the area of top spots to visit as well as to dine, we already knew we were in good hands- but, our expectations for the experience and home were wonderfully blown away. The home maintains such historic integrity, but also included fully renovated up-to-date comforts and styles. The home was incredibly immaculate, well thought out and beyond comfortable for a large family to relax and share so many cherished memories. The location was absolutely perfect to walk to all off our adventures. The property easily parked 5 cars (which is a big deal in St. Augustine!) The yard which was a wonderfully understated surprise was incredibly large and included a tree swing that was such an attraction! Not to mention, the horse drawn carriages past by the house often which was exciting for the kids in the group. Again, our expectations were blown away and returning to this home would be an absolute dream! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

April D., Jacksonville Beach, FL USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ladies Retreat

Our group of 11 booked this beautiful, gorgeously decorated home for a 2 night retreat in St. A. The home is everything as described and so much more. The location is perfect. A short walk (1.1 mile to Ripley’s for the Holly Jolly Red Train) to the historic district for great restaurants, shopping and site seeing. This home is very, very clean and has everything you need to cook and entertain for a large group. The size of the home is ample. We had plenty of space for our group and no one felt crowded. We spent our mornings on the porch rocking in the six rocking chairs, sipping our coffee and watching the foot traffic on their way to the downtown area. Evenings started with wine back on the front porch or in the sunroom which is located at the back of the house. And, for the late nighters, the pool table and recreation room was the place to be! Betsy is a great host and communicator and has gone to great lengths to beautifully decorate this gorgeous historic home and provide many personal touches (welcome bottle of wine, hot cocoa bar, bottled water, baskets of toiletries in each guest room) for her guests to make your stay comfortable and wanting for nothing! Thank you Betsy for the added bonus of a huge Christmas tree and the lovely holiday decorations and lights! You made our stay so memorable. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Mark & Betsy Hopwood

Host profile image
Mark and Betsy moved to Florida in 2016 with their three children and fell in love with St Augustine. Their dream was to renovated an historic home to share with family and friends from all over the country. Dreams do come true! This is their forever home where they will eventually retire. In the meantime, they'd like to share it with you :)

Why they chose this property

Property Highlights!
-One of a kind, half acre property nestled in historic downtown St. Augustine.
-Horse and buggy rides clip-clop past the front door multiple times per day
-Driveway and walkways paved with 100+ year old bricks.
-Picturesque front porch loaded with rocking chairs just awaiting southern sweet tea.
-Chic and spacious living area boasts ample seating around multiple cozy fireplaces.
-Modern, fully equipped kitchen with granite counters.
-Elegantly appointed, massive dining room seats everyone.
-Dreamy master suite boasts a king bed and an en-suite bath with a lovely walk-in shower.
-Sundrenched 2nd bedroom hosts two queen beds and a private balcony deck.
-A 3rd bedroom offers three twin beds.
-The 4th and 5th bedrooms are delightfully decorated with queen beds in each room.
-Two additional full baths offer both a walk-in shower and a shower/tub combination.
-Convenient half-bathroom.
-Handsomely appointed game room features a pool table and stylish bar seating.
-Peaceful enclosed rear porch with oversized windows and western view for amazing sunsets.
-Bonus sleeper sofa for extra guests.
-Wi-fi, cable, Smart TV, board games.
-Recommendations for bicycle, beach chair, boogie/surf boards, golf cart, and scooter rentals available upon request.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests