In the nation's oldest city, the stately manors, home to famed bed-and-breakfasts, are decked out for the season.

"It really starts our holiday season off," said Laura Taylor, a lifelong resident of St. Augustine.

"Each year, the 24 inns of SAHI, or St. Augustine Historic Inns, do a tour of homes," said Jerry Houman of the Inn on Charlotte, on Charlotte Street.

 

Visit St. Augustine's Bed-and-Breakfast Holiday Tour

 

 

Bed & Breakfast Tour: Dec. 12–13

  • Saturday, Dec. 12: Inns and Caterers on Tour
    • Centennial House, 26 Cordova St. - Chocolate Turtle
    • Casablanca Inn, 24 Avenida Menendez - Brunch
    • Alexander Homestead, 14 Sevilla St. - A1A Ale Works
    • 63 Orange Street B&B - Florida Cracker Cafe
    • Southern Wind, 18 Cordova St. - Whetstone Chocolates
    • Old Powder House, 38 Cordova St. -Black Fly
    • Carriage Way, 70 Cuna St. - St. Augustine Distillery
    • Inn on Charlotte, 52 Charlotte St. - La Pentola
    • Casa de Suenos, 20 Cordova St. - The Gifted Cork, Mojo BBQ
    • Saragossa Inn, 34 Saragossa St. - The Floridian
    • Agustin Inn, 29 Cuna St. - Michael's Tasting Room
    • 44 Spanish Street - Aunt Kate's
    • Castle Garden, 15 Shenandoah St. - Barnacle Bill's
  • Sunday, Dec. 13: Inns and Caterers on Tour
    • Peace and Plenty Inn, 87 Cedar St. - JP Henley's & Henley's
    • Old City House Inn, 115 Cordova St. - Old City House Restaurant
    • Casa de Solana, 21 Aviles St. - Harry's Seafood
    • Bayfront Marin, 142 Avenida Menendez - El Caballo Taberna
    • At Journey's End, 89 Cedar St. - Present Moment Cafe
    • St. Francis Inn, 279 St. George St. - Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood
    • Cedar House Inn, 79 Cedar St. - Collage
    • Bayfront Westcott House, 146 Avenida Menendez - Monkey Life Grill
    • Penny Farthing Inn, 87 Cedar St. - San Sebastian Winery
    • Kenwood Inn, 38 Marine St. - O.C. White's
    • Victorian House, 11 Cadiz St. - Prince of Wales

Once the Thanksgiving turkey is cooked, the competition is on to decorate, decorate, and decorate.

"There may be a bit of competition and that 'keep up with the Joneses' kind of thing," Tim Millbern of At Journey's End Bed-and-Breakfast admitted, laughing.

"Every year, we do a little more," said Joy Warren of the Bayfront Westcott House.

Guests are treated to an eyeful as each bed-and-breakfast takes on a different look.

"It's fascinating to see the different decorations that they do, the different styles," Taylor said. "Some even have beautiful background music as well."

The best part: You don't need to be a guest at one of the inns to behold the splendor.

"People can buy a ticket and walk through and see every single bed-and-breakfast in St. Augustine," Houman explained.

Each holiday season, Laura Taylor jumps at the chance to tour two dozen bed-and-breakfasts in one weekend.

"My grandmother, my mother and myself traditionally go on this tour," Taylor said. "You would have to take years and years to go see one of these rooms, and they just decorate them so beautifully and so quaintly. We just really enjoy it."

 

Each inn takes on a different decorating theme.

 

Houman loves decorating the Inn on Charlotte with a Florida fare and welcoming everyone.

"This is for those people who are seeking friends on the holidays," Houman explained. "You have some young ones who are away from family who are seeking that connection, and then you have some of the older folks who either can't travel to their families or maybe don't have the family that they used to have."

 

At Journey's End inn decorates with an Elvis theme, complete with the King's head atop a tree.

 

The self-guided walking tour comes with a map and transportation aboard a trolley.

"Holiday time, we go all out, because the Holly Jolly Trolley goes down our street," Millbern said.

 

At night, the lights come on and the inns take on a special glow.

 

"I still have that feeling of excitement when we turn all the lights on," Warren said. " I sit on the seawall over here and look over, and it's just a great feeling."

The tour also includes light snacks along the way.

"And then they have little drinks," Taylor said, adding. "Some are maybe a little toddy, to help you in the holiday spirit."

Just don't linger too long. As Millbern advises, "Move on, go to the next one. You've got to see them all."

 

Next stop…

If you would rather see the inns on wheels instead of on foot, you're in luck. NEXT STORY